U-178 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with the help of Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Kiel	8 September 1942	Bordeaux	10 January 1943	125

 

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
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
10 Oct 42	08.29 - 09.21	7°39'S, 11°09'W	DUCHESS OF ATHOLL	20,119	British
1 Nov 42	09.00	29°21'S, 32°24'E	MENDOZA	8,233	British
4 Nov 42	09.07	25°51'S, 33°28'E	HAI HING	2,561	Norwegian
4 Nov 42	15.30	25°45'S, 33°36'E	TREKIEVE	5,244	British
13 Nov 42	06.20	30°51'S, 35°36'E	LOUISE MOLLER	3,764	British
15 Nov 42	01.45	32°09'S, 33°12'E	ADVISOR (Damaged)	6,348	British
27 Nov 42	14.36 - 14.46	39°33'S, 22°34'E	JEREMIAH WADSWORTH	7,176	American
			Total = 53,445
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.
Note:  The body of this KTB was transcribed - probably post war.  Only the KTB for the workup period and the Radio Log were prepared from the original.

---

			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			"U  178"
			Kommandant:	Kapitän zur See    I  b  b  e  k  e  n
			Beginning:  14 February 1942 Ending:         7 September 1942.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB

	- 2 -
		14.02.43	Bremen	Commissioning of the boat.
		10.00	Grain Traffic Facility	Boat lay until 3 April due to heavy ice flows in Bremen.
				Due to this period training and preservation work.
		14.04.42
		06.00		Departed for transfer cruise to Kiel.
		06.30	Schl.A.G. Weser	Anti-aircraft protection in place
		09.45	Buoy S	Sperrbrecher in place.
		12.56	Lighthouse R. to port.
		13.20	Lighthouse H. to starboard
		13.50	Lighthouse D. to starboard
		14.10	Lighthouse F. to port
		15.15	Lighthouse H. to port
		19.02	Lighthouse R. to port
		20.00	Passed the Cuxhaven net barrier
		21.40		Released mine escort.
		22.15		Made fast
		15.04.42
		00.01		Cast off Brunsbüttel lock.
		00.25		Lay at the Navy Pier.
		07.00		Cast off for transit to Kiel.
		13.00		Passed through the Holtenau Locks.
		13.40	Kiel-Wik	Made fast Tirpitz Mole.
		16.04.42	Kiel	U.A.K. testing.
		17.04.42
		13.10	Passed the net barrier Fx outbound	Transit to Neustadt in Hostein.
		21.10	Neustadt inner harbor	Made fast Berth 1.
		to
		19.04.42	Neustadt inner harbor
		20.04.42
		09.00		Departed for transit to Kiel.
		15.25	Passed Fx. inbound
		17.15		Made fast Tirpitz Mole.
		from
		21.04.42
		to	Kiel	U.A.K. testing.
		09.05.42
		10.05.42	Departed Kiel	Transit to Pillau.  Training duties.
		11.05.42	Arrived Pillau
		12. and 13.04.42	Departed Pillau	Training at sea.
		13.05.42	Arrived Danzig
		14.05.42	Departed Danzig
		15.05.42	Arrived Pillau
		16.05.42	Departed Pillau	Transit to Gotenhafen.  Training duties.
		19.05.42	Gotenhafen	T.E.K. testing.  Damaged by circle runner.
		20.05.42	Arrived Pillau	T.E.K. testing ended.  Transit to Pillau.  Training duties.
		26.05.42		Training duties.

	- 3 -
		28.05.42		Measured mile
		29.05 42
		to
		02.06.42		U.A.G. testing.
		14.06.42	Pillau	Ammunition loading in Pillau, transit to Pillau.
		15.06.42	Departed Pillau	Artillery shooting, afterwards transit to Danzig.
		16.06.42	Danzig 25. U-Flottille	From 16. - 20.06.42 torpedo shooting.
		20.06.42	Pillau	Transit to Pillau, training duties.
		22.06.42	Gotenhafen 27. U-Flottille	From 22. to 29.06.42 tactical training.
		29.06.42	Rönne	Sound trials off Rönne.  Afterwards transit to Kiel.
		30.06.42	Kiel	Departed for vibration measurement and 8-hour AK cruise.
		02.07.42	Kiel
				Transit to Bremen for Completion of remaining work in Bremen at A.G. Weser.
		04.07.42	Bremen	From 04.07. to 18.08.42 the boat lay in Bremen at A.G. Weser for final adjustments.
		19.08.42	Departed Breman	Transit to Kiel.
		20.08.42	Arrived Kiel	Boat in the dock at D.W. Kiel, dry-docked to repair the main rudders.
		21.08.42	Kiel Deutsche Werke
		to	Dock X
		31.08.42		From 31 08. to 07.09.42 boat outfitted for war patrol.
				Signed in draft    I  b  b  e  k  e  n
				. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
				Kapitän zur See and Komdt.

 

			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			"U  178"
			Kommandant:	Kaptän zur See  Ibbeken
			Beginning:	8 September 1942.
			Ending    :	10 January 1943.

	- 1 -
		08.09.42	Kiel, U-boat Base
		07.00		Departed on first war patrol.
		08.00	Kiel Lightship
			Abeam to port
		10.00	Rot 15 (Route 28)	Taken in convoy for transit to Kristiansand.
			SW 4-5, drizzle, Sea 3, Vis. 3 nm
		15.20	Lightship "Hals-kopp-Reev" abeam to starboard 500 meters
			Vis. changing 2-5 nm
		21.45	Lightship "Schulz's Grund" abeam to port 500 meters
			SW 3-4, Vis. 3000 meters	No particular events.
		09.09.42
		00.00	AO 4878
			W 2-3, overcast, Vis. 1000 meters
		04.15	Route schwarz (14)	Escort change.
		08.22	Lightship "Läsö-Trindel" abeam to port 1000 meters
			WSW 4-5, overcast, Vis. changing 3000-1000 meters
		10.09.42
		00.00	AO 3626
			W 4, Sea 3, clear weather and Vis.
		04.35	Arrived Kristiansand
			Made fast at the Grain Facility	From 10.00 to 12.00 hours fuel loading.
		12.30	Departed Kristiansand	12.50 to 13.20 hours carried out trim test and test dive.
		13.25		Began outbound transit in U-boat convoy.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.09.42

	- 2 -
		continued
		10.09.42
		14.13	Helleröy abeam to starboard
		16.45	Lindesnes Lighthouse abeam to starboard 2 nm
			W 3-4, Vis. good, half overcast, Sea 3
		18.30	Lightbouse Lista abeam to starboard
				19.30 - 20.03 hours deep dive.
		20.40	AN 3168	Released from convoy.
			W 3, Sea 2, seas from abeam, NW-Swell, Vis. medium	For "U-261" Lange, "U-262" Schiebusch E.P. [?]
				Moved off on westerly course.
		Note:  Apparently there is a missing page in the original entries for 11/12 September are missing.
		12.09.42
		13.45	Crash dive!	From 13.45 - 14.55 dived for aircraft.
		15.40		Course change to 270°.
		17.30	AF 7566
			W 2, 3/10, Vis. good, W-Swell
		17.36	Crash dive!	From 17.36 to 18.02 hours dived for aircraft.
		18.47	Crash dive!	From 18.47 to 19.25 hours dived for aircraft.
		19.50	Crash dive!	From 19.50 to 20.15 hours dived for aircraft.
		20.33	Crash dive!	Aircraft approaching from astern.  In the early twilight first recognized before the low clouds at 3000 meters.  During the dive maneuver two aircraft bombs at depth 65 meters.  The bombs were well-placed.  No failures. Moved off to the N.  Surfaced at 22.00 hours.
			AF 7564
			WNW 2, 4/10, long Swell, Vis. good
		22.00	Northern Lights
		22.00	AF 7553	Course change to 330°.
			NWbyN 1, 3/10, Swell, Vis. good	I decide to continue the transit east of the Faroes because between the Faroes and Shetlands one must expect strong air reconnaissance.  Better a little further than too much submerged. The personnel are still not very familiar with the Fu.M.B.  They hear everything possible.  It certainly takes a lot of experience. On the other hand the retrieval of the detector with its long line is very difficult [missing line of text]
			[direction finder = Biscay Cross Fu.M.B. antenna]
		24.00	AF 7513

	Sun and Moon Data 10.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.09.42

	- 3 -
		continued
		12.09.42		crash dives it was fortunate to not have the direction finder on the bridge
		13.09.42
		04.00		Course change to 280°.
		06.00	AF 7211
			SSW 2, 8/10, Northern Lights, Vis. good
		10.00	AF 4785
			Fog in places	Day's run:  228 nm, 12 nm submerged.
		13.08	Crash dive!	Before an aircraft suddenly recognized out of the clouds.  4 aircraft bombs, dammed close.  In the boat fuses and depth gage glass crack.  The glass cover of two daughter gyro-compasses dislodge.  Startling, however good training for the new crew.
		14.11	AF 4755	Continued transit.  After surfacing strong list to port.  Examination showed that the vent piping from main ballast tank 4 or 5 port is holed.
		15.50		Course change to 270°.
		16.00	AE 6991
			S 2, overcast, Swell, Vis. changing
		17.00	Crash dive!	A new crash dive for aircraft.  Remained submerged to recharge the torpedoes.
		20.00	AE 6975
		21.00		Course change to 250°.  Surfaced, continued transit at GF.
		24.00	AE 9223
			SbyW 3, Swell, overcast, Vis. medium
		14.09.42
		04.00	AE 9161
			S 2, Sea 2, Swell, overcast, Vis. medium
		08.00	AE 8369	07.40 hours dived.
		12.00	AE 8391	Day's run:  216 nm.
		Some entries for 14/15 September are missing

	Sun and Moon Data 12.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.09.42

	- 4 -
		continued
		15.09.42
		10.25	Crash dive!	Aircraft in sight bearing 0°T with SE course.
				Dived.
		12.00	AM 1332	Day's run:  216 nm.
		13.10		Surfaced, continued transit.
		15.10	NW 6, Sea 4-5, Vis. good	Course change to 255°.
				16.00 hours AM 1353
		21.45	WbyN 6, Sea 3, 6/10, Vis. good	Course change to 190°.
		24.00	AL 3468
		16.09.42
		12.00	AL 3872	Day's run:  154 nm.
			SW 2, Sea 2-3, 5/10, mist rain, Vis. medium
				16.00 hours AL 3885
		17.09.42
		12.00	AL 6615	Day's run:  170 nm.
			SW 2, Swell, 9/10, Vis. good
		Entries for 18 September are missing
		19.09.42
		12.00	BE 2481	Day's run:  182 nm.
			NW 4, Sea 2-3, 8/10, Vis. good
		20.09.42
		12.00	BE 4926	Day's run:  185 nm.
			SWbyS 2-3, Sea 1, overcast, mist rain, Vis. medium
		16.00	BE 4982
			NW 3, Sea 2-3, 7/10, Vis. good
		18.05	Dived!	Aircraft in sight bearing 300°T, high in the clouds.
		18.21	Vis. good	Surfaced, continued transit.
		24.00	BE 7383
		Entries for 21 September are missing
		22.09.42
		08.00	CF 2725	08.00 - 09.40 hours dived to pull and ventilate the torpedoes.
			SSW 1-2, 9/10

	Sun and Moon Data 15.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.42

	- 5 -
		continued
		22.09.42
		12.00	CF 2743	Day's run:  190 nm.
			SSW 0-1, Sea 0, 9/10, Vis. good	Over deck examined, determined that the vent piping of main ballast tank 5 port is cracked along a weld for 15 cm.  The crack developed from the aircraft bombs on 13 September.  The leak was repaired with a rubber underlay and a metal sleeve.
		23.09.42
		12.00	CF 7323	Day's run:  205 nm.
			NE 1, Sea 0, 6/10, Vis. good
		24.09.42
		12.00	DG 43621 [typo 6321]	Day's run:  218 nm.
			NW 0-1, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. good
		25.09.42
		00.50	DG 6239	At 00.50 hours a shadow comes in sight abeam to port at the limit of visibility in the bright moonlit night.  Turned towards immediately (range about 10000 meters).  Fast ship, estimated 18-20 knots.
				Due to repairs to the port diesel can first come to highest speed after a half hour.  Pursued.  At 01.15 hours Radio Message from Heyse reporting a 2-smokestacked steamer at 18 knots in the exact square.
				01.45 hours the steamer passed out of sight.  No own report, because the Radio Message from Heyse already reported the steamer.  02.33 hours came to old course.
				Steamer was too fast.  Therefore it is not to be expected he will zigzag a lot in this area.  As one can see his speed is his best protection.
		04.00	DG 6266
			NNW 2, Sea 0, 6/10, Vis. good
		08.00	DG 6535
			W 2, Sea 1, 5/10, Vis. good
		12.00	DG 6594	Day's run:  203 nm.
			WNW 2, Sea 1-2, 8/10, Vis. good
		26.09.42
		12.00	DG 9765	Day's run:  216 nm.
			SW 1, Sea 0, 6/10, 1017 mb, Vis. good
		17.45		"U-128" (Heyse) met in square DT 12.  When asked about the 2-smokestack steamer on 25 September Heyse tells me, that her had already seen the steamer at noon and pursued him for 10 hours before reporting by Radio Message.  Had he sent this Radio Message at noon instead of first during the night, when I had already got him myself, the 20000 tons would surely have become a nice haul.
		27.09.42
		12.00	DT 4219	Day's run:  206 nm.
			[weather is cut off]

	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.09.42

	- 6 -
		28.09.42
		12.00	DT 7181	Day's run:  190 nm.
			NE 2, Sea 2, (Trade Wind weather), 6/10, Vis. good
		18.40	DT 7465	"U-507" (Schacht) in sight.  Mail given to U-507.  "U-460" (Schnoor) in sight, insulation material given over to Schnoor.
				Course change to 192°.
		29.09.42
		12.00	EJ 1148	Day's run:  180 nm.
			NE-Trade Winds, Vis. good
		30.09.42
		12.00	EH 6617	Day's run:  202.5 nm.
			NE-Trade Winds, Vis. very good
		01.10.42
		12.00	EH 9826	Day's run:  218 nm.
			NE-Trade Winds, 1015 mb, Vis. good
		02.10.42
		12.45	ES 1499	Day's run:  190 nm.
			E 1, Sea 1, 6/1, 1015 mb, Vis. good
		03.10.42		Day's run:  190 nm.
		12.00	ES 4386
			SE 3, Sea 2, 8/10 (rain), 1016 mb, Vis. good
		04.10.42		Day's run:  210 nm.
		12.00	ES 5985
			S 3, Sea 2, 5/10, 1015 mb, Vis. good
		05.10.42
		12.00	ES 9975	Day's run:  205 nm.
		16.00	FD 3328
			SSE 1, Sea 0, 6/10, 1014 mb, Vis. very good
		20.00	FD 3368	20.45 to 21.07 hours Triton on board.
			SE 1-2, Sea 1, 3/10, 1014 mb, Vis. very good
		24.00	FE 1178
			SE 2, Sea 0, 2/10, 1013 mb, Vis. bad	No particular events.
		06.10.42
		12.00	FE 1851
			SSE 3, Sea 2, 5/10, 1014 mb, Vis. good	10.00 - 13.00 hours Neptun with entourage on board.
				Day's run:  182 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 28.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.10.42

	- 7 -
		07.10.42
		12.00	FE 5462	Day's run:  160 nm.
			SE 4, Sea 3, half overcast, Vis. good, 1015 mb
		08.10.42
		12.00	FE 9143	Day's run:  160 nm.
			SE 3, Sea 2, overcast
		09.10.42
		12.00	FE 9956	Day's run:  161 nm.
			SE 4, Sea 3, 4/5 overcast, high cloud deck, Vis. very good, 1018 mb
		10.10.42
		07.56	FM 3734	07.56 hours a shadow comes in sight in the morning twilight.  Came to course 60°.  Both diesel GF.
			SE 2-3. Sea 2, overcast, low hanging cloud deck, Vis. changing between 2000 and 10000 meters, 1016 mb
				It got bright quickly, boat is positioned before the bright horizon.
				08.03 hours crash dive.  Range about 6000 meters.  Target angle 40°, bow left, steamer was distinguished as Duchess Class.
				08.15 hours course change of the enemy to 340° determined.  Shortly thereafter the steamer zigzagged back, so that the stern tubes could shoot.
				08.29 hours two-fan, 1 hit under the aft mast.  Ship ran on, then turned to port.
				08.37 hours two-fan from tubes I and III.  One hit heard, however not observed, because the periscope undercut.
				After the shot the steamer showed a list to starboard, however soon lay upright again.
				Up to 09.15 hours no changes observed. The launched boats closed the ship again.
				09.18 hours single shot from tube II.  Miss because speed over-estimated (5 knots).
				09.21 hours single shot from tube IV hit under the forward mast.  Set off and observed.
				11.00 hours the ship takes a sudden heavy list to port and at 11.26 hours capsized and sank over the stern post.
		12.00	Day's run:  152 nm.	Afterwards confirmed the name from the lifeboats as "DUTCHESS OF ATHOLL" (20119 GRT).  In transit from Capetown to England.
			FM 3496
				Moved off on deceptive course 0°.
				13.30 hours came back to general course.
		14.24	Crash dive!	Aircraft in sight abeam to port.  Dived.
		16.00	FL 3739	Use the submerged transit to reload and regulate the torpedoes.
		20.00	FM 3871
			SE 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. medium
		20.19		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 07.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.10.42

	- 8 -
		11.10.42
		12.00	FM 6551	Day's run:  150 nm.
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. medium, 1017 mb
		17.33		Incoming Radio Message Serial No. 418 of 11.10.42.
				Concerning:  More details about the sinking of "DUTCHESS OF ATHOLL".
				I am exactly between St. Helena and Ascension.  I don't want to stir up the area from the danger of radio bearings and will only answer the Radio Message when I can no longer expect to meet the announced "DUTCHESS OF YORK".
				On 10 and 11 October an in-depth inventory of the provisions inventory was carried out.  The results are very problematic.  From the meeting with the 5. Flottille before departure, at least 400 grams of bread should be available per person per day.  During the meeting, a duration of 150 days = 22 weeks was set:
		[Rerupbrot - a sterilized long lasting bread bread made from rye flour and wholemeal. (from Rerup, Flensburg)]		2 weeks fresh bread
				1 week Rerup-bread
				8 weeks canned bread
				11 weeks flour for self-baking
				The check showed that 1. the amount of flour was too small and that 2. on average the weight of the canned bread amounted to 425 grams instead of 700 grams
				A huge screwup must have happened at home here. Therefore reduced the bread rations to 210 grams per person per day with immediate effect. I had the distribution of cookies, biscuits, and crisp-bread forbidden in order to have these resources available as breakfast provisions.
				I thought it appropriate to report this situation immediately by Radio Message, as I knew that Sobe, Lüth and Gysae were outfitted with the same quantities, and could get into a bad situation. In addition, this screwup at home must be investigated immediately.
		12.10.42
		12.00	FM 9569	Day's run:  164 nm.
			ESE 3-4, Sea 3, 2/3 overcast, Vis. medium
		13.10.42
		12.00	FT 3673	Course change to 165°.
			SE 4, Sea 4, overcast, low hanging clouds, rain showers with squalls up to Strength 8, Vis. medium to bad, 1019 mb	Day's run:  170 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.10.42

	- 9 -
		14.10.42
		12.00	FU 4194	Day's run:  165 nm.
			ESE 2-3, Sea 3, overcast, 1021 mb
		15.10.42
		12.00	FU 4997	Day's run:  156 nm.
			ESE 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. medium, 1023 mb
		16.10.42
		12.00	FU 8833	Day's run:  152 nm.
			SE 4-5, Sea 4, half overcast, Vis. good, 1023 mb
		17.10.42
		12.00	GG 1143	Day's run:  160 nm.
			ESE 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good, 1023 mb
		18.10.42	GG 1993	Day's run:  171 nm.
		12.00	SSE 2, Sea 1, Swell, overcast, Vis. good, 1021 mb
		19.10.42	GG 9116	Day's run:  170 nm.
		12.00	SSW 6, high Swell, Sea 4-5, overcast, low hanging clouds, occasional heavy showers with squalls, Vis. medium, 1018 mb
		20.10.42	GG 9928	Day's run:  130 nm.
		12.00	S 6, Sea 5, long Swell, overcast, Vis. good, 1025 mb
		21.10.42	GQ 2556	Day's run:  170 nm.
			SE 2, Sea 2, half overcast, Vis. good, 1026 mb
		22.10.42
		12.00	GQ 6153	Day's run:  166 nm.
			SSW 0-1, Swell, overcast, Vis. good, 1024 mb
		13.00 - 17.00		Course change to 154°.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.10.42

	- 10 -
		23.10.42
		12.00	GQ 6831	Day's run:  162 nm.
			SSW 4, long Swell, Sea 2, overcast, rain showers, Vis. bad, 1012 mb
		18.15		"U-159" in sight at the meeting point.  Took over 112 loaves of canned bread, Matr.Ob.Gefr. Irmscher was embarked as a patient.
		19.00		Incoming Radio Message 490 (Africa Circuit)
				Expansion of the operational area for U-boats and releasing the attack area for Ibbeken.
				If there is no change in the overall situation I will head for "Lourenço Marques" unseen.  The greatest surprise is here, then go south off Durban depending on the situation.  From there operate on the Madagascar - Durban traffic to detect supply traffic to Madagascar.
				Course change to 135°.
		24.10.42
		12.00	GR 7181	Day's run:  166 nm.
			ESE 2, Sea 2, Swell, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium, 1008 mb
		25.10.42
		12.00	GR 7987	Day's run:  195 nm.
			E 4, Sea 4, Swell, 1/3 overcast, 1011 mb, Vis. very good, rain shower
		26.10.42
		12.00	JJ 1473	Day's run:  168 nm.
			SSE 1, Sea 0, Swell, clear sky, 1010 mb, Vis. very good
		27.10.42
		04.00	JJ 1687
			E 5-6, Sea 4, high Swell, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium, 1010 mb
		06.17		At 06.17 hours a steamer came in sight ahead to port, bow right, target angle about 30° (8000-10000 GRT).  Despite the high Swell I must attempt attack.  Depth control is very difficult, the boat only got to within about 1500 meters of the steamer despite AK.
				Steamer steered 230°.
		07.03		At 07.03 hours attack in square JJ 1689, two-fan G 7a, speed 10 knots, target angle 85°, range = 1500 meters.
				Miss, I believe the steamer was under steered

	Sun and Moon Data 23.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.10.42

	- 11 -
		27.10.42
		12.00	KY 9677	Day's run:  215 nm.
			NW 5, Sea 4, half overcast, 1009 mb, Vis. very good
		11.55		At 11.55 hours a steamer came in sight astern to port, target angle 80°, course 70°.  Large tanker.
				Maneuvered ahead on changing courses at the limit of visibility.  Torpedo run is uncertain in the high swell.  Hope for calmer weather in the evening.  Strong swells squalls with changing visibility.
				About 15.00 hours the boat was positioned ahead of the tanker.  Turned to the same course.  About 16.00 hours the tanker passed out of sight in a rain squall.  Initially remained on the same course.  Reduced speed.  Because the tanker was still not in sight again at 18.30 hours and rain squalls had still not stopped in the west, came to the opposite course.  The visibility got worse and worse.  The tanker did not come in sight.  Dived to listen, nothing heard.  Searched for the tanker on changing courses until 19.30 hours.  It got dark quickly.  I estimated enemy speed at 12 knots.  During the night I ran at the same speed.
				When will the weather get better ????
		28.10.42
		21.30		Course change to 60°.
		29.10.42
		12.00	KZ 7321	Day's run:  230 nm.
			WSW 5, Sea 4, 2/3 overcast sky, Vis. good, 1015 mb	Course change to 40°.
		30.10.42
		12.00	KZ 5273	Day's run:  176 nm.
			SW 4, Sea 3, half overcast, Vis. good, 1017 mb
				My assumption of meeting steamers in transit via square KZ 7329 - KP 9868 was not confirmed.  Therefore I decided to head for the coast in the night of 31 October.  At 16.00 hours came to course 320° and headed for square KZ 1390.  From there I will proceed to the north on the coastal route. Lourenço Marques is till the objective.
				Finally the weather is better.
		31.10.42
		04.00	KZ 3177	At 04.00 hours the African coast is in sight.  Land for the first time after 8 weeks.
			Wind calm, the water was like a duck pond, sky half overcast, Vis. very good, 1017 mb
				Intention:  On changing course around 40° head for the first objective "Lourenço Marques".
		07.58	Crash dive!	Aircraft to starboard, was not seen.

	Sun and Moon Data 27.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 31.10.42

	- 12 -
		31.10.42
		08.54		Surfaced!  Continued transit.
		12.00	KZ 2121	Day's run:  235 nm.
			N 2, no Sea, light Swell, Vis. very good, 1016 mb
		13.00		Smoke cloud in sight ahead to port.  Was identified as a patrol vessel.  Avoided on the surface.
				A new patrol vessel came out of a dark cloud band.
		15.10		Dived.  Patrol vessel had not sighted the boat and slowly ran astern.
		17.10		Surfaced. Continued transit.
		01.11.42
		05.28	KP 8291	At the level of Cape St. Lucia dived until 11.25 hours to observe the coastal traffic.
		08.00	Sky half overcast, Vis. very good	KP 8277
		11.55	KP 8291	Smoke cloud abeam to port.  Range about 15 nm.  A heavily smoking steamer.  Course 235° for Durban.  Flat sea light Swell.  Maneuvered ahead at the limit of visibility and dove ahead of the ship at 14.21 hours.  Ran to meet on course 55°.  Large passenger steamer.  A nice present after the long interval.  The steamer had air escort.  Exact values were plotted.  Course 235°, speed 10 knots, textbook approach, only difficulty was from the absolutely flat sea and air escort.
				1st shot from target angle 70°, speed 10 knots Eto.
				2nd shot from target angle 90°, speed 12 knots, Eto.
				Range 500-600 meters.
				Nothing happens.  It is desperate.  Should I shoot a G 7a now?  In the bow tubes there are two G 7a, in the stern tubes two G 7e.
				Turned the boat to port.  I believe the torpedoes sometimes run considerably slow.
				At target angle 130° still tried an stern Eto.  Aimed at the bow.  Hit astern about aft 50 meters.  My suspicion is confirmed.  Steamer turned to 125° and stops
		12.00	Day's run:  195 nm	Observed!  Showed no changes.  Large ship.  3 rows of portholes,  coal fired.  Close together smokestacks.  Determined perfectly as "LAURENTIC" 18700 GRT.
				Steamer does not sink.  Boats are still not launched.  Shot one G 7a.  Hit center.  Steamer burned immediately, dark smoke.  Due to the G 7a running track and aircraft went to depth 40 meters.  Detonations and crackling heard in the boat.  10 minutes after the hit went to periscope depth.  Steamer had already sunk.  About 8 lifeboats of the port side.  Sinking square is KP 8530
		16.00	KP 8530
				At 17.57 hours distant aircraft bombs.
		19.14		Surfaced after it got dark at 19.14 hours.  Continued transit into the operations area.  When surfacing the clutch of the port diesel could not be moved.  Examination showed a frozen pin.  Repairs about 36 hours.

	Sun and Moon Data 31.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.11.42

	- 13 -
		02.11.42
		03.00		The clocks were set back one hour in accordance with Radio message Serial No. 462 of 30 October (D.G.Z. M.E.Z.)
				03.35 to 17.01 hours submerged.
		08.00	KP 8364
		12.00	KP 8364	Day's run:  158 nm.
		16.00	KP 8339
		19.12		2 destroyers bearing 210°T, course 330°.  Not nice if you're lame right now.
				Too far to attack.  Beginning range 3000 meters. Range increased.  Unfortunately I can't close on one diesel.  Therefore moved off.  No detection.
		20.00	KP 9116	20.10 hours came to course 60°, hauled out to the east.
			NE 4, Sea 1-2, clear sky, 1013 mb	From dawn headed for "Lourenço Marques".
		03.11.42
		06.30		Diesel in service again.
		12.00	KP 6548	Day's run:  165 nm.
			NNW 3, Sea 2, half overcast, 1011 mb, Vis. very good
		04.11.42
		04.00	KP 5350	Dove at 03.15 hours.
			NE 2, Sea 1, half overcast, Vis. good	In morning twilight the boat is positioned off "Lourenço Marques" directly off the entrance at Cape Inhaca.
		08.00	KP 5350	Assessment of the situation:
				I had originally expected that the east side of Africa would be untouched by U-boat attacks when the boat were off this port.  That the Cape Town boats would operate as close as "Durban" was not foreseen. I must now assume that traffic to and from the "Lourenço Marques" runs in Portuguese territorial waters. If I go to Lourenço anyway, I hope that the people are still asleep.  However, it can only be a brief advance.
		09.00		About 09.00 hours a freighter comes out of the harbor, goes through the territorial waters to the south.  While I observe this and get annoyed, a beautiful passenger ship comes from seaward, course 330°.  Turned, attacked and torpedoed.  Enemy course = 330°, speed = 11 knots, G 7e, torpedo course = 227°, target angle = 81°.
		12.00	KP 5337	I estimate the steamer at 4000 GRT.
				After the hit heavy explosion on board.  (ammunition? depth charges?).  the steamer broke apart, the foreship went vertically and sank unbelievably quickly.  After 2 minutes the steamer was sunk.  Location naval square KP 5330.  They will have been amazed on land.  Only a few survivors cling to wreckage.  When I surface to determine the name,
				[a line or two of text is cut off here]

	Sun and Moon Data 02.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.11.42

	- 14 -
		continued
		04.11.42		the first steamer with artillery.
				Dived, moved off.  Then surfaced again.  The streamer gave the sinking location of the torpedoed steamer in a Radio Message, and ran as best he could, back to Lourenço Marques.  Now no one will drive around outside of the territorial waters.  I will not stay here long.
		14.45	KP 5335	Steamer in sight ahead to port target angle 0°.  Course 250°.  One should keep his Radio manned.  Attacked at 15.30 hours and torpedoed and sunk.
			N 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. medium, 1008 mb
				Location square KP 5335
				Enemy course = 250°, enemy speed = 10.5 knots, G 7e, target angle 73°, torpedo course  = 176.4,  Surfaced, name:  "TREKIEVE" 5244 GRT.  Steamer was armed.
				Further intentions:
				In the Summer of 1940 I had promised the B.d.U. in writing, that I would be the first to circle Madagascar.  Now I will make good on that promise.
				I believe that there is heavy traffic at the intersection of the steamer routes south of Madagascar.  The route from the east coast of Africa and from America to the Indian Ocean run via KQ 50 - KQ 80.  I will proceed in this area.  From Saturday 7 November I will operate in this area.
		16.00	KP 6128	Day's run:  160 nm.
			ENE 3, Sea 2, overcast, 1008 mb, Vis. good
		05.11.42
		12.00	KP 6399	Day's run:  240 nm.
			N 1-2, Swell, Sea 1, clear sky, 1007 mb, Vis. very good
		06.11.42
		12.00	KQ 7322	Day's run:  174 nm.
			SSW 1-2, Sea 1, clear sky, few clouds, 1015 mb, Vis. good
		07.11.42
		12.00	KQ 7690	Day's run:  140 nm.
			SSW 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast, 1019 mb
		16.00	KQ 7690	From 13.15 - 17.00 hours downloaded torpedoes.
			E 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. good, 1014 mb	13.15 course 0°.
				14.53 hours course 340°.
				17.05 hours course 160°.
		08.11.42
		12.00	KQ 2116	Day's run:  130 nm.
			NE 4, Sea 3, overcast, rain showers, Vis. very bad, 1006 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 04.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.11.42

	- 15 -
		09.11.42
		12.00	KQ 8479	Day's run:  145 nm.
			WSW 5, Sea 5-6, clear sky, few clouds, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		10.11.42
		12.00	KQ 5855	Day's run:  138 nm.
			SW 5, Sea 4, Swell, half overcast, 1017 mb
		11.11.42
		12.00	KQ 7329	Day's run:  158 nm.
			ESE 1, Swell, clear sky, Vis. good, 1022 mb
		12.11.42
		12.00	KQ 7478	Day's run:  167 nm.
			SSE 3, Sea 3, overcast, 1021 mb, Vis. good
		13.11.42
		05.30		Steamer in sight ahead to starboard.  Was larger quickly.
				05.34 hours dived.  Attacked.
		06.20		Shot from tube II.  Hit at the bridge.
				Shooting data:  Enemy course = 78°, Attack course = 341°, torpedo course = 356°, target angle = 83°, lead angle = 15°, intercept angle = 82°.  Sinking location:  naval square KP 9885.
				Steamer broke apart in the center and sank at 06.33 hours.
		08.00	Course changed to 270°.	After surfacing determined to be "LUISE MOLLER" from Durban to the east.  Destination was not known by the survivors.  Cargo:  hemp.  Besides artillery the steamer also had depth charges on board.
		08.00	KP 9884	Continued transit to the west.
			NEbyE 3-4, Sea 2, overcast, 1013 mb, Vis. good	I intend to head for the coast south of Durban in the night of 15 November.
		12.00	KP 9794	Day's run:  164 nm.
			SSW 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast shy, rain showers, Vis. bad, 1012 mb
		14.11.42
		04.00	KP 8975
			SSE 3, Sea 3, clear sky, Vis. good, 1021 mb
		05.40		Dived to close the coast unseen.
		08.00	KP 8978	While proceeding submerged a steamer passed about 12.00 hours at a distance of 4000 meters with course east.
		12.00	KP 8896	Very difficult conditions depth steering-wise.
		14.00	ENE 3, Sea 2, clear sky, Vis. good	Boat broached.  Had he seen me?

	Sun and Moon Data 09.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.42

	- 16 -
		continued
		14.11.42	1024 mb, the seas are short and high	After a short time, about 12.15 hours, in an all around sweep a very low flying aircraft on an easterly course.  Put off surfacing.
		12.56		Surfaced.  Pursued behind the steamer.  Course 90°.
		14.13	Crash dive!	Aircraft coming out of the sun.
		14.15		3 aircraft bombs!  Very close.  No damage.
				Remained submerged, because in the vicinity of the coast I must expect longer surveillance and due to the Sea State no sufficient observation of the air can be carried out.
		16.00	KP 8978
		18.10		Propeller sounds to starboard.  Went to periscope depth.  Freighter on easterly course about 4000 meters away.
				I have to have that as compensation
		18.26		Surfaced in the twilight.  Steamer is still in sight.  Due to the moon hauled out to the north.  Maneuvered ahead on changing courses at the limit of visibility.  Initially the steamer steered an easterly course.
		20.00	KZ 2319	From 20.15 hours course 135°.
				At 23.15 hours the boat is positioned ahead target angle 40° and attacked.
		23.23		2-fan from tubes I and III.
				Perfect shooting data.  Speed 11 knots, range = 3000 meters (bright night).
		24.00	KZ 2388
			ENE 2-3, Sea 2, clear sky, Vis. good, 1024 mb	At the moment of the shot the steamer turned about 70° to starboard.
				Had he seen us?  Or is this coincidence his luck?
				I am convinced that he had not seen us.  Pity about the torpedoes.  I must have the steamer.  So after him again.
		15.11.42
		01.15		At 01.15 hours the boat is ahead again.  Dawn will come soon.  The diesels will have to do what they can I can still knock him off in a submerged attack.
		01.40		At 01.40 hours the boat is in good shooting position.  Turned in, at 01.45 hours a 2-fan from tubes I and III.  Range = 2800 meters, target angle 70°.
		01.47		2 hits forward and aft of the smokestack.  Ship stopped, remained lying with a slight port list.  After 20 minutes internal explosion on the steamer, probably the boiler.
				Boat remained in the vicinity.
		02.46		Dived.
		04.00	KZ 2628	The steamer has already cost 4 torpedoes.
			N 4, Sea 1, half overcast, Vis. good	I closed the steamer.  Crew has left the ship in a sinking condition and has set sail in the ship's boats
		08.00	KZ 2650
		08.40		At great range a series of about 20 depth charges in 4 groups, quickly after one another.
		12.00	KZ 2650	Had the steamer blown the whistle on us?
				I moved off.  While setting off the cracking and breaking of bulkheads was heard clearly in the boat.
		16.00	KZ 2650	While Moving off the entire day depth charge series at great range.  Sinking location KZ 2628.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.11.42

	- 17 -
		continued
		15.11.42		Surfaced.  Steamer no longer seen.
				The diesels urgently need 2 days for overhaul.  In particular the port propeller shaft bushing leaks so heavily that the boat can no longer go to great depths.  Therefore I decide so move off and carry out repairs.  After repairs are finished I will operated out of KZ 67 to the west to pick up east-west traffic south of Cape Town - Port Elizabeth about on the line JJ 12 - KZ 62.  The following considerations lead me to this decision:
				1.)  During the outbound transit on the way between JJ 24 to JJ 23 to KZ 73 three large ships were sighted.
				Miss on the first ship due to high seas.  On the second ship no attack possible due to Sea State.  The third ship was lost rain squall.  All the ships steered 250° or 70°.
				2.)  In the area south of Cape Town (JJ10 and 20) Poske and Witte sank 4 ships.
				3.)  For the return transit I will consume 145 cbm from 20°E.  At the moment I still have 165 cbm.  To 20E I will still consume 10 cbm, so that I have only 10 cbm to hunt.  If contrary to expectations I find nothing in transit, I intend to move back and forth in position a few days at lowest speed in square JJ 21-24.  I still have 8 torpedoes.
		16.11.42
		12.00	KZ 6418	Day's run:  148 nm.
			SSW 6-8, Sea 5, half overcast, Vis. good, 1022 mb
		17.11.42
		12.00	KZ 6771	Day's run:  98 nm.
			W 2, Sea 1, Swell, overcast, Vis. very good, 1027 mb
		18.11.42
		12.00	KZ 8222	Day's run:  117 nm.
			NNE 1, Sea 0, half overcast, 1021 mb, Vis. good
		19.11.42
		12.00	KZ 4953	Day's run:  157 nm.
			Wind calm, Swell, clear sky, 1019 mb, Vis. good
		23.00		At 23.00 hours a shadow comes in sight ahead to port.  Initially assumed bow right,  so pursued to the south, to bring the steamer into the moon.  Enemy course 50°.
				I soon notice the error, the enemy has bow left, the shadow was larger, so that I can no longer pass by ahead.

	Sun and Moon Data 15.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.11.42

	- 18 -
		continued
		19.11.42		Maneuvered ahead to attack on the surface at night.  Enemy zigzags to starboard to about 110°.  Maneuvered ahead again.  The moon interferes greatly.  It is so bright that is it difficult to get close.  When my boat is ahead of the enemy in target angle 40°, the enemy zigzags back to 70°, so that I am exactly ahead of him.
		20.11.42
		12.00	KZ 9691	It is already bright in the east.  Attack on the surface it out of the question.  At 01.56 hours dived for submerged attack.  The enemy is before the dark horizon so that there is nothing to see.  An horrible feeling when one can see nothing and on diving target angle was 0°.  Set off to the south, to bring the enemy into the moon.
			SW 2, Sea 0, half overcast, 1015 mb, moonlit night, Vis. good
		21.11.42
				I get the enemy in sight.  He had zigzagged again to starboard.
		0x.56		Two-fan from target angle 60°.  Range = 2500 meters.  Speed 10 knots.  Miss.  (naval square KZ 7721).
				Further intentions:
				Initially I will go into the area JJ 21 - 13 (Poske and Witte sinking area)
				If there is no traffic there, I will go into the area GR 70, to pick up Cape Town - America traffic.
		xx.00		Course change to 280°.  Surfaced.
		12.00	KY 9913	Day's run:  162 nm.
		22.11.42
		12.00	JJ 2292	Day's run:  149 nm.
			SW 2, Sea 1, half overcast, Vis. bad, 1018 mb
		23.11.42
		12.00	JJ 2114	Day's run:  157 nm.
			W 2-3, Sea 1-2, lightly cloudy, 1018 mb, Vis. good
		24.11.42
		05.01		From 05.01 to 14.35 hours proceeded submerged.
				10.02 - 10.53 hours surfaced to ventilate the boat.
		08.00	JJ 1284
		12.00	JJ 1279	Day's run:  126 nm.
		16.00	JJ 1435
		x4.35		Surfaced.  Changed course to 180°.
		25.11.42
		02.00	JJ 1673	Day's run:  146 nm.
			SW 4, Sea 3, 3/4 overcast, 1015 mb, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 19.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.11.42

	- 19 -
		26.11.42
		12.00	JJ 2497	Day's run:  170 nm.
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. medium, 1020 mb
		27.11.42
		12.00	JJ 2567	Day's run:  144 nm.
			SSW 1, Sea 0, high Swell, overcast, Vis. good, 1024 mb
		12.10		At 12.10 hours a steamer with 2 masts came in sight astern to port.  Should the long wait be rewarded?
				The enemy zigzags 20-30° to each side around course 0°.  Maneuvered ahead.
		13.35		Dove at 13.35 hours.  Ran to meet.
		14.36		At 14.36 hours two-fan from tubes V and VI.  Target angle 90°, range = 1500 meters, speed = 10.5 meters.
				Both torpedoes hit, forward 30 and aft 50 meters, continued on at 4 knots and turned towards the boat.  Avoided.
		14.44		At 14.44 hours miss from tube III.  Speed underestimated.
		14.46		At 14.46 hours shot from tube II.  Hit forward 20 meters.
		15.27		At 15.27 hours the ship sank over the forestem in naval square JJ 2557.
		15.28		Surfaced at 15.28.  Ship was determined to be "JEREMIA WADSWORTH", American. new construction, 8000 GRT.
		15.45		Continued transit.
		16.00	JJ 2557	Dived.  Proceeded submerged until darkness.
		16.25		Course change to 250°.
		19.05		Surfaced.
		28.11.42
		12.00	JJ 1917	Day's run:  154 nm.
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, 1011 mb
		29.11.42
		12.00	JJ 1714	Day's run:  110 nm.
			NW 1, high Swell, overcast, Vis. good, 1012 mb
		30.11.42
		12.00	GZ 3462	Day's run:  130 nm.
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1011 mb
		01.12.42
		12.00	GZ 2233	Day's run:  124 nm.
			S 6, Sea 5, half overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium, 1025 mb
		02.12.42
		12.00	GQ 9676	Day's run:  120 nm.
			[weather cut off]

	Sun and Moon Data 26.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.12.42

	- 20 -
		03.12.42
		12.00	GQ 9124	Day's run:  154 nm.
			SE 1, Sea 0, half overcast, Vis. good, 1031 mb
		04.12.42
		12.00	GQ 5435	Day's run:  186 nm.
			SE 2, no Sea, half overcast, Vis. very good, 1026 mb
		16.00	GQ 5185
			SSE 1, Sea 1, half overcast, Vis. very good, 1026 mb	At 16.25 hours a smoke feather came in sight ahead to port. Closed the smoke feather at GF.  Soon there were 2 masts, distinguished bow right.  Maneuvered ahead for submerged attack.  Dove at 18.43 hours. Attacked.  Because I still only have one G 7e in a bow tube and one G 7e in a stern tube, I attacked with a shooting angle of 45°, to have the stern tube ready to shoot as soon as possible.  Enemy course = 60°.  Size 5000 GRT.
		19.43	GQ 5129	At 19.43 hours shot from tube IV, good shooting data.  Range = 500 meters, target angle = 80°, speed = 9.5 knots.  Torpedo was a circle runner.  Not a very nice feeling when a live torpedo is buzzing around you.  Went to depth A -30 meters.  Torpedo overran the boat twice.  Detonation at the end of the running track.  Too late for a day attack.
		20.00	GQ 5214
			SW 2, Sea 1, half overcast, Vis. very good, 1027 mb
		20.21		Surfaced.  Pursued in the twilight.  Steamer ran on course 60° as before.  Matched speed again while maneuvering ahead.  Speed 9-10 knots.  Unfortunately the night is very bright and clear.  Visibility about 7000-8000 meters.
		22.31	GQ 5212	Shot from tube V.
				Range 2500-3000 meters, target angle 70°, speed 9.5 knots, depth 4 meters.
				Miss.  Unexplained, I suspect that the steamer was undershot.  Pity, I would have liked to have had it as compensation for the circle runner.  It is much too bright for artillery.  Continued return transit.
		05.12.42
		12.00	GQ 1692	Day's run:  187 nm.
			NW 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good, 1024 mb
		06.12.42
		12.00	GG 8913	Day's run:  178 nm.
			Wind calm, half overcast, Vis. good, 1022 mb
		07.12.42
		12.00	GG 8111	Day's run:  174 nm.
			NNW 1, clear sky, Vis. good, 1021 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 03.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.12.42

	- 21 -
		08.12.42	GG 4183
		12.00	Wind calm, few clouds, clear horizon, 1023 mb	Day's run:  174 nm.
		09.12.42
		12.00	GF 3546	Day's run:  178 nm.
			SE 1, half overcast, occasional rain showers, Vis. good, 1023 mb
		10.12.42
		12.00	FU 7828	Day's run:  179 nm.
		11.12.42
		12.00	FT 6957	Day's run:  189 nm.
			1021 mb
		12.12.42
		12.00	FT 5355	Day's run:  181 nm.
		16.00	FT 5313
		20.00	FT 2892
		24.00	FT 2851	No particular events.
		13.12.42
		08.00	FT 2459
		12.00	FT 3419	Day's run:  181.5 nm.
		16.00	FT 1393
		20.00	FT 1353
		24.00	FT 1315	No particular events.
		14.12.42
		08.00	FM 7857
		12.00	FM 7577	Day's run:  180 nm.
		16.00	FM 7459
		20.00	FM 7419
		23.00	FL 9395	No particular events.
		15.12.42
		08.00	FL 9315
		12.00	FL 6891	Day's run:  182 nm.
		16.00	FL 6851
		20.00	FL 6811
		24.00	FL 6459	No particular events.
		16.12.42
		04.00	FL 6419
			ESE 3 midday freshening to 5, slowly shifting SW, evening abating, the sea is lightly choppy, clear sky to half overcast, Vis. goos, 1017 mb	07.25 hours smoke clouds in sight in 150°T and 330°T, Steamers steer 220° and 240°.
				From 07.44 hours to 08.23 hours dived.  Continued transit.
				08.40 hours smoke cloud in 210°T out of sight.
				09.50 hours smoke cloud in 340°T out of sight.
		12.00	FL 5xxx

	Sun and Moon Data 08.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.12.42

	- 22 -
		continued
		16.12.42
		20.00	FL 2859
		24.00	FL 2819	No particular events.
		17.12.42
		08.00	FL 2455	11.45 course change to 345°.
		12.00	FL 2411	Day's run:  170 nm.
		16.00	FL 1359
		20.00	FL 1328
		24.00	FD 8895	No particular events.
		18.12.42
		08.00	FD 8861
		12.00	FD 8826	Day's run:  150 nm.
		16.00	FD 8573
		20.00	FD 8518
		24.00	FD 8193	No particular events.
		19.12.42
		08.00	FD 5783
		12.00	FD 5728	Day's run:  173 nm.
		16.00	FD 5476
		20.00	FD 5418
		24.00	FD 4396	No particular events.
			Bright moonlit night
		20.12.42
		08.00	FD 1986
		12.00	FD 1953	Day's run:  184 nm.
		16.00	FD 1684	12.20 hours course change to 340°.
		20.00	FD 1642
		24.00	FD 1295	No particular events.
		21.12.42
		08.00	ES 7881
		12.00	ES 7811	Day's run:  172 nm.
		16.00	ES 7465
		20.00	ES 7423
		24.00	ES 7158	No particular events.
			Bright moonlit night
		22.12.42
		08.00	ES 4729
		12.00	ES 6936	Day's run:  158 nm.
		16.00	ES 6692
		20.00	ES 6629
		24.00	ES 6358	No particular events.
			Bright moonlit night
		23.12.42
		08.00	ER 3979
		12.00	ER 3948	Day's run:  146 nm.
		16.00	ER 3836
		20.00	ER 3595
		24.00	ER 3529	No particular events.
			From 23.00 bright moonlit night

	Sun and Moon Data 16.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.12.42

	- 23 -
		24.12.42
		08.00	ER 3254	07.00 hours course change to 12°.
		12.00	ER 3222	Day's run:  135 nm.
		16.00	EH 9838
		20.00	EH 9852
		24.00	EH 9689	No particular events.
			From 23.00 hours bright moonlit night
		25.12.42
		08.00	EH 9543
		12.00	EH 9268	Day's run:  137nm.
		16.00	EH 9239	17.40 hours sailboat in sight bearing 300°T.  Avoided to starboard.
		20.00	EH 6974	18.40 hours sailboat out of sight in 180°T.
		24.00	EH 6942	No particular events.
			From 23.15 hours bright moonlit night
		26.12.42
		12.00	EH 6624	Day's run:  140 nm.
		16.00	EH 6357
		20.00	EH 6319
		24.00	EH 3984	No particular events.
		27.12.42
		08.00	EH 3689
		12.00	EH 3665	Day's run:  146 nm.
		16.00	EH 3634	Incoming Radio Message:  1.  Ibbeken report position immediately.  2.  Serial No. 382 settled, will not be repeated.
				Outgoing Radio Message:  My position is naval square EH 36.
				Incoming Radio Message:  Folkers suggest meeting point with Ibbeken.
				Ibbeken remove E-compressor parts and have ready.  After delivery report.
				We are carefully checking whether we can help the boat.  Despite the utmost care, our own compressors have given us so much grief that every day the failure of the one, at the moment, still limitedly operable Junkers compressor can be expected.  Therefore reported by Radio Message. One Junkers-compressor failed.  Cannot be repaired.  Second Junkers compressor continual repairs.  Spare parts almost consumed.  Failure of E-compressor not acceptable.
				Thereupon the B.d.U. canceled the meeting.
		20.00	EH 3394	From Folkers:  2.  Meeting with Ibbeken 30 December 12.00 hours naval square DS 6262.
		24.00	EH 3362	21.00 hours course change to 20°.
		28.12.42
		04.00	EH 3333
			NE Trade Wins, stiff, sky mostly overcast, Vis. good, 1020 mb
		08.00	DT 7748
		12.00	DT 7716	Day's run:  124 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 24.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.12.42

	- 24 -
		continued
		28.12.42
		16.00	DT 7476	Incoming Radio Message from Folkers:  Reception is assured but low Volume likely.  Meeting with Ibbeken settled.
				Incoming Radio Message:  Ibbeken give Eisbär Orders to Clausen.  For this give meeting point as soon as possible.  Ibbeken will be about in in naval square DT 47 on 29 December at 08.00 hours.
		20.00	DT 7457
		24.00	DT 7425	No particular events.
		29.12.42
		08.00	DT 7165
		12.00	DT 4799	Day's run:  130 nm.
		16.00	DT 4844
		20.00	DT 4814
		24.00	DT 4576	No particular events.
		30.12.42
		08.00	DT 4522
		12.00	DT 4283	Day's run:  136 nm.
		16.00	DT 4235
		20.00	DT 1896
		24.00	DT 1942	No particular events.
		31.12.42
		04.00	DT 1684	03.50 hours steamer with set lights ahead.  Passenger steamer, course 230°, neutrality markings brightly illuminated.  Avoidance maneuver.
				04.15 hours came to old course.
		08.00	DT 1655
		12.00	DT 1631	Day's run:  150 nm.
		16.00	DT 1368
		20.00	DT 1335
		24.00	DG 9882	No particular events.
		01.01.43
		04.00	DG 9829
			Light east breeze, Sea 2, overcast, 1027 mb, Vis. medium to good, at times rain showers	Incoming Radio Message:  3.  Ibbeken after leaving Clausen report "Yes" and at the same time switch to Ireland Circuit.
		08.00	DG 9595
		12.00	DG 9563	Day's run:  150 nm.
		16.00	DG 9533
		20.00	DG 9347
		24.00	DG 9315	No particular events.
		02.01.43
		04.00	DG 6976	Incoming Radio Message:  Clausen reports by Short Signals Volume 4 am at ordered meeting point since 1 Jan 04.00 hours.
			Light SE breeze, Swell, half to completely overcast, Vis. good, 1029 mb
				Outgoing Radio Message 1834:  To Serial No. 349:  Up to now no ordered meeting point.  Serial No. list complete. Am in DG 6391, 49 cbm.  Request giving by Lüth or Gysae.
				Incoming Radio Message:  Meeting point Ibbeken - Clausen settled.  Continue southerly or homeward transit.  More to follow.
				Incoming Radio Message:  1.  Ibbeken 3 January 08.00 hours switch to Ireland Circuit.
		08.00	DG 6951
		12.00	DG xxxx	[missing line of text]

	Sun and Moon Data 28.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 31.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 02.01.43

	- 25 -
		continued
		02.01.43
		16.00	DG 6665
		20.00	DG 6396
		24.00	DH 4115	No particular events.
		03.01.43
		04.00	DH 1757
			Wind calm, light Swell, partly cloudy, Vis. good, 1031 mb
		08.00	DH 1725
		12.00	DH 1483	Day's run:  192 nm.
		16.00	DH 1435	Incoming Radio Message:  From Clausen:  Radio Message 1927/2353 received by chance.  Here "Ireland Circuit" 386 cbm, DG 3834.
		20.00	DH 1169
		24.00	DH 1215
				Incoming Radio Message:  To Clausen:  Immediately switch to America II Circuit, mistake here.
		04.01.43
		04.00	CF 8746
			Light breeze from the N-NNW, light Swell, half overcast, strong marine phosphorescence, at times rain, 1028 mb, Vis. good
		08.00	CF 8488
		12.00	CF 8434	Day's run:  215 nm.
		16.00	CF 8169	Incoming Radio Message:  Return harbors:  Bordeaux for Ibbeken, not Brest as ordered on 16 December.
		20.00	CF 8215
		24.00	CF 5849
		05.01.43
		04.00	CF 5822
			W 2, overcast, 1026 mb, Vis. changing, marine phosphorescence
		05.15		Steamer in sight bearing 90°T with set lights, course 280°.  07.07 hours out of sight in 230°T.
		08.00	CF 5561
		12.00	CF 5293	Day's run:  198 nm.
		16.00	CF 5319	17.18 hours Crash dive for aircraft.
				17.59 hours surfaced.
		20.00	CF 2972	Course change to 65°, both diesels 2 x HF.
		24.00	CF 3718
		06.01.43
		04.00	CF 3574
			W 2, Sea 2, half overcast, 1026 mb, Vis. good, marine phosphorescence	From 10.30 hours to 18.00 hours proceeded submerged.
		08.00	CF 3647
		12.00	CF 3632	Day's run:  258 nm.
		16.00	CF 3626
		20.00	CG 1173
		24.00	CG 1227	No particular events.
		07.01.43
		04.00	BE 9985
			[weather cut off]

	Sun and Moon Data 02.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 03.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 04.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 05.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 06.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 07.01.43

	- 26 -
		continued
		07.01.43
			marine phosphorescence, evening rain showers
		08.00	BF 7751
		12.00	BF 7737	Day's run:  246 nm.
		16.00	BF 7738
		20.00	BF 7816
		24.00	BF 7685	No particular events.
		08.01.43
		08.00	BF 8547	03.30 hours Ponte de la Etsaca abeam to starboard 7 nm away.
		12.00	BF 8568
		16.00	BF 8648	Day's run:  225 nm.
		20.00	BF 8662	10.30 - 17.30 hours proceeded submerged.
		24.00	BF 9432	No particular events.
		09.01.43
		04.00	BF 9266
			W 0-1, Sea 0-1, overcast, misty, rain, Vis. bad, 1020 mb, strong marine phosphorescence	From 02.40 hours radio bearings.
				07.25 hours Sperrbrecher in sight.
				07.35 hours taken in convoy.
		08.00	BF 6889	Entered the Gironde.
				11.35 hours pilot on board.
		16.45		Made fast to Sperrbrecher 3.
		10.01.43
		07.30		Ready for sea.
		07.45		Cast off, continued transit to Bordeaux.
		10.30		Made fast Bordeaux U-boat Base.

	Sun and Moon Data 07.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 08.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 09.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 10.01.43

 

	Enclosures to U-178's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Radio	Excerpt of the radio log

 

	Comments of the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
	on the Kriegstagebuch "U-178" from 8.9.42 - 10.1.43.
	First patrol of the Kommandanten with a new boat (IX D2).  Despite the gratifying success, which was obtained under light defensive conditions in South African waters, a large number of opportunities for success were not properly exploited.
	The details of the operation were discussed in detail with the Befehlshaber, so that a special written statement can be omitted.
	The freshness of the Kommandanten after the long patrol was particularly pleasing considering that as a Kapitän zur See he was the longest serving U-boat Kommandant in the Kriegsmarine who has been deployed to the Front.
	Because of other employment and because of his seniority, the Kommandant had to relinquish command.
		For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

---

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