U-354 - 2nd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
Narvik
19 December 1942
Narvik
15 January 1943
28

 

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.


 
 
           
           
           
                                            
           
              
           
   
   
    Kriegstagebuch  
       
    Unterseeboot "U 354"  
       
    Kommandant:  Kapitänleutnant Herbschleb  
       
           
           
        Beginning:    1 December 1942  
        Concluding:    15.1.1943  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
         
         
           
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
    01.12.42 Narvik Boat lays alongside "STELLA POLARIS".  
                                                  
    02.12.42 Narvik    
    09.45   Boat shifted to repair ship "KAMERUN".  
    10.20   Boat lays alongside "KAMERUN".  
                                                  
    03.12.42 Narvik Break in the war readiness of the boat.  Crew is involved in the overhaul work. Otherwise training service.  
    to    
    18.12.42      
    09.00   Shifted to "STELLA POLARIS", where remaining work continued.  
    09.20   Alongside "STELLA POLARIS".  
                                                  
         
                                     2nd War Patrol.  
           
    19.12.42 Narvik    
    09.00 NNW 1-2, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good, 1008 mb, +0°C Cast off from "STELLA POLARIS".  
    09.15   Alongside "AVISO GRILLE".   
        Received Outbound Orders.  
           
            Outbound Orders!  
       
1.) Depart Narvik 19 December.  After taking over pilot in Lödingen transit through Tjelsund to Harstad for provisions supply 20 December.  Continue through Andfjord into the operations area.
2.) As attack area occupy square AB 63.  Further orders by Radio Message.
3.) Task is detection and destruction of independents and/or convoys.  Except for the two independents sunk in square AB 3593 from Benker and square AB 3569 from Grau on 23 November and another westbound independent on 28 November in square AB 3573 - suspect QP 15 - no
 
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 19.12.42
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    19.12.42  
  further ship movements observed.  Also here is currently no information on the start of an upcoming convoy.
4.) Own boats positioned:
  U-657 is expected to be in square AB 63 from 20 December.  Reconnoiter ice limit approximately square AB 31 and afterwards run in to Narvik.
  U-212 square AB 66, return transit Narvik expected 21 December.
5.) Ice situation:
  Approximate course of drift ice limit from last reconnaissance of 8 December from south coast Spitzbergen via square AB 3535, 3627, 3945, 3968 and further in northwest direction.
  Furthermore drift ice fields west of Bear Island.
6.) Ice reports only on request and if remaining in your own attack area is impossible.  Otherwise radio silence except for tactically important reports (these include success and sighting of independents).
  In principle, contact on independents should be reported immediately and continue to be reported every hour.  Favorably positioned boats operate on reported independents.
7.) Communications provisions:
  U-boat Nordmeer Circuit.
8.) "Guidelines for Nordmeer U-boats" applies concerning "Behavior in Cooperation with the Luftwaffe".
 
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
 
           
    09.50   Cast off "AVISO GRILLE" for transit to Harstad.  
    12.45 Lödingen abeam to port, pilot comes aboard.  
      NNW 2, Sea 1, Vis. medium, light fog    
    14.30 Harstad Entered Harstad.  Began provisions loading.  
                                                  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 19.12.42
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
           
    20.12.42 Harstad Loaded provisions.  
                                                  
    21.12.42 Harstad    
    08.30 Wind 0, Sea 0, 3/4 overcast, Vis. good, 1008 mb Departed Harstad.  
    09.15 Bergsvågen Bay Dived for trim test.  
    09.50   Surfaced, continued transit with both diesels "GF".  
    12.00 Andenes abeam to port    
      S 2, W 2, Sea 1, 3/4 overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1012 mb    
    16.00 AB 9575 Went to diesel-electric 7 knots and course 0°.  
      WSW 6, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. 3-4 nm, 1009 mb    
    20.00 AB 9545    
      SW 2, W 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 3 nm, 1009 mb    
    21.45   Incoming Radio Message Kr Kr 2115/769:  
        Herbschleb report position.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
    21.57   Sent Short Signal:  
        My position is:  Square AB 9545.  
                                                     U-354.  
    24.00 AB 9275    
      SW 4-5, Sea 4, half overcast, moonshine, Vis. around 4 nm, 1009 mb    
                                                  
    22.12.42      
    04.00 AB 9245    
      SSE 4-5, Sea 4-5, clear sky, moonshine, Vis. 5-6 nm, 1009 mb    
    08.00 AB 6848    
      SW 2, S 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 3 nm, 1005 mb, +6°C    
    10.45   Incoming confirmation Radio Message 1029/772  
        Position Herbschleb 21 December about 21.30 square AB 9532 was acknowledged.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 20.12.42
Sun and Moon Data 21.12.42
Sun and Moon Data 22.12.42
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    22.12.42   The square given in the repetition was incorrect.  Because the position has changed by 12 hours anyway and the error is acceptable, I waive sending a correction.  
    12.00 AB 6578 Day's run:  Surfaced 220.3 nm  
      SW 2, S 6, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. about 3 nm, 1005 mb, +10°C    
    14.00   Test dive to depth A +40 meters.  The diesel air intake head valve leaks at depth A +0 meters.  I hope that the leak will pass after several dives.  
    15.00   Surfaced and again came to course 0°, 7 knots.  
    16.00 AB 6548 Came to course 54°.  
      S 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1003 mb, falling    
    20.00 AB 6534    
      S 6-7, Sea 6, high long Swell, overcast, Vis. 5 nm, 1000 mb    
    22.00   Came to course 0°.  
    24.00 AB 6371    
      SSW 7, Sea 6, overcast, light rain showers, Vis. 2 nm, 999 mb    
                                                  
    23.12.42      
    04.00 AB 6314 Came to course 170°.  
      SSW 6-7, Sea 6, half overcast, 996 mb    
    08.00 AB 6344    
      SW 2, S 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. 3-5 nm, 994 mb    
    10.45   Gyro-compass out of service due to failure of the cooling water pump.   
        The magnetic compass doesn't indicate.  After changing the bulb the magnetic compass is in service again, but it races back and forth 100° to each side so that course steering is impossible.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 22.12.42
Sun and Moon Data 23.12.42
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    23.12.42      
    11.50   Dived, to accelerate the work on the cooling water pump.  
        Came to course 270°.  
    12.00 AB 6375 Day's run:  Surfaced      155.8 nm  
      SW 8, Sea 7, 3/4 overcast, Vis. 6 nm, 993 mb                   Submerged      3.2 nm  
                                           159.0 nm  
    16.00 AB 6374    
    17.12 SW 9-10, Sea 8-9, Vis. 2 nm, 991 mb, falling Surfaced.  
    18.00   Gyro-compass in service again.  
    18.27   Dived, because weather is deteriorating,  Came to course 90°.  
    20.00 AB 6374    
    23.55 AB 6375 Surfaced.  Ventilated the boat.  
      SSW 8-9, Sea 8, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 993 mb, rain showers    
                                                  
    24.12.42      
    01.13   Dived, came to course 100°.  
    04.00 AB 6376    
    08.00 AB 6376 Surfaced, cane to course 80°.  
      SW 7-8, Sea 7, long high Swell, overcast, Vis. 2 nm, 986 nm    
    12.00 AB 6389 Day's run:  Surfaced       24 nm  
      SW 2, Sea 6-7, overcast, Vis. 4-5 nm, 988 mb                   Submerged     9 nm  
                                            33 nm  
    16.00 AB 6399 Came to course 270°.  
      SW 2, W 5-6, Sea 6, half overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 987 mb    
    18.50   Came to course 0°.  
    20.00 AB 6386    
      SW 2, W 5-6, Sea 5    
    24.00 AB 6356    
      W 2, S 3, Sea 2, long high Swell, half overcast, Vis. 4 nm, 984 mb    
                                                  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 23.12.42
Sun and Moon Data 24.12.42
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
           
    25.12.42      
    02.00 AB 6353 Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 67°T, 35.2 nm  
        Came to course 250 and took sounding series.  
    04.00 AC 4115    
      SW 2, W 2-3, Sea 3, Vis. 1-2 nm, 982 nm    
    08.00 AB 6329    
      SWbyW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. bad, rain, 983 nm    
    12.00 AB 6345 Came to course 0°.  Day's run:  Surfaced  123 nm  
      N 6-7, Sea 5, overcast, snow showers, Vis. 0-2 nm, 992 mb, rising    
    13.00   Came to course 350°.  
    16.00 AB 6312 Came to course 180°.  
      N 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, rain showers, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1003 mb    
    20.00 AB 6347    
      NW 6-7, Sea 5, overcast, snow showers, Vis. 203 nm, 1009 mb    
    23.00   Came to course 90°.  
    24.00 AB 6379    
      W 5-6, Sea 4-5, overcast, high long Swell, 1013 mb    
                                                  
    26.12.42      
    04.00 AB 6398    
      WbyN 2-3, Sea 4, long Swell, Vis. 2 nm, overcast, 1014 mb    
    05.00   Came to course 310°.  
    08.00 AB 6383    
      WbyN 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. fluctuating 5-10 nm, long Swell, 1012 mb    
    11.40   Test dive.  
    12.00 AB 6354 Day's run:  Surfaced      152.8 nm  
      SE 5-6, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1000 mb                   Submerged      0.8 nm  
                                           153.6 nm  
    13.05   Surfaced.  
    13.30   Came to course 345°.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 25.12.42
Sun and Moon Data 26.12.42
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    26.12.42      
    16.00 AB 6311    
      SE 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, snow showers, rain, Vis. 1-2 nm, 996 mb    
    16.30   Came to course 180°.  
    20.00 AB 6341    
      SW 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 2 nm, 994 mb    
    24.00 AB 6374 Came to course 10°.  
      WbyS 7-8, Sea 6-7, overcast, rain showers, Vis. 102 nm, 993 mb    
                                                  
    27.12.42      
    04.00 AB 6318    
      SSW 6-7, Sea 7, overcast, snow showers    
    06.00   Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 304°T, 4 nm  
        Came to course 180°.  
    08.00 AB 6312    
      SW 6-7, Sea 6, Vis. 2-3 nm    
    12.00 AB 6342 Day's run:  Surfaced      137.2 nm  
      SWbyW 7, Sea 6, overcast, rain and hail showers, Vis. 2-3 nm, 985 mb                   Submerged      3.3 nm  
                                           140.5 nm  
    13.30   Came to course 120°.  
    16.00 AB 6358    
      SSW 6-7, Sea 7, overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 985 mb    
    20.00 AB 6399    
      SbyW 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, hail showers, Vis. 1-2 nm, 984 mb    
    21.00   Came to course 270°.  
    24.00 AB 6389    
      NNW 6-7, Sea 5-6, overcast, rain showers, Vis. 300-500 meters, 989 mb    
                                                  
           
Sun and Moon Data 26.12.42
Sun and Moon Data 27.12.42
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
           
    28.12.42      
    04.00 AB 6378 Came to course 0°.  
      NbyW 5-6, Sea 6, half overcast, snow showers, Vis. 1-2 nm, 992 mb    
    08.00 AB 6342 Boat iced up.  
      WNW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. 203 nm, 993 mb    
    11.00   Came to course 140°.  
    11.47   Test dive.  
    12.00 AB 6316 Day's run:  Surfaced      143.2 nm  
      W 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 3 nm, 992 mb                   Submerged      0.4 nm  
                                           143.6 nm  
    13.30   Surfaced.  
    16.00 AB 6356    
      SSW 4-5, Sea 5, half overcast, snow showers, Vis. 2-3 nm, 990 mb    
    20.00 AB 6399    
      NbyW 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 500 meters, 989 falling    
    21.00   Came to course 270°.  
    24.00 AB 6389    
      W 5-6, Sea 5, 3/4 overcast, misty, otherwise Vis. 1-2 nm, 984 mb    
                                                  
    29.12.42      
    03.00   Came to course 0°.  
    03.40   Came to course 345°.  
    04.00 AB 6375 Witches cauldron created within 5 minutes. No visibility and huge breakers.  I decide to dive due to the weather.  
      N 9, Sea 7-8, increasing, Vis. 20 nm, driving snow, overcast, 981 mb  
    04.20 Dived.  Listening gear is manned continually while submerged.  
    08.00 AB 6375    
    09.20 N 8, Sea 6-7, abating, Vis. 1000 meters, overcast, 989 mb rising Surfaced.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 28.12.42
Sun and Moon Data 29.12.42
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    29.12.42      
    12.00 AB 6348 Day's run:  Surfaced      111.5 nm  
      N 7-8, Sea 6-7, Vis. 2 nm                   Submerged      6.5 nm  
                                             118.0 nm  
    15.00   Came to course 40°.  No navigation fix for days, consequently position by soundings (200 meter line).  
    15.40 N 6-7, Sea 6, Vis. 2-3 nm, overcast, 991 mb Boat is encrusted with ice so that it must dive again.  
    18.20 AB 6342 Surfaced.  
      N 6-7, Sea 6, Vis. 2 nm, except for fog banks and snow showers    
    19.00   Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix by soundings: 135°T, 3.8 nm  
    20.00 AB 6351    
      NbyE 5-6, Sea 4, increasing, snow showers, Vis. 50-500 meters, 995 mb    
    24.00 AB 6395    
      NNW 5-6, Sea 5, 3/4 overcast, Vis. about 1500 meters, 995 mb    
                                                  
    30.12.42      
    04.00 AB 6397    
      NNW 6-7, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. about 1 nm, 996 mb    
    07.48 AB 6379 Crash dive!  The Watch Officer Ob.Strm. Gerke calls:  
      NbyW 4-5, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. about 1 nm, 996 mb "Ramming danger - quick dive"!  
      Boats remained hanging at depth A -60 meters.   
        A very bedeviled situation.  However then goes into the cellar at depth A +80 meters.  
        The Watch Officer reports, that in relative bearing 310°, therefore in the sector of the Seamanship Maaten, he saw a large shadow on approximately parallel course at a distance of about 1500 meters, which he took as a cruiser.  At the same moment he saw a destroyer in relative bearing 290°, bow right,  
           
Sun and Moon Data 29.12.42
Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.12.42   distance 1000 meters on ramming course towards the boat.  On the assumption that we were sighted sounded the Alarm.  A big failure of the forward port lookout, who was not paying attention.  
        All around listening showed destroyer sounds close by and a further not clear propeller sound detected further off.  We ourselves made a great racket at silent running.  
        The port diving plane pennant beats like crazy and in the mean time loose parts of the sheet metal cladding clatter with hard blows.  
        But nothing happens; so we were not seen.  The destroyer sounds move off.  
    09.15   Surfaced.  
        Recognize in relative bearing 45° a large not clearly distinguished shadow at about 2000 meters range, zigzagging away  
        Held on and soon recognized more, large shadows, which were recognized as freighters.  So a convoy!  
    10.50 NW 5, Sea 3-4, high long Swell, light snowfall, Vis. 2 nm Sent Short Signal:  
      Convoy square AB 6388, enemy steers 70°, speed 12 knots.  
                                                     U-354  
        Am astern to port of the convoy, as yet, I cannot get an overview of the size and number of the escort vessels  
        I still hold on to the one big shadow closest to me to get into shooting position, but the destroyer or escort vessel comes out from behind it and towards me, so that I have to turn away.  After the escort vessel passed out of sight angled in again, to at least get information concerning the convoy for Radio Message reporting.   
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.12.42   The fine snowfall and overcoming breakers make sighing difficult.  The shadows are blurred even at a short distance, so that I can only approximate the target angle of the nearest vessels.  The watch on the bridge is ice encrusted. The binoculars are always wet again or misted up.  But never mind - we are at the convoy.  
        Gradually it gets light and I recognize 6 steamers and the vessel thought to be a cruiser, type remains unclear.  Course is now 100°.  The brethren however run like the plague, I only get ahead very gradually at "Both diesels 2 x GF ahead".  And I am continually forced off by a sideways zigzagging destroyer, so that in the now beginning of lightness I must move off still further.  
    11.41   Outgoing Short Signal:  
        Convoy square AB 6394, 6-10 steamers, enemy steers 100°, light escort.  
                                                     U-354  
    11.51   Incoming Radio Message 1119/724:  
        1.)  Convoy square AB 6388, course 70°, 12 knots was confirmed.  
        2.)  Send bearing signals as contact keeper F for Bugs.  
        3.)  Good hunting.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
    12.00 AC 4174 Day's run:  Surfaced      126.3 nm  
      NNW 4, Sea 3-4, abating, overcast, snowfall in places, long high Swell, Vis. deteriorating 3-4 nm                   Submerged     12.4 nm  
                                           138.7 nm  
         
        I am slowly gaining ground, however must move far off due to the lightness and zigzagging destroyers.  About every 10 minutes see smoke clouds over the individual steamers and  
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
 
- 12 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.12.42   count up to 9 steamers.  Extended both periscopes to see if there is a possibility of submerged attack but there is not enough lightness.  The air is too misty.  The vessels of the convoy are sometimes widely separated and form small groups to judge by the clouds of smoke.  Also large zigzags were added in.  By such a zigzag and a snow squall I suddenly lose contact.  When I pursued in vain, I decided to dive.  
    14.20   Dived to listen.  Sound bearing in 80°T.  
    14.45   Surfaced and pursued.  Soon have the convoy in sight again.  
    15.30 AC 4182    
      N 4, Sea 4, half overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, misty, 1008 mb With onsetting darkness I angle in towards a steamer set out to the side in echelon to about 3000 meters.  The steamer zigzags strongly, so that it is difficult to come up.  Size of the steamer is at least 8000 tons.  Recognize a small shadow next to the steamer, so a destroyer or escort vessel.  Ran ahead up to target angle 60°, then went to shooting position, closing, and shot at about 1500 meters and a target angle of 80°:  
    16.42   Three-fan from tube I, III, and IV.  
        The last torpedo had barely left the tube when the target went behind a snow squall.  However shortly before I recognized that the destroyer or escort vessel had zigzagged towards me.  So I turned away and could no longer determine the shooting results.  After a few minutes the target is visible briefly and I recognize that the freighter zigzagged to the starboard side (therefore away from me).  So I accept a miss due to zigzagging away of the steamer. Later the torpedo officer reports to me  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
 
- 13 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.12.42   that he and the crew heard a hit clearly, it was a pretty loud bang.  
        During the attack I distinguished another steamer, laying between the smaller shadows, so a destroyer or escort vessel.  The veil of snow does not allow an exact final convoy message, I now know the approximate size, number and strength of the escort force of the convoy, so that another report can be made now.  
        In the meantime two radio message and one Kr Radio Message were received.  
    16.00   Incoming Radio Message 1456/727:  
        1.)  B.d.K. with HIPPER and 6 destroyers will depart "Hopphaven" 30 December about 22.00 hours for attack against reported convoy (Operation Regenbogen).  
        2.)  From 31 December midday attack against warships only if recognised as enemy with certainty.  
                                                     Adm. Nordmeer.  
    16.22   Incoming Radio Message 1519/728:  
        Position, strength, as well as changes to the enemy escort at the convoy.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
    16.28   Incoming Kr Radio Message 1618/730:  
        Herbschleb report situation.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
        My situation report was encoded and went out at 17.53 hours.  
    17.53   Outgoing Radio Message 1637/731 to Adm.Nordmeer:  
        Convoy square AC 4189, widely separated, large zigzags around 80°, about 10 steamers, several destroyers, 1 cruiser possible, three-fan miss due to zigzag away,  Weather good except for brief snow squalls.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
 
- 14 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.12.42   Due to a large zigzag of the convoy I lose contact again.  Angled in again strongly and  
    19.00   gained contact again.  Am ahead now, there are two destroyer shadows in the immediate vicinity astern to starboard.  I contuned to run ahead again at highest speed, because I want to penetrate into the convoy from ahead, because the torpedoes are waiting for prey!  [Up to now] I was always pushed to the side or because of zigzagging away did not reach shooting position, but now I have to succeed.  After moving far enough forward, I turn towards the convoy so that the destroyers in front can be passed as quickly as possible. The visibility is workable, perhaps a bit too bright.  
    20.02   Kr Radio Message 1940/732 to B.d.K.  
        From 31 December 02.00 hours no attacks against surface ships against U-boats and vice versa.  
                                                     Befehlshaber Nordmeer.  
        Now get to the enemy!  
        The convoy has now come very close.  I have to keep a little to port, because the convoy approaches me at an angle to this side, additionally I have a destroyer ahead of me, from which I have to get clear.  The range decreased quickly.  Now I have a destroyer on both sides, the one to starboard comes abeam slowly, while the one to port comes towards me.  Exactly ahead come three thick freighters, left and right are other large ships, which sometimes overlap. When the destroyer to starboard is abeam at a distance of at most 4000 meters and the destroyer ahead to port is about 5000-6000 meters away, the  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
 
- 15 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.12.42   freighters positioned ahead are suddenly crosswise (so zigzagged away to my port side), and the freighter which was to starboard zigzagged from there to my port side.  The whole convoy has pretty much become a "rabble" and I suspect that one has noticed my proximity. And there is also the brightest Northern Lights, so everything at sea is driving, as if on a platter.  I am only a few hundred meters away from both destroyers - now I have to shoot now - or I will never be able to shoot again.  With data corresponding to the situation, I successively shoot all four bow torpedoes as single shots at individual targets.  The range averages 600-700 meters.  Three times I had overlapping freighters as targets.  The brightness is so great that the cold sweat stands on my forehead from excitement from the two destroyers.  The must see me - so I think - and shoot torpedo after torpedo, because still nothing more happens.  Tube V is meant for the destroyer to starboard, and I turn away to port.  But now the destroyer approaching me is within 400 meters.  Bright Northern Lights.  This won't work - and I give the Alarm.  Before, I could see smaller shadows, destroyers or escort vessels between the freighters. I would hardly have gotten any further [in the convoy].  
        As I learned later from the crew, it thumped twice for us.  One hit just before the crash dive, a second hit submerged, which was heard by the bow room.  The other two torpedoes may also have been hits, the  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
 
- 16 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.12.42   the self noise while diving overcame the other hit sounds.  
    20.25 AC 4513 Crash dived.  
      NWbyN 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. 500 meters - 2 nm, 1005 mb, at times Northern Lights At depth A +30 meters a destroyer runs away over us.  I went to depth A +100 meters.  The diesel air intake head valve remains inoperative so that slowly 2.5 tons of water run into the duct and the boat is difficult to hold at depth.  I always have to go briefly to higher speed levels.  However with the forward diving plane, the lose parts of the cladding and by the starboard clutch, which is loose, such a din, that it won't be noticed if we increase speed.  We will be heard one way or another.  
    21.15   Only now, when locating was audible, do the first depth charges fall!  At this moment the boat is at depth A +60 meters. The depth charges are accurately placed, there is a murderous crash but almost nothing fails, although the boat was bent quite a bit, everything is operable..  
        By sound bearings I maneuver away from the listening destroyer as much as possible.  
    21.40   Second depth charges at depth A +100 meters.  Again dammed accurate, however not so powerful as depth charging No. 1.  
    22.12   Third depth charges at depth A +110 meters.  Well placed, however no longer as effective.  
    22.13   Many depth charges with the same effect follow thereafter.  
        Then we only hear the convoy going over us. The destroyer noise move off.  Because the boat was getting heavier, we pumped quickly at depth A +119 meters after the 4th depth charging.  Possibly the destroyer believed we had been knocked off.  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
 
- 17 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.12.42      
    23.15   The destroyer could no longer be heard.  
    23.45 AC 4513 Surfaced.  Nothing more seen of the convoy.  Pursued in 120° and had a Radio Message encoded.  
      SWbyW 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1009 mb  
                                                  
    31.12.42      
    02.30   Came to course 100°.  
    03.47   It is first possible to send the Radio Message now due to local difficulties.  
        Outgoing Radio Message 2356/737 to Adm.Nordmeer:  
        From 20.30 hours forced to submerged and bombed.  Last convoy position square AC 4513, general course around 120°, 13 knots, weather very good, in pursuit, last Radio Message 732.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
    03.55 AC 4644 Incoming Radio Message 2329/735:  
      SE 1-2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. moderate, 1009 mb Herbschleb.  
      1)  Report convoy position from 24.00 at least every 2 hours.  
        2)  Send bearing signals as contact keeper "Fritz" for B.d.K. from 02.00 hours.  Half hourly beginning each full and half hour.  
                                                     Adm. Nordmeer.  
        This Radio Message is now outdated.  I continue to search for the convoy.  
    08.30 AC 4699 Cruiser in sight!  Cruiser heads towards us.  Ran off at higher speed, because I cannot distinguish the type.  Then recognize "LÜTZOW", on coming closer breaks off and runs off in 60°T.  
      SE 1-2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1008 mb  
        Myself came to course 25°, because I suspect the convoy is to the north.  
    09.48   Incoming Short Signal 0936/740:  
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
Sun and Moon Data 31.12.42
 
- 18 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    31.12.42   Incoming Short Signal 0936/740:  
    09.48   Am in combat with convoy square AC 4633, course 90°, speed 10 knots.  
                                                     B.d.K.  
        Shortly after receiving the last Kr Signal artillery fire heard in 10°T and soon thereafter saw muzzle fire from directly heard to abeam to starboard at great range.  
        Then sent the following Radio Message.  
    10.43   Outgoing Radio Message 0912/743 to Adm. Nordmeer:  
        1)  08.30 hours met "LÜTZOW".  
        2)  09.45 hours observed artillery combat square AC 4633.  
        3)  On 30 December 19.40 hours was in the center of the convoy.  Four single shots, one hit, two possible, Crash dive,  With previous three-fan one hit.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
        The 2nd hit with the four single shots was only reported to me later.  
        I ran closer on course 25°.  Directly ahead powerful muzzle fire and large smoke clouds at impact location.  To starboard abeam first one, shortly thereafter a second large ship fire.  
        Because right now there is Radio Message silence and Adm. Nordmeer is not informed of further events, I decide to send a situation report and enthusiastic Radio Messages objective contents.  
    11.56 AC 5447 Outgoing Radio Message 1145/746 to Adm. Nordmeer:  
      N 5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1009 mb From local observation the battle has reached a climax.  I see only "red"!  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
    12.00   Day's run:  Surfaced      206.4 nm  
                          Submerged    14.5 nm  
                                             220.9 nm  
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 31.12.42
 
- 19 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    31.12.42      
    12.15   U-boat comes up in 270°T.  Recognition Signal exchange.  It is Bugs, runs off again in 270°T.  
    13.09   Incoming Radio Message 1230/751  
        U-boats survey the battlefield.  Individual prisoners desired.  "Benker" go to battlefield at increased speed.  
                                                     Adm. Nordmeer.  
    13.41   Incoming Radio Message 1320/753:  
   
[German destroyer Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt sunk AM 31 December]
At the battlefield search for ECKOLDT.  
                                                 Adm. Nordmeer.  
        I am at the battlefield and search the surroundings.  
    14.13   Encountered a destroyer.  Distance about one nautical mile.  Turned away to port.  In passing suddenly a powerful detonation, the boat is strongly shaken, so that I already accept that I have run on a mine.  Cannot find anything else in the area.  The destroyer slowly passes out of sight.  I must assume that the latter threw depth charges.  
    14.38   Dived to listen.  Heard destroyer sounds at low range and so surfaced again.  
    14.48   Surfaced.  
    14.54   Outgoing Radio Message 1431/755:  
        Battlefield enemy destroyer throwing depth charges.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
    16.00 AC 5413    
      N 4, Sea 4, half overcast, misty, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1008 mb    
    17.50   Incoming Radio Message 1730/757:  
        Herbschleb, Bugs, report observations during combat.  
                                                     Nordmeeradmiral.  
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 31.12.42
 
- 20 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    31.12.42      
    19.43   Outgoing Radio Message 1812/758 to Adm. Nordmeer:  
        To Radio Message 1730/757:  
        1)  Heavy artillery fire from 0-90°T, two large ship fires in 80°T, combat focal point in 40°T, there especially strong fiery glow, distance about 10 nm.  
        2)  From 13.00 hours battlefield searched unsuccessfully, dark, bad visibility night.  Request orders.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
    20.00 AC 5451    
      NWbyN 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. bad, foggy, 1005 mb    
    21.30   Incoming Radio Message 2055/762:  
        U-boats as ordered search battlefield for shipwrecked  until about 15.00 hours.  Further orders follow.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
        Continued searching the battlefield on various courses.  
    22.59   Incoming Radio Message 2109/766:  
        Herbschleb for Chief Engineer:  "Rainer" arrived, all well.  Dora.  Congratulations.  
                                                     Nordmeeradmiral.  
    23.00   Incoming Radio Message 2102/764:  
        By unclear reconnaissance report by an English unit on 31 December at 12.27 hours apparently German destroyer 73°21N, 30°52'E.  Search the area of this position.  
                                                     Adm. Nordmeer.  
        Ran back and forth in the given search area.  
    23.10   Incoming Radio Message 2117/767:  
        Herbschleb.  Well done for the end of the year. So you start the New Year.  Here's to the New Year for our ice wolves.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 31.12.42
 
- 21 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    31.12.42      
    24.00 AC 5517 Searched the battlefield on various courses.  
      SWbyW 5, Sea 4-5, Vis. 1-2 nm, overcast, 1009 mb    
                                                  
    01.01.43      
    04.00 AC 5197 High seas and bad visibility make searching the battlefield very difficult.  
      SSW 7-8, Sea 7, squally, overcast, misty, snow showers, Vis. under 1000 meters, 995 mb  
    06.14   Incoming Radio Message 0530/771:  
        Herbschleb.  For your order B.d.K. passes approximate position 12.00 hours square AC 5421.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
    06.15   At the moment am in noted square and a strong odor of heating oil is determined, but I cannot find anything else.  
    08.00 AC 5414    
      W 9-10, Sea 8, overcast, Vis. about 6 nm, 992 mb    
    10.50   Encountered enemy search groups (2 groups each of 2 destroyers) moved off to get around them.  
    11.28   Crash dive for aircraft!  Biplane at low altitude.  
    11.40   Surfaced.  
    12.00 AC 5412 Day's run:  Surfaced      222.4 nm  
      NNE 7, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. 5 nm, 1003 mb                   Submerged      2.3 nm  
                                           224.7 nm  
    13.34   Incoming Radio Message 1311/773:  
        At 15.00 hours report search results, thereafter further orders.  
                                                     Adm. Nordmeer.  
    16.00 AC 5419    
      NbyE 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. about 2 nm, 1007 mb    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 31.12.42
Sun and Moon Data 01.01.43
 
- 22 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    01.01.43      
    16.46   Outgoing Radio Message 1503/767: To Adm. Nordmeer:  
        ECKHOLT square strong oder of heating oil.  Despite 6 nm visibility from 09.00 to 12.00 hours here as well as in tasked area nothing seen.  In noted square two search groups medium speed.  Wind was NE 9-10, Sea 8-6, my position square AC 5416.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
    18.30   Incoming Radio Message 1643/777:  
        1.)  As attack areas occupy:  
        Benker square 6361 lower-right corner  
        Herbschleb square 6374 center  
        Bugs square 6637 upper-right corner  
        Queck square 6647 center  All AB, depth 40 nm.  
        3.) East-west convoy expected in due course.  
                                                     Adm. Nordmeer.  
        Came to course 270° and began transit into new attack area.  
    20.00 AC 4628 Course 270°.  
      WNW 4-5, Sea 3, freshening, few clouds, 1009 mb    
    24.00 AC 4519 Course 270°.  
      NbyE 4, Sea 2-3, overcast, broken cloud deck, Northern Lights, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1010 mb    
                                                  
    02.01.43      
    04.00 AC 4429    
      NE 4, Sea 3, 3/4 overcast, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1012 mb    
    09.00 AB 6629 Came to course 0°, to take soundings for the 200 meter-line because with the pursuit of the convoy there were no further navigation fixes.  
      NE 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 3-4 nm, 1013 mb  
           
Sun and Moon Data 01.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 02.01.43
 
- 23 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    02.01.43      
    12.00 AB 6359 Day's run:  Surfaced   276.2 nm  
      NE 5-6, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 4 nm, except for fog banks, 1013 mb    
    12.45   Dived, because the boat is completely iced.  
    13.50   Loud detonation sounds bearing 120°T, however far off.  Suspect depth charges.  
    14.00 Surfaced.    
    14.10   Came to course 270°, sounding shows 205 meters.  
    16.00 AB 6349    
      NEbyE 4-5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1017 mb rising    
    19.00   Came to course 130°.  
    20.00 AB 6292    
      ENE 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. 1-3 nm, 1018 mb    
    24.00 AB 6613    
      NE 4-5, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 1 nm, 1018 mb    
                                                  
    03.01.43      
    02.00   Came to course 270°.  
    04.00 AB 6615    
      NEbyE 4-5, Sea 3-4, overcast, rain showers, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1020 mb    
    07.00   Came to course 30°.  
    08.00 AB 6535    
      N 1, Sea 1, half overcast, light snow fall, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1019 mb    
    12.00 AB 6347 Day's run:  Surfaced      164.4 nm  
      NWbyN 4, Sea 2, 3/4 overcast, Vis. 5-6 nm, 1018 mb                   Submerged      3.2 nm  
                                           167.6 nm  
    13.00   Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix by soundings: 298°T, 22.4 nm  
    15.00   Came to course 132°.  
    16.00 AB 6343    
      NEbyE 3-4, Sea 0-1, half overcast, drift ice, Northern Lights, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1018 nm    
    19.00   Came to course 180°.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 03.01.43
 
- 24 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    03.01.43      
    20.00 AB 6386    
      E 1, Sea 0, 3/4 overcast, faint Northern Lights, Vis. 1-3 nm, 1019 mb    
    24.00 AB 6629 Came to course 270°.  
      NEbyN 2, Sea 1, 3/4 overcast, faint Northern Lights, Vis. 2-3 nm, 1019 mb    
                                                  
    04.01.43      
    04.00 AB 6617    
      S 0-1, Sea 0-1, overcast, snow showers, misty, faint Northern Lights, Vis. between 1-3 nm, 1020 mb    
    06.00   Came to course 0°.  
    08.00 AB 6552    
      NbyW 4-5, Sea 3, overcast, misty, snow showers, Vis. 500 meters to 2 nm, 1020 mb    
    12.00 AB 6286 Day's run:  Surfaced   171.2 nm  
      NW 5, Sea 4, overcast except for a few cloud breaks, Vis. 4 nm, 1021 mb    
    13.00   Came to course 140°.  
    13.30   Test dive.  
    14.25   Surfaced.  
    16.00 AB 6374    
      NWbyN 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, driving snow, Vis. about 1 nm, 1021 mb    
    20.00 AB 6624 Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 245°T, 13 nm  
      NW 2-3, Sea 1, 3/4 overcast, light snow showers, Vis. 50 meters - 3 nm, 1021 mb  
      Came to course 330°.  
    24.00 AB 6295    
      NE 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast, briefly Northern Lights, Vis. 1000 meters to 1 nm, 1022 mb                                           
           
Sun and Moon Data 03.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 04.01.43
 
- 25 -
 
           
           
           
           
    05.01.43      
    02.00   Came to course 135°.  
    04.00 AB 6293    
      NEbyE 3-4, Sea 3, misty, snow showers otherwise Vis. 1-2 nm, 1023 mb    
    08.00 AB 6624 Came to course 0°.  
      E 3-4, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. 3 nm    
    01.15   Incoming Short Signal 1107/    :  
        1 steamer square 6358.  
                                                     Benker.  
        Ran to the given square on course 0 and both diesels 2 x GF ahead.   
        Steamer should be sighted at any moment.  
    11.38   Smoke cloud in sight ahead.  Because Benker gave no course, sent Short Signal.  
    11.58   Outgoing Short Signal 1138:  
        Request data concerning the enemy situation.  
                                                     U-354  
    12.00 AB 6357 Day's run:  Surfaced      124.0 nm  
      ENE 2, Sea 1, overcast, misty, sometimes show showers, otherwise Vis. 2-3 nm, 1023 mb                   Submerged      3.2 nm  
                                           127.2 nm  
      Incoming Short Signal 1143:  
      Westbound.  
                                                     U-625 (Benker)  
        Am to the west ahead of the steamer gradually comes out with smokestack.  Good visibility and lightness do not allow attack for the time being.  Individual snow squalls make contact keeping difficult.  
    12.38   Outgoing Short Signal 1224:  
        Hold contact.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
        Unfortunately there is no Short Signal group for "Have contact", so I choose the above group, which should be understood analogously.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.01.43
 
- 26 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.01.43      
    13.10   Incoming Radio Message 1120/715:  
        My steamer is in AB 6345,  Main course 270°, 11 knots.  attack at night is "taboo".  
                                                     Benker.  
        I heartily allow Benker the steamer he reported, but I have a chance for attack, so his "taboo" shouldn't bother me.  We should sink and sink again, that's our job!  
        The snow curtains are thickening so that I can get closer to the steamer that I have already lost.  In order to get ahead quickly, I have the negative buoyancy tanks expressed and give an order to flood them again after the shot has been fired.   
        Gradually it has gotten darker, but the snow squalls are piling up. I notice Benker in the lee of the enemy next to me astern.  So I am ahead, I also believe that Benker can no longer see the steamer, because its distance is very large in the mist.  I have a firing position and will shoot now because I am afraid of losing the steamer due to the mist.  With a perfect position of 90° and a distance of 600 meters I shoot:  
    13.40   Three-fan from tubes I, II and IV.  
      Then turned away towards the enemy's stern. After the shot I recognize a surface runner, which broached every 20 meters, however maintained course.  After about half a minute (estimated) I believe I sense the steamer coming to starboard.  The steamer suddenly turned hard to starboard, stopped briefly, and then apparently continued to run slowly. I follow him to bring tube V to bear,  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.01.43
 
- 27 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.01.43   because I have no more torpedoes in the bow room.  When I am again at 600 meters from the side of the steamer, a red flare shoots exactly towards the boat.  And then comes the first salvo, which lies damned good.  Due to the short range I immediately order Alarm!  
    13.52   Crash dive due to artillery shooting at 600 meters.  The next salvo lies 10 meters ahead of the boat.  The steamer shoots with bow and stern cannon.  By the third salvo we were already at depth 20 meters however heard the impacts.  
        The Chief Engineer and some crew members heard one, some 2 hits.  Because the 2nd shot was only heard by a few, I left it as one.  
        At depth all around listening.  The steamer is easily heard, as were the diesel sounds from Benker.  The steamer is very close, so that I will wait a while before surfacing.  Suddenly the diesel sounds break off, and soon thereafter one hears the E-motors running.  So Benker dived.  The steamer sounds were further away.  Benker surfaced.  
    15.20 AB 6342 Surfaced, Visibility bad so that one can't recognize anything.  Ran after the steamer on course 200° because I suspect he is there.  
      SW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, misty, snow showers, Vis. bad, 1023 mb  
    15.42   Outgoing Radio Message 1507/719 to Adm. Nordmeer:  
        13.40 hours three-fan at 600 meters.  Surface runner, therefore noticed, out of torpedoes, crash dived, crash dived.  Still 2 stern torpedoes, 2 in canisters.  I am in square AB 6326.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
    16.21   Incoming Radio Message 1419/716:  
        Herbschleb question: Is Short Signal "Hold contact" from you?  If Yes, report situation immediately.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.01.43
 
- 28 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.01.42   Thereupon I sent the following Radio Message:  
    17.55   Outgoing Radio Message 1641/722  
        To Radio Message 716:  Yes. One hit heard as dull impact.  Thereafter enemy zigzagged to starboard stopped briefly and ran on.  A little later accurate shooting.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
    18.00   In the last Radio Message I added text to the radio room: "Lost contact" which was forgotten to be sent. Therefore still sent:  
    18.25   Short Signal 1818:  
        Have lost contact since 15.30 hours.  
                                                     U-354  
        At the same time came to course 270° and searched for the steamer.  
    18.26   Incoming Radio Message 1715/733:  
        Heard two torpedo detonations.  Steamer B.S.N. urgently transmitted torpedoed S. [SSS] Steamer was mechanically still operable after the hit.  Passed out of sight in snow at 14.00 hours in square 6346.  Sound bearing broke off suddenly at 14.45 hours.  Nothing found.  
                                                     Benker.  
        So two torpedoes hit.  So that steamer is finished.  Went into the cited square, to search.  
    19.00   Incoming Radio Message 1753/724:  
        Herbschleb, Benker, do not let him get away, pursue and kill.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
        I hope we have killed him!  
    20.00 AB 6347    
      ESE 4-5, Sea 3-4, overcast, misty, snow showers, Vis. 40 meters - 1 nm, 1020 mb    
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.01.43
 
- 29 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.01.43      
    21.46   Incoming Radio Message 2028/725:  
        1)  Benker continue search until tomorrow afternoon twilight for damaged or wreckage, the to old position.  
        2)  Question:  Benker and Herbschleb is the same steamer as assumed here, torpedoed by Herbschleb?  
        3)  Herbschleb go to old position.  
        4)  Report through Benker.  
                                                     Befehlshaber Nordmeer.  
    22.00   Came to course 220°.  
    22.39   Determined that I reported the wrong square to Adm. Nordmeer in Radio Message 1507/719.  Therefore sent correction.  
        Outgoing Radio Message 2155/725:  
        To Nordmeerchef:  
        To Radio Message 1507:  square must mean 6342.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
    24.00 AB 6348    
      SW 6-7, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. up to 1 nm, 1017 mb falling    
                                                  
    06.01.43      
    02.00   Came to course 180°.  
    04.00 AB 6374    
      SW 9-10, Sea 8, overcast, 1014 mb, Vis. 50 meters - 1 nm, very squally    
    05.13   Dived, because the bridge watch was continually under water and visibility was as good as nothing.  
    12.00 AB 6377 Day's run:  Surfaced       94.3 nm  
                          Submerged     8.2 nm  
                                             102.5 nm  
    15.30   Came to course 340°.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 06.01.43
 
- 30 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    06.01.43      
    16.00 AB 6611 Surfaced, ventilated the boat, awaited Program Time.  Came to course 180°.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix by soundings: 195°T, 16.2 nm  
      SWbyW 9, Sea 8, overcast, squalls, snow showers, otherwise Vis. around 1 nm, 1013 mb  
    17.45   Dived, came to course 180°.  
    20.00 AB 6536    
    23.00   Surfaced, came to course 350°.  
    24.00 AB 6536    
      WNW 8-9, Sea 6-7, half overcast, Vis. 500 meters to 2 nm, faint Northern Lights, 1011 mb    
                                                  
    07.01.43      
    04.00 AB 6292    
      NW 4-5, Sea 6-7, half overcast, snow showers, misty, Vis. 100 meters to 1 nm, 1012 mb    
    06.30   Came to course 90°.  
    08.00 AB 6344    
      NNW 7-8, Sea 7, overcast, Vis. 50-1000 meters, 1012 mb    
    12.00 AB 6355 Came to course 0°, sounded the 200-meter line.  
      W 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. up to 3 nm, 1010 mb Day's run:  Surfaced      83.2 nm  
                        Submerged   5.4 nm  
                                             88.6 nm  
    14.00   Came to course 270°.  
    16.00 AB 6351    
      NWbyW 4-5, Sea 4-5, overcast, snow showers, otherwise Vis. 1-2 nm, 1009 mb    
    16.30 AB 6354 Came to course 180°.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix by soundings: 165°T, 16 nm  
    18.00   Came to course 210°.  
    20.00 AB 6379    
      W 4-5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. 50-100 meters, 1009 mb    
    22.00   Came to course 330°.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 06.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 07.01.43
 
- 31 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.01.43      
    24.00 AB 6611    
      Overcast, W 6-7, Sea 6, Vis. 50-500 meters, misty, 1009 mb    
                                                  
    08.01.43      
    01.13   Came to course 350°.  
    04.00 AB 6269    
      N 4-5, Sea 5-6, half overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, except in hail and snow showers, 1009 mb    
    05.00   Came to course 190°.  
    08.00 AB 6298    
      NbyE 3-4, Sea 3, half overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1011 mb    
    10.30   Came to course 0°.  
    11.50   Test dive.  
    12.00 AB 6532 Day's run:  Surfaced      121.4 nm  
      N 5-6, S                   Submerged     0.1 nm  
                                             121.5 nm  
    12.55   Surfaced.  
    16.00 AB 6292    
      N 4-5, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. 1 nm, 1010 mb    
    18.30   Came to course 140°.  
    20.00 AB 6371    
      NbyE 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1020 mb    
    24.00 AB 6624 Came to course 0°.  
      N 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast, faint Norther Lights, Vis. 1 nm, except in snow showers and fog, 1020 mb    
                                                  
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 08.01.43
 
- 32 -
 
           
           
           
           
    09.01.43      
    04.00 AB 6357    
      N 1-2, Sea 2-3, overcast, misty, snow showers, Vis. about 1000 meters, 1021 mb    
    05.00 AB 6355 Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix by soundings: 115°T, 7 nm  
        Came to course 270°.  
    08.00 AB 6344 Came to course 205°.  
      NE 3, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1021 mb    
    12.00 AB 6534 Day's run:  Surfaced      168.5 nm  
      ESE 2-3, Sea 1, overcast, driving snow, fog, Vis. 300-500 meters, 1018 mb                   Submerged      3.0 nm  
                                           171.5 nm  
    13.00   Came to course 35°.  
    16.00 AB 6296    
      NW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1017 mb    
    19.00   Came to course 180°.  
    20.00 AB 6372    
      EbyN 5-6, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. 500 meters - 1 nm, 1017 mb    
    24.00 AB 6615 Came to course 325°.  
      ENE 6, Sea 4-5, 3/4 overcast, Vis. about 1 nm, 1017 mb    
                                                  
    10.01.43      
    04.00 AB 6292    
      EbyN 5-6, Sea 5, half overcast, misty, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1020 mb    
    06.00   Came to course 180°.  
    08.00 AB 6294    
      NE 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, squally, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1022 mb    
    11.00   Came to course 40°.  
    12.00 AB 6531 Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 350°T, 8.3 nm  
      NE 4, Sea 3, half overcast, Vis. 6-7 nm, 1022 mb  
      Day's run:  Surfaced      144.0 nm  
                          Submerged       -- nm  
           
Sun and Moon Data 09.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 10.01.43
 
- 33 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    10.01.43      
    12.15   Test dive (boat is heavily iced).  
    13.10   Surfaced.  
    16.00 AB 6347    
      NE 3-4, Sea 3, fair, Vis, 2-3 nm, 1024 mb    
    17.00   Came to course 90°.  
    18.30   Came to course 0°.  
    20.00 AB 6381 Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 190°T, 18 nm  
      EbyN 4-5, Sea 2-3, lightly overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1024 mb  
    21.09   Advanced to the ice limit and then came to 180°.  
    24.00 AB 6624 Came to course 320°.  
      EbyS 1-2, Sea 0, overcast, light Swell, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1024 mb    
                                                  
    11.01.43      
    01.53   Incoming Radio Message 0056/775:  
        On the basis of enemy reports from 11 January eastbound convoy is possible.  
                                                     Befehlshaber Nordmeer.  
    04.00 AB 6347    
      NE 1, Sea 0-1, half overcast, light snow showers, lightly misty, otherwise Vis. around 2 nm, 1023 mb    
    05.00   Came to course 205°.  
    08.00 AB 6298    
      SbyE 3, Sea 2, 1/4 overcast, Vis. 4-5 nm, 1019 mb    
    10.00   Came to course 20°.  
    12.00 AB 6298 Day's run:  Surfaced      149.3 nm  
      SE 3-4, Sea 2, overcast, few breaks in the clouds, Vis. 6 nm, 1018 mb                   Submerged      3.2 nm  
                                           152.5 nm  
    14.08   Test dive.  
    14.32   Surfaced.  
    15.30   Came to course 90°.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 11.01.43
 
- 34 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    11.01.43      
    16.00 AB 6344    
      E 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, snow showers, misty, otherwise Vis, 1-2 nm, 1010 mb    
    19.15   Came to course 180°.  
    20.00 AB 6357    
      SE 5-6, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. 1-3 nm, 1016 mb    
    24.00 AB 6624 Came to course 320°.  
      SEbyE 6, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm, 1013 mb    
                                                  
    12.01.43      
    04.00 AB 6371    
      EbyS 7-8, Sea 7, overcast, snow showers, squally, otherwise Vis. 1 nm, 1010 mb falling    
    06.00 SE 8-9, Sea 8, diving snow Dived.  
    09.00 SE 8, Sea 8, Vis. 50-110 meters Surfaced, ventilated the boat.  
    09.40   Dived.  
    12.00 AB 6266 Day's run:  Surfaced      128.0 nm  
                          Submerged      4.2 nm  
                                             132.2 nm  
    16.00 AB 6266 Surfaced.  
      SW 6, Sea 6, high Swell, rain, Vis, 50 meters - 3 nm, 1004 mb    
    16.25   Came to course 180°.  
    17.10   Came to course 190°.  
        Incoming Radio Message 1031/787:  
        1)  Herbschleb begin return transit to Narvik.  
        2)  Queck occupy Herbschleb attack area.  
                                                     Nordmeerchef.  
    19.05   Queck passed to port at a distance of 50 meters.  Recognition Signals exchanged.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 11.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 12.01.43
 
- 35 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    12.01.43      
    20.00 AB 6535    
      SSE 4-5, Sea 5, overcast, rain, Vis. 1-3 nm, 1001 mb    
    23.30   Came to course 240°.  
    24.00 AB 6564    
      SW 4-5, Sea 3-4, high Swell, overcast, Vis. 1 nm, 1002 mb, rising    
                                                  
    13.01.43      
    02.15   Radio Message 0122/795 to Nordmeerchef:  
        Will be at Point Schwarz 7 on 14 January at 07.00 hours.  Request Radio Beacons and permission to run into Harstad.  
                                                     Herbschleb.  
    03.00   Came to course 180°.  
    04.00 AB 6579    
      SW 1-2, Sea 1-2, half overcast, rain showers, Vis. around 2 nm, 1002 mb    
    05.18   Incoming Radio Message 0310/706:  
        Herbschleb agree to Radio Message 0122.  
                                                     Nordmeeradmiral.  
    08.00 AB 6848    
      SbyW 2, Sea 2, light Swell, overcast, Vis. 1-3 nm, 1002 mb    
    12.00 AB 9219 Day's run:  Surfaced      154.2 nm  
      SWbyW 3, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. 8-10 nm, 1004 mb                   Submerged      4.3 nm  
                                           158.5 nm  
    14.34   Incoming Radio Message 1302/704:  
        Herbschleb:  "Skraven" runs 13 January 22.00 until 14 January at 09.05 hours, "Ingøya" runs 14 January 00.05 - 09.10 hours half-hourly 5 minutes each.  Identification "Ingøya" as yesterday.  
        The "Ingøya" bearing ray was received well 25 nm from the coast, then it was a broad band.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 12.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 13.01.43
 
- 36 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    13.01.43      
        "Skraven" was not useable from the beginning.  There was no sharpness. So the location of the ship could not be determined by bearings. I steered towards the coast by an inexact navigation fix (bad horizon) and by recognizing the peaks around Andenes, found the entrance with continuous soundings.  
    16.00 AB 9299    
      NE 1-2, Sea 0-1, overcast, Vis. 4 nm, 1004 mb    
    19.30 AB 4549 Dived, to be at the coast at morning gray.  
      S 1, Sea 0, half overcast, Vis. around 5 nm, 1004 mb    
    24.00 AB 9573    
                                                  
    14.01.43      
    00.11   Surfaced, ventilated the boat.  
    00.45   Dived.  
    04.40 AB 9842 Surfaced.  Came to course 115°.  
      NEbyE 2, Sea 1, clear, Vis. 1-3 nm, 1002 mb Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 208°T,28 nm  
    08.00 Off Andenes    
      NE 2-3, Sea 1-2, fair    
    09.17 Andes abeam to starboard.    
    09.38 Passed Viskines [probably Fiskenes]  
    12.00 Outer harbor Harstad Day's run:  Surfaced      146.2 nm  
                          Submerged   10.4 nm  
                                             156.6 nm  
    12.10 Harstad Made fast Harstad.  
        Loaded equipment.  
                                                  
    15.01.43      
    10.40 Harstad Cast off Harstad, transit to Narvik.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 13.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 14.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 15.01.43
 
- 37 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    15.01.43      
    14.45 Narvik Ran in to Narvik, made fast alongside "AVISO"  
           
           
                                                  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 15.01.43

 

  Enclosures to U-354's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
   
ChartA Track chart of entire patrol
   
ChartB Track chart of convoy operation 29-30 December 1942
   
SketchA Combat sketch 30 December 1942
   
SketchB Combat sketch 5 January 1943
   
Torpedo Torpedo firing reports

 

     
 
 
 

Comments of the F.d.U.-Norwegen

 
 
on the K.T.B. "U-354" from 1.12.42 - 15.1.43
 
 

 

 
          In the attack on 30 December there is no clarity concerning the results.  In the confusing situation effects observation was difficult.  Torpedo running times are missing as with the attack on 5 January.  
          Sinking of a steamer on 5 January seems certain.  
          Tactical behavior was good.  Radio Message 1145/746 of 31 December was misunderstood.  
       
       
 
                            
     
     
                                     
     
 
     
     
 

Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

 
 
on the K.T.B. "U-354" (Herbschleb) from 1 12.42 - 15.1.43
 
 

 

 
          Nothing to note.  
     
     
   

For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

 
   
- The Chief of the Operations Department -
 
 
 
     
     
 


Click the icons to view the associated records

Return to the U-boat KTB page