U-213 - 2nd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
Lorient
25 April 1942
Lorient
20 June1942
57

 

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.

                                                                                             
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
                                            K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h  
           
            "  U  213  ".  
           
           
           
              Kommandant: Oberleutnant zur See von Varendorff.  
           
           
           
           
           
           
                               Beginning:        21 March 1942  
                               Concluding:     21 June    1942  
           
                            
           
           
           
         
           
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
                       K.  T.  B.  "U 2 1 3"  
                      from 21 March 1942 -  
    22.03.42 Brest Beginning of the shipyard period.  
    16.04.42    " Pier-side trial.  
    17.04.42    " Shipyard trim test; degaussing.  
    18-19.04.42    " Final adjustments and overhaul.  Shipyard period ended.  
    20-21.04.42    " Outfitting and took over the boat  
    22.04.42   Final trim test, radio direction finder calibration.  
                                                                
    23.04.42    "    
    18.30   Departed Brest.  
    18.50   Taken in convoy.  1 M-boat, 2 U-boat hunters.  
    19.00   B IV.  
    20.35   B  II.  
    23.55   Point 32, released escort.  Transit to Lorient.  
                                                                
    24.04.42      
    06.06   Point 32 J.  
    07.45   L VIII.  
    07.58   L II, taken in Sperrbrecher convoy.  
    08.10   L V.  
    10.00 121 nm Made fast Lorient A 1.  
        Confer with O.K.W. representative concerning special task.  
                                                                
    25.04.42 Lorient    
    16.00      " Ltn. M.A. Langbein on board.  
    18.45      " Put to sea.  
    20.00 SSE 0-1, Sea 0 (rain) Passed L 5 outbound.  
    20.15   Passed L 4        "      .  
    20.30   Passed L 2        "      .  
    21.22   Passed RB 1      "      .  
    22.00   Passed 33 C      "      .  
    23.00   Passed 34          "      .  
    23.24   Passed 34 T       "      .  
                                                                
    26.04.42      
    00.00 SSE 0-1, Sea 0, 1/10, bright moon Passed 34 U.  
    04.06 SSE 1, Sea 1, 7/10 Passed Point U.  
    07.15 BF 6774 dived.  Proceeded submerged in accordance with orders.  
      Wind 0, Sea 0, 6-7/10 Distant depth charges heard, locating.  Flier's weather.  
    12.00 BF 5894    
      169.0 nm    
         13.5 nm    
    21.55 BF 5876 Surfaced.  Transit on the Frontkreis into the operations area.   [Frontkreis =Great Circle?]  
      NE 1, Sea 1, 7/10    
                                                                
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 23.04.42
Sun and Moon Data 24.04.42
Sun and Moon Data 25.04.42
Sun and Moon Data 26.04.42
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
           
    27.04.42      
    00.00 BF 5792    
      NE 2, Sea 1, 5/10, bright moon    
    04.00 BF 5749    
      ENE 3, Sea 2, 5/10    
    07.40 BF 4964 dived, proceeded submerged, flier's weather.  
      ENE 3-4, Sea 3, 6/10    
    12.00 BF 4956 U-boat hunters.  Distant depth charges and locating.  
        91.5 nm    
        34.5 nm    
    20.00 BF 4943    
    22.00 BF 4941 Surfaced, proceeded on the surface.  
      SSE 2, Sea 2, 1/10    
                                                                
    28.04.42      
    00.00 BF 4862    
      SSE 2, Sea 2, 1/10    
    04.00 BF 4818    
      NE 3, Sea 2, 1/10    
    07.35 BF 4736 dived, proceeded submerged.  
      NE 3, Sea 2, 4/10    
    12.00 BF 4735 Aircraft bombs, S-gear [Asdic] and depth charges.  Moved off submerged.  Locating until 21.00 hours, fishing trawlers  
        87.0 nm  
        34.5 nm    
    20.00 BF 4725    
    22.00 BF 4727 Surfaced, continued transit.  
      NNE 1, Sea 1, overcast    
                                                                
    29.04.42      
    00.00 BF 4715    
      NNE 1-0, Sea 1-0, Swell    
    04.00 BE 6925    
      WNW 2, Sea 1, overcast    
    08.00 BE 6823    
      WNW 3, Sea 2, overcast    
    07.45   dived, balanced the boat.  
    08.05   Surfaced, continued transit.  
    12.00 BE 6735    
      WSW 1, Sea 1, overcast, medium Swell Low visibility - misty.  
        145.0 nm    
          31.0 nm    
    16.00 BE 6721    
      WSW 1, Sea 1, overcast    
    20.00 BE 5689    
      S 3, Sea 2-3, 8/10    
    22.58   Outgoing Short Signal:  My position is naval square BE 56.  
                                                                    "U-213"  
    23.37   Short Signal confirmed.  
                                                                
    30.04.42      
    00.00 BE 5599    
      S 3, Sea 3, overcast (rain)    
    04.00 BE 5579    
      WNW 3, Sea 4, 8/10    
    07.41 BE 5497 dived, balanced the boat.  
      NW 3, Sea 3, 6/10 greatly changing    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 27.04.42
Sun and Moon Data 28.04.42
Sun and Moon Data 29.04.42
Sun and Moon Data 30.04.42
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.04.42      
    08.00   surfaced, continued transit.  
    12.00 BE 5711 Position by navigation fix.  
      NW 1-0, Sea 1, 2/10 Low clouds, greatly changing.  
        159.0 nm    
            1.0 nm    
    16.00 BE 4921    
      W 2-3, Sea 3, 1/10    
    20.00 BE 4835    
      SW 2, Sea 2, 2-3/10    
                                                                
    01.05.42      
    00.00 BE 4815    
      SWbyW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast (mist)    
    04.00 BE 3734    
      SW 5, Sea 5, overcast (rain)    
    08.00 BE 4724    
      SW 5, Sea 5, overcast    
    08.17     dived, balanced the boat.  
    08.43   surfaced, continued transit.  
    12.00 BE 4714    
      High Swell    
        192.0 nm    
            1.0 nm    
    16.00 BD 6937    
      WSW 5-6, Sea 5, 3/10    
    19.54   Incoming Radio Message 1845/187/224  
        1.)  Uphoff, Kölle, Varendorff tomorrow between 01.00 and 05.00 hours report weather.  
        2.)  From 2 May 08.00 hours Piening switch to Greenland Circuit.  Möhlmann to Ireland Circuit.  
    20.00 BD 6927    
      SW 5, Sea 5, 8/10, high Swell    
                                                                
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.04.42
Sun and Moon Data 01.05.42
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
           
    02.05.42      
    00.00 BD 6941    
      SW 3-4, Sea 4, overcast    
    01.58   Outgoing Short Signal weather report:  
        46°N, 27°W, 1019 mb, steady, +15°C, SW 2, 10/10, dust rain, Vis. 2 nm, low SW-Swell.  
    03.49   Short Signal weather report confirmed.  
    04.00 BD 6856    
      SWbyW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast    
    08.00 BD 6873    
      SW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast    
    08.21   Dived, balanced the boat.  
    09.01   Surfaced, transit continued.  
    12.00 BD 6796 Position by navigation fix.  
      SW 4-5, Sea 4, 8/10    
        136.0 nm    
             2.0 nm    
    16.00 BD 6789    
      SW 4, Sea 3, overcast    
    20.00 DD 9115    
      SW 5, Sea 4, 6/10    
                                                                
    03.05.42      
    00.00 BD 8339    
      SbyW 5, Sea 4, overcast (rain)    
    04.00 BD 8356    
      SSW 6-7, Sea 5-6, overcast (rain)    
    08.00 BD 8349    
      SSW 5-6, Sea 4-5, overcast (rain)    
    08.29 BD 8349 Dived, balanced the boat.  
    09.05   Surfaced, transit continued.  
    12.00 BD 8296 The unabating seas cost much fuel.  An unpleasent occurrence but must be accepted in view of the task.  4 days of bad weather from ahead.  Despite both diesels LF have only covered 6 nm over ground and used 3.6 to 4 cbm fuel per day.  
      S 6, Sea 5, overcast  
        143.0 nm  
             2.0 nm  
    16.00 BD 8289  
      S 7, Sea 6, overcast (rain)    
    20.00 BD 8516    
      SSE 6-7, Sea 5-6, overcast (rain)                                                         
         
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 03.05.42
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
           
    04.05.42      
    00.00 BD 8463    
      SE 5-6, Sea 5, overcast (rain)    
    04.00 BD 8456 Always strong wind.  
      SE 7, Sea 6, overcast (rain)    
    08.00 BD 8472    
      SW 7-8, Sea 6, overcast (rain)    
    08.49     Dived, balanced the boat.  Boat training.  
    09.54     Surfaced, continued transit.  
    12.00 BD 7698 Rain and mist, the visibility swings between 05. and 2 nm.  
      WNW 5, Sea 5, overcast (rain)    
        145.0 nm    
             3.0 nm    
    16.00 BD 7925    
      WNW 6, Sea 5, overcast (rain)    
    20.00 BD 7942    
      NW 6-7, Sea 5, overcast (rain)    
    22.00   Incoming Radio Message 2115/4/122/294  
        1.)  U-432, U-402 and Varendorff tomorrow between 01.00 and 05.00 hours report weather.  2.)  On 5 May 08.00 hours Hirsacker switch to Ireland Circuit, Varendorff to Greenland.  
                                                                
    05.05.42      
    00.00 BD 7868    
      NNW 5-4, Sea 4-5, overcast (rain)    
    01.18   Outgoing Short Signal weather report:  
        43°N, 36°W, 1008 mb, rising, +16°C, NW 6, overcast, showers, Vis. 6 nm, high NW-Swell  
    02.20   Short Signal weather report confirmed.  
    04.00 DD 7882    
      WNW 7, Sea 5, overcast (rain)    
    08.00 BD 7878    
      WNW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast (rain)    
    08.52     Dived, balanced the boat.  Boat training.  
    09.35     Surfaced, continued transit.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 04.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 05.05.42
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.05.42      
    12.00 CD 3226    
      NW 6, Sea 5, overcast (rain)    
        143.0 nm    
            2.5 nm    
    16.00 CD 3242 Finally indications of weather improvement.  
      WNW 6, Sea 5, 8/10 Position vis navigation fix.  
    20.00 CD 3181    
      NW 4, Sea 4, 3/10 Check fire of the MG C30 however no shots fired, all duds  (bad ammunition).  
                                                                
    06.05.42      
    00.00 CD 2632    
      NW 3, Sea 3, 3/4    
    04.00 CD 2643    
      NW 3, Sea 2, overcast    
    08.00 CD 2592    
      NNW 2, Sea 2, overcast    
    09.18     Dived, balanced the boat.  
    09.43     Surfaced, continued transit.  
    12.00 CD 2587 Greatly and quickly changing visibility, fog banks.  
      WSW 3, Sea 2, overcast Air and water temperature +17°C  
        195.5 nm    
            1.5 nm    
    16.00 CD 2762 Avoiding to the south seems to be beneficial, weather and visibility here are still better than to the north.  Position by navigation fix.  
      WSW 3, Sea 2, overcast  
    20.00 CD 2773    
      NW 4, Sea 3, 9/10    
                                                                
    07.05.42      
    00.00 CD 4332    
      W 2, Sea 1-2, 7/10, Swell    
    04.00 CD 4351    
      W 2, Sea 2, overcast    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 06.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 07.05.42
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.05.42      
    08.00 CD 4292    
      WSW 3, Sea 2, 2/10, Swell    
    09.21     Dived, balanced the boat.  
    09.38     Surfaced, continued transit.  
    12.00 CD 4275    
      WSW 4, Sea 3, overcast (rain)    
        186.0 nm    
             1.0 nm    
    16.00 CD 4191    
      NW 4, Sea 3, 3/10, high Swell    
    20.00 CD 4181    
      NNW 5, Sea 4, 3/10    
                                                                
    08.05.42      
    00.00 CC 6365 Converted main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 5 [for use as a ballast tank], 5 port is out of service, blows off.  Leak in the weld seam.  
      NW 3, Sea 2, 2/10  
    04.00 CC 6354    
      NW 2, Sea 1, 1/10    
    08.00 CC 6262    
      NW 1, Sea 1, 1/10    
    09.40 CC 6253   Dived, balanced the boat.  
    10.25     Surfaced, continued transit.  
    12.00 CC 6218    
      SE 1, Sea 0, 1/10    
        170.5 nm    
             2.5 nm    
    16.00 CC 6113 Position by navigation fix.  
      SSE 2, Sea 1, 2/10    
    20.00 CC 2988    
      SSW 4, Sea 3, 6/10    
                                                                
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 08.05.42
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
           
    09.05.42      
    00.00 CC 2891    
      SW 4, Sea 4, 5/10    
    04.00 CC 2769    
      SW 4, Sea 4, 3/10    
    08.00 CC 2757    
      SW 5, Sea 4, 3/10    
    10.12 CC 2746   Dived balanced the boat.  
    12.48 SW 3, Sea 3, overcast (rain)   Surfaced  
    12.00 CC 2744    
      SW 3, Sea 3, overcast (rain)    
        236.5.0 nm    
               5.5 nm    
    16.00 CC 1956    
      SW 3, Sea 2, overcast (mist)    
    20.00 CC 1942    
      WNW 3, Sea 3, overcast, W-Swell    
    22.42 CC 1862 Ahead to port 1 destroyer breaks through the mist behind three smoke trails.  Turned away to relative bearing 260°, bow right, target angle 20° three freighters.  Maneuvered ahead on enemy course 70°.  Sunset is not until 00.50 hours, visibility is changing.  23.30 hours enemy is no longer distinguished.  Ran to meet.  
      NW 3, Sea 3, 7/10 (fog), (at times misty)  
                                                                
    10.05.42      
    00.00 CC 1832 00.05 hours enemy in sight at 6 nm.  Enemy course now 330°.  00.50 hours distance is now 2 nm.  Twilight.  At times visibility is good.  Rain clouds.  Veils of mist, no horizon.  Enemy runs at about 8 knots, general course 330°.  Visibility decreases to 1 nm, enemy disappears in the mist.  01.51 hours contact, low visibility, fog, not exactly distinguished.  Enemy target angle seemingly 180°.  Pursued at GF. Nothing seen.  Visibility is very low but occasionally the horizon can be distinguished.  Continued search.  At 03.40 hours a vessel with lights approached at high speed.  
      NW 3, Sea 3, overcast (mist), marine phosphoresence, Vis. low  
    02.00 CC 1586  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 09.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 10.05.42
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    10.05.42      
    00.36   Incoming Radio Message 2308/9/177/203  
        Varendorff, Hellriegel, Hirsacker tonight between 01.00 and 05.00 report weather.  
    04.00 CC 1587 During attempts to elude the vessel he follows.  Despite frequent changes of course could not evade.  Although not seen by the enemy, he detects each course change very quickly and follows until 05.00 hours. Intend to attack this vessel because the three freighters are no longer visible.  05.10 hours the enemy turns away and disappears at high speed in direction 0°.  Pursued at high speed however the enemy passes out of sight.  Broke off, continued transit.   
   

 

05.00

NNW 3, Sea 2, 9/10, misty

CC 1821

 
        Enemy course proceeds into the Cabot Strait.  The weather conditions for a successful attack in these waters is of paramount importance and is the greatest impediment. In many cases the weather has shown in recent days that clear sky with sunshine and 15 nm visibility can turn into an impenetrable wall of fog within 10 minutes.  Sudden rain, mist, clearest weather, the conditions are constantly changing. For successful operations, you need a good dose of luck.  
    06.58   Outgoing Short Signal weather report:  
        41°N, 56°W, falling, 1018 mb, +15°C, W 1, overcast, and misty, Vis. 3 nm, medium-high W-Swell.        "U-213"  
    08.00 CC 1735    
      ESE 2, Sea 2, overcast (mist)    
    1.026 CC 1716   Dived balanced the boat.  
    10.46     Surfaced, continued transit.  
    12.00 CC 1712    
      ESE 4, Sea 3-4, overcast (rain, fog)    
        104 nm    
          4.5 nm    
    16.00 CB 3679    
      W 5, Sea 4, overcast (mist)    
    20.00 CB 3583 Position by navigation fix.  
      NW 3, Sea 3, overcast (mist)    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.05.42
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    10.05.42      
    23.23   Incoming Radio Message 2252/10/184/221  
        Varendorff, Prätorius, Forster, Uphoff tomorrow between 01.00 and 05.00 hours report weather.  
                                                                
    11.05.42      
    00.00 CB 5371    
      NW 4, Sea 3, overcast    
    01.37   Outgoing Short Signal weather report.  
        41°N, 60°W, rising, 1016 mb, +8°C, NW 3, 10/10, Altostratus, Vis. 10 nm, low W-Swell.        "U-213"  
    03.14   Incoming Radio Message 0242/11187/225  
        On 54 meters 3 KHz volume 5 Short Signal weather report received at 01.39 hours not solved.  Send again.  
    03.20   Outgoing Short Signal weather report.  
        41°N, 60°W, +8°C, 1016 mb rising,, NW 3, 10/10, Altostratus, Vis. 10 nm, low W-Swell.        "U-213"  
    04.00 CB 3571    
      NW 3, Sea 2, overcast (fog)    
    04.26   Short Signal weather report confirmed.  
    08.00 CB 3458    
      WNW 3, Sea 2, overcast mist (fog)    
    10.18     Dived balanced the boat.  
    10.50     Surfaced, continued transit.  
    12.00 CB 2643    
      WNW 3, Sea 2. overcast (mist)    
        210.0 nm    
            2.0 nm    
    16.00 CB 2561    
      NW 4, Sea 3, 2/10    
    16.42   Crash dive for flying boat.  
    17.42   Surfaced, continued transit.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 11.05.42
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    11.05.42      
    20.00 CB 2545 Vis. very good, air temperature in the last 24 hours has fallen by 15° and even 20° and water temperature to 7° and 5°.  
      WNW 3, Sea 2, overcast (mist)  
                                                                
    12.05.42      
    00.00 CB 2453    
      WNW 3, Sea 2, 3/10 (mist) Position by navigation fix.  Weather conditions must be exploited.  
    04.00 CB 1636    
      W 2, Sea 1, overcast (mist)    
    08.00 CB 1387    
      W 2, Sea 1, overcast (mist)    
    10.20 CB 1293   Dived balanced the boat.  
    10.35     Surfaced, continued transit.  
    12.00 CB 1267    
      W 3, Sea 2, 1/10 (mist)    
        209.0 nm    
             6.0 nm    
    12.53 CD 1255   Crash dive.  Aircraft on opposite course.  
    14.17     Surfaced, continued transit.  
    14.32 CD 1251   Crash dive.  Aircraft on opposite course.  
    15.30   Aircraft in periscope.  Proceeded submerged.  
    16.00 CD 1243    
    17.00   Aircraft in periscope.  I decide not to surface now so as not to be seen prematurely.  
    21.50 CB 1215   Surfaced, continued transit.  
      WSW 2, Sea 1, overcast (mist) Position by radio direction finding.  Radio beacons operate as in peacetime.  
        I decide to arrive tonight to complete the task in the Bay of Fundy because I must expect the weather to deteriorate and with fog the navigation difficulties with the prevailing current condition would be too great.  Execution costs fuel.  O.K.W. requests disembarkation take place east of St. John. Intend to arrive at night, during the day on the bottom, then disembarkation at night, and afterwards possibly cracking a steamer off St. John, depart again.  
                                                                
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 11.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 12.05.42
 
- 12 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    13.05.42      
    00.00 BA 9948    
      E 1, Sea 0, overcast (mist) "Lurcher Lightship" burns.  
    04.00 BA 9627    
      E 1, Sea 0, overcast (mist), marine phosphorescence Arrived in the passage off "Grand Manan Island and "Long Island".  All lighthouses burn as in peacetime.  A few small coastal vessels, all with set lights.  
        Visibility is always bad.  To navigate by the lighthouses I have to squeeze myself all the way to the starboard side.  Strong searchlight irregularly search the sea off St. John.  As suspeceted, I haved noticed nothing of sea patrol.  The searchlights search several times in our direction however it seems random.  
        From 06.00 hours it begins to rain.  Now only strong lighthouses are distinguished.  Current is from ahead to port at 3-4 knots.  
    07.00   Abeam St. John.  
    08.30   Boat positioned south of Quaco Ledge.  
        Intention:  At dawn lie on the bottom in 60 meters north of the Quaco lighted buoy.  Distance from the coast then 2 nm.  By day submerged close to the coast and seek out landing locations.  In the weather conditions only the St. Martin lighthouse is still distinguished.  Position is inexact.  Chart outfitting is not sufficient for such a mission.  
        Quaco Lighted Buoy is apparently extinguished.  
    10.30 BB 7141 Put the boat on the bottom depth 50 meters.  3 tons negative buoyancy, 2° bow down.  
      SE 1, Sea 0, overcast rain  
        196.0 nm Boat swings with the heavily running current.  No sound bearings the entire day.  
          30.0 nm  
    22.30   Went to periscope depth, ran towards the coast.  Despite 1 nm distance nothing recognized due to the misty weather.  
                                                                
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 13.05.42
 
- 13 -
 
           
           
           
           
    14.05.42      
    02.30
   
Surfaced after darkness.  Boat ventilated, charged.  On surfacing the coast was 1200 meters away. Due to the mist the beach is not distinguished, prepared the rubber boat.  
    04.20   Rubber boat cast off under the guidance of the Second Watch Officer with 2 Seamen.  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

BA 9393

At the moment the visibility is very favorable.  Because however bad visibility must be expected light signals are stipulated for return.  After 20 minutes the boat is out of sight, apparently just off the coast.  Landing place given on the chart is "Melvins Beach".  Position only by the St. Martin Lighthouse, now and then "Isle Haute" is also seen.  Heavy current to the west.  After one hour the boat is still not seen.  Visibility has deteriorated greatly.  Held in position with E-motors.  Because at 07.00 hours the rubber boat is still not seen, the agreed light signal is given.  At 08.30 hours, after and absence of 4 hours and 10 minutes, the boat is in sight.  Boat and crew are taken on board, then moved off until dawn.  Dived at 10.00 hours south of St. John square BA 9393, put the boat on the bottom.  
      S 1, Sea 0, overcast mist (fog)  
        The long absence was caused by the unsuitability of the landing location that was encountered. Since the entire coast was steep, the boat had to look for a suitable landing place.  
    07.20   Landing completed, moved off from land.  
        08.30 hours back on board.  
        The behavior of the Second Watch Officer was sure and assertive and contributed to the success of the landing, despite the difficulties encountered due to visibility, current and lack of knowledge of the landing place.  
        22 nm    
         8.0 nm                         By day on the bottom as on 13 May.  
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 14.05.42
 
- 14 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    14.05.42      
    23.00   Boat raised from the bottom.  Proceeded submerged.  The entire day no sound bearings.  
                                                                
    15.05.42      
    02.10 BA 9392 Loud Asdic.  Nothing seen in the periscope.  
      ESE 2, Sea 1, overcast mist, marine phosphorescence    
    02.35   Surfaced.  
        Ran off at GF. Very unclear weather.  Only a few lighthouses distinguished.  
    04.30 ESE 2, Sea 1, overcast fog Abeam St. John.  
    06.00   Passed Grand Manan Island.  No further lighthouses distinguished.  
    08.00 BA 9648    
      ESE 1, Sea 1, overcast fog    
    10.26   Dived, balanced the boat.  No sound bearings.  
    10.52   Surfaced, transit continued.  
    12.00 BA 9837 Due to the weather situation I intend to operate off Boston.  Going to CB 10 on the basis of Vogel situation.  
      Wind calm, blue sky, fog  
        114.0 nm The weather is exasperating.  Above blue sky, all around fog.  Visibility continually changing around 1 nm.  
            1.0 nm  
        Because the diesel compressor is out of service, the first priority is to conserve air.  As a result, I cannot dive frequently.  The E-compressor generates too little.  
    16.00 BA 9898    
      Wind calm, 8/10, fog    
    17.12 CB 1125 Heavy detonation in the direct vicinity of the boat.  Nothing seen.  Did not dive because I suspect that is was a bomb thrown by an aircraft.  GHG manned while surfaced to possibly pick up propeller sounds.  
    19.30 CB 1137 About 10 heavy detonation again in the direct vicinity of the boat.  Visibility about 1 to 1.5 nm.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 14.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 15.05.42
 
- 15 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    15.05.42   Nothing seen.  
    20.05 CB 1162 1 destroyer bearing 300°T, target angle 90°, distance 600 to 800 meters turning towards.  
          Crash dive! Immediately went to depth A -40 meters.  
        3 depth charges directly under the boat, boat holds tight.  After 5 minutes 2 series, still well placed.  Further multiple over-runs without depth charges.  After 10 minutes a 2nd destroyer at the location.  Searched together.  Bad sound conditions due to strong water layers.  
        It is believed that the sighted destroyer was of the 4-stack class.  It was nearly not seen in the mist due to the white camouflage.  (No Asdic observed).  
    16.05.42      
        Damage:  2 cracked battery cells.  
    02.30 CB 1193 Last sound bearing from the enemy.  
    03.30 CB 1193   Surfaced.  
      E 1, Sea 0, 3/10, mist, marine phosphorescence                                                         
        Lesson:  The next time will dive with fog, listening is better than not seeing.  
    07.36   Outgoing Short Signal  
        Have completed task.       "U-213"  
    08.00 CB 1289    
      SE 1, Sea 0, 8/10, mist (fog)    
    10.24 CB 1565   Dived, proceeded submerged due to weather situation.  
      E 1, Sea 0, overcast fog    
    15.10 CB 1647 Tube runner tube IV.  Tube was not flooded. Because the entire bow room was full of smoke and hydrogen odor, surfaced to ventilate the boat.  
        127.0 nm  
          19.5 nm                      
    16.10 E 1, Sea 0, 6/10, fog   Dived.  Handling of the torpedo in tube IV put off until the arrival of darkness.  
    20.00 CB 1673    
                                                                
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 15.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 16.05.42
 
- 16 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    17.05.42 CB 1913    
      E 1, Sea 1, 9/10, (mist, rain)    
    01.40 CB 1916   Surfaced.  
      Marine phosphorescence Due to the frequent submerged cruises Radio Message reception is greatly disrupted.  There is still no confirmation of the Short Signal.  
    04.00 CB 1942    
      E 1, Sea 0, 2/10, (fog) mist    
    05.48   Outgoing Short Signal  
        Sent again on Greenland Circuit because I believe that it was not received on alternate frequency.  
     

 

 

CB 1943

Examination of the torpedo shows that due to a short in the motor chamber the torpedo hull was burned through. Cabling and engine main switch are melted into a lump.  The torpedo is useless, since storage in the boat not possible, torpedo ejected after removal of the pistol.  
    08.00 CB 1947    
      SE 1, Sea 0, 7/10 fog    
    10.21 CB 1892   Dived, balanced the boat.  
    10.47 Medium Swell   Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 1894    
      SE 1, Sea 1, 8/10, mist (fog) Visibility changing about 2 nm. Transit to the south due to weather situation.  
         78.0 nm  
         30.5 nm    
    10.55   Incoming Radio Message 1012/17/237  
        To Varendorff.  As attack area initially occupy area as for U-432.  
        That is to say area west and north of CB 26.  
        Therefore came about and went back into the haze. Good weather or luck, otherwise no success.  Hopefully we will have both.  
    16.00 CB 18    
      E 1, Sea 0, 8/10, mist (fog)    
    20.00 CB 1650    
      E 1, Sea 0, 8/10, fog Fog, nothing but fog.  I have already been in this area for 6 days.  
                                                                
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 17.05.42
 
- 17 -
 
           
           
           
           
    18.05.42      
    00.00 CB 2440    
      E 1, Sea 0, 8/10, fog, rain    
    00.30     Dived due to fog.  
    02.30   Surfaced, always still fog.  
    04.00 CB 2450    
      SE 2, Sea 1, fog, rain    
    08.00 CB 2460    
      SE 2, Sea 1, overcast mist (rain) No visibility.  
    10.15 CB 25   Dived, for days no further positions.  
    10.46     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 25    
      SSE 3, Sea 2, overcast rain    
        152.0 nm    
          5.0 nm    
    15.10     Dived to listen.  
    15.50   Surfaced.  
    16.00 CB 25    
      SSE 2, Sea 1, overcast mist (fog)    
    20.00 CB 25    
      SSE 2, Sea 1, overcast mist (fog) Vis. 1 nm.  
    23.20   Incoming Radio Message 2234/18/266  
        1.  Gießler and Rasch give situation report.  
        2.  Varendorff report which task has been completed 1, 2 or 3.  
                                                                
    19.05.42      
    00.00 CB 26    
      SSE 2, Sea 1, overcast rain mist    
    02.38   Outgoing Short Signal  
        2.  
                "U-213"  
    04.00 CB 26    
      S 3, Sea 3, fog, rain    
    04.30 CB 26   Dived, visibility below 100 meters.  
    10.40 SW 1, Sea 1, overcast fog Surfaced.  Fog.  
    12.00 CB 26    
      SSE 1, Sea 0, fog Thick fog, however blue sky.  
        110.5 nm    
          35.8 nm    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 18.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 19.05.42
 
- 18 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    19.05.42      
    12.50     Dived.  
        Very distant 3 depth charges.  
    17.50 SSE 1, Sea 0, overcast mist Surfaced.  Vis. now 3 nm.  
    18.30 CB 25    
      SSE 1, Sea 0, mist (fog)   Crash dive for flying boat.  
        At periscope depth, thick fog, proceeded submerged.  
                                                                
    20.05.42      
    00.00 CB 25    
      SE 1, Sea 0, 5/10 (fog)   Surfaced.  
        (Radio beacons continue to run.  An indication that there is also fog under the coast.)  
    02.30 CB 25   Dived to listen.  Nothing heard.  
    01.40   Surfaced.  
    03.10     Dived, nothing heard.  
    03.25   Surfaced.  
    04.00 CB 24    
      SE 1, Sea 0, fog Visibility barely 100 meters.  
        Because Short Signal was not confirmed.  
        Outgoing Radio Message 0211/20/204  
        In operations area since 13 May thick continuous fog, task 2 on 14 May, 15 May CB 11 depth charges from destroyers, camouflaged white.  Square 24, 115 cbm, am missing:  286, 88 to 92, 98, 99 from 13 May.  29, 31, 32 from 14 May.  86 from 15 May.  
                                                        "Varendorff"  
    08.00 CB 24    
      S 1, Sea 0, fog    
    11.00 CB 25   Dived, balanced the boat, nothing heard.  
    11.25     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 28 Rain showers, visibility 2 to 3 nm.  
      SE 1, Sea 0, 9/10 (rain)    
          67 nm    
         19.5 nm    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 19.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 20.05.42
 
- 19 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    20.05.42      
    16.00 CB 28    
      Wind calm, 7/10, fog    
    17.45     Dived, thick fog.  Listened.  
    19.00   At periscope depth, always fog.  
    19.40   Faint sound bearing, not exactly determined.  Nothing seen in the periscope.  Fog.  
    20.30   Sound bearing now exact, machinery sounds bearing 95 to 100° about 100 RPM, at periscope depth nothing is seen although the visibility has improved.  
    20.40     Surfaced.  
        Pursued.  
    22.00     Dived to listen because the fog has come on.  
        Nothing heard.  
    22.27     Surfaced, pursued in the old direction.  Visibility changing greatly through fog banks.  At times up to 10 nm.  24.00 hours search broken off.  
                                                                
    21.05.42      
    00.00 CB 2831    
      Wind calm, 5/10, fog, mist Transmitting steamer bearing 85°T.  This may be the steamer whose sound bearing we followed.  I believe that a repeated pursuit is hopeless due to uncertain information.  
    02.45     Dived.  Thick fog.  No sound bearings.  
    04.00 CB 2587    
      Wind calm, 5/10, fog   Surfaced.  
    06.00 CB 2576   Dived, nothing heard.  
    10.00 CB 2575   Surfaced.  Fog.  
      SW 1, Sea 0, fog    
    12.00 CB 2544   Dived, no sound bearings.  
      S 1, Sea 0, fog    
        92.0 nm    
         32.0 nm    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 20.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 21.05.42
 
- 20 -
 
           
           
           
           
    21.05.42      
    12.20     Surfaced.  Position by radio bearings.  
    12.24   Incoming Radio Message 1014/21/246  
        Bülow, Varendorff and U-432 new operations area.  Head for CB 70, more to follow.  
        Headed for ordered operations area.  
    14.10 CB 2571   Dived.  No sound bearings.  
      Fog    
    14.25     Surfaced.   
    16.00 CE 2574   Dived.  
      SW 1, Sea 0, 1/10 (fog)    
    16.10     Surfaced.  
    18.00 Wind calm, 7/10 The weather got better hour by hour.  Light mist, no more fog.  
    20.00 CB 2763 Continually rising temperature (from 6°C to 18°C water temperature).  Visibility good.  
      S 1, Sea 1, 9/10  
    22.43   Incoming Radio Message 2045/21/267  
        Attack areas:  
        1.)  Bigalk area square CA 79, Kelbling area off CA 2760.  2.)  In E-W line Rathke square CA 24 to 26, Prätorius square DC 21 to 23, Gießler square CA 89 to 98, Feiler square CA 92 to CB 71, Varendorff square CA 69 to square CB 48, U-432 square CB 44 to 46.  
                                                                
    22.05.42      
    00.00 CB 2795 Position by navigation fox.  
      SW 1, Sea 0, 6/10    
    04.00 CB 5137 To occupy are the squares CA 69, CB 47 and 48.  
      E 2, Sea 1, 4/10    
    08.00 CB 5173    
      SSE 2, Sea 1, 2/10    
           
Sun and Moon Data 21.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 22.05.42
 
- 21 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    22.05.42      
    10.20   Incoming Radio Message 1013/22/281  
        1.)  Bigalk continue patrol.  
        2.)  Rathke occupy are CA 79.  
        3.)  U-432 to 135 on 21 May ordered attack area shift one 54 nm square to the east. [this included U-213]  
        These boats form group "Pfadfinder".  
    10.25 CB 5178   Dived, balanced the boat, position by navigation fix.  
    10.55     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 4633 Water temperature 28°C, air 25°C, in the boat 33°C.  
      SSE 3, Sea 2-3, 7/10    
        155.5 nm    
            4.5 nm    
    16.00 CB 4637    
      SE 4, Sea 4, 7/10    
    20.00 CB 4654    
      SE 4, Sea 3-4, 9/10    
                                                                
    23.05.42      
    00.00 CB 4672    
      SE 5, Sea 4, overcast    
    04.00 CB 4832 Arrived in attack area.  Heavy current offset.  
      SE 5, Sea 5, overcast rain    
    08.00 CB 4829    
      SE 5, Sea 4-5, overcast rain    
    10.50 CB 4851   Dived, balanced the boat.  Went to depth A +10 meters to cool the boat.  (Above 26°C, below 13.5°C).  The shift from cold to warm zone is very sudden.  
    11.40     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 4843 I expect traffic on NW and SE courses.  From and to New York.  Additionally traffic NS from and too "Cabot Strait" and "Bermuda".  
      SE 4, Sea 4, 7/10  
        155.5 nm  
            4.5 nm Intend to move back and forth in EW direction in the attack area.  
    16.00 CB 4763    
      SE 1-2, Sea 3, 3/10 High, short Swell.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 22.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 23.05.42
 
- 22 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    23.05.42      
    20.00 CB 4714 Position by navigation fix.  Heavy offset to the north.  
      SSW 2, Sea 1, 5/10 (rain)    
                                                                
    24.05.42      
    00.00 CB 4744    
      SSW 3, Sea 2, 6/10    
    04.00 CB 4776    
      SSW 3-4, Sea 4, 6/10    
    08.00 CB 4789    
      SSE 4, Sea 4, 8/10, Swell    
    10.50 CB 4798   Dived, balanced the boat and cooled.  
    11.40     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 4799 Vis. medium.  
      S 7, Sea 6, 6/10    
        82.0 nm    
          5.0 nm    
    16.00 CB 4881    
      S 5, Sea 5, 9/10    
    20.00 CB 4866    
      S 5, Sea 4, 6/10 Nothing seen.  
                                                                
    25.05.42      
    00.00 CB 4927    
      S 5-6, Sea 5, 8/10    
    04.00 CB 4937    
      SSW 6, Sea 5, overcast (rain)    
    07.16   Incoming Radio Message 0611/25/233  
        From U-432 naval square CB 5777 freighter course 190°, 9 knots, contact lost due to diesel breakdown.  
        By plotting it must be in square 4956.  Intend to advance in the direction of the reported steamer.  
    08.00 CB 4960    
      SW 6, Sea 5, overcast (rain)    
    11.00 CB 4996    
      SW 5, Sea 4, overcast (rain)    
           
Sun and Moon Data 23.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 24.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 25.05.42
 
- 23 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    25.05.42      
    11.25     Dived, balanced the boat.  No sound bearings.  
    11.40     Surfaced.  
        After navigation fix my position is offset to the north in square 4966.  Unfortunately the steamer search is pointless, also the visibility and weather situation are unfavorable.  
    12.00 CB 4966    
      SW 5, Sea 4, overcast (rain)    
        145.5 nm    
           1.5 nm    
    16.00 CB 4953    
      SW 5, Sea 5, overcast (rain) Information to date shows the traffic heads for my attack area on direct courses from the Ambrose Lightship moreover from in CB 49 lower half to CB 47 upper half.  
    20.00 CB 4917    
      SSW 1, Sea 0, overcast rain    
                                                                
    26.05.42      
    00.00 CB 4837    
      SE 4, Sea 4, overcast rain    
    04.00 CB 4829    
      S 2, Sea 2, 9/10 Long, flat Swell.  
    08.00 CB 4818    
      S 3, Sea 3, overcast, rain    
    10.45 CB 4739   Dived, balanced the boat, no sound bearings.  
    11.25     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 4737    
      S 3, Sea 2, overcast (rain) Position by navigation fix CB 4762  
        104.0 nm    
           2.5 nm    
    12.38 CB 4762 Large freighter bearing 8°T, distance 5 nm, bow left, target angle 100°.  Fully out.  Course about 290 to 300°.  Heavily misty weather.  Visibility to the north is very unfavorable.  I try to angle away on a westerly course.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 25.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 26.05.42
 
- 24 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    26.05.42      
        Steamer now bears 5°T, 7 nm away, therefore has shifted ahead 3°.  Because I am already running at GF, the steamer must be a fast runner.  Went to 2 x GF = 15 knots.  
    13.50   Steamer shifts 2 astern.  Now run at AK.  
    14.00 Rainy, misty, Vis. low Steamer disappears in a rain squall. Angled in.  
    14.50   Steamer in sight again, had zigzagged 10 - 20° to the N, distance 6 nm, bearing 13°T, steamer course about 290°.  The reduced distance must be accepted because of poor visibility, even though I am positioned before the bright horizon.  
    16.00 CB 4477    
      WNW 2, Sea 1, 8/10, mist I get ahead slowly about 1° in 4 minutes.  Enemy seems to make 10-20° zigzags around course 300°.  Speed 15 knots.  Own diesels strain at the highest limit only 15-16 knots despite the favorable weather.  I gain only because the enemy zigzags.  With the visibility improvement the enemy is fully out and easily recognized.  It is thought to be a steamer of type C 3.  
    18.00 CA 6683    
      NW 1-2, Sea 1, 8/10 mist I slowly get ahead of the enemy, however distance remains 6-7 nm.  
        Steamer bears 92°T, target angle 25°.  
    18.50   Heavy visibility deterioration from visibility reduction.  In this lack of visibility ran ahead of the steamer.  Last bearing 100°T, bow left, target angle 10-15°, then no longer distinguished.  
    19.10 CA 6649    
      NW 1, Sea 0, 6/10, mist   Dived, position now ahead of the steamer on opposite course by plotting.  I hoped the listening gear would be useful with the lack of visibility, unfortunately leaves me in the lerch.  No sounds are distinguished.  Nothing is seen in the periscope.  Ran on opposite course.  Distance at diving about 7 nm.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 26.05.42
 
- 25 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    26.05.42      
    19.29   Enemy in sight bearing 115°T, barely distinguished.  Mirror flat sea, economical periscope extension.  Ran off 30° from enemy course.  
    19.45   Relative bearing 84°, target angle 0°, distance 4000 meters.  Came to attack course for target angle 90° = 210°.  
        Enemy no longer distinguished in the mist.  Still no sound bearings.  When enemy comes in sight again he has a target angle of 20°, abeam distance about 200 meters.  Because I am too close to approach, I decide to cross over to the other side ahead of the enemy and attack from port.  Went to the other side at GF at depth 20 meters.  Sound bearing 240°T.  Came to periscope depth and course 300°.  Enemy bears 5°T, distance 800 meters.  Tubes I-IV are ready, outer tube doors open.  Set for 3-fan.  
        Settings:  bow left, target angle 110°, target speed 15 knots, torpedo speed 30 knots, enemy length 100 meters, range 2000 meters, target angle set running.  
    20.12 CA 6645    
      NW 1, Sea 0, 8/10 mist 3-fan away! Distance at the shot is about 1200 meters.  
        Although the shooting angle was 60°, according to sound bearings the torpedoes ran to port.  Recognized as error as the steamer disappeared in the mist.  Pursuit is hopeless.  
        Misfire:  Failure of angle transmission from the periscope to the Vorhalterechner [lead angle calculator - fire control computer].  The angle indicated 240°.  The Petty Officer at the Vorhaltrechner did not notice because he observed the lamp indicator and took the shift to port at the command "Follow" for the matching of periscopes.  Shot was fired with an angle of 330°.  
        It was found that two teeth of the angle transmission gear were broken just before the shot while taking an all around sweep and no longer meshed with the gear on the sprocket side of the periscope.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 26.05.42
 
- 26 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    26.05.42      
    20.28 CA 6645   Surfaced, further pursuit of the steamer broken off due to weather and head start.  
                                                                
    27.05.42      
    00.00 CA 6681    
      NW 1, Sea 0, 2/10, (mist) Return transit in attack area.  
    01.40   Outgoing Radio Message 1902/26/261  
        From U-213 naval square CA 6645 3-fan miss on "type SEA STAR" after 8 hour hunt.  Bearing transmitter failure.  Course 300°, NW 2, misty.  
    04.00 CA 6931    
      NW 1, Sea 0, 2/10    
    08.00 CB 4717    
      SW 1, Sea 0, blue sky    
    10.40 CD 4755   Dived, balanced the boat.  
    11.00     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 4759    
      NW 2, Sea 1, 2/10    
        199.5 nm    
          6.5 nm    
    14.50   Incoming Radio Message 1330/27/268 and 269  
        c)  Rehwinkel, Varendorff, Feiler equal sectors between the bearing square CA 2760 in 250° and 20°.  Seaward boundary an arc at 250 nm from square 7660 [WI 7660 is the disguised position  = CA 2760] with diminishing Moon run to the coast.  
    16.00 CB 4872 The weather situation is very favorable, opportunity to download the forward torpedo canister noted.  
      NW 1, Sea 1, blue sky  
    20.00 CB 4885    
      NW 1, Sea 0, blue sky    
                                                                
    28.05.42      
    00.00 CB 7234 Torpedo downloaded.  Artillery test fire completed.  Transit to new attack area.  
    02.55   Outgoing Radio Message 2354/27/277  
        Square RZ 22, 4 weeks provisions, 82 cbm, 8 plus 2 torpedoes, W 2, Sea 1, 1020 mb.  
                                                                  "U-213"  
           
Sun and Moon Data 26.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 27.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 28.05.42
 
- 27 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    28.05.42      
    04.00 CB 7319 Position by navigation fix.  
      W 3, Sea 2, blue sky    
    08.00 CB 7261 Vis. good, bright moon.  
      WNW 2, Sea 1, 3/10    
    10.40 CB 7256   Dived.  
    11.30     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 7256 Position by navigation fix.  
      WNW 3, Sea 3, 4/10    
        123.0 nm    
             3.0 nm    
    16.00 CB 7257    
      NW 4-5, Sea 4, 9/10 (mist)    
    20.00 CB 7272    
      NW 1, Sea 1, blue sky    
                                                                
    29.05.42      
    00.00 CB 7191    
      N 4, Sea 3, 5/10    
    04.00 CB 7173 Visibility good, bright moon, nothing seen.  
      NE 4, Sea 3, blue sky    
    08.00 CA 9392    
      NE 2, Sea 1, blue sky    
    10.50 CA 9382   Dived balanced the boat.  
    11.30     Surfaced.  Positioned in new operations area.  
    12.00 CA 9381    
      ENE 2, Sea 1, 3/10 Visibility good.  High pressure weather.  
        131.0 nm    
             3.0 nm    
    16.00 CA 9293    
      ENE 1, Sea 1, blue sky In the entire area despite best visibility nothing seen.  
    20.00 CA 9282 Suspect enemy traffic from square CB 4960 via 4850, 4720 to CA 6640 with a general course of 290°.  Heading for the Ambrose Lightship.  
      NE 1, Sea 1, 1/10  
                                                                
           
Sun and Moon Data 28.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 29.05.42
 
- 28 -
 
           
           
           
           
    30.05.42      
    00.00 CA 9271    
      NE 1, Sea 1, 1/10 Intention:  Deployment in area CA 60 and with decreasing moon run in towards the coast.  
    01.xx CA 9244    
      SE 1, Sea 1, 1/10              Crash dive for flying boat, course 160°.  
        It is the first for days.  
    03.16     Surfaced.  Moon bright as day.  MG C 30 readied.  
    04.00 CA 9241    
      S 2, Sea 2, 1/10 Visibility good.  
    08.00 CA 6877    
      SW 1, Sea 0, blue sky    
    10.55 CA 6854   Dived.  
    11.45     Surfaced.  Position by navigation fix.  
    12.00 CA 6828    
      SSW 2, Sea 1, 2/10, (mist)    
        144.0 nm    
            7.0 nm    
    16.00 CA 6594    
      SW 3-4, Sea 3, 1/10 (mist) Visibility 7 nm.  
    18.29   Incoming Radio Message 1758/30/244  
        To Rehwinkel, Varendorff, Borchert.   Marked traffic runs at the moment from CB 7350 to CA 2760  
    20.00 CA 6563    
      SSW 2, Sea 2, 2/10 mist Intend to proceed on the steamer course 300° in large zigzags.  
                                                                
    31.05.42      
    00.00 CA 6641    
      SW 4, Sea 3-1, 2/10    
    04.00 CA 6646    
      SW 3-4, Sea 3, 2/10    
    08.00 CA 6642    
      WSW 3, Sea 2, 2/10    
    10.45     Dived balanced the boat.  Nothing heard.  
    11.20     Surfaced.  Position by navigation fix.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 31.05.42
 
- 29 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    31.05.42      
    12.00 CA 6539    
      SW 3, Sea 2, 5/10 (mist)    
        151.5 nm    
            1.6 nm    
    16.00 CA 6641    
      W 3, Sea 3, 3/10 (mist)    
    19.37 CA 6672   Crash dive for aircraft.  
      W 4, Sea 3, 5/10 mist Sound bearing 30°T, later 70°T turbine, changing RPM.  In the periscope nothing seen.  After shifting away course 100-120°.  
    21.05 W 4, Sea 3, 6/10 mist 2nd sound bearing 275°T, shifting to 280°T about 100 RPM.  Nothing seen.  
    21.35   1st sound bearing now 70°T.  
    21.47 CA 6675   Surfaced.  Low visibility.  Pursued 1st sound bearing.  
      N 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain    
                                                                
    01.06.42      
    00.00 CA 6685    
      N 3, Sea 2-3, 9/10, lightening, mist    
    02.30 CB 4477 Position by navigation fix.  Large offset to the east.  
      NE 4, Sea 3, overcast    
    04.00 CB 4475    
      NE 3, Sea 2-3, 6/10, (lightening) Search courses around 120° with legs of 120° [meaning not clear] in 2 hours.  Up to now nothing seen.  
    05.37 CB 4478    
      NE 2, Sea 2, 6/10 Bright moon.  A shadow bearing 20°T, bow right, target angle 100-110°.  Came to parallel course.  Suspect steamer, even though the steamer has a triangular silhouette like a warship, shifts quickly out.  Tubes I-IV ready.  Preliminary war watch setting:  3-fan bow right, target angle 90°, target speed 14 knots, range 400 meters, enemy length 130 meters.  Shadow seems very large, however with the dark north horizon we still cannot exactly see what we are dealing with.  At GF I can just keep up.  Estimated range about 5000 meters.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 31.05.42
Sun and Moon Data 01.06.42
 
- 30 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    01.06.42      
        The shadow turns towards me.  On coming closer it is recognized as a warship.  Bearing 95°T, sharp target angle, previously 165°.  Enemy runs directly before the tubes.  Course must be about 200°.  Own course 120°.  The moon positioned full on the SE horizon.  Came to LF, because otherwise I will run before the enemy in the moon sector.  Showed the side not illuminated by the moon.  Because it is too late to turn away, without being noticed, I am only left the possibility of approaching the enemy.  
    06.08   Shadow is now clearly distinguished as a 1 smokestack destroyer.  Because the abeam distance is very slight, Up to now I have only seen the enemy at a sharp target angle, so that I can form no clear picture.  As the shadow of the destroyer seemed much larger than it is now visible in the clear moonlight, one could take it for a cruiser. Now even with the naked eye one can recognize the characteristics of a destroyer in the individual parts of the superstructure and then everything happens in no time. In a flash the target angle gets bigger.  There is no more time to determine exact data.  Therefore I decide on a 3-fan.  
        Enemy data by estimate:  
        Bow right, target angle 90°, target speed 14 knots, range 1000 meters.  
        This is a unique opportunity that will not offer itself again.  When enemy target angle indicated 90°, the 3-fan goes.  
    06.10 CB 4712 3-fan fire!  No hits.  
        Unfortunately, two fundamental errors were made.  1st - war watch setting of the range was not reset.  2nd  - depth setting of the Etos of 3 meters was too deep even with the prevailing calm Sea.  
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 01.06.42
 
- 31 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    01.06.42      
        Lessons:  Exact data, be calm, take time do not rush.  
        Further you can see from this example that an American destroyer rarely constitutes a danger when as in this case one is paying such close attention.  He saw nothing.  That I was not seen by the enemy is beyond me.  Since visibility and distance for him represented the best conditions.  
        I am sure that the evening sound bearing is associated with this destroyer.  However, I am not sure what a single destroyer is doing in this area.  While proceeding independently there is more danger than prospects for him to successfully perform U-boat hunting.  
    06.15   Destroyer zigzags off again and disappears slowly in the eastern horizon.  
    08.00 CB 4714    
      NE 3, Sea 2, blue sky Continued steamer search around general course 300°.  
    10.40 CB 4742 Position by navigation fix.  Offset to the east.  
      NE 5, Sea 4, 3/10   Dived, balanced the boat.  No sound bearings.  
    11.15     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 4715    
      NE 5, Sea 4, 3/10    
        161.0 nm    
          10.0 nm    
    16.00 CB 4713    
      NE 4, Sea 3, 3/10 Visibility good.  
    16.38 CB 4713 A single masthead with crow's nest bearing 100°T.  Clearly distinguished as a destroyer with 3 smokestacks.  Turned away and moved off to the NW.  Destroyer runs at low speed, zigzagging strongly, westerly course.  He recalls the destroyer from this morning with his zigzags and his solitary manner.  
    17.16   Out of sight.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 01.06.42
 
- 32 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    01.06.42      
    17.28 CB 4477   Crash dive for flying boat.  
        Sound bearing of a destroyer.  Zigzags wildly about the area comes closer at times and then disappears again in a westerly direction.  Otherwise no sound bearings.  
    20.07 CB 4475   Surfaced.  
      NNE 4, Sea 3, 5/10    
    22.00 CB 4448    
    23.37 CB 4446 Destroyer on opposite course, in a moment is out to the bridge and smokestack.  Turned away and put astern.  This time he absolutely must have seen us, because visibility was very good and the horizon was very distinct.  
                                                                
    02.06.42      
    00.00 CB 4449    
      NNE 4, Sea 3, 4/10    
    00.30   Destroyer out of sight on SW-course.  
    01.11 CB 4487 Steamer bearing 195°.  Put ahead, shifts out to the west.  It is a large freighter of about 7000 GRT with a brown superstructure.  Freighter is very fast and zigzags often and especially heavy zig zags to the south.  5 minute zigzags.  General course about 300°.  
      N 3, Sea 2, 5/10  
    02.00 CB 4474 Maneuvered ahead at highest speed.  To get ahead I have to reduce the abeam distance  
    03.03   Positioned exactly ahead of the steamer and he bears 130°T, target angle 0°.  Enemy course 310°, enemy speed by plotting 14 knots.  Turned to attack out of the dark horizon.  
        1st approach:  Eto tube I.  
        Bow left, target angle 70°, target speed 14 knots, torpedo speed 30 knots, range 1000 meters, depth 3 meters, attack course 50°.  
    03.32 CA 6695 Tube I fire.  
      NE 3, Sea 2, 5/10 Distance at shot about 1500 meters.  Miss!  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 01.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 02.06.42
 
- 33 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    02.06.42   Pursued! 03.45 hours steamer zigzags towards, enemy course about 270° turned to shoot from tube III.  Freighter seems to run at lower speed.  
        Estimated data bow left, target angle 80°, target speed 12 knots, range 1000 meters.  
        2nd approach; tube III Eto.  
    04.46 CA 6695 Tube III fire!  Torpedo breaks through the surface and runs continually on the surface pushing a water column ahead of it as it moves towards the freighter.  
    [typo 03.46] NE 3, Sea 2, 5/10, long, low Swell  
        Torpedo passed behind.  
        Despite the 2 meter depth setting surface runner should not have happened in the slight seas and flat swells.  
        Setting and handling of the Etos was normal.  Pursued for a new attack.  Now the freighter runs at high speed.  
    03.50 CA 6692    
      NE 3, Sea 2, 5/10 Freighter zigzags about 20°.  
        Attempt to maneuver ahead at AK (15 knots).   Nevertheless I barely come up.  Therefore the enemy runs at least 15 knots because I do not maneuver with his zigzags.  
    04.03   Steamer turns towards 40° and comes directly before the tubes.  Enemy data:  target angle 100°, target speed 14 knots, range 1000 meters.  
        3rd approach:  Tube IV Eto.  Depth 3 meters.  
        Bow left, target angle 100°, target speed 14 knots, torpedo speed 30 knots, range 1000 meters.  
    04.06 CA 6692 Tube IV fire!  Miss!  
      NE 3, Sea 2, 5/10 Freighter was clearly distinguished, so that target angle and range must have been correct.  
        Crossed over behind the freighter to the other side.  04.10 hours the steamer again zigzags back to the north.  Now attempt to close to starboard.  Despite AK the steamer runs faster than me.  Tried to get ahead with E-supplement  (15.8-16 knots).  In contrast to twilight the steamer now zigzags little.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.06.42
 
- 34 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    02.06.42      
        The bearing is steady on parallel courses, target speed therefore 16 knots.  I get ahead only because of the zigzags of the enemy.  
        Now that I have already sacrificed 3 torpedoes, I cannot bring myself to let the freighter, which is superior to me in speed, go.  The artillery can not be used, because with the high speed seas continually run over the forecastle and danger exists that the gun crew will be washed overboard.  Because in the mean time the moon has risen, the values have been determined exactly.  
    06.00 CA 6658 I have now come slowly forward and in so doing have decreased the abeam distance.  The freighter zigzags twice at short intervals towards.  Enemy course 310°, distance 800-1000 meters.  
      NE 2, Sea 2, 7/10  
        4th approach:  Ato from tube III.  Depth 3 meters.  
        Bow right, target angle 110°, target speed 16 knots, torpedo speed 40 knots, range 1500 meters.  Attack course 260°.  
    06.21 CA 6657 Tube III fire!  Surface runner.  
      NE 2, Sea 2, 7/10 Runs past behind the freighter.  Was not noticed.  
        Pursued!  Because I still have a stern tube ready, I will not give up the fight.   I have hunted the steamer for 6 hours and now also want to try the last chance.  
    07.00 CA 6657 Enemy course 330°.  Turned for stern shot.  Attack course 70°.  
        5th approach:  Eto tube V.  Depth 3 meters.  
        Bow right, target angle 100°, range 1000, target speed 16 knots, torpedo speed 30 knots.  Range at the shot is under 1000 meters.  
    07.05 CA 6649 Tube V fire!  Miss!  
      NE 2, Sea 2, 7/10 Attack broken off because there is no prospect of reaching a favorable shooting position.  
        With shots 1-3 the misses can be explained by a preliminary estimate of the enemy speed, though I had previously matched the enemy's speed.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.06.42
 
- 35 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    02.06.42   With shots 4 and 5 I could determine both the speed of the enemy by matching and the target angle by precise estimate in the good illumination.  Both target angle and range were accurate.  
        In any case, because with my best speed the freighter had a speed advantage, it was wrong to initiate further approaches on him after I had realized this.  After the second shot there existed no opportunity for me for a fan shot, so as a result inaccuracies in enemy data could not be compensated for.  
    08.00 CA 6681    
      NE 1, Sea 1, 9/10, Swell    
    08.20   Outgoing Radio Message 0171/2/207  
        1 June square CB 4713 3-fan miss on destroyer.  2 June square CA 6649 5 single misses on fast freighter despite exact data, course 300°.  Still one Eto and one in the tube [upper deck canister], request delayed return transit.  65 cbm, square CA 6680, all naval squares.  
                                                               "U-213"  
        Intend return transit via the squares CB 47, 48, 49.  At the same time I will try to download the stern canister.  Temporarily not possible because the E-motor hatch is still over-washed by water.  I need calm and flat Seas.  
    10.40     Dived, balanced the boat.  
    11.00   Surfaced.  
    11.57   Incoming Radio Message 0957/2/209  
        3.)  Varendorff return transit first when required by fuel.  
    12.00 CA 6922    
      NE 3, Sea 2, 9/10    
        209.0 nm    
          11.0 nm    
    16.00 CA 6968 Position by navigation fix.  Offset to the NE.  
      ENE 3, Sea 3, overcast    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.06.42
 
- 36 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    02.06.42      
    20.00 CB 4758 Continued search in NW direction.  
      ENE 4, Sea 3, 8/10 For return transit with favorable weather I require 48 cbm, however with just a slight Sea State 58 cbm.  With diesel-electric speed 2.4 cbm for a day's run between 120 and 170 nm. In wind and Sea speed is sharply reduced and at the same time greatly increased fuel consumption. This is a very big disadvantage of the Type 7d boats.  
                                                                
    03.06.42      
    00.00 CB 4729    
      ENE 4, Sea 3, 8/10    
    04.00 CB 4722    
      E 2, Sea 1, overcast (rain) Low visibility, rain squalls.  
    08.00 CB 4725    
      E 3, Sea 2, overcast (rain)    
    10.40     Dived, balanced the boat.  
    11.25     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 4719 The diesel installation slowly begins to make its presence know with unpleasant failures.  The beating sounds of the port shaft already noted on the last patrol have now developed into a regular racket.  The starboard supercharger is perforated and no longer creates pressure.  The diesel compressor has been out of service for a long time.  
      ESE 4, Sea 3, overcast (rain)  
        149.5 nm  
          1.5 nm  
        These and still other damage were to have been corrected in the last shipyard period by the shipyard in Brest, unfortunately that did not happen.  
        With a beating shaft and a failed supercharger I am no longer capable of full speed which fortunately no longer comes into play. The main thing is that the installation holds up for the return transit.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 03.06.42
 
- 37 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    03.06.42      
    14.52 CB 4713   Crash dive for flying boat.  No sound bearings.  
      SSE 3, Sea 2, overcast (rain)    
    15.55     Surfaced.  
    16.00 CB 4476    
      SSE 2, Sea 1, overcast (rain)    
    20.00 CA 6669 Position by navigation fix.  50 nm offset to the east.  
      S 3, Sea 2, overcast mist (rain)    
    22.25 CB 4483   Crash dive for flying boat.  Comes from the east out of a rain cloud.  
    23.57   At periscope depth, faint turbine sounds.  Nothing seen in the periscope.  
                                                                
    04.06.42      
    00.31 CB 4452   Surfaced, pursued in the direction of the sound bearing.  Nothing seen.  
      SW 3, Sea 2, overcast  
    04.00 CB 4479    
      W 3, Sea 2, 6/10 (rain)    
    08.00 CB 4712    
      W 2, Sea 2, 9/10    
    10.50 CA 6936   Dived, balanced the boat.  
    11.30     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CA 6933    
      W 4, Sea 3, overcast    
        157 nm    
          13.0 nm    
    16.00 CA 6931    
      NW 2, Sea 1, overcast    
    20.00 CA 6669 Position by navigation fix.  Southeasterly offset at 40 nm.  Square CB 4731  
      NW 2, Sea 1, 9/10  
    22.49     Crash dive for flying boat.  
    23.51   Sound bearing 350°T, fast propeller sounds quickly growing louder.  Turbine 240 RPM zigzagging heavily, perfectly identified as a destroyer.  Nothing is seen in the periscope due to rain.  
                                                                
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 03.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 04.06.42
 
- 38 -
 
           
           
           
           
    05.06.42      
    00.13 CB 4730 While the 1st sound bearing was shifting to the west a 2nd sound bearing comes bearing 350°T.  Steamer sounds 80 to 95 RPM.  Shifts out to the west exactly like the 1st sound bearing.  Again nothing is seen in the periscope due to rain.  
      NW 2, Sea 1, overcast (rain)  
    00.52 CB 4730   Surfaced.  Heavy rain squalls in the direction of the sound bearing, visibility 1 nm.  
      NW 2, Sea 1, overcast (rain, lightening)  
    01.08   Outgoing Radio Message 2359/4/252 Kr  
        CB 4730 heard steamers with destroyer westerly course, high speed, no contact.  
                                                               "U-213"  
    03.35   Outgoing Radio Message 1604/4/255  
        1.)  Traffic by observation runs CB 4730, 4470, CA 6640, general course objective "Ambrose" fast ships.  Here also on 31 May inattentive destroyer and air.  CB 91 to 69 nothing seen.  
        2.)  Torpedo failures.  Eto unflooded by short circuit in engine chamber (continued)  
    04.00 CB 4811 Outgoing Radio Message 1721/4/254 (continued from 1604/4)  
      NW 1, Sea 1, overcast  
        melted, hull burned through.  2 June 1 Eto, 1 Ato surface runners.  
        3.)  For return transit 58 cbm required without reserve, day's run 120 nm, 2.4 cbm, still 59 cbm.  Return transit on 5 June CB 47, NW 2, overcast, Vis. 8 nm.  All naval squares.  
                                                               "U-213"  
    08.00 CB 4856    
      W 1, Sea 1, overcast mist (rain)    
    10.50     Dived, balanced the boat.  
    12.20     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 4893    
      WSW 3, Sea 2, overcast (rain)    
        114.0 nm    
          18.0 nm    
    14.13 CB 4899   Crash dive for flying boat, course east.  Slight distance, because of bad visibility.  
      WSW 4, Sea 4, 9/10 (rain)  
          Surfaced.  
    16.00 CD 7313 A heavy short Sea has come up.  
      SW 5, Sea 5, 9/10 (rain) Seas put astern, because otherwise there is no speed in the boat.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.06.42
 
- 39 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.06.42      
    18.45 CB 7325   Crash dive for flying boat.  Came directly towards us.  Low range, despite that was not seen.  
      WSW 8, Sea 7, overcast, mist (rain)  
    19.45 CB 7335   Surfaced.  
      WSW 8, Sea 7, overcast, mist (rain) Fuel inventory 57 cbm.  Began return transit.  
                                                                
    06.06.42      
    00.00 CB 8125    
      WSW 7, Sea 7, overcast (rain)    
    02.47   Outgoing Short Signal  
        Have begun return transit.  
                                                               "U-213"  
    03.50   Short Signal confirmed.  
    04.00 CB 8241    
      W 6, Sea 6, 5/10    
    08.00 CB 8261    
      WNW 4, Sea 4, 5/10    
    10.25     Dived, balanced the boat.  Position by navigation fix.  
    10.50     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 8355    
      WSW 4, Sea 4, 4/10 22.50 hours incoming Radio Message 2156/6/201  
        241.0 nm 1)  Folkers, Linder, Varendorff and Bigalk on 5 June [typo 7 June] between 01.00 and 05.00 hours give weather.  
          10.0 nm  
        2)  Giessler tomorrow at 08.00 hours switch to Ireland Circuit.  
    16.00 CB 8362    
      WNW 3-4, Sea 4, 4/10    
    20.00 CB 9150 Position by navigation fix.  
      W 3, Sea 3, 8/10    
                                                                
    07.06.42      
    00.00 CB 9163 Intend to adjust return transit so that the route lies in the Gulf Stream Current.  Previous reports of bad weather from the meeting of the warm Gulf Stream and cold water Atlantic Current.  
      NW 4, Sea 4, 5/10  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 06.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 07.06.42
 
- 40 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.06.42      
    04.00 CB 9229    
      NW 1, Sea 2, 3/10    
    02.57   Outgoing Short Signal weather report  
        37°N, 61°W, 1016 mb rising, air 21°C, NW 3, beautiful weather area.  1/10-5/10, clear to cloudy, Vis. 5 nm, medium-high NW-Swell.  
                                                               "U-213"  
    08.00 CB 9315    
      NW 1, Sea 1, overcast    
    10.05 CB 9325   Dived, balanced the boat.  Position by navigation fix.  
    10.20     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CB 9334 In favorable weather I make a good day's run with little fuel consumption.  
      N 1, Sea 1, 8/10  
        191.5 nm    
          0.5 nm    
    16.00 CC 7115    
      NW 1, Sea 1, 1/10    
    20.00 CC 7127 Position by navigation fix.  
      SW 1, Sea 1, 1/10    
                                                                
    08.06.42      
    00.00 CC 7136    
      SW 1, Sea 0, 2/10 Very good visibility.  
    04.00 CC 7225    
      Wind calm, 5/10    
    08.00 CC 7311    
      ESE 1, Sea 1, 8/10    
    12.00 CC 7323    
      SSW 1, Sea 1, 3/10    
        167.0 nm    
          0.0 nm    
    16.00 CC 5777    
      SSW 2, Sea 1, 3/10    
    20.00 CC 5882    
      S 1, Sea 1, 2/10    
                                                                
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 08.06.42
 
- 41 -
 
           
           
           
           
    09.06.42      
    00.00 CC 5882    
      S 1, Sea 1, 2/10    
    03.58   Outgoing Short Signal weather report  
        38°N, 52°W, steady, 1028 mb, +21°C, S 1, cloudless, Vis. 10 nm, no Swell  
                                                               "U-213"  
    04.00 CC 5945    
      S 1, Sea 0, 3/10    
    08.00 CC 5862    
      S 1, Sea 0, 3/10    
    09.50 CC 6718    
    10.00     Dived, balanced the boat.  
    12.00 CC 6719   Surfaced.  
      S 2, Sea 1, 6/10    
        215.5 nm    
            0.5 nm    
    16.00 CC 6736    
      SSE 1, Sea 1, overcast Weather deteriorating.  Unfavorable visibility condition from mist and fog banks.  
    20.00 CC 6585    
      SSE 2, Sea 1, overcast, mist (rain)    
                                                                
    10.06.42      
    00.00 CC 6674    
      S 2, Sea 1, overcast, rain    
    04.00 CC 6667    
      S 1, Sea 1, overcast, rain, mist    
    08.00 CD 4446    
      SW 2, Sea 1, overcast, mist    
    12.00 CD 4462    
      SSW 3, Sea 2, overcast    
        204.0 nm    
            0.0 nm    
    16.00 CD 4525    
      SSW 5, Sea 4, overcast, mist (rain)    
    20.00 CD 4611    
      SW 5, Sea 4, overcast, mist    
           
Sun and Moon Data 09.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 10.06.42
 
- 42 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    10.06.42      
    23.35   Incoming Radio Message 2247/10/140/244  
        1.)  Würdemann, Kelbing, Varendorff and Hoffmann tomorrow between 01.00 and 05.00 hours report weather.  
                                                                
    11.06.42      
    00.00 CD 4386    
      N 2, Sea 2, overcast, mist, W-Swell    
    02.32   Outgoing Short Signal weather report  
        40°N, 42°W, rising, 1006 mb, +18°C, NW 2, clear to cloudy, rain, Vis. 1 nm, medium-high W-Swell.  
                                                               "U-213"  
    04.00 CD 5173    
      N 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, mist    
    08.00 CD 5167    
      N 4, Sea 3, overcast (mist)    
    08.45 CD 5168   Dived, balanced the boat.  
    09.10     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CD 5246    
      N 5, Sea 4, 9/10    
        191.5 nm    
             1.5 nm    
    16.00 CD 5261    
      N 2, Sea 1, 2/10    
    20.00 CD 5343    
      N 3, Sea 2, 8/10 Position by navigation fix.  
                                                                
    12.06.42      
    00.00 CD 5336    
      NNW 4, Sea 3, 6/10    
    04.00 CD 6121    
      NNW 4, Sea 3, 5/10    
    08.00 CD 3799    
      NNW 2, Sea 1, overcast, flat Swell    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 11.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 12.06.42
 
- 43 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    12.06.42      
    12.00 CD 3885    
      NW 3, Sea 2, overcast    
        187.0 nm    
            0.0 nm    
    16.00 CD 3947    
      W 1, Sea 1, overcast, rain    
    19.58   Incoming Radio Message 1829/12/169/246  
        2.) Varendorff 13 June at 08.00 hours switch to Ireland Circuit.  
    20.00 CD 3956    
      SSW 2, Sea 1, overcast, rain    
                                                                
    13.06.42      
    00.00 CE 1742    
      S 5, Sea 4, overcast    
    04.00 CE 1736    
      W 3, Sea 3, overcast, rain    
    08.00 CE 1821    
      SW 4, Sea 4, overcast, rain    
    12.00 CE 1599    
      W 4, Sea 4, overcast, rain    
        168.0 nm    
            0.0 nm    
    16.00 CE 1685    
      WSW 3, Sea 2, 5/10    
    18.46   Incoming Radio Message 1815/13/172/273  
        Also report weather, Thurmann, Varendorff.  
    20.00 CE 2472    
      SW 3, Sea 2, 2/10    
                                                                
    14.06.42      
    00.00 CE 2465    
      SSE 3, Sea 2, overcast    
    02.04   Outgoing Short Signal weather report  
        41°N, 30°W, rising 1006 mb, +18°C, S 3, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, medium-high SW-Swell.  
                                                               "U-213"  
           
Sun and Moon Data 12.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 13.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 14.06.42
 
- 44 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    14.06.42      
    04.00 CE 2551    
      SSE 3, Sea 3, overcast, rain    
    08.00 CE 2538   Dived, balanced the boat.  
      SE 4, Sea 3, overcast, rain    
    08.45     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CE 2624 Received convoy report Group Endrass from CF 10.  Intend if possible to run to meet.  Own position uncertain.  Visibility changing between one and four nautical miles.  
      SE 5, Sea 4, overcast  
        207.0 nm  
           3.0 nm    
    16.00 CE 2633 After a new convoy position CF 30 meeting is hopeless, therefore gave it up.  
      SE 3, Sea 2, overcast, rain  
    20.00 CE 3188    
      SE 2, Sea 2, 9/10, mist    
                                                                
    15.06.42      
    00.00 CE 3271    
      SE 2, Sea 1, fog Since the beginning of dawn visibility deterioration.  
        Fog, visibility under 1000 meters.  
    04.00 CE 3258    
      E 1, Sea 1, fog    
    08.00 CE 3344    
      ESE 1, Sea 1, fog (rain) Visibility under 800 meters.  
    09.10     Dived, balanced the boat.  
    09.20     Surfaced.  
    12.00 CE 3361    
      ESE 2, Sea 1, fog (rain) Visibility under 500 meters.  
        186.5 nm Weather for the return transit has been favorable thus far.  
           0.5 nm No wind and Sea from ahead.  60% of the time no Swell (duck pond), high day's run with little fuel consumption.  
    16.00 CF 1222  
      SE 1, Sea 1, fog    
    20.00 BE 7875    
      ESE 1, Sea 1, fog, rain Visibility 1000 meters.  
                                                                
           
Sun and Moon Data 14.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 15.06.42
 
- 45 -
 
           
           
           
           
    16.06.42      
    00.00 BE 7865    
      Wind calm, Sea 0, overcast mist, rain Visibility under 1000 meters.  Lowering fog.  
    04.00 BE 7927    
      ESE 2, Sea 1, overcast, rain    
    07.15 BE 7933   Dived, balanced the boat.  
    07.45     Surfaced.  
    08.00 BE 8477    
      SSE 1, Sea 1, fog Visibility up to 1 nm.  
    12.00 BE 8483    
      SE 0-1, Sea 0, fog Visibility under 1000 meters.  
        218.5 nm    
          4.5 nm    
    16.00 BE 8545    
      ENE 3, Sea 2, overcast, mist (fog) Visibility up to 2 nm.  
    20.00 BE 8535    
      ENE 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, mist, (fog) On the entire return transit the first spray from ahead.  
                                                                
    17.06.42      
    00.00 BE 8387    
      ENE 3, Sea 3, overcast, mist (fog) Weather improving.  Visibility again up to 3 nm.  
    04.00 BE 8393    
      ENE 2, Sea 1, overcast    
    06.45 BE 8395 Position by navigation fix  
    07.35 BE 8393   Dived, balanced the boat.  
    08.00 E 2, Sea 1, 2/10   Surfaced.  Very good visibility.  
    12.00 BE 9196 Mirror flat Sea.  
      Wind calm, Sea 0, 1/10 Through the favorable weather conditions I have gotten 2 days ahead.  With the same steady condition there is the possibility of crossing the Bay of Biscay in 2 days.  
        208.5 nm  
          2.5 nm  
    16.00 BE 9242    
      Wind calm, Sea 0, 3/10    
    20.00 BE 9235    
      NNW 0-1, Sea 0, 2/10 Clear, nearly cloudless sky, visibility over 15 nm.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 16.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 17.06.42
 
- 46 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    17.06.42   In accordance with orders MG C 30 is ready and manned.  Check fire completed.  Position by navigation fix.  
                                                                
    18.06.42      
    00.00 BE 9325    
      NNW 0, Sea 0, 2/10    
    00.29   Outgoing Short Signal  
        My position is BF 47.  
                                                               "U-213"  
    00.56   Short Signal confirmed.  
    04.00 BF 4785    
      NNW 0-1, Sea 0, 2/10 Passed 2 fishing trawlers.  
    06.20 BF 4793   Dived.  Proceeded submerged.  
      NW 0-1, Sea 0, 8/10    
    12.00 BF 4873    
        220.5 nm    
          19.0 nm    
    13.44   Incoming Radio Message 0800/18/123  
        To Varendorff.  
        1.)  Immediately switch Coastal Circuit.  
        2.)  An inbound report is reminded.  
    16.00 BF 4858    
    20.00 BF 4859    
    22.35 BF 4868   Surfaced!  2 fishing trawlers astern to port.  
      NNW 1, Sea 0, 9/10 Position by navigation fix.  MG C 30 ready and manned.  Dark night, good visibility.  
                                                                
    19.06.42      
    00.00 BF 4915    
      NNW 1, Sea 0, 9/10    
    00.05   Outgoing Short Signal  
        Position 30 hours off return harbor.  
                                                               "U-213"  
    00.20   Short Signal confirmed.  
    00.30 BF 4949 Passed 2 fishing trawlers.  
    03.50 BF 5717 Passed 2 fishing trawlers.  
      NNE 1, Sea 0, overcast    
    05.00 BF 5719 Passed 2 fishing trawlers.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 17.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 18.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 19.06.42
 
- 47 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    19.06.42      
    00.55   Incoming Radio Message 0027/19/76  
        Return route for Varendorf is Bogenlampe.  
        Return harbor is Brest.  
    06.30 BF 5736   Dived.  Proceeded submerged.  
      NNW 1, Sea 0, 9/10    
    08.00 BF 5726    
    12.00 BF 5732    
        110.0 nm    
          54.0 nm    
    16.00 BF 5490    
    17.13   Incoming Radio Message 1102/19/79  
        U-213, U-558 from 10. U.-Flottille.  
        Escort for U-213, U-558 and 754 positioned on 20 June at 06.00 hours at Point "L 2".  
    20.00 BF 5574    
    21.45   Sound bearing 290°T.  In the periscope 2 vessels type fishing trawler with gaff flag.  Moved off submerged.  
    22.30 BF 5575   Surfaced.  
      NNW 1, Sea 0, 8/10 By recognition signal determined that the vessels (6 fishing trawlers) are not U-boat hunters, instead were Frenchmen.  
                                                                
    20.06.42      
    01.34 NNW 1, Sea 0, overcast Passed Point Bogen.  
    04.20 NNW 1, Sea 0, overcast Passed Point 32 b.  
    05.40   L 2. Taken in convoy by Sperrbrecher.  
    06.40 NNW 1, Sea 0, overcast Made fast Lorient.  
    20.30 NNW 1, Sea 0, overcast Departed Lorient in convoy.  
    22.27   L 2.  Released escort.  
    22.53   Passed L 8.  
    23.50   Passed Point 32 j.  
                                                                
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 19.06.42
Sun and Moon Data 20.06.42
 
- 48 -
 
           
           
           
           
    21.06.42      
    05.00   Point 32.  Taken in convoy by U-boat hunter.  
    06.45   Passed Point 31.  
    07.40   Point B I escort changed, Sperrbrecher.  
    08.10   Point B II passed.  
    08.50   Passed Point B III  
    09.05   Passed net barrier.  
    09.10   Passed Point B IV.  
    09.20   Passed harbor mole.  
    09.25   Made fast U-boat base Brest.  
           
           
           
           
                                                                
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 21.06.42

Enclosures to U-213's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
RadioA Excerpt of the Radio Log - Radio Messages for U-213
RadioB Excerpt of the Radio Log

 
 
     
     
     
 

                        Commentary of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

 
                          on the Kriegstagebuch of "U 213" from 21.3. 0 21.6.1942.  
     
 
1.) Well executed special task.
2.) The Kommandant is not blamelessIn the failure of the rest of the patrol. After the boat was brought in mostly good firing position, the attack itself was not calm and considered enough.  Incorrect, not noticed angle transfer at Vorhalterechner [lead angle calculator - fire control computer], too great a depth setting at the destroyer torpedo shot and incorrect use (instead of a fan 5 single-missed shots) are errors that thwarted the success.
3.) It is expected that the Kommandant has learned from the mistakes and will utilize the experience gained on further patrols.
 
     
 

Signed in draft: D  ö  n  i  t  z  .

 
  For correctness:  
            
  Ob.Leutnant z.S. and Adjutant i.V.  
     
     
 


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