U-156 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with the help of Andi Forster

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
Kiel
24 December 1941
Lorient
10 January 1942
18

 

Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol.  You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file.  Download Google Earth here

 

Ships Hit
None
Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

 

 
                                                                                       
  
           
                                                                      
           
           
                                                              Copy No.  
           
         
           
            K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h  
        ==========================  
                                  of  
           
                                            U  n  t  e  r  s  e  e  b o  o  t  e  s    "  U    1  5  6  "  
                                          ===================================  
                              1st  Patrol.  
           
                             Kommandant:  Kapitänleutnant    H  a  r  t  e  n  s  t  e  i  n  
           
           
           
           
           
           
        Beginning:        4.9.1941 (Commissioning)  
        Concluding:     10.1.1942  
           
                      
     
Distribution: O.K.M. Skl.U Copy No 1 and 2
  B.d.U. Copy No. 3
  2. A.d.U. Copy No. 4
  Flottille Copy No. 5
 
                                       
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
    06.09.41      
    10.00 Bremen, Deschimag Werft Commissioning.  
           
    05. - 09.09.41       "               " Outfitting.  Independent training at the pier and in the river.  
         
    10. - 11.09.41 Lower Wesser, Elbe, Kaiser Wilhelm Canal Transit to Kiel.  
         
    12. - 26.09.41 Kiel U.A.K. testing.  
         
    27.09.41 Western Baltic Transit to Rönne.  
         
    28.09.41 Bornholm Sound trials off Rönne.  
         
    30.09.41 Central Baltic Transit to Danzig, further to Gotenhafen.  
         
    02. - 06.10.41 Gotenhafen T.E.K. testing.  
         
    07. - 08.10.41 Danzig Bay Measured mile.  
           
    09. - 12.10.41 Danzig Bay, Danzig Independent training.  Released from U.A.K.  
         
    13. - 22.10.41 Danzig Bay, Hela Combat diving training with Ausbildungs Front.  
         
    23.10. - 10.11.41 Danzig Bay, Danzig Independent training, Artillery sea target shooting, anti-aircraft firing, attack training, torpedo shooting with 25. U-Flottille.  
           
    12. - 21.11.41 Central Baltic between Bornholm and Memel Tactical training with the 27. U-Flottille.  
         
    24.11.41 Gotenhafen - Roadstead Testing of weather buoy, afterwards transit to Stettin.  
         
    25.11. - 22.12.41 Stettin, Oderwerke Final adjustments and overhaul, outfitting.  
         
    22.12.41 Stettin U-boat Base    
    11.28   Cast off for transit to Kiel.  
           
    23. - 24.12.41 Kiel, U-boat Base and Howaldt Werft Repair of damage, final outfitting, degaussing, radio direction finder calibration, balenced the boat, briefing of the Kommandant by the Chef 5. U-Flottille.  
           
                                                        
           
 
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
           
    24.12.41 Kiel U-boat Base    
    22.58   Cast off for war patrol.  Transit through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal.  
                                                        
    25.12.41 Brunsbüttel - Roadstead    
    08.30 Wind WNW 5-7 shifting clockwise, shower weather Passed Brunsbüttel signal station.  
      Proceeded as the 4th vessel behind Sperrbrecher.  
    12.00 10 nm south of Helgoland Day's run:  Surfaced 93 nm  
      Wind NW 7-8, heavy Sea, backside [improving] weather, visibility 10 nm Departed on Route Blue.  
    14.15 - 16.30 Deutsche Bucht, Route Blue Fighter escort by several Me 109.  
    17.00 AN 9546 Escort ended on schedule.  Boats draw apart.  U-156 to the front.  Independent transit on Route Blue surfaced turns for 12 knots, speed over ground 8 knots.  
      NNW 7-8, Sea 7, showers, Vis. medium  
    20.00 AN 9512    
                                                        
    26.12.41      
    00.00 AN 6666    
    04.00 AN 6397 right edge    
      Wind shifting counter clockwise to SSW, abating Speed over ground 10 knots (turns for 12 knots).  
    08.00 AN 6334    
      SSW 4, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. xx nm    
    08.47 AN 6332 Dived to proceed submerged in accordance with Outbound Orders.  Depth control training (3 new diving plane operators aboard.)  
      SW 4, shifting clockwise freshening  
    12.00 AN 3872 Day's run:  Surfaced       93 nm  
                         Submerged    14 nm  
                                             203 nm  
    16.00 AN 3845    
      NNW 5-6, Sea 5, Vis. 10 nm, light snow showers    
    18.20 AN 3817 Surfaced for night transit.  Turns for 12 knots, speed 7.2 - 9 knots.  
      NNW 5, Sea 5, picking up  
    20.00 AN 3812    
                                                        
    27.12.41      
    00.00 AN 3548    
      NNW 5-6, increasing, isolated hail showers, 3/10    
    04.00 AN 3434    
    08.00 AN 3182    
    08.45 AN 3181 Dived for day transit and depth control training.  
      Morning twilight, NNW 4, Swell 5-6, Vis. 8-20 nm, few clouds    
           
Sun and Moon Data 24.12.41
Sun and Moon Data 25.12.41
Sun and Moon Data 26.12.41
Sun and Moon Data 27.12.41
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    27.12.41      
    12.00 AN 3149 Day's run:  Surfaced       104 nm  
                         Submerged     36 nm  
                                             140 nm  
    16.00 AN 3141    
    18.21 40 nm west of Feistein Surfaced for night transit.  
      N 3, quickly abating, quickly shifting counter clockwise, high Cirrus clouds    
    18.25   Evening navigation fix:  difference between dead reckoning and actual position 15 nm, 250°T.  
    18.55   Was requested to report position by Radio Message.  
    19.12   Previous Radio Message was addressed.  
    20.07 38 nm west of Skudneshaven Radio Message received:  Berger, Prätorius, Hartenstein head for naval square AF 84 at highest transit speed.   
      SSW 2-3, slowly freshening, moonshine, Vis. 6 nm  
      Speed changed to 2 x HF, speed through the water 12 knots.  
        Radio Message received from Gruppe Nord:  
        Enemy cruiser with 7 destroyers square AF 8490.  
        Without course given this report can hardly be exploited, additionally already 12 hours old.  
                                                        
    28.12.41      
    00.00 AN 2833 Own VII C boat ahead to port sighted running along.  Range = 3000 meters.  Stands out with almost black conning tower.  
      SSW 3, moonshine, 5/10  
    00.10   Radio Message received:  
     

 

[Landings in Aelesund and Nordfjord]

 Occupy as attack areas:  . . . . and so forth.  Hartenstein square 8486 and so forth.  Situation:  Today an English landing operation took place in square 8875 and 8528.  Own U-boat hunt and merchant ship traffic in operations area banned until further notice.  Do not harass Swedish traffic.  
        Speed changed to GF, to reach attack area before lightness.  
    04.00 AF 8789    
      SSW 5 freshening, shifting clockwise    
    08.15 AF 8486 (30 nm southwest Stadtlandet) Reached attack area.  Sounded the 200-meter line.  In square back and forth in position.  Nothing sighted.  
      SW 6-8, Sea 7    
    09.46 AF 8486 Dived to periscope depth, so as not to prematurely to betray our presence in the limited attack area..  
      WSW 7-8, overcast, Vis. 5-6 nm, showers, strong twilight, Sea 7  
      Encountered unusual specific gravity conditions:  At periscope depth Gamma = 34, directly below to great depths Gamma = 27.  Here despite GF several times settled through up to depth A +40 meters; at periscope depth broached several times.  We saw nothing, heard nothing.  
    12.00 AF 8486 Day's run:  Surfaced       195 nm  
      WNW 8, slowly shifting clockwise, Vis. 5 nm, Sea 8                  Submerged     28 nm  
                                           223 nm  
           
Sun and Moon Data 27.12.41
Sun and Moon Data 28.12.41
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    28.12.41      
    17.12 AF 8486 Surfaced, because no useful density ratios encountered. Due to frequent flooding and expression of negative buoyancy tanks air consumption consumed to 80 at.  E-Motor bilge ran full. Boat could only be held by blowing.  
      Heavy SW to NW cross Sea, NW 5-8, showers  
        Surfaced in attack area.  Back and forth in position.  
        Antenna lead forward and starboard after net deflector torn. Transmitting only operable on rod antenna.  Damage not initially corrected due to heavy seas.  2 Serial Nos. missing.  
    22.48 AF 8486 Missing Serial Nos. received:  
      NNW 4-5 abating, shifting clockwise, 8/10, Vis. 5 nm, heavy cross Sea To Hartenstein, Prätorius, Berger.  Immediately continue transit into the Atlantic and report fuel.  Passing report no longer required and so forth.  
        Came to course 280° and HF.  
                                                        
    29.12.41      
    00.00 AF 8485    
      N 4, scattered squalls, abating    
    00.03   With rod antenna reported:  202 cbm Hartenstein.  
        Was not repeated by Control in the course of the day.  
    04.00 AF 8445 Directly ahead several anti-aircraft light cones below the horizon.   
    05.00   Ran towards, nothing sighted.  
    08.00 AF 7653    
    10.00 AF 7642 Morning navigation fix:  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position 346°T, 12 nm.  
      N 3, cross Sea abating to 3-5, bright twilight, 9/10, Vis. 8 nm  
      Dived for day transit and torpedo maintenance (tube I and II were flooded for 36 hours).  
    12.00 AF 7642 Day's run:  Surfaced       90 nm  
                         Submerged   25 nm  
                                            115 nm  
    16.00 AF 7565    
    18.00 AF 7564 Surfaced for night transit.  
      (150 nm west of the Shetlands)    
    20.00 AF 7558 Repaired antenna damage.  
    22.30   Received Radio Message:  1.  Weather forecast.  
        2.  . . . .  
        3.  Report fuel.  
                                                        
           
Sun and Moon Data 28.12.41
Sun and Moon Data 29.12.41
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
           
    30.12.41      
    00.00 AF 7733    
      W 3, Sea 2-3, Swell, bright moonlight    
    01.45 AF 7737 Drifting mine 50 meters abeam to port.  
      (80 nm northwest of the Shetlands)    
    02.43   Short Signal sent:  198 cbm.  U-156.  Was not repeated.  
    04.00 AF 7755    
      NW 2, cloudy, Vis. 5 nm, long W-Swell    
    04.57   Short Signal:  198 cbm.  U-156 on Atlantic remote traffic frequency.  Was understood.  
    08.00 AF 7777    
      NW 2, Sea 2    
    11.09 AN 1117 Drifting mine 100 meters abeam to port.  
    12.00 AM 3239 Day's run:  Surfaced       180 nm  
      (115 nm northwest of Kirkwall)                  Submerged     21 nm  
      Overcast, SW 3, Sea 2-3                                      201 nm  
    12.01   Drifting mine abeam to port.  Up to now all English mines: float with cover upward, heavily rusted.  
    16.00 AM 3281    
      Cloudy, SW 2-4 shifting counter clockwise, increasing, W-Swell, Vis. 8-10 nm    
    18.45 - 18.51 AM 3333 Stopped to repair over deck damage.  Not possible due to Sea State.  
    20.00 AM 3334    
      SW 3, Sea 3, Swell, Vis. 8 nm    
    23.40 West of the Orkneys Received weather forecast for 31 December Rockall area:  Wind S freshening to 6-7, long medium-high Swell and so forth.  
                                                        
    31.12.41      
    00.00 AM 3348    
    04.00 AM 2489    
    08.00 AM 2641    
      SbyW 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 5 nm    
    12.00 AM 2583 Day's run:  Surfaced  233 nm.  
      (130 nm west of the Herbriden) The 1-knot SW-current expected from the Nautical Handbook was not encountered.  
      S 7, Sea 6, Vis. 12 nm  
    12.02   Crash dive for training.  Tube III pulled.  Reserve torpedoes raised up. [from stowage for maintenance]  
    13.53   Surfaced.  
    15.30 AM 2584 Crash dive for training.  Transit at depth A -10 meters for torpedo maintenance.  
    16.00 AM 2587    
    18.00 AM 2721 Surfaced.  
      S 6, Sea 5-6, overcast, SbyW, Vis. 12 nm    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.12.41
Sun and Moon Data 31.12.41
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    31.12.41      
    19.07 AM 2721 Crash dive for training.  Torpedo maintenance continued.  
    20.33 AM 2724 Torpedo maintenance ended.  Surfaced.  
    22.10 (80 nm east-northeast of Rockall)    
    22.10   Rudder position indicator failed.  Completely shorted.  Makeshift cable pulled through the speaking tube.  
    23.36   Weather forecast received:  Continued strong to stiff southerly winds with long high swells.  
                                                        
    01.01.42      
    00.00 AM 2741    
      S 6-7, Sea 6, long Swell, Vis. 4 nm, shower    
    04.00 AM 1864    
    08.00 AM 1849    
    08.10 11 nm east of Rockall Morning navigation fix and sounding series.  
      SW 6, S-cross sea S to W, overcast, Vis. 10 nm Buoy deployment in Rockall Bank in the weather conditions is hopeless for the next day.  Headed for Position II (Porcupine Bank)  
    12.00 AM 0113 Day's run:  Surfaced       90 nm  
                         Submerged    22 nm  
                                             112 nm  
    16.00 AM 0145    
      SW 1-3, Sea 3-4, heavy Swell, Vis. 6-7 nm, rain showers    
    20.00 AM 0187    
      WbyS 3, Sea 1-2, light Swell, overcast, Vis. 10 nm    
                                                        
    02.01.42      
    00.00 AM 4262    
      SW 3, Sea 2, heavily cloudy, Vis. 8 nm, for a short time, bright moonshine, medium Swell    
    01.35   Radio Message received:  Weather forecast:  SW 5-7, shifting to W, temporarily decreasing to 4.  Long medium-high Swell.  
    04.00 AM 4298    
      SW 3, Sea 2, cloudy, medium Swell, Vis 6-7 nm    
    08.00 AM 4562    
      S 4, Sea 1-2, light Swell, Vis. 6 nm, cloudy, rain showers.    
    12.00 AM 4598 Day's run:  Surfaced 158 nm  
      SSW 5, Sea 4-5, rain shower, Vis. 5 nm    
           
Sun and Moon Data 31.12.41
Sun and Moon Data 01.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 02.01.42
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    02.01.42      
    12.05 AM 4598 Radio Signal from U-701:  Convoy in sight.  Square AM 3377.  Southeasterly course, low speed.  Did not operate on it because the convoy is already 90 nm off the North Minch.  Range 300 nm.  
    16.00 AM 4866    
      SSW 6, Sea 5, Vis. 5 nm, cloudy, rain showers    
    20.00 AM 4899    
      SSW 4, Sea 2-3, Vis. 4 nm, medium SSW-Swell, cloudy, rain showers    
    22.30 AM 7236
Deployment of the weather buoys abandoned due to hopeless weather conditions.  In accordance with Outbound Orders assumed course 208° for BE 79, LF.
  
      (Porcupine Bank)  
    22.40 AM 7238 Ship's position estimated by soundings.  
      S 3, Sea 3-4, misty, rain showers West edge of Porcupine Bank.  
                                                        
    03.01.42      
    00.00 AM 7261    
      S 3, Sea 3, isolated rain showers, light mist, Vis. 4 nm    
    04.00 AM 7521    
      S 3, Sea 3, overcast    
    08.00 AM 7545    
      SW 2-3, Sea 1-2, cloudy, Vis. 8 nm    
    09.30 AM 7574 Morning navigation fix.  
    11.43 AM 7733 Crash dive for training.  Flood valve for the port negative buoyancy tank is out of service.  Tank runs full.  
    12.00 AM 7733 Day's run:  Surfaced       185 nm  
                         Submerged       1 nm  
                                             186 nm  
    12.55 AM 7736    
      SSW 3, Sea 2-3, medium Swell, Vis. 12 nm, lightly cloudy Surfaced.  
    16.00 AM 7764    
      SSW 3, Sea 3, Vis. 10 nm, medium-high Swell, heavily cloudy    
    19.30   Radio Message received:  To all boats in the Atlantic.  Radio silence until reporting in accordance with . . . . etc.  
    20.00 AM 7788    
      SW 2-3, Sea 2, 8./10, Vis. 6 nm, SSW-Swell 4    
    21.08   Anti-aircraft searchlight sighted to starboard.  Put ahead on course 292°.  Mistake, moon rainbow.  Old course.  
                                                        
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 03.01.42
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
           
    04.01.42      
    00.00 BE 3143    
      NNW 4, Sea 2-3, cloudy, medium-high NW-Swell, light rain showers.    
    04.00 BE 3177    
      NNW 3, Sea 1-2, NW-Swell 3, heavily cloudy, Vis. 10 nm    
    08.00 BE 2664    
      NNW 3, Sea 1-2, Swell 2, Vis. 8 nm, light rain    
    09.13 BE 2683 Morning navigation fix: 49°28'N  
                                           16°34'W  
        Course 200°.  Speed over ground 8.5 knots.  
    12.00 BE 2927 Day's run:  Surfaced 194 nm  
      NW 3, Sea 2, cloudy, medium NW-Swell, Vis. 12 nm    
    12.53   Radio Message received:  Immediately switch to Greenland Circuit and report by Short Signal.  
    13.25   Short Signal sent:  Position since . . . . on Greenland Circuit.  My position is . . . .  
    14.21   Confirmation of Short Signal.  
    16.00 BE 2974    
      NW 3, Sea 2-3, 3/10, Vis. 12 nm    
    16.42   Radio Message received:  Report by Short Signal if buoy deployed.  If not deploy buoys in squares AM 7229 and AM 8799.  
    16.43 BE 2977 Came about to deploy the buoys.  Headed for the south tip of Ireland at economical speed.  
    17.05   Short Signal sent:  No. Believe weather conditions are hopeless for enterprise.  
    19.42   Radio Message received:  Incorrect confirmation of the last Short Signal.  
        Short Signal sent again.  
    20.00 BE 2975    
      WNW 4, Sea 3, heavily cloudy, NW-Swell 3, Vis. 8 nm                                                 
         
    05.01.42      
    00.00 BE 2958    
      N 4, Sea 3, heavily cloudy, hail showers, Vis. 6 nm    
    00.45   Radio Message  
        1.)  Confirmation of Short Signal (1942).  
        2.)  In about 2-3 days weather improvement expected.  Then complete task.  Up to then free to maneuver.  
    04.00 BE 2963 Headed for the south tip of Ireland.  There independent steamers may be expected.  
      N 5, Sea 4, overcast, light rain, Vis. 5 nm  
    08.00 BE 3716 Morning navigation fix: 49°07.5'N  
      NbyE 4, Sea 3-4, N-Swell 5, 8/10, Vis. 6 nm                                    15°36.0'W  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 04.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 05.01.42
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.01.42      
    12.00 BE 3489 Day's run:  Surfaced 146 nm  
      NE 5-6, Sea 5, cloudy, isolated rain showers, N-Swell 6, Vis. 12 nm    
    16.00 BF 3494    
      NE 5-6, Sea 5, cloudy to overcast, light rain, high N-Swell, Vis. 12 nm    
    20.00 BF 3572    
      NNE 3, Sea 3, heavily cloudy, rain showers, Vis. 6 nm, very dark    
    20.28   Radio Message received:  To Hartenstein.  Slow weather improvement expected.  
                                                        
    06.01.42    
    00.00 BF 3548    
      NNE 3, Sea 2, heavily cloudy, rain showers, medium Swell, Vis. 6 nm    
    04.00 BF 3549    
      NE 3, Sea 3, rain, Vis. 6 nm    
    08.00 BF 3555 Morning navigation fix: 49°38'N  
      NNE 4, Sea 3, nearly overcast, rain showers, NNE-Swell 3, Vis. 6 nm                                    13°48'W  
      Difference between dead reckoning and actual position 7 nm in 147°T.  
    12.00 BF 3537 Day's run:  Surfaced 75 nm  
      NNE 3, Sea 3, cloudy, rain showers, Vis. 12 nm    
    16.00 BF 3378    
      NNE 3, Sea 2-3, Vis. 12 nm. light rain, cloudy to overcast    
    20.00 BF 3358    
      NbyE 4, Sea 3, Vis. 8 nm, NbyE-Swell 3, 8/10                                                 
         
    07.01.42      
    00.00 BF 3363 If weather continues, deployment may be possible even tonight with further calming of the sea.  
      N 2, Sea 1-2, heavily cloudy, N-Swell 1-2, Vis. 8 nm, rain  
    01.50 BF 1115 Reached the 200-meter line 2 hours before plotted time.  
    01.58   Came to course 0°.  Economical speed (1 diesel LF).  
    04.00 AM 8779    
      N 2, Sea 1, N-Swell 1-2, cloudy to overcast, moonshine, Vis. 8 nm    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 06.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 07.01.42
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.01.42      
    05.55 AM 8779 Weather buoy deployed at: 51°04.3'N  
      (44 nm southwest of Dursey Head)                                           11°04.0'W  
      To deploy the weather buoy all regulating tanks were pumped, negative buoyancy tanks and main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 4 expressed, water tight forecastle blown.  Boat lay into the Swell.  Situated so it is the calmest.  However takes over some water.  Overdeck prepared for buoy deployment and weather buoy launched.  
      N 3, Sea 2  
        Headed for Porcupine Bank at HF, to deploy the next buoy in the following night.  
    06.59 AM 8779 Test dive.  Course 322°.  
    08.17 AM 8772 Surfaced.  
    08.40 AM 8772 Morning navigation fix: 51°14'N  
                                           11°14.5'W  
    12.00 AM 7938 Day's run:  Surfaced       156 nm  
      NNE 1-2, Sea 1-2, cloudy, Vis. 12 nm                  Submerged       9 nm  
                                           165 nm  
    14.44 AM 7686 Crash dive for aircraft on easterly course.  
    15.03 AM 7686 Surfaced.  
    16.00 AM 7682    
      NNW 2, Sea 1-2, nearly overcast, NNW-Swell 2, Vis. 12 nm    
    19.30 AM 7615 Evening navigation fix: 52°40.5'N  
                                          12°49.0'W  
    19.56   Short Signal sent:  Have completed additional task 1 (My position is) AM 87.  
    20.00 AM 7611    
      NNW 1, Sea 1, cloudy, light Swell, occasional rain, Vis. 6 nm, dark    
                                                        
    08.01.42      
    00.00 AM 7268    
      N 1, Sea 0-1, partial overcast, Vis. 8 nm    
    02.03   Radio Message received:  After completing additional task 1 return transit Lorient.  
    02.44 AM 7229 lower edge Weather buoy 33 deployed 53°24'N  
      N 1-2, Sea 1, N-Swell 1                                           13°32'W  
        Buoy anchor had become detached from the buoy in the over deck canister.  This deployment maneuver was somewhat delicate: (420 kg) rolled the anchor forward to the forward edge of the diving planes, threw it overboard while moving slowly astern, previously tied the anchor line aboard. Anchor line attached to the buoy and buoy deployed from the forecastle despite heavily modified center of gravity and despite being hindered by the antenna and the forestay of baking. Succeed without damage.  
    03.34 AM 7256 Test dive.  
    03.43   Surfaced.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 08.01.42
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    08.01.42      
    04.00 AM 7256 lower edge    
      N 0-1, Sea 1, lightly cloudy    
    08.00 AM 7617 right edge    
      NE 1-2, Sea 1, partial overcast, Vis. 8 nm    
    12.00 AM 7925 Day's run:  Surfaced       234 nm  
      NE 1-2, Sea 1, cloudy, Vis. 12 nm                  Submerged       2 nm  
                                           236 nm  
    16.00 AM 7998    
      NE 1-2, Sea 1, cloudy to overcast, rain showers    
    20.00 BF 1172 Message received:  Report which buoy number was to the northern and which was to the southern place  
      Wind 0, Sea 0, Vis. 8 nm, cloudy  
    21.02   Short Signal sent:  Northerly 22 from Hartenstein.  
        (was confirmed)  
    22.03   Radio Message received:  Hartenstein proceed to Lorient at increased speed.  
        Speed changed to GF.  
    22.27   Radio Message received:  Hartenstein on 9 January between 01.00 and 05.00 hours give weather by Short Signal.  
                                                        
    09.01.42    
    00.00 BF 1481 right edge    
      Wind 0, Sea 0, lightly cloudy, light rain    
    01.35   Weather report sent by Short Signal.  
    04.00 BF 1796    
      NNW 1-2, Sea 1, NNW-Swell 1, nearly overcast, Vis. 6 nm    
    05.17   Ran with E-motor LF, because through operational error both feed tanks held water.  
    08.00 BF 4242    
      WNW 1-2, Sea 1, nearly overcast, Vis. 6 nm, light rain    
    08.33 BF 4248    
    09.25 BF 4249    
    11.04   Morning navigation fix.  
        Short Signal sent: Position 24 hours off return harbor.  
    12.00 BF 4298 right edge Day's run:  Surfaced 246 nm  
      WNW 2, Sea 1-2, heavily cloudy, rain showers, Vis. 12 nm    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 08.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 09.01.42
 
- 12 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    09.01.42      
    16.00 BF 4637    
      NNE 3-4, Sea 3, 7/10, Vis. 12 nm    
    19.10 BF 5454 Evening navigation fix: 46°58'N  
                                            6°26'W  
    20.00 BF 5459    
    22.42   Short Signal sent:  Position 12 hours off return harbor.  Request Bearing Transmitter II.  
        (was confirmed)  
                                                        
    10.01.42      
    00.00 BF 5588 Headed for "Tanne".  
      NNW 3, Sea 2, rain, cloudy, Vis. 6 nm    
    03.25   Radio Message received:  Escort for Hartenstein positioned on 10 January at 10.00 hours at Luzie Two.  
    04.00 BF 6457 By radio bearings entered via routes Cederland and Rosabella.  
      N 3, Sea 2, rain showers, overcast, Vis. 6 nm  
    07.10   Radio Message sent:  Putting the boat on the bottom at L 2.  Finished with bearing transmitter.  
    07.31   Point des Chats lighthouse abeam.  
    07.55 BF 6173 Put the boat on the bottom, to await the escort.  
    09.50   Surfaced.  
        Joined the Sperrbrecher.   
    12.10   Entered Lorient and made fast at Berth A 3.  
           
        Day's run:  Surfaced 303 nm  
           
        18 days at sea.  Total distance covered 3029 nm.  
           
                                                        
                                                          Kapitänleutnant  
                                                         and Kommandant  
           
     
Special Experiences:
1.) The limit for deploying weather buoys lies at Swell 1-2, Sea 2, Wind 2.
2.) Preparing and deploying the buoy presented no difficulties.  The buoys are Front ready.
3.) The overdeck container became pressurized by penetrating sea water so that at 0.5 atü (hydrostatic) the anchor deployed.  Deployment of the buoy then became rather difficult.
  Suggestion: Anchor attachment structurally secured by a linch pin. Linch pin is removed just before deployment.
4.) Preparation of the upper deck is greatly delayed by cumbersome lashing system for the stowed torpedo trolley.
  Suggestion:  Provide lashing system for the torpedo trolley in the former dinghy holder.
5.) Work on the upper deck is greatly facilitated if as many buoyancy tanks as possible are blown. Therefore, when military possible, deploy buoys on return transit.
 
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 09.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 10.01.42

 

Enclosures to U-156's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart Track chart covering entire war patrol

 

 
 
     
     
     
 

Commentary of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

 
 
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on the Kriegstagebuch of "U-156" from 4.9.41 to 10.1.42
  
 

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Transfer cruise to western France.  Nothing to note on execution.
 
     
     
   

Signed in draft:  D ö n i t z .

  
               For correctness:  
 
         
                                                                Leutnant (V) and Adjutant i.V.  
     
     
 

 

 

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