U-354 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
Kiel
10 October 1942
Bergen
13 October 1942
4
Bergen
17 October 1942
Skjomenfjord
20 October 1942
4
Skjommenfjord
29 October 1942
Narvik
30 November 1942
33

 

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
4 Nov 42
13.33 - 14.10
70°45'N, 12°10'W
WILLIAM CLARK
7,176
American
     
 Total = 7,176
   
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  354  "  
           
           
           
                 Kommandant: Kapitänleutnant    H  e  r  b  s  c  h  l  e  b  
           
           
           
                                Beginning:        22 April 1942,  
                                Ending    :        9 October 1942.  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
         
                
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
    22.04.42      
    12.00   Commissioning "U 354".  
    to      
    03.05.42   Completion of shipyard work in the construction shipyard.  
    04.05.42      
    12.10   Began transfer cruise to Kiel.  
    15.40   Made fast Tirpitz Mole.  
    05. - 25.05.42   Testing according to instructions by U.A.K.  
    26.05.42      
    05.05   Began transit to Rönne.  
    21.55   Made fast in Rönne.  
    27.05.42   Testing according to instructions by U.A.G.-Schall.  [Acoustics]
    28.05.42      
    05.00   Began transit to Danzig.  
    07.55 40 meters water, Anchored due to thick fog.  
    10.55 70 meters chain Weighed anchor.  
      Due Odde in 310°T, 35 nm    
    29.05.42      
    01.30   Made fast Danzig U-boat Base.  
    09.45   Departed Danzig for transit to Pillau.  
    14.25   Made fast Pillau.  
    30.05.42 - 04.06.42   Independent training in Pillau.  
    05.06.42      
    08.17   Began transit to Gotenhafen.  
    12.20   Made fast Gotenhafen T.E.K.  
    06. - 09.06.42   Testing according to instructions by T.E.K.  
    10.06.42      
    08.00   Began transit to Danzig.  
    09.32   Made fast Danzig U-boat Base.  
    11. - 12.06.42   Testing according to instructions by U.A.G.I.  
    12. - 16.06.42   Dry-docked for pressure hull painting.  
    15.06.42      
    15.00   Began transit to Hela.  
    18.00   Made fast Hela War Harbor.  
    16.06. - 11.07.42   Testing according to instructions by Agru-Front.  
    12.07.42      
    16.40   Began transit to Danzig.  
    23.50   Made fast Danzig.  
    13. - 15.07.42   Independent training in Danzig,  
           
           
 
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
           
    16.07.42      
    12.30 - 14.55   Artillery shooting off Danzig.  
    17. - 21.07.42   Independent training in Danzig.  
    22.07. - 02.08.42   Training according to instructions of the 25. U-Flottille.  
    03.08.42      
    06.25   Transit to Gotenhafen.  
    08.00   Made fast Gotenhafen.  
    to      
    11.08.42   Tactical training with the 27. U-Flottille.  
    12.08.82      
    03.30   Arrived.  Made fast Gotenhafen.  
    13.05   Transit to Danzig.  
    14.20   Made fast Danzig (took over boat's luggage).  
    13.08.42      
    15.40   Transit to Kiel.  
    15.08.42      
    03.30   Made fast Kiel, Tirpitz Mole.  
    to      
    16.08.42      
    10.00   Transit to Flensburg.  
    15.25   Made fast Flensburg U-boat Base.  
    17.08.42   Shipyard lay period, final adjustments.  
    to      
    27.09.42      
    28.09.42      
    09.30   Transit to Kiel.  
    14.00   Made fast Kiel, Tirpitz Mole.  
    29.09.42   Trim test.  
    30.09. - 05.10.42   Shipyard lay period (Install Fu.M.B.). shifted ballast.  
    05.10.42   Trim test.  
    06.10.42   Torpedo and ammunition loading.  
    07. - 09.10.42   Outfitting for war patrol.  
           
                           
                                 Kptlt. and Kmdt.  
           
           
           
           
           
           
 

 

     
     
 

Admiral Nordmeer

 
  B.Nr. G 4383 A1                                                                  4 November 1942  
 

 
                  To  
                          Marinegruppenkommando Nord, Kiel  
                          Info:  
                          Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote,  
                          2, Admiral der Unterseeboote,  
                          11. U-Flottille,  
                          "U-354"  
     
     
                          Enclosed is the K.T.B. of  "U-354" for the period from 22.4. to 9.10.1942.  
                         There is nothing to note.  
     
     
   

For the admiral Nordmeer

 
   
The 1.Admiralstabsoffizier
 
                                        
     
 
 
 
 
 
 

Marinegruppenkommand Nord                             Headquarters, 17 November 1942

 
 
B.Nr. G13052/42  A 1
 
 

 

 
 
G  e  h  e  i  m  !
 
 
 
 
                To    Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine - 1. Skl, I a c -
 
                          Forwarded.  Nothing to note.  
     
     
   

On behalf of !

 
   
 
 
   
     
 

 

 
 
           
           
           
           
           
           
               
           
           
        Kriegstagebuch "U-354"  
        Kommandant:  Kptlt.  Herbschleb  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
        Beginning:  10 October 1942  
        Concluding:  30 November 1942  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
         
           
           
           
 
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
                              Transit from Kiel via Bergen to Narvik.  
           
    10.10.42      
    07.00 WSW 3, Sea 2-3, misty Put to sea from Kiel for transit to Kristiansand South.  
    10.00 WSW 4, Sea 2-3, Vis. good Entrance to the Great Belt (Point Rot 15):  Taken in convoy.  
        Radio Message to 5. U.-Flottille 1012/11:  
        10.00 hours taken in convoy.  
        Radio Circuit "Karl Otto".  
                                                   "U-354 and "U-624"  
    18.00 Great Belt    
      W 4, Sea 3-4, increasing, Vis. good, at time overcast    
                                              
    11.10.42      
    04.00 Kattegat    
      W 2 N 5, Sea 4, Vis. 3-4 nm    
    08.00 Kattegat    
      W 3 N 6, Sea 5, Vis. good    
    12.00 Skagerrak Escort vessel pounds strongly, therefore speed only 6-7 knots.  
      W 2 N 8, Sea 7, Vis. good, lightly cloudy  
    20.00 Skaggerak    
      W 6, Sea 5-6, Vis. good    
                                                  
    12.10.42      
    05.28 WNW 3-4, Sea 3, Vis. good to medium Ran into Kristiansand South. "U-624" supplied with fuel and water.  Escort change.  
    08.45   Put to sea from Kristiansand South with "U-624" and Vorpostenboote 5309 and 5311.  
    12.05 Abeam Farsund Encountered "U-663" coming from Farsund, joined convoy.  
      WNW 2, Sea 2, Vis. very good, fair    
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 11.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 12.10.42
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    12.10.42      
    16.00 Egersund Ran into Egersund.  Gave 5 tons of fuel oil to "U-624".  
      W 1-2. Sea 0-1, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, sunny After making fast a light blowing was found forward to port at the level of the diving plane.  After flooding ballast tank 5 bubbles stopped.  Therefore either main ballast tank 5 is torn or the diving plane pass through leaks, so that docking is necessary.  
    17.00   "U-624" departed under escort of Vorposten Boot 5309, to be at the level of Skudesnes at the break of dawn and from there move off to the west.  
    23.45   Vorposten Boot 5309 comes back again after completing escort of "U-624"  
                                                  
    13.10.42      
    06.40 WNW 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm Put to sea from Egersund with "U-663" and escort Vorposten Boote 5309 and 5311.  
    12.00 Bokn Fjord    
      NW 1-2, Sea 0-1, misty, rain shower, Vis. bad    
    19.00   Embarked pilot for entering Bergen.  
    19.50   Made fast Berge, Marineholm.  
                                                  
    14.10.42 Berge    
    10.40   Cast off Marineholm for trim and deep dive test on the outer harbor Bergen.  
        At depth A -70 meters shaft stuffing box leaks.  Further leaks at the pressure hull pass through for the Marks rescue buoy.  Deep dive only carried out to depth A +20 meters, because the boat takes in too much water.  
    13.10   Made fast Marineholm.  
    15.05   Shifted to Dock 5.  
    16.05   Dry-docked.  
                                                  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 12.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 13.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 14.10.42
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
           
    15.10.42 Bergen    
    15.00   Un-docked and shifted to Marineholm, where the remaining welding work is to be completed.  
    15.35   Made fast Marineholm.  
    18.35   Cast off Marineholm for transit to Narvik.  
    19.50   Trim test in outer harbor off Bergen.  
        At depth A -50 meters the welding at the Marks life buoy leaks so heavily, that departure must be put off.  
    20.40   Made fast Dockeskyr.  
                                                  
    16.10.42 Bergen    
    09.05   Shifted to Laksevåg Shipyard.  
    09.45   Made fast shipyard.  The welding was redone.  
    12.50   Cast off for new trim and deep dive test.  
        This time all is in order. Depth A +48 meters.  
    16.00   Made fast Marineholm.  
                                                  
    17.10.42      
    13.30 NW 2 N 6, Sea 2, rain showers, squalls, cloudy, Vis. medium Cast off Marineholm for transit to Narvik.  Pilot on board.  
    15.20   Pilot disembarked abeam Bratholmen.  
    17.25   Released escort.  
    17.33 Hellisøy abeam to starboard, 1.5 nm    
      NW  N 5, Sea 4-5, low hanging clouds, Vis. 6 nm    
    24.00 AF 8772    
      WNW 7, Sea 6, increasing, Vis. 3 nm, very squally, short large seas, 1002 mb    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 15.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 16.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 17.10.42
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
           
    18.10.42      
    04.00 AF 8714    
      WNW 8, Sea 6-7, Vis. about 4 nm, at times moonshine, otherwise overcast, 1003 mb, slowly rising    
    08.00 AF 8471  [in error approx AF 8454]  
      WNW 7, Sea 6, slowly abating. cloudy, Vis. good    
    11.15   Crash dive for training and test dive. (depth A +10 meters)  
    12.00 NW 3-4, Sea 3, Vis. 10 nm, half overcast, long high Swell Day's run:  Surfaced         179 nm  
                       Submerged      1.9 nm  
                                             180.9 nm  
    16.00 AF 8165 Radio Message to Adm. Nordmeer:  
      NW 3, Sea 3, abating Swell, fair, half overcast 1636/24 Am 36 hours off entrance to Vestfjord.  
                                                         Herbschleb.  
        Cannot send a Short Signal because the radiomen do not have a signature group.  
    20.00 AF 5876    
      NNW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, moonshine, Northern Lights, long Swell    
    24.00 AF 5599    
                                                  
    19.10.42      
    04.00 AF 5627    
      NW 2 N 3-4, Sea 2-3, cloudy, strong Northern Lights, long Swell, freshening and shifting right    
    08.00 AF 5386    
      NE 6-7, Sea 5, cloudy otherwise Vis. good    
    11.15   Crash dive for training with test dive.  
    12.05 AF 6113 Surfaced.  
      NE 6-7, Sea 5, cloudy, Vis. good    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 18.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 19.10.42
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    19.10.42      
    12.05   1110/630 Radio Message to Adm. Nordmeer:  
        Position 20.00 hours off objective point Vestfjord.  
                                                           Herbschleb.  
        Day's run:  Surfaced        264 nm  
                         Submerged      2.3 nm  
                                             266.3 nm  
    16.00 AF 3734 1650/693 Radio Message to Adm. Nordmeer:  
      NE 2 N 3-4, Sea 3-4, cloudy, Vis. good Pave passed 67°N to the north.  
                                                         Herbschleb.  
    20.00 AF 3574    
      ENE 3-4, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. very good, moonshine    
    20.25   Reached objective point.  No escort vessel seen, therefore continued on.  
    24.00 Yttertyven abeam to port, distance about 10 nm    
      E 2 N 3, Sea 1, cloudy, Vis. good    
                                                  
    20.10.42      
    03.50 Tranøy abeam to port distance 3 nm Taken under escort by Vorpostenboot.  
      NE 2 E 1, Sea 0, Vis. good    
    07.00 Bårøya abeam Released escort.  
        This escort was completely unnecessary.  In good visibility entering Narvik is child's play for a new boat.  
    10.00 Narvik Entered Narvik.  Made fast alongside "AVISO GRILLE".  
    12.30   Shifted to U-boat Base.  
    14.17   Made fast alongside "STELLA POLARIS".  
                                                  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 19.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 20.10.42
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    21. - 28.10.42 U-boat Base Skjommenfjord U-boat Base Skjommenfjord  
        Training and combat exercises.  
        Overhaul work on the boat.  
                                                  
    29.10.42      
    09.00   Cast off "STELLA POLARIS".  
    10.41 Narvik Alongside "AVISO GRILLE".  
        Received orders for 1st patrol.  
           
                                          1st Patrol.  
           
                                         Outbound Orders.  
        1)  Depart Narvik on 29.10.42.  
        2)  "U-354" occupy attack area square AA 94.  
        3)  Task is detection and fighting the next PQ convoy.  
        4) Enemy situation:  
        Movements at Spitzbergen (off Eisfjorden and north of Bear Island) confirm the suspicion, that a supply base exists or is being prepared on the West Coast, as was also determined with PQ 18.  In the last period shifting assignments.  Reydar Fjord and Setdis Fjord currently unoccupied by warships.  Air reconnaissance Reykjavik and Hval Fjord also shows an unclear picture.  Up to now no certain indication of PQ convoys.  
        5)  Own boats:  
        "U-377" completing special task on the NW-coast of Spitzbergen  
        "U-586" reconnaissance Jan Mayen (determining radio station and landing possibilities).  
        "U-212" square AA 97.  
        "U-622" square AA 99.  
        6)  In effect are guidelines for Nordmeer U-boats with supplement concerning behavior cooperating with the Luftwaffe.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 29.10.42
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    29.10.42   7)  Ice reporting only if stay in own attack area is impossible or on request.  Radio silence except for tactically important reports.  
        8)  Communications provisions:  U-boat Nordmeer Circuit.  
        9)  Attached as enclosure: List of mine warning areas.  
                                                   signed in draft:  Klüber.  
    continued      
    29.10.42      
    12.05 Narvik Cast off "AVISO GRILLE".  Put to sea for Harstad.  
    14.30 Lødingen abeam to port Embarked the pilot.  
      W 1-2, Sea 0, low hanging clouds, Vis. varying between 2-10 nm    
    17.05 Harstad Arrived Harstad.  Went alongside M-Boot 322.  Disembarked pilot.  
                                                  
    30.10.42 Harstad    
    09.10   Shifted to the oil pier to load fuel.  
    09.50   Made fast oil pier.  
        There are no connecting pieces, so that 2 people must press the connecting pieces together with a rag, which does not hold tight. Because of this primitive line, loading just under 4 tons of fuel oil took two hours.  
    11.45   Fuel oil loading ended, cast off for transit into the attack area.  
    12.30   Trim test in the outer harbor off Harstad.  
    13.00   Surfaced, continued transit.  
    15.28 Andenes Lighthouse abeam to port    
      E 2 N 1-2, Sea 1, long Swell, lightly overcast, Vis. 10 nm    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 29.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 30.10.42
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.10.42      
    20.00 AB 9574    
      NW 2, Sea 1-2, long Swell, decreasing overcast, Vis. good    
    24.00 AB 9485    
      NNE 2-3, Sea 1-2    
                                                  
    31.10.42      
    04.00 AB 8696    
      NE 1-2, Sea 1, Swell decreasing, bright, clear night    
    08.00 AB 8695    
    09.04   Silent crash dive for training together with test dive and deep dive to depth A +100 meters.  
        Boat holds perfectly, no issues.  
    10.32   Surfaced and came to transit speed.  
    12.00 AB 8674 Day's run:  Surfaced        224 nm  
      NNE 1-2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. very good                  Submerged        2 nm  
                                            226 nm  
    16.00 AB 8584    
      W 1-2    
    20.00 AB 8493    
      NW 2 W 3-4, Sea 2-3, 3/4 overcast, Vis. about 5 nm    
    21.45   Red glow on the horizon bearing 110°, the minute long brightness disappeared slowly.  Could have been moonshine.  
    24.00 AB 8481    
      WNW 4-5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. about 3 nm    
                                                  
    01.11.42      
    04.00 AB 7692    
      NW 3-4, Sea 2-3, decreasing, low hanging clouds, otherwise Vis. good    
    08.00 AB 7672    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 31.10.42
Sun and Moon Data 01.11.42
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    01.11.42      
    10.28   Silent crash dive for training and test dive.  
    11.15   Surfaced, came to transit speed.  
    12.00 AB 7583 Day's run:  Surfaced        205.5 nm  
                         Submerged       1.5 nm  
                                                207 nm  
    16.30 AB 7571 Incoming Radio Message 1329/737 from B.d.U. Nordmeer:  
      NNE 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good 1)  New attack area:  
      Simon: square AE 24  
        Herbschleb: square AE 13  
        Hymmen:  square AE 12  
        2)  Herbschleb go around south of AA 99.  
        Consequently from 17.00 hours came to course 215°, so that the southeast corner of square AA 99 is passed at a distance of 15 nm.  
    20.00 AB 7732    
      NE 2 E 2, Sea 1, overcast, low hanging clouds, Vis. medium    
    24.00 AB 7755    
                                                  
    02.11.42      
    03.00   All clocks set back 1 hour.  
    04.00 AE 3233    
      NE 0-1, Sea 0, overcast, sometimes light fog, otherwise Vis. medium    
    08.00 AE 3281    
      Vis. very good    
    08.35   Crash dive for aircraft (probably Consolidated).  At the same time carried out test dive.  
        Depth: A +30 meters.  
    09.30   Surfaced, came to transit speed.  
    10.45   Came to course 270°.  
    12.00 AE 3432 Day's run:  Surfaced        203.0 nm  
      ENE 1, Sea 1, one-quarter overcast, Vis. good                  Submerged       1.9 nm  
                                              204.9 nm  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 01.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 02.11.42
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    02.11.42      
    16.00 AE 3178    
      SE 2, E 1, Sea 1    
    20.00 AE 2622    
      Strong Northern Lights, Vis. good    
    24.00 AE 2299    
      SSE 2, Sea 1-2, one-quarter overcast, Vis. medium    
                                                  
    03.11.42      
    04.00 AE 2513    
      Strong Northern Lights    
      Vis. good    
    08.00 AE 2189    
      SSE 3, Sea 2-3, three-quarters overcast, Vis. good    
    10.00   Test dive to depth A -40 meters.  
    10.25   Surfaced. came to transit speed.  
    12.00 AE 2177 Day's run:  Surfaced        208 nm  
      SSE 3-4, Sea 2-3, one-quarter overcast, sunshine, Vis. very good                  Submerged      0.5 nm  
                                           208.5 nm  
    12.45   Reached the southeast corner of attack square AE 13 and came to course 320°, 8 knots.  
    13.20   Crash dive for aircraft.  
    13.51   Surfaced.  
    16.00 AE 1391    
      SE 2, Sea 2, Vis. good    
    18.15   Incoming Radio Message 1621/714 from Adm.Nordmeer:  
        Air reports:  
        1)  11.30 hours square AE 1863 independent steamer course 70°.  
        2)  12.24 hours square AE 1593 independent steamer course 40, speed 10 knots.  
        Siemon and Hymmen search for steamer 1).  
        Herbschleb and Queck steamer 2).  
        If not found passing 6°E, old attack areas.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 03.11.42
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    03.11.42      
    18.30 AE 1355 Came to course 90° at 10 knots, so that own and steamer course cross at 21.50 hours, if the reported information of the steamer is correct.  
      SE 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. medium  
      Ran at only 10 knots because visibility is moderate and the steamer could be in the vicinity.  Intend to hold course until 24.00 hours, then run ahead at 14 knots and zigzag around 40° as general course.  
    20.45 AE 1366 Gyro-compass failed.  Third phase of the converter is bad.  Steered by the magnetic compass, which swings strongly and which I don't trust up here.  
      SE 2, S 3, Sea 2, increasing, half overcast, Vis. moderate  
    24.00 AE 2156    
      SSE 4, Sea 2, three-quarters overcast, Vis. moderate    
                                                  
    04.11.42      
    00.15   Gyro-compass is in service again.  Came to course 40° at 12 knots.  
    02.00   Came to course 340°, 12 knots.  
    04.00 AA 9748 Came to course 40°, 12 knots.  
      SE 2-3, Sea 2, half overcast, Vis. about 3 nm    
    08.00 AA 9723 Came to course 20°, 12 knots.  
      SE 2, Sea 4, Sea 3, overcast, misty, Vis. medium    
    10.00   Test dive together with all around listening for the steamer.  Sound room reports no sound bearings.  Went to the G.H.G. myself, stopped motors and listened at depth A -50 meters.  Results:  in 145°T faint propeller sounds (70 RPM).  
    10.30 Very misty Surfaced, came to course 90°, 12 knots, because visibility is bad and the steamer can't be too far off.  
    11.13 AA 9465 Steamer ahead 40° to starboard, distance about 4 nm, target angle 130°, enemy course about 40°.  
      S 2 E 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, very misty, Vis. varies between 2-5 nm  
      Maneuvered ahead with both diesel GF, later at AK, because the steamer was determined to run at 12 knots and I do not want to lose him.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 03.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 04.11.42
 
- 12 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    04.11.42      
    12.00   Day's run:  Surfaced        227.5 nm  
                         Submerged      2.1 nm  
                                             229.6 nm  
    13.11 AA 9513 Dived for attack on steamer (steamer last in relative bearing 175°, range = 4000 meters)  
      SE 2 E 4, Sea 3, overcast, misty  
    13.33   Three-fan from tubes 1, 3 and 4.  
        The hits could not be observed, because the periscope cut under briefly after the fan.  When visibility was clear, the steamer lay stopped there, however showed no list or settling, avoided the steamer submerged and was in shooting position again after 27 minutes, this time on the starboard side.  
    14.00   Single shot from tube 2.  
        Steamer showed a very slight list to starboard, however otherwise unchanged.  Recognize aircraft fuselages in rows on the forecastle and after deck.  Steamer is enormous, cannon forward and aft.  He must go under, therefore stern tube prepared, turned away to starboard.  
    14.10   Shot from tube 5.  
        High gray cloudy hit column.  Steamer broke apart in a few seconds in the center and sank immediately.  
        Steamer had forward and aft one each pair of lattice masts, long forecastle and long after deck.  Bridge superstructure amidships, high, medium strong smokestack with bridge superstructure.  Heavily loaded.  Steamer had at least 4 large lifeboats.  No of these were launched.  
    14.16   Surfaced.  No lifeboats seen.  
        Moved off from the sinking location on course 270°, 15 knots.  
    16.00 AA 9434 Came to transit speed, 8 knots.  
      S 2 E 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. bad    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 04.11.42
 
- 13 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    04.11.42      
    16.00   Incoming Radio Message 1425/736 from Adm.Nordmeer:  
        At darkness break off search for independent steamers and occupy the following attack areas.  
        Herbschleb square AE 14  
        Hymmen square AE 15  
        Siemon square AE 18  
        Queck square AA 89 and 97  
    16.40   Came to course 235°, 8 knots.  
        Radio Message to Adm. Nordmeer:  1510/738  
        14.13 hours independent freighter square AA 9513 three hits sunk.  10000 tonner aircraft on deck heavily loaded.  Course 40°.  7 + 2 torpedoes.  Going to AE 14.  
                                                   Herbschleb.  
        Control station did not hear us, so that sending Radio Messages is not possible at the moment.  
    17.45   Sent Radio Message.  
    17.35   Radio Message  from Adm.Nordmeer: 1655/739  
        1)  Steamer "WILLIAM CLARK" reported 13.36 hours sea emergency in AA 9195.  
        2)  Report if U-boat success.  
        3)  If not, boats in the vicinity operate on it.  
    19.30   Radio Message from Adm. Nordmeer: 1603/740  
        Herbschleb.  
        This was the first strike . . .  
        Congratulations.  
    20.00 AA 9452    
      SE 2-3, Sea 2, completely overcast, misty, Vis. about 4 nm    
    24.00 AA 9475    
      heavy fog, Vis. about 150 meters to 1 nm    
                                                  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 04.11.42
 
- 14 -
 
           
           
           
           
    05.11.42      
    04.00 AA 8931    
      SE 2, E 1-2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. about 3-4 nm, 1002 mb    
    08.00 AA 8943    
      E 2 S 2, Sea 2, 1000 mb    
    10.00   Test dive.  No sound bearings.  
    10.25   Surfaced, came to course 235°, 8 knots.  
    12.00 AA 8892 Day's run:  Surfaced        184.0 nm  
      NE 2-3, Sea 2-3, increasing, overcast, misty, drizzle                  Submerged      2.5 nm  
                                           186.5 nm  
    14.30 AA 8889 Reached the ice limit.  Frequent course changes necessary to avoid ice blocks.  Moved off on course 90°, to get to clear water again.  
      NE 2 N 4-5, Sea 3, overcast, light driving snow, Vis. about 100 meters to 1 nm, 999 mb  
    16.00 AA 8898 Came to course 180°, 8 knots.  
      NE 4-5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. 3 nm, 996 mb    
    16.30   Short Signal to Adm. Nordmeer:  
        Ice limit square AA 8889.  
    20.00 AE 1344    
      E 2 N 4, Sea 3-4, rain, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, 994 mb    
    23.50 AE 1377 Came to course 170°, 8 knots.  
                                                  
    06.11.42      
    04.00 AE 1521    
      NE 2 N 5-6, overcast, Vis. medium    
    06.00 AE 1433 Came to course 240°, 8 knots.  
    09.40 AE 1425 Advanced to the ice limit.  Thick ice blocks suddenly everywhere.  Came to course 90°, to get out of the drift ice.  
      NE 2 E 7, Sea 6-7, overcast, snow showers, ice forming on the over deck, Vis. about 1 nm, 990 mb  
    09.50   Short Signal to Adm. Nordmeer.  
        Ice limit square AE 1425.  
    12.00 AE 1435 Day's run:  Surfaced  187 nm  
      NE 7-8, Sea 7, overcast, snow shower, Vis. about 1 nm, 992 mb    
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 06.11.42
 
- 15 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    06.11.42   No navigation fix for 5 days.  Position only by plotting and soundings.  The depths in the chart are very sparse, so that there is no reliance on soundings.  
    13.10   Came to course 0°, speed measurement 6.5 nm.  
    15.00   Came to course 215°, speed measurement shows 8 knots (stern sea).  
    16.00 AE 1433    
      NE 7-8, Sea 7, increasing overcast, Vis. about 1-2 nm, snow showers, 991 mb    
    20.00 AE 1458 Bridge is under water every minute.  Boat is partly iced.  
      NE 2 N 9, Sea 8    
    20.10   The conning tower hatch cannot be closed.  The axis of the catch is completely bent, so the catch hits the edge of the hatch.  Straightening the axis is only possible with force, if it breaks, removal is required.  This is not possible in the Sea State and the darkness.  The damage is remedied by washers and a side tension spring. (Duration 4 hours).  
    21.00   Came to course 90°, speed measurement shows 5 knots.  
    24.00 AE 1491    
      NE 2 N 9-10, Sea 8-9, drizzle, Vis. about 100-1000 meters, 985 mb    
                                                  
    07.11.42      
    01.00   Came to course 10°, speed measurement shows 5 knots.  
    04.00 AE 1463 Came to course 250°, 8 knots.  
      N 2, E 9-10, Sea 8-9, Vis. bad, 982 mb    
    08.00 AE 1433    
      NE 2 E 7-8, Sea 7, abating, snow showers, Vis. 982 mb    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 06.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 07.11.42
 
- 16 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.11.42      
    08.57   Advanced to the ice limit and came to course 90°.  There is not much left of my attack square.  However, believe I'm too far to the west and wait for visibility to improve to take a navigation fix.  
    09.15   Came to course 180°.  
    09.34   Again advanced to the ice limit and came to course 90°.  
    11.56   Surfaced.  
    12.00 AE 1317 [typo 1437] Day's run:  Surfaced        165 nm  
      WNW 4, Sea 3, long high Swell, foggy, Vis. 100-200 meters                  Submerged      3.9 nm  
                                           168.9 nm  
    13.00   Came to course 230°, 8 knots.  
    13.30   Crash dive for aircraft.  Conning tower hatch jammed because once again the catch hit the edge of the conning tower hatch.  The conning tower hatch can be closed by moving the catch laterally while turning the spindle.  
        The aircraft was sighted at about 6000 meters.  Type not exactly recognized. May have been a Ju 88.  
    13.55   Surfaced.  Catch axis is so bent, that removal or or severe bending of the axis is required.  The latter succeeds.  However, the first time trying to close the latch, the limiting plate of the catch breaks.  At 17.00 hours the conning tower hatch is operable again.  
    14.36   Came to course 340°, 8 knots.  
    15.33   Advanced to the ice limit, came to course 70°.  
    16.00 AE 1466    
      W 3, Sea 3, Vis. good, 982 mb    
    17.00   Came to course 0°, 8 knots.  
    18.30   Advanced to the ice limit, came to course 45°.  
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.11.42
 
- 17 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.11.42      
    19.15   Finally a good navigation fix.  We are actually much to far to the west as suspected.  
        Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  275°T, 31.5 nm.  
    20.00 AE 1423    
      WSW 2-3, Sea 2, three-quarters overcast, misty, Vis. about 2 nm, 983 mb    
    21.38   Advanced to the ice limit, came to course 90°.  
    22.00   Came to course 180°, 8 knots.  
    24.00 AE 1455    
      SW 3-4, Sea 3, three-quarters overcast, Vis. good, light Northern Lights, long Swell, 986 mb    
                                                  
    08.11.42      
    03.00   Came to course 25°.  
    04.00 AR 1486    
      WSW 4, Sea 4, light overcast, 985 mb    
    08.00 AE 1438    
    10.00   Came to course 270°.  
    11.15   Bridge reports: Sailing vessel in sight.  Closed at 2 x HF.  Sailing vessel turned out to be a small ice berg.  
    11.47   Test dive; no sound bearings.  
    12.00 AE 1431 Day's run:  Surfaced        189 nm  
      E 2 N 1, Sea 0-1, light overcast, Vis. up to 10 nm, 984 mb, continues to fall                  Submerged        2 nm  
                                            191 nm  
    12.10   Surfaced.  
    13.00   Came to course 180°.  
    13.46   Advanced to the ice limit, came to course 160°.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 08.11.42
 
- 18 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    08.11.42      
    16.00 AE 1461    
      NE 2 E 4-5, Sea 3, half overcast, Vis. 6 nm, 979 mb    
    19.00   Came to course 230°.  
    21.00 AE 1491 Came to course 15°.  
      NE 5, Sea 4, 976 mb    
    24.00 AE 1464    
      NE 6, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. about 1 nm, 978 nm    
                                                  
    09.11.42      
    04.00 AE 1432 Came to course 180°.  
      NE 2, E 3-4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. bad 982 mb    
    08.00 AE 1468    
      ESE 5, Sea 4-6    
    10.00   Came to course 340°.  
    12.00 AE 1467 Day's run:  Surfaced  192 nm  
      SSW 4, Sea 3-4, Vis. about 8 nm, 980 mb    
    15.45   Came to course 90°.  
    16.00 AE 1423    
      NE 2 E 5, Sea 5-6, Vis. varying from 100 meters to 5 nm, driving snow, squalls, 982 mb    
    20.00 AE 1468    
      S 2 S 3-4, Sea 3, half overcast, Vis. good, 987 mb    
    23.00   Came to course 285°.  
    24.00 AE 1498    
      SW 4, Sea 2-3, three-quarters overcast, faint Northern Lights, Vis. varying from 100-1500 meters    
                                                  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 08.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 09.11.42
 
- 19 -
 
           
           
           
           
    10.11.42      
    02.00   Came to course 25°.  
    04.00 AE 1467    
      SE 2 E 2-3, Sea 2, half overcast, Vis. from 2-10 nm, because of intermittent fog, 990 mb    
    08.00 AE 1436    
      NE 2 E 2-3, Sea 2    
    09.00   Came to course 180°.  
    10.46   Test dive.  Aft diving plane out of service.  Cause:  diving plane operator did not press the button properly, because an immediate check shows that the system is operable.  No sound bearings  
    11.16   Surfaced.  
    12.00 AE 1463 Day's run:  Surfaced        168 nm  
      S 2 W 3-4, Sea 2-3, long high Swell, overcast, snow showers, Vis. otherwise good, 995 mb                  Submerged      1.5 nm  
                                           189.5 nm  
    13.00   Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  235°T, 37 nm.  
        Came to course 30°.  
    14.50   Radio Message 1403/714 from Adm. Nordmeer:  
        Herbschleb, Hymmen, Siemon, expect 3 westbound Atlantic boats.  
    16.00 AE 1459    
      SE 2 E 2-3, Sea 2-3, high Swell, driving snow, Vis. 100 meters to 10 nm, 996 mb rising    
    20.00 AE 1433 Came to course 180°.  
      SE 2, Sea 1, nearly completely overcast, Vis. about 2 nm, faint Northern Lights    
    24.00 AE 1469    
      SSW 3-4, Sea 2-3, 1/3 overcast, Vis. about x nm, 1003 mb    
                                                  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.11.42
 
- 20 -
 
           
           
           
           
    11.11.42      
    02.00   Came to course 235°.  
    04.00 AE 1492    
      E 1-2, Sea 1-2, 1002 mb    
    08.00 AE 1466    
      NE 2 E 5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. about 1 nm, 100 mb    
    08.25   Came to course 90°.  
    11.30   Came to course 180°.  
    12.00 AE 1436 Day's run:  Surfaced  192 nm  
      NE 2, E 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 6 nm, 998 mb falling    
    16.00 AE 1493    
      NE 2 E-7-8, Sea 7, Vis. varying from 150 meters - 6 nm, rain showers, hail, 987 mb    
    17.00   Came to course 10° with diesel-electric lowest speed setting (220 RPM).  
    17.53 AE 1493 Man over board!  
        Watch Officer, Ob.Strm. Gerken, immediately went to both diesels GF with rudder hard over.  Hurried to the bridge at the alarm call, I felt compelled to slow down because of the rough sea and the increased danger for the bridge watch during these maneuvers.  
        The loss point was searched, however nothing more was seen.  
        Fähnrich zur See Meyn, Horst, who held the port aft lookout post, was washed overboard. The belt was still hanging in the bayonet ring, and I noticed a break in the leather part of the belt specifically at the level of the connecting line of the fastening rivets of the leather part to the hemp belt. All the belts are new on board on this, the first war patrol, and came into contact with sea water for the first time.  The Watch Officer, Ob. Sturm, Gerken, says that two  
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 11.11.42
 
- 21 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    11.11.42   particularly steep and short successive seas (due to squalls) passed over the conning tower.  After the water ran off the loss of the Fähnrich was noticed immediately and was seen very briefly, at a distance of about 30 meters from the boat, lying on his back drifting.  Thereupon followed the call:  "Man overboard" and his engine and rudder orders.  The Watch Officer is of the opinion that the next sea had already washed over the casualty. It is clear to me that rescue is out of the question in the extremely rough sea. Since the sea seems to be getting rougher and the bridge watch needs to gather themselves, I decide to dive.  
    18.15   Dived, went to depth A -20 meters, both E-motors KF ahead.  
    20.00 AE 1574    
    24.00 AE 1571    
                                                  
    12.11.42      
    03.00 NE 9-10, Sea 8-9 Surfaced.  Ventilated the boat.  While ventilating and blowing (after a while) water is continually in the boat.  Namely from the diesel air head and foot valve into the diesel bilge, via the ventilation air head valve and foot valve through the supply and exhaust air lines into the diesel room, E-motor room and the control room.  Within 25 minutes about 2 tons of water came into the boat.  
        I decide to dive again and await weather improvement.  
    03.25   Dived, came to course 20°.  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 11.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 12.11.42
 
- 22 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    12.11.42      
    12.00 AE 1544 Surfaced, because it is just getting light and the weather is improving.  
      NNE 6, Sea 5-6, half overcast, Vis. about 12 nm, long steep Swell, 1008 mb  
      Day's run:  Surfaced        48 nm  
                       Submerged     27 nm  
                                               75 nm  
    16.00 AE 1512 Came to course 180°.  
      NE 1-2, Sea 1-2, long Swell, overcast, light snowfall, Vis. about 5 nm, 1010 mb    
    18.27   Radio Message to Adm. Nordmeer:  1627/741  
        Fähnrich zur See Meyn washed overboard  11 Nov 18.00 hours AE 1493 due to breaking of the leather belt in Sea 7-8.  
                                                   Herbschleb.  
    20.00 AE 1542    
      SE 2 E 2-3. Sea 2    
    21.00   Came to course 10°.  
    24.00 AE 1524    
      WNW 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. about 2 nm, 1008 mb    
                                                  
    13.11.42      
    04.00 AE 1189 Strong Northern Lights and brief opening of the cloud deck make a navigation fix possible.  
      SW 1, Sea 0, misty, Vis. bad, 1006 mb  
      Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  295°T, 37 nm.  
        Came to course 180°.  
    08.00 AE 1461    
      W 2 S 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. about 2 nm, 1004 mb    
    11.26   Test dive.  
        No sound bearings.  
    11.57   Surfaced.  
    12.00 AE 1494 Day's run:  Surfaced        163 nm  
      W 2 S 2, Sea 2, three-quarters overcast, Vis. very good (14 nm)                  Submerged     1.5 nm  
                                          164.5 nm  
        Came to course 335°.  
    14.09   Watch Officer reports smoke cloud in sight, apparently a steamer.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 12.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 13.11.42
 
- 23 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    13.11.42      
    14.09   Closed at 2 x HF.  Smoke clouds were numerous and finally turned out to be rising clouds on the horizon.  
        Pity!  
    14.20   Came to 7 knots.  
    16.00 AE 1452 Came to course 50°.  
      W 4-5, Sea 4, barely overcast, Vis. very good, 1002 mb    
    20.00 AE 1432    
      W 2 S 4, Sea 3, Vis. good, clear sky, 1003 mb    
    21.00   Came to course 205°.  
    23.00   Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  71°T, 4.9 nm.  
    24.00 AE 1439    
      W 2 S 5, Sea 4-5, barely overcast, Vis. about 2 nm, 1004 mb    
                                                  
    14.11.42      
    04.00 AE 1491    
      SW 1, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. good, 1005 mb    
    05.00   Came to course 0°.  
    08.00 AE 1456    
      NE 7-8, in squalls 9-10, Sea 7, overcast, Vis. bad, 1001 mb falling    
    11.00   Came to course 115° because advanced to the ice limit.  
    12.00 AE 1434 Day's run:  Surfaced   167.3 nm  
      NE 9-10, Sea 8, Vis. up to 100 meters, overcast, rain, 990 mb falling    
    13.40   Dived, because the boat takes over too much water and the bridge watch is endangered.  The storm is slowly a hurricane.  
        Came to course 200°, both E-motors KF ahead.  
    19.40 AE 1462 Surfaced.  Boat ventilated.  
      NE 10-11, Sea 9, rain, Vis. about 50 meters, 975 mb    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 13.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 14.11.42
 
- 24 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    14.11.42      
    20.10   Dove again, came to course 180°.  
                                                  
    15.11.42      
    01.45 NE 9-10, Sea 8, Vis. bad Surfaced, ventilated the boat.  
    02.33   Dived.  
        Conning tower hatch cannot be closed immediately because the catch is bent again.  
    09.00 AE 1492 Surfaced.  
      SSE 4, Sea 3-4, high Swell, overcast, Vis. about 5 nm, 1019 mb During the darkness conning tower hatch repaired using  a blue light.  Conning tower hatch is working again at 11.00 hours  
    11.00   Came to course 10°.  
    12.00 AE 1495 Day's run:  Surfaced         30 nm  
      WNW 3, Sea 2-3, three-quarters overcast, high Swell                  Submerged     28.8 nm  
                                             58.8 nm  
    16.00 AE 1439    
      WNW 1, Sea 0-1, clear, cloudless, sunshine, Vis. 15 nm, 1026 mb    
    18.00   Came to course 270°.  
    20.00 AE 1423    
      NW 0-1, Sea 1, half overcast, long Swell, moonshine, 1029 mb    
    20.30   Port E-motor out of service because of a short in the switchboard.  Duration of repair about 5 hours.  Repairs were carried out because it is a bright good visibility night.  
    21.00   Came to course 165°.  
    21.14   Crash dive for aircraft!  
        Boat got under slowly because only the starboard E-motor can run.  It is a miserable feeling, to creep down to depth like this.  
        Aircraft came from astern towards the boat.  Three men of the lookout should have seen the aircraft which carried a white light.  
    22.04   Surfaced, came to course 90°.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 14.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 15.11.42
 
- 25 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    15.11.42      
    23.10   Crash dive for aircraft!  
        Again the boat gets under slowly.  This time the aircraft was sighted coming from astern to starboard on a nearly parallel course (100°).  Type of the aircraft was not distinguished.  
        Again nothing happened.  I keep listening but no convoy heard!  I cannot believe, that is was an aircraft with radar and a perhaps on but not yet shining searchlight.  The white light was seen again.  
    24.00 AE 1435    
      SE 2, Sea 0-1, three-quarters overcast, Vis. about 2 nm, 1032 mb    
                                                  
    16.11.42      
    02.37   Surfaced.  Port E-motor is in service again.  
    04.05 AE 1461 Crash dive for aircraft!  
      SW 2, W 1-2, Sea 1, Vis. about 2 nm, 1034 mb Sighted during the watch change from the Ob.Strm. abeam to starboard at a distance of 3000 meters.  Large aircraft, however this time no white light seen.  Aircraft was on course for the boat.  
        I decide to remain submerged initially because I have to accept that the boat was continually located, additionally the visibility is decreasing.  The G.H.G. is constantly manned.  
        It's a shame that the already installed Fu.M.B. was removed again!  
    08.50 AE 1462 Surfaced.  The watertight stern can no longer be closed, because the linkage is bent - probably due to the seas.  
      WSW 3-4, Sea 3, half overcast, Vis. 7-8 nm, 1030 mb  
    11.00   Came to course 310°.  
    12.00 AE 1438 Day's run:  Surfaced        77 nm  
      SW 4-5, one quarter overcast, Vis. about 12 nm, 1027 mb                  Submerged    15 nm  
                                             92 nm  
        Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  4°T, 12 nm.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 15.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 16.11.42
 
- 26 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    16.11.42      
    14.00   Came to course 195°.  
    16.00 AE 1426    
      NW 506, Sea 5, one-quarter overcast, misty, Vis, outside of rain showers 2-3 nm, 1022 mb    
    20.00 AE 1458    
      S 2, W 7-1, Sea 5-6, squalls, overcast, Vis. about 2 nm, 1017 mb    
    21.00   Came to course 55°.  
    24.00 AE 1468    
      SSW 6-7, Sea 5-6, overcast, long Swell, Vis. 1500 meters, 1014 mb    
                                                  
    17.11.42      
    02.00   Came to course 0°.  
    04.00 AE 1436 Dived, because the visibility is bad, the seas are large and the bridge watch must keep their attention on thier own safety belts rather than on the lookout.  
      SW 2 W 7-8, Sea 7, overcast, Vis. 500 meters, 1011 mb  
      Came to course 220°.  
    09.00 AE 1439 Surfaced, ventilated the boat.  The weather is the same, therefore dived again.  
      SSW 7-8, Sea 7  
    10.00   Dived.  
    12.00 AE 1436 Day's run:  Surfaced          96 nm  
                         Submerged     10.5 nm  
                                             106.5 nm  
    13.00 SSW 8, Sea 7, Vis. about 1000 meters, overcast, 1010 mb Surfaced, came to course 30°.  
    14.00 AE 1433 Am at the north edge of the square and have to run to the south.  Tried on course 220°.  
      SW 2, Sea 6-7, overcast, misty, Vis. 2 nm, 1013 mb  
    14.40 AE 1435 Boat pounds strongly against the seas and the watch is continually under water.  Because I expect the weather to improve, initially I came back to course 30° and hoped  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 16.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 17.11.42
 
- 27 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    17.11.42      
    14.40   to be able to head to the south again on the surface in a few hours.  
    16.26 SW 7-8, Sea 6-7, abating Came to course 240°.  
    20.00 AE 1432    
      SW 6-7, Sea 6, fog, Vis. about 500 meters, 1009 mb    
    24.00 AE 1425 Came to course 165°.  
      SSW 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 1 nm, 1008 mb    
                                                  
    18.11.42      
    04.00 AE 1459    
      SW 2 S 6-7, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. 1.5 nm, 1008 mb, from 03.00 hours moonshine    
    07.40   Came to course 35°.  
    08.00 AE 1494    
      SW 5, Sea 4-5, three-quarters overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1004 mb    
    11.00   Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  337.5°T, 18 nm.  
        Came to course 300°.  
    11.30   Because the boat take over too much water and the seas are very large, came to course 0°.  
    12.00 AE 1435 Day's run:  Surfaced        137 nm  
      SW 7-8, Sea 6-7, three-quarters overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1000 mb                  Submerged     0.8 nm  
                                           137.8 nm  
    13.30   Came to course 190°.  
    16.30 AE 1435 Came to course 80°, because the boat pounds too strongly on southerly course and the bridge watch is endangered.  
      SW 7-8, Sea 7-8, half overcast, sunshine, Vis. 10 nm, 996 mb  
    17.30   Am at the eastern edge of the square and came to course 30° so I would not have to dive.  
    18.00 AE 1436 Dived, came to course 210°.  
      SW 8, Sea 8    
    23.00 AE 1436 Surfaced, ventilated the boat.  
      SW 8, Sea 8    
           
Sun and Moon Data 17.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 18.11.42
 
- 28 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    18.11.42      
    24.00   Dived.  
                                                  
    19.11.42      
    05.00 AE 1436 Surfaced, ventilated the boat.  
      NE 8-9, Sea 8, half overcast, moonshine, Vis. 3 nm    
    06.00   Dived.  
    09.00 AE 1435 Surfaced, came to course 200°.  
      N 2 E 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 4 nm, 1012 mb Devilish weather!  Just recently a SW storm and again the short rough sea from the north.  The barometer rises and with stern sea it rides nicely.  The boat ices slowly.  
    12.00 AE 1467 Lookouts report shadow ahead.  The shadow turned out to be  the Iceland coast!  The soundings show 145 meters! By this the stormy night has shifted us 52 nm in 195°T.  A great neighborhood.  Came to course 0°, at 10 knots, to get to diving depth again.  I hope to get a navigation fix in the evening.  
      NE 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. about 12 nm, 1020 mb  
        Day's run:  Surfaced        76.2 nm  
                         Submerged      5.0 nm  
                                               81.2 nm  
    13.00 AE 1728 Came to 8 knots.  
    16.00 AE 1485    
      NW 2 W 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, -5°C, 1020 mb    
    18.00 AE 1465 Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  77.5°T, 19.3 nm.  
    20.40 AE 1432 Advanced to the ice limit and came to course 210°.  
      WNW 4, Sea 2, one-quarter overcast, Vis. 4 nm, 1024 mb    
    24.00 AE 1456 Again advanced to the ice limit and came to course 150°.  
      N 2, Sea 0-1, long high Swell, one-quarter overcast, Vis. 4 nm, 1025 mb    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 18.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 19.11.42
 
- 29 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    20.11.42      
    04.00 AE 1496 Came to course 0°.  
      NE 2 N 2, Sea 0-1, moonshine, Northern Lights, barely overcast, Vis. 5 nm, 1029 mb    
    08.00 AE 1463    
      NE 2 N 1-2, Sea 0-1, bright moonlit night, Vis. 6 nm, 1034 mb    
    10.15   Came to course 180°.  
    12.00 AE 1439 Day's run:  Surfaced 178.6 nm  
      W 2 S 0-1, Sea 0, fair, long Swell, Vis. 12 nm, 1036 mb    
    13.00   Dived, to make the boat ice free.  
    13.45   Surfaced.  
    16.00 AE 1493    
      SW 1-2, Sea 1, clear sky, sunshine, Vis. 15 nm, 1038 mb    
    17.00   Came to course 350°.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  195°T, 3.2 nm.  
    20.00 AE 1465    
      WNW 1-2, Sea 1-2, one-quarter overcast, faint Northern Lights, Vis. 5 nm, 1035 mb    
    22.00   Came to course 30°, because advanced to the ice limit.  
    23.10   Came to course 180°, because advanced to the ice limit again.  
    24.00 AE 1438    
      SW 2, Sea 1, clear sky, moonshine, light Northern Lights, Vis. 5 nm, 1033 mb    
                                                  
    21.11.42      
    04.00 AE 1492    
      W 5-6, Sea 4-5, half overcast, Vis. about 5 nm, moonshine, 1030 mb    
    05.00   Came to course 5°.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 20.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 21.11.42
 
- 30 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    21.11.42      
    08.00 AE 1466    
      SW 4, Sea 3, overcast, misty, Vis. 2 nm, +0°C, 1026 mb    
    10.15   Came to course 180°, because advanced to the ice limit.  
    12.00 AE 1463 Day's run:  Surfaced       165.4 nm  
      SW 2 W 5, Sea 4, three-quarters overcast, misty, light squalls, Vis. about 8 nm, 1024 mb                  Submerged       1.2 nm  
                                            166.6 nm  
    15.00   Came to course 30°.  
    16.00 AE 1469    
      SW 2 W 6, Sea 5, misty, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1023 mb    
    19.00 AE 1579 Came to course 270°.  
      SW 2 W 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. 2 nm    
    19.40   Advance to the ice limit and came to course 40°.  
    20.30   Came to course 0°.  
    21.15   Incoming Radio Message Adm. Nordmeer: 1932/714  
        Immediately head for at day's run 300 nm:  
        Herbschleb square 42  
        Hymmen square 43  
        Siemon square 46  
        All square AB.  
    22.10   Thereupon immediately came to course 45° at 14 knots.  
        Came to course 90°, because we got into heavy drift ice.  
    24.00 AE 1523 Continued on an easterly course because there is always still heavy drift ice; had to come to course 260° once, to get free again.  
      SSW 2, Sea 1, fog, Vis. 1000 meters to 1 nm, heavy drift ice, 1021 mb  
                                                  
    22.11.42      
    02.00   Came to course 45°.  
    04.00 AE 1356    
      NW 1, Sea 1, half overcast, Vis. good, moonshine, 1021 mb    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 21.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 22.11.42
 
- 31 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    22.11.42      
    05.00   Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 200°T, 21.6 nm.  
    08.00 AE 2121    
      Wind and Sea 0, light Swell, overcast, Vis. 6 nm    
    12.00 AA 9751 Day's run:  Surfaced  205.7 nm  
      ENE 1, Sea 1, light Swell, half overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1022 mb    
    16.00 AA 9571    
      SE 2, S 3-4, Sea 3-4, long Swell, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1020 mb    
    17.00   Came to course 40°.  
    20.00 AA 9522    
      SE 2, S 4-5, Sea 4, Vis. 5 nm    
    24.00 AA 9318    
      SSE 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, rain, snow showers, Vis. 1500 meters, 1010 falling    
                                                  
    23.11.42      
    04.00 AA 6959    
    08.00 AB 4472    
      SW 2, Sea 6-7, Sea 5-6, overcast, misty, Vis. bad, 996 mb falling    
    11.00   Test dive.  
    11.30   Surfaced.  
    12.00 AB 4456 Day's run:  Surfaced       315 nm  
      SW 5, Sea 5                  Submerged        1 nm  
                                              316 nm  
    16.00 AB 4274    
      W 5, Sea 5, overcast, misty, Vis. 1-2 nm, 986 mb    
    18.00   Came to course 75°.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 22.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 23.11.42
 
- 32 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    23.11.42      
    20.00 AB 4256    
      W 2 S 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 4-5 nm, 985 mb    
    23.05   Shadow ahead 40° to port.  It is difficult to keep it in the binoculars because he is very small.  Do not believe it is a steamer, suspect a destroyer or escort vessel.  
        Shadow was quickly smaller and shifted out to port.  Turned the boat towards the shadow.  During the turn the shadow was lost.  Pursued, however could not find again.  I decide to dive to get a sound bearing.  
    23.20   Dived and listened all around.  
        In direction 245°T propeller sounds heard clearly, but the RPM cannot be determined and the sound is not that of a steamer, I accept an escort vessel, which runs at higher speed level.  Bearing now shifts out to starboard.  
    23.30 AB 4253 Surfaced and pursued initially in 300° and then in 250°.  The Sea State already takes away any visibility at HF making searching very difficult.  
      W 6, Sea 5-6, increasing, overcast, Vis. 3 nm, 979 mb falling  
                                                  
    24.11.42      
    00.00   Dived, to get a sound bearing once again.  Nothing more can be heard, despite stopping both motors.  Therefore it was no steamer.  
    00.15   Surfaced, came to course 310°.  
    02.00   Came to course 135°.  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 23.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 24.11.42
 
- 33 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    24.11.42      
    04.00 AB 4252 Seas come from astern, so that the boat lies relatively well.  
      W 2 N 8-9, Sea 8, squalls, overcast, ice shower, Vis. 100 meters to 1 nm, 978 mb    
    07.00   The seas have increased, so that I decide to dive.  
    08.00 AB 4268 Dived, came to course 310°.  
    12.00 AB 4267 Day's run:  Surfaced      102.9 nm  
                         Submerged      3.5 nm  
                                             106.4 nm  
    12.45 W 8, Sea 8, overcast, Vis. 5 nm, 1002 mb Surfaced, ventilated the boat.  
    13.25   Dived because I must run a northerly course and the boat takes over too much water on this course.  Assume that the sea will decrease significantly in about 2 hours.  
    16.00 AB 4264 Surfaced.  
      N 7-8, Sea 6-7, overcast, high Swell, Vis. medium, 1007 mb    
    20.00 AB 4216 Came to course 70°.  
      NW 2, W 6-7, Sea 6, 3/4 overcast, Vis. 2 nm, 1009 mb    
    22.15   Came to course 220°.  
    24.00 AB 4226    
      NNW 4-5, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 2 nm    
                                                  
    25.11.42      
    04.00 AB 4249    
      W 2 N 1-2, Sea 2, half overcast, moonshine, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1008 mb    
    06.00   Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 66°T, 13.4 nm.  
        Came to course 20°.  
    08.00 AB 4248    
      NNW 5-6, Sea 5, half overcast, Vis. between 5-10 nm, 1008 mb    
           
Sun and Moon Data 24.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 25.11.42
 
- 34 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    25.11.42      
    12.00 AB 4219 Day's run:  Surfaced        136 nm  
      NW 2 W 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 6-7 nm, 1012 mb rising                  Submerged      3.5 nm  
                                           139.5 nm  
        Boat ices heavily.  
    13.00   Test dive, came to course 135°.  
    13.40   Surfaced, came to course 120°.  
    16.30 AB 4237 Came to course 180°.  
      NW 2 W 5-6, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, -10°C, 1015 mb    
    20.00 AB 4294    
      NW 8-9, Sea 7-8, overcast, Vis. about 100 meters, misty, 1018 mb    
    21.00 NW 9, Sea 8 Dived, came to course 350°.  
    24.00 AB 4297    
                                                  
    26.11.42      
    01.00 NW 9, Sea 8, Vis. about 100 meters Surfaced, ventilated the boat, came to course 190°.  
    01.35   Dived, came to course 350°.  
    04.00 AB 4297    
    06.10 NW 2 W 8, Sea 7-8 Surfaced, came to course 190°.  
    07.10   Dived, came to course 350°.  
    11.00 AB 4297 Surfaced, came to course 340°.  Boat iced.  
      NNW 6, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. 6 nm, -12°C, 1028 mb    
    12.00 AB 4297 Day's run:  Surfaced          79 nm  
                         Submerged    10.5 nm  
                                             89.5 nm  
    14.00   Came to course 0°.  
    16.00 AB 4253    
      NW 2 N 1-2, Sea 3, high long Swell, overcast, Vis. 5 nm, 1027 mb, -12°C    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 25.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 26.11.42
 
- 35 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    26.11.42      
    19.00   Came to course 165°.  
    20.00 AB 4226    
      W 2 N 2, Sea 1-2, long Swell, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1026 mb    
    24.00 AB 4292 Came to course 305°.  
      E 3, Sea 1, 1018 mb    
                                                  
    27.11.42      
    01.30   Came to course 0°.  
    01.53   The boat is heavily iced.  The tower hatch must be cleaned of ice every hour with a brush.  The pendulum on the spindle is held by the ice, so that the spindle is blocked.  
        Dived to make the boat ice free.  
        While diving, the diesel air head valve can only be closed after one-quarter of an hour due to icing.  Now seafaring up here is becoming a mess.  
    02.45   Surfaced.  
    04.00 AB 4253    
      NE 2 N 6-7, Sea 4-5, increasing, half overcast, Vis. 500 meters, snow showers, 1016 mb, -12°C    
    05.30   Came to course 190°.  
    08.50 AB 4258 Dived due to Sea State and constant icing of the conning tower hatch.  
      NNW 8, Sea 7-8, increasing, Vis. 2 nm, 1018 mb rising  
      Came to course 20°.  
    12.00   Day's run:  Surfaced      145.8 nm  
                         Submerged      6.9 nm  
                                            152.7 nm  
    13.00 AB 4255 Surfaced, ventilated the boat, came to course 140°.  
      NW 8, Sea 8    
    14.32   Dived, came to course 0°.  
    16.00 AB 4264    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 26.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 27.11.42
 
- 36 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    27.11.42      
    19.00 AB 4267 Surfaced, came to course 210°.  
      NNW 4, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. 2 nm, 1022 mb    
    20.00 AB 4283 Incoming Radio Message 1146/751 and 1156/752 from Ad,. Nordmeer:  
        1)  Begin return transit Narvik:  Siemon, Herbschleb, Hymmen, to Bergen: Esch.  
        2)  Göllnitz carry out special task Bear Island.  
        As new attack areas occupy:  
        Borm square 3284 lower-left  
        Hopmann square 3564 left edge lower  
        Maeder square 3836 lower edge right  
        Vogler square 3978 lower-center edge  
        Teichert square 3811 lower right corner  
        Brodda square 3461 center-right edge  
        Grau square 3658 lower-right corner  
        All AB, depth 40 nm  
        Began return transit on course 125°.  
    24.00 AB 4611 Short Signal to Adm. Nordmeer:  
      N 2 E 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1020 mb 0003/763:  Position in 36 hours schwarz seven.  
                                                 Herbschleb.  
                                                  
    28.11.42      
    04.00 AB 4665 Short Signal to Adm. Nordmeer:  
      N 5-6, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1018 mb falling Intend to run into Harstad.  
    08.00 AB 5488    
      N 2 W 6-7, Sea 5-6, increasing, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1016 mb    
    12.00 AB 5846 Day's run:  Surfaced        170 nm  
      NNW 7-8, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1011 mb                  Submerged      4.8 nm  
                                           174.8 nm  
    16.00 AB 5899    
      N 7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1008 mb    
    19.00   Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 190°T, 35 nm.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 27.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 28.11.42
 
- 37 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    28.11.42      
    20.00 AB 8625    
      N 2 W 5-6, Sea 5, half overcast, Vis. 2 nm, 1008 mb    
    22.30   Came to course 100°.  
    24.00 AB 9444    
      N 2, W 7-8, Sea 6-7, overcast, Vis. outside snow showers 2 nm, 1000 mb    
                                                  
    29.11.42      
    04.00 AB 9496 Came to course 130°.  
      NE 3-4, Sea 4, overcast, St. Elmo's Fire on the periscope and rod antenna, moonshine, Vis. 2-3 nm, 997 mb    
    08.00 AB 9859    
      NNE 5, Sea 3-4, snow showers, overcast, 995 mb    
    08.30   Coastal strip in sight ahead.  
    10.00 Andenes Lighthouse abeam to starboard Passed Sperrbrecher waiting in position for "U-334".  
      Snow showers    
    12.00   Day's run:  Surfaced 296 nm  
    13.15 Harstad Ran into Harstad and made fast.  
                                                  
    30.11.42      
    09.00 Harstad Departed Harstad for transit to Narvik.  
      NW 2-3, Sea 0-1, overcast, Vis. 5 nm Pilot on board.  
    14.00   Ran into Narvik.  
                                                  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 28.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 29.11.42
Sun and Moon Data 30.11.42

 

  Enclosures to U-354's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
   
Chart Track chart of entire patrol
   
Sketch Combat Sketch of action on 4 November 1942

 

     
                               
 

Comments of Admiral Nordmeer on the KTB of "U-354"

 
 
from 10.10. - 20.11.42.
 
 

 

 
                  Installation Fu.M.B. is now also urgently required for Nordmeer boats as shown by the experience of the boat on 15./16. November.  Loss of Fähnrich z.S. Meyer was due to breakage of the safety belt.  
                  Results of the first patrol - one steamer sunk.  
                            
       
 
   
     
     
     
                            
     
 
     
     
 

Admiral Nordmeer

 
  B.Nr. Gkdos 1942 AU.                                                                   14 January 1943.  
 

                             

 
 
To
         The Marine-Gruppenkommando Nord.
 
Subject:  K.T.B. "U-354".
 
     
                            Enclosed is the K.T.B. of "U-354" for the period from 10.10. - 30.11.42 (2 copies) with comments of the Admiral Nordmeer and a Track Chart.  
     
     
   

Signed in draft Klüber

 
   
 
                     
     
 
     
     
 

Marinegruppenkommando Nord                            Headquarters, 4 February 1943.

 
  B.Nr.: Gkdos.  587/43  A op  
 

                          

 
 
        To.
 
     
                          S  e  e  k  r  i  e  g  s  l  e  i  t  u  n  g  
     
                          Submitted.  
                         The comments of the Admiral Nordmeer are pointed out.  
     
    On behalf of  !  
       
 
   
     
 
     
     
 

Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

 
 
on the Kriegstagebuch "U-354" from 10.10. - 30.11.42.
 
 

 

 
                  There is nothing to note.  
     
     
   

For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

 
   
- The Chief of the Operations Department -
 
 
                            
     
 


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