U-355 - 5th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

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

		K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h ======================                      "U  355"
				Kommandant:  Korvettenkapitän    L  a    B  a  u  m  e
				Beginning:  30 April    1943
				Ending:        5 August 1943
			1st Copy to Copy No 1   2nd Copy to Copy No 2   3rd Copy to Copy No 3   4th Copy to Copy No 4   5th Copy to Copy No 5   6th Copy to Copy No 6   7th Copy to Copy No 7   8th Copy to Copy No 8
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		30.04. - 05.07.43	Trondheim	Shipyard period and outfitting.
		06.07.43
		20.00	Trondheim	Put to sea for 5th Patrol.
		20.35		Trim test.
		21.10		Taken in convoy.
		07.07.43
		04.07	Frohavet	Released from convoy.
		08.00	AF 5921	Range test with an FW 200 for UK and FuMG.
			N 1, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. good
		12.00	AF 5586	Day's run:  Surfaced 169.5 nm
			N 3, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good
		18.00	AF 5269	Test ended.
		21.00	AF 5312	Dived to balance the boat.
			N 1, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. good
		21.19		Surfaced.  Surface transit to AB 35.
		24.00	AF 2946	No events.
			N 1, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. good
		08.07.43	Norwegian Sea
		03.20	AF 2687	Drifting mine.
			N 1, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. good
		05.16		Short Signal:  Position AF 2924.
		06.10	AF 2653	Land-based aircraft bearing 0°T, course E, 6 nm away, Crash dive.
			N 2, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. medium
		06.25		Surfaced.
		12.00	AF 2363	Day's run:   Surfaced       253.5 nm
			NNE 2, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good	Submerged:      2.8 nm
		19.20	AB 8697	Drifting mine shot.
			NNW 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
		20.00	AB 8695	Radio Message 1903 from F.d.U.:
				La Baume and Hansen come about immediately, head for AF 5850 at highest speed.
		09.07.43
		00.40	AB 8985	Radio Message 2344 from F.d.U.:
				Air reports 15.00 hours AF 7973 one carrier, three cruisers, 9 destroyers course 60°.  Other smaller formations.  Operation against coast or engagement with German warships possible.

	Sun and Moon Data 06.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 07.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 08.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 09.07.43

	- 2 -
		continued
		09.07.43	Norwegian Sea
		03.10	AB 8985	2 drifting mines.
			NNE 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
		03.11		Radio Message 0019 from F.d.U.:
				As attack area occupy "Herrle" 2675, "Grau" 2951, "Gosejakob" 2986 as Group "Grau"; "Queck" 5832, "La Baume" 5855, Hansen 5878 as Group "La Baume".  All AF, depth 30 nm.
		12.00	AB 2946	Day's run:  Surfaced 328.5 nm
		12.23	NE 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good	Radio Message 1121 from F.d.U.:
				1.)  Grau return transit Narvik at increased speed via "Ramsund" to take pistols.
				2.) La Baume occupy attack area "Grau" AF 2951.
		15.00	AB 2951	Reached attack area.
			NNE 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good
		17.15	AB 2919	Drifting mine shot.
		20.30	AB 2951	Dived to balance the boat.
			NNE 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
		21.40		Surfaced.
		10.07.43
		01.54	AB 2958	Radio Message 0035 from F.d.U.:
				With 14 knots transit speed head for attack areas with depth 30 nm.
				La Baume    AF 5815
				Herrle          AF 2916
				Gosejakob   AF 2986
		05.10	AB 2984	2 drifting mines.
			N 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good
			It was discovered that the fuel in the external bunkers, which had been repainted in Trondheim, was contaminated with silver bronze and cannot be used without endangering the diesels.  I decide to report by Radio Message, so that the fuel can still be changed when there is an opportunity and the following boats are warned.
		10.18		Radio Message 0926 to F.d.U., 13. Uflottille:
				Fuel in external bunkers is discolored and unusable.
		11.07	AF 5531	Land-based aircraft bearing 90°T, course NW, 4 nm away, type not recognized.  Crash dive.
			SE 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
		11.32		Surfaced.
		12.00	AF 5534	Day's run:   Surfaced       209.7 nm
			SE 1, 7/10, Sea 1, Vis. good	Submerged:      5.7 nm
		16.20	AF 5579	Radio Message 1451 from F.d.U.:
				Head for ÄG 78.

	Sun and Moon Data 09.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 10.07.43

	- 3 -
		continued
		10.07.43	Norwegian Sea
		18.10	S 2, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. good	Radio Message 1611 from F.d.U.:
				La Baume first run in to Narvik through Vestfjord to change fuel alongside "METEOR".
		11.07.43
		02.10	AF 5375	2 drifting English mines.
		06.10	AF 5337	Drifting mine.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. good
		12.00	AF 3757	Day's run:   Surfaced  258.5 nm
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 1/10, Vis. good
		14.10	AF 3441	Drifting mine.
		20.09	Vestfjord	Passed Point V 1.
		23.30		Radio Message 2234 from F.d.U.:
				1.)  Apparently air escort sighted a periscope at 16.10 hours in AF 3388.
				2.)  "Skomvær" sighted a U-boat 20.28 hours in AF 3499, course 100°, 100 knots, suspect La Baume.
		12.07.43
		00.22	Vestfjord	Radio Message 0008 to F.d.U.:
				The U-boat sighted by "Skomvær" was me.
				La Baume.
		08.25	Narvik	Entered, made fast alongside "METEOR".
				Day's run:   Surfaced  221.5 nm
		13.07.43
		14.00	Narvik - Vestfjord	After fuel exchange with support ship "KÄRNTEN" cast off for trim test.
		17.45		Departed for Svolvær.
		23.30	Svolvær	Arrived.
		23.40		Departed.
		14.07.43
		11.40	Andfjord	Passed Point "Schwarz 25" outbound.
		12.20	AB 9865	Drifting mine.
			SE 1, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. good	Day's run:   Surfaced  181.0 nm
		13.45	AB 9529	Drifting mine.
		15.45	AB 9587	Dived to balance the boat.
			ESE 1, 5/10, Sea 1, Vis. good
		17.17	AB 9576	Surfaced.
		20.00	AB 9543
			ENE 2, Sea 1, 6/10, Vis. medium
		24.00	AB 9248	No events.
			ENE 2, Sea 2, 5/10, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 10.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 11.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 12.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 13.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 14.07.43

	- 4 -
		15.07.43	Norwegian Sea
		04.00	AB 6878
			E 1, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good
		08.00	AB 6814	No events.
			NE 1, Sea 0, 1/10, Vis. good
		10.40	AB 6493	Dived to balance the boat.
		11.30	NE 1, Sea 1, 1/10, Vis. good	Surfaced.
		12.00	AB 6466	Day's run:   Surfaced       222.2 nm
			NE 1, Sea 1, 1/10, Vis. good	Submerged:      4.9 nm
		16.00	AB 6195	No events.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 4/10, Vis. good
		19.26	AB 6138	Crash dive for training.
		19.55	NNE 2, Sea 1, 5/10, Vis. good	Surfaced.
		24.00	AB 3761	No events.
			NE 3, Sea 3, 8/10, misty, Vis. medium
		16.07.43
		04.45	AB 3459	Crash dive for training.
		05.04	ENE 5, Sea 4, overcast rain, Vis. changing	Surfaced.
		08.00	AB 3425	No events.
			E 4, Sea 3, overcast rain, Vis. 6 nm
		12.00	AB 3151	Day's run:   Surfaced       213.9 nm
			S 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. 3 nm	Submerged:      3.1 nm
		15.31	ÄG 7882	Reached operations area, dived to balance the boat.
		16.56	SSW 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. medium
		16.56		Surfaced.
			Initially I intend to head for ÄG 7580 to determine traffic, weather and ice conditions off the Eisfjord and then with favorable weather conditions run into the fjord.
		16.07.43	West coast of Spitzbergen
		21.45	ÄG 7573	Prinz Karl Vorland in sight bearing 40°T.
			W 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. medium
		24.00	ÄG 7743	No events.
			W 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. medium
		17.07.43
		04.00	ÄG 7579	No events.
			SW 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. low
		08.00	ÄG 7589	The coast and fjord entrance are completely ice-free, the visibility however is still very bad.
			S 3, Sea 2, overcast, misty, drizzle, Vis. 4 nm
		12.00	ÄG 7852	Day's run:   Surfaced       179.0 nm
			SW 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. medium	Submerged:      3.9 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 15.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 16.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 17.07.43

	- 5 -
		continued
		17.07.43	West coast of Spitzbergen
		13.00	ÄG 7828	Dived to balance the boat.
			S 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. medium
		14.45	ÄG 7825	Surfaced.  It has cleared up appreciably, the clouds were higher and the visibility clearer.
			SSW 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
			As even more improvement is expected from the weather forecast, I decide to penetrate the Eisfjord submerged in the evening.
		16.00	ÄG 7822	No events.
			SSW 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
		19.00	ÄG 7585	Headed for Kap Scania via the southern tip of Prinz Karl Vorland.  The visibility conditions are favorable for a further approach on the surface;  I have the sun in the background and am positioned before the dark horizon.
			SW 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good
		21.06	ÄG 7595	Dived, when the houses at Barentsburg are well distinguished at about 7 nm range, and headed for the "Grünen Harbor" at periscope depth.
			S 2, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good
		18.07.43	Eisfjord
		00.45		I close to within 2 nm of Barentsburg without difficulties and can overlook the entire bay.  There is not a single vessel along the concrete pier with 2 large loaders, the rest of the port is empty, on land behind the pier there is a large coal pile, from the rising smoke apparently the coal facilities are still in operation.  At the entrance to the open port no fortifications are visible for defense against sea targets; not even a signal station or observation post appears to be present.  Apparently the place is only weakly occupied and only has a certain amount of anti-aircraft weapons that can also shoot to sea in case of emergency.
				Although I could only use the air search periscope due to the failure of the of six times magnification of the attack periscope, I was apparently not noticed and proceeded submerged further into the Eisfjord.
		05.15		Surfaced and headed into the Nordfjord on the surface.  Adventsbucht is observed, the two large loaders are clearly recognized.  Vessels are not distinguished.
		15.00		The examination of the Nordfjord, Billenfjord and Sassenfjord produce no results; the settlements on Mimerbucht and on Kap Napier (Billenfjord) are empty.
			Because I have been off Advent twice in good visibility without having encountered any resistance, I suppose that also this bay is unoccupied and decide to run in on the surface.

	Sun and Moon Data 17.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 18.07.43

	- 6 -
		continued
		18.07.43	Eisfjord
		16.36		When approaching Adventsbucht there is surprise artillery fire from Revneset at 4000 meters; the first impacts, caliber about 8 cm with impact fusing, lie 100 meters short.  Crash dive.  During the dive two further impacts are heard.  It was apparently only a single cannon, however well positioned and camouflaged and was not distinguished before firing.  The bay was well seen shortly before diving, vessels were not determined.
		17.20		Observation at periscope depth gives no further reference points, therefore ran out of Eisfjord submerged.  Grumantbyen and Kohlenbucht are unoccupied.
		19.07.43	West coast of Spitzbergen
		01.06	ÄG 7596	Surfaced and moved off to the west.  The visibility has grown considerably worse.  The coast lies completely in mist; therefore initially I remain in the sea area off the Eisfjord.
			SSW 4, Sea 4, overcast mist, Vis. 3-4 nm
		04.00	ÄG 7583
			SSW 4, Sea 4, overcast mist
		08.00	ÄG 7499	No events.
			SW 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium
		12.00	ÄG 7819	Day's run:   Surfaced       107.5 nm
			S 5, Sea 4, overcast fog, Vis. 1 nm	Submerged:    29.2 nm
		16.00	ÄG 7873
			S 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 4 nm
		20.00	ÄG 7841	No events.
			S 4, Sea 4, overcast, mist, Vis. 4 nm
		24.00	ÄG 7571
			SSW 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. medium
		20.07.43
		04.00	ÄG 7578
			SSE 3, Sea 2, overcast passing showers, Vis. changing
		08.00	ÄG 7842	No events.
			SSE 4, Sea 3, 8/10, Vis. good
		12.00	ÄG 7861	Day's run:   Surfaced  158 nm
			SE 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. medium	Because the clouds were higher and the visibility clearer I headed for Glockensund.
		14.50	ÄG 7941	Dived, to explore the English radio station noted in the Sailing Directions in Calypso Bucht
			SSE 3, Sea 2, 2/10, Vis. good
		16.00		The settlement  consisting of the radio station and 4 huts seems abandoned, nothing stirs.  The radio mast is about 30 meters high and visible from afar.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 19.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 20.07.43

	- 7 -
		continued
		20.07.43	West coast of Spitzbergen
		16.39	Glockensund	Surfaced.  Recherche Bucht is empty.  A very strong ice-cold wind blows out of the fjord, initially the resulting strong outgoing current makes a landing in Calypso Bucht impossible.
			E 1, Sea 3, 5/10, Vis. medium
			Therefore I decide to explore van Keulen Fjord and van Mijen Fjord first and destroy the radio station on the way back.
		22.00		Van Keulen Fjord is empty, isolated fishing huts standing on the banks are abandoned.  Headed for van Mijen Fjord.
		23.30		Ran into van Mijen Fjord through the Axel Sund in the outgoing current of 7-8 knots.
		21.07.43
		03.50		Ran past Axel Sund.  In the fjord nothing in particular is noted, the Svea Mines in the Braganza Bucht are out of operation and abandoned.  The wind has abated somewhat.
		06.00	Calypso Bucht	Demolition commandos put ashore and destroyed the radio mast.  The radio station was out of operation and emptied, also the adjacent houses are empty.
		08.00	ÄG 7941	Departed Glockensund.
			SSW 1, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. medium
		12.00	ÄG 7855	Day's run:   Surfaced       163.7 nm
			SSW 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good	Submerged:      5.9 nm
		16.00	ÄG 7812
			WSW 2, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good
		20.00	ÄG 7542	No events.
			S 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	ÄG 7545
			S 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good
		22.07.43
		04.00	ÄG 7578
			SSW 2, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good
		08.00	ÄG 7825	No events.
			SE 1, Sea 1, overcast passing showers, Vis. medium
		09.10	ÄG 7821	2 drifting English mines shot.
		10.30	ÄG 7588	Dived to balance the boat.
		11.40	Wind 0, Sea 0, Vis. medium	Surfaced.
				Day's run:   Surfaced       165.0 nm
				Submerged:      3.4 nm
		16.00	ÄG 7584	No events.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, overcast passing showers, Vis. changing

	Sun and Moon Data 20.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 21.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 22.07.43

	- 8 -
		continued
		22.07.43	West coast of Spitzbergen
		20.00	ÄG 7739	I set off from the coast to the southwest to send a situation report.
			WNW 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good
		23.42	ÄG 7791	Radio Message 2306 sent:
			SW 2, Sea 1, 6/10, Vis. good	Up to now no traffic, no air, Eisfjord, Glockensund no vessels whatsoever.  At "Barentsburg" no facilities for sea target defenses, apparently only anti-aircraft weapons.  Off "Adventsbucht" artillery fire, small caliber.  21 July radio mast "Calypsobucht" blown up.  ÄG 7791, SW 2, Sea 2, overcast, 1006 mb.
		23.07.43
		04.00	ÄG 7879	I head for Hornsund.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. good
		08.00	AB 3132	No events.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. medium
		12.00	AB 3225	Entered Hornsund.  The entire bay is full of glacier ice and is unusable as a harbor or base.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, overcast rain, Vis. medium
				Day's run:   Surfaced   211.5 nm
		16.00	Hornsund	Offices or settlements are not present in Hornsund.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 6/10, Vis. good
		19.00	AB 3224	Departed Hornsund, headed for Dauneninsel.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, drizzle, Vis. medium
		24.00	AB 3213	No events.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. medium
		24.07.43
		04.00	AB 3211
			NE 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good
		08.00	AB 3113	No events.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, overcast drizzle, Vis. good
		12.00	ÄG 7881	Day's run:   Surfaced   98.5 nm
			NE 1, Sea 1, 5/10, Vis. good
		14.00	ÄG 7851	Dived to balance the boat.
		14.25	NNW 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good	Surfaced.
		16.00	ÄG 7827	No events.
			NNE 1, Sea 0, 7/10, Vis. good
		20.00	Vorlandsund	No events.
			NE 1, Sea 0, 7/10, Vis. good
		25.07.43
		01.00	Vorlandsund	Entered St. Jons Fjord, no settlements determined.  In the fjord much glacier ice similar to Hornsund.
		08.00	ÄG 7591	No events.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 5/10, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 22.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 23.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 24.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 25.07.43

	- 9 -
		continued
		25.07.43
		10.45	ÄG 7826	Dived to balance the boat.
		11.20	Wind 0, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good	Surfaced.
				Day's run:   Surfaced       111.5 nm
				Submerged:      3.7 nm
		16.00	ÄG 7586
			NE 1, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. good
		20.00	ÄG 7556	No events.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 9/10, Vis. good
			I intend to monitor the area off Eisfjord further and the Vorlandsund in particular, to intercept anticipated supplies for the bases. On 24 July air reported a small steamer north of Jan Mayen on an easterly course; it is possible that it is intended for Spitzbergen.
		26.07.43
		05.40	ÄG 7556	In the entrance to Eisfjord apparently a masthead bearing 180°T, that quickly grows louder.  Dived.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 5/10, Vis. good, coastal mist
		06.15		On coming closer it turns out that it is a small sharp rock off Kap Scania, its shape distorted by the haze lying under the coast.  Surfaced.
		06.25	ÄG 7556	A large 4-engined land-based aircraft bearing 180°T close over the water, course E, 6 nm away.  The type might be an own Kondor or a Consolidated.  Crash dive, to remain unseen if possible.
		08.34	ÄG 7559	Surfaced.  Aircraft is out of sight.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 7/10, Vis. good
		10.45	ÄG 7587	Drifting mine.
		12.00	ÄG 7573	Day's run:   Surfaced       113.0 nm
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. good	Submerged:      6.2 nm
		16.00	ÄG 7859	No events.
			S 1, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. good
		20.45	ÄG 7579	Shot a drifting mine.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 3/10, Vis. good
		24.00	ÄG 7812	No events.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 2/10, Vis. good
		27.07.43
		04.00	ÄG 7827	No events.
			W 1, Sea 0, 3/10, Vis. good
		07.35	ÄG 7575
			NW 1, Sea 0, 4/10, Vis. good	Shot a drifting English mine.
		10.30	ÄG 7813	Dived to balance the boat.

	Sun and Moon Data 25.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 26.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 27.07.43

	- 10 -
		continued
		27.07.43	West coast of Spitzbergen
		11.05	Wind 0, Sea 0, 5/10, Vis. good	Surfaced.
		12.00	ÄG 7824	Day's run:   Surfaced       184.5 nm
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 5/10, Vis. good	Submerged:      1.3 nm
		16.00	ÄG 7853
			NNW 1, Sea 0, 9/10, Vis. good
		20.00	ÄG 7828	No events.
			NW 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	ÄG 7585
			NW 3, Sea 3, 6/10, Vis. good
		28.07.43
		04.00	ÄG 7853
			NNW 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
		08.00	ÄG 7822	No events.
			NNW 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. medium
		12.00	ÄG 7822	Day's run:   Surfaced 190.5 nm
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. good
		12.50	ÄG 7814	Shot a drifting English mine.
		16.00	ÄG 7852	No events.
			E 1, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. good
		20.00	ÄG 7828
			SSE 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. medium
		24.00	ÄG 7837	No events.
			S 1, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. good
		29.07.43
		04.00	ÄG 7587	No events.
			S 1, Sea 0, 9/10, Vis. good
		08.55	ÄG 7852	A two-engined land-based aircraft bearing 60°T, coming out of the sun 2 nm away, was not distinguished previously before the mountains lying in the haze.
			SSE 2, Sea 2, overcast, at the coast haze, otherwise Vis. good
				It is too late to dive, initiated surface defense.  On coming closer it is recognized as an He 111; Recognition Signals exchanged.  Aircraft flew off to the south.
		10.00	ÄG 7861	Dived to balance the boat.
		11.32		Surfaced.
		12.00	ÄG 7862	Day's run:   Surfaced       176.5 nm
			ESE 4, Sea 3, 6/10, Vis. good	Submerged:      5.3 nm
		16.00	ÄG 7942
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. good
		20.00	ÄG 7864	No events.
			E 3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 27.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 28.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 29.07.43

	- 11 -
		continued
		29.07.43	West coast of Spitzbergen
		23.30	ÄG 7899	Apparently the wreck of a vessel is sighted at Kapp Borthen on the northern edge of Torell glacier close inshore. I run towards the coast to determine further details.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 6/10, light Swell, Vis. good
		30.07.43
		00.45	ÄG 7977	As the chart indicates rough bottom and cliffs, I preflood and go to minimum speed with E-motors.  Approximately 1.5 nautical miles off the coast a grounding takes place at 4 meters water depth.  While backing the boat is carried course by swell and current and strikes [the bottom] aft and amidships on several occasions, but comes free again with the diesels.  It appears the starboard rudder is damaged because the boat can no longer be held on course with only the starboard diesel.  Operational readiness will not be affected. The wreck is a small coastal steamer of about 600 GRT, broke apart in the middle and apparently has been there a long time. Nationality can not be established.
		04.00	AB 3211
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 7/10, Vis. good
		08.00	ÄG 7899	No events.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 3/10, Vis. good
		10.15	ÄG 7892	Test dive.
		11.35		Surfaced.
		12.00	ÄG 7865	Day's run:   Surfaced       140.0 nm
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 2/10, Vis. good	Submerged:      4.8 nm
		14.00	ÄG 7945	Ran into Recherche Bucht to examine the rudders and the propellers with a diver.
		14.30		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  "Report situation".
		18.50		A Ju 88 bearing 270°T, aircraft altitude about 800 meters, course east.  The aircraft had apparently not noticed us, because we lie close under land.  Examination shows that the starboard rudder blade is missing, the propellers are fine.
		20.00	ÄG 7862	Departed Glockensund and moved off to the west to report the situation by radio.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 3/10, Vis. good
		22.58	ÄG 7857	Radio Message 2238 sent:
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 3/10, Vis. good	"Hornsund" full of drift ice, unusable as a harbor.  Several times own aircraft, otherwise situation unchanged.  ÄG 7857, calm, Sea 0, 2/10, Vis. good, 1023 mb.
		31.07.43
		04.00	ÄG 7822
			N 1, Sea 0, 1/10, fog, Vis. medium
		08.00	ÄG 7829	No events.
			E 1, Sea 0, 2/10, Vis. medium

	Sun and Moon Data 29.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 30.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 31.07.43

	- 12 -
		continued
		31.07.43	West coast of Spitzbergen
		12.00	ÄG 7579	Day's run:   Surfaced  188.0 nm
			NW 1, Sea 1, fog, Vis. low
		16.00	ÄG 7853	No events.
			NW 1, Sea 0, fog, Vis. low
		19.15	ÄG 7588	Dived to balance the boat.
		19.45	NW 2, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good	Surfaced.
		24.00	ÄG 7827	No events.
			NNW 1, Sea 1, Vis. good
		01.08.43
		04.00	ÄG 7861
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 3/10, Vis. good
		08.00	ÄG 7824	No events.
			WNW 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
		10.30	ÄG 7813	Drifting English mine shot.
		12.00	ÄG 7573	Day's run:   Surfaced       179.0 nm
			Wind 0, Sea 0, for, Vis. low	Submerged:      1.9 nm
		16.00	ÄG 7828
			E 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. medium
		20.00	ÄG 7861	No Events.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. medium
		21.55		Radio Message 2103 from F.d.U.:
				Return transit via AB 3720 to Andfjord Narvik.  Free to stop at Harstad.
		24.00	ÄG 7586	Trying again to view the ice fjord before the start of the return transit and get accurate ship's position fails, due to too little visibility. Therefore I run at along to the north at Prins Karls Vorland, where it begins to lighten.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, fog, Vis. 200 meters
		02.08.43
		04.00	ÄG 7571	Further to the north the visibility is clear; I decide to make a short reconnaissance of Königsbucht.
			NW 1, Sea 0, 5/10, Vis. medium
		08.00	ÄG 7275	No events.
			Wind calm, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. medium
		09.00	ÄG 7288	Ran into Königsbucht.  The settlement at "Neu-Aalesund" is evacuated, houses and loading pier are still in good condition, coal mine and electricity generator destroyed.  A coal pile is still smoking.  In the bay there is much drift ice.
		13.00	ÄG 7288	Departed Königsbucht, began return transit.
			Wind 0, Sea 0, 7/10, Vis. medium	Day's run:   Surfaced  194.0 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 31.07.43
	Sun and Moon Data 01.08.43
	Sun and Moon Data 02.08.43

	- 13 -
		continued
		02.08.43	West coast of Spitzbergen
		16.00	ÄG 7282
			Wind calm, Sea 0, 5/10, Vis. good
		20.00	ÄG 7284	No events.
			W 1, Sea 0, 5/10, Vis. medium
		24.00	ÄG 7573
			Wind calm, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good
		03.08.43
		04.00	ÄG 7831
			Wind calm, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good
		08.00	ÄG 7897	No events.
			Wind calm, Sea 0, Vis. medium
		09.45	AB 3166	Dived to balance the boat.
		10.32		Surfaced.
		12.00	AB 3186	Day's run:   Surfaced       217.1 nm
			Wind 0, Sea 0, overcast rain, Vis. medium	Submerged:     2.7 nm
		16.00	AB 3486	No events.
			E 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good
		16.17		Short Signal:  Position 36 hours off arrival point, intend to enter Harstad.
		20.00	AB 3767
			E 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	AB 6186	No events.
			ESE 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good
		04.08.43
		04.00	AB 6466
			NNE 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good
		08.00	AB 6841	No events.
			E 3, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good
		10.15	AB 6878	Dived to balance the boat.
		12.55	AB 9215	Day's run:   Surfaced       258.5 nm
			NE 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good	Submerged:     8.0 nm
		13.25		Radio Message 1014 from F.d.U.:
				5 August at 16.00 hours be alongside "METEOR".
		16.15	Norwegian Sea	Radio Message 1456 from F.d.U.:
			AB 9281	4 to 5 August in addition to "Andenes" from 16.30 to 03.35 hours "Nadel" transmits on 226 kHz, from 04.00 to 06.05 hours "Weser" transmits on 202 kHz half hourly each 5 minutes.
			NE 3, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good
		19.00	AB 9554	Radio Message 11.50 from F.d.U.:
			NE 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium	4 to 5 August transmits:  "Skraven" 12.00 to 08.05 hours, "Lingøy" 12.05 to 18.10 hours, 22.05 to 03.40 hours, "Karl-Anton-Sofie-Karl" 792 kHz.
		24.00	AB 9825	No events.

	Sun and Moon Data 02.08.43
	Sun and Moon Data 03.08.43
	Sun and Moon Data 04.08.43

	- 14 -
		05.08.43
		04.00	AB 9865	No events.
		04.40	ENE 1, Sea 0, 7/10, Vis. medium	Passed Andenes inbound.
		07.40	Harstad	Ran in.
		10.30		Departed.
		12.00		Day's run:   Surfaced  243.7 nm
		16.00	Narvik	Ran in, made fast alongside "METEOR".
			Concluding remarks and special experiences.
			The good weather conditions prevailing during the patrol were especially favorable for the requested task of exploring the west coast of Spitzbergen, especially the fjords. No navigational difficulties arose with the clear visibility and high clouds, there were always enough bearing objects (mountains, capes, glaciers, islands) available to determine the ship's position exactly.  Be careful when taking bearings from flat sloping headlands and capes at greater distances or low height of eye (periscope), because they are easily confused with rising mountain slopes in the background.
			With low clouds approaching the coast can only be carried out with great caution because the moutain peaks are not recognizable and one lacks landmarks to take bearings on. Continual soundings do not provide sufficient safety since the depths frequently change without any transition and numerous cliffs still lie just below the water surface at great distance from the coast.
			Low visibility and fog make heading for the coast almost impossible; also then the FuMG is not a sufficient aid to taking the ships position because it provides no evidence as to which object bearings and distance are taken on.
			The Norwegian Special Charts Numbers 503, 504 and 507 were accurate and reliable in the area traveled during the patrol.  The Nautical Handbook contains sufficiently accurate descriptions of the coast and the different fjords the settlements contained therein; however, for the most part, the illustrations are substandard and not very descriptive.  Ice conditions during the time of the patrol were extremely favorable.  Large quantities of drift ice were only encountered in Hornsund, St. Johan Fjord and in Königsbucht and apparently came from the glaciers which open forth there.

Sun and Moon Data 05.08.43

	- 15 -
			Based on the weather and ice conditions encountered, of the fjords of the west coast, the Eisfjord is best suited as a port and for the establishment of bases. Navigation does not pose any particular difficulties.  The individual fjords and bays are ice-free, have deep water and good, sheltered anchorages. The tidal current is low. The natural conditions allow an effective defense with few resources. Minefields were apparently not laid. Flat terrain to establish a landing field for land-based aircraft is not available.
			The Radio Message-connection on shortwave was better than in the area of the South Kap of Bäreninsel; in the fjords the Control Center was often heard with volume 5.
			Generally the weather north of Glockensund was better and more consistent than in the south, where the visibility was mostly lower.
			The crew was delighted the special appeal of the assigned task and accordingly were inspired in the work, fully exerted themselves and seemed to rise to all occasions.
				On board 5 August 1943
				Korvettenkapitän and Kommandant.

	Enclosures to U-355's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
ChartA	Track chart of entire patrol
ChartB	Track chart of period in operations area
ChartC	Track chart of period in operations area
Radio	Excerpt of the Radio Log

	Enclosure 1 to F.d.U. Norwegen Gkdos 2751
	Comments of the F.d.U. Norwegen
	on the K.T.B. of "U 355" from 30.4. - 5.8.43
	1) To 10 July 05.10:  Faulty painting by the Trondheim shipyard was also discovered by another boat.  The cause has been corrected. 2) The assigned task (exploration of the fjords on the west side of Spitzbergen) was carried out with skill and tactical understanding.
	I.V.

	Admiral Nordmeer
	B.Nr. Gkdos 0985 Al                                                         6 September 1943
	To
	Marinegruppenkommando Nord/Flottenkommando for information only:
	Führer der Unterseeboote Norwegen.
	Attached is the submitted Kriegstagebuch of "U-355" for the period from 30.4. to 5.8.1943.
	The comments of the F.d.U. Norwegen are approved.  According to the Luftwaffe, in Barentsburg and Longjearbyen stronger defense is to be expected than La Baume believes.
	Signed in draft.   K  l  ü  b  e  r

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the K.T.B. of "U 355" (La Baume) from 6.7. - 5.8.1943
	There is nothing to add to the comments of the F.d.U.
	For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
	- The Chief of the Operations Department -

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