U-377 - 6th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

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			Unterseeboot "U 377"
			Anlage zu B.Nr. Gkdos. 258.
				Geheime Kommandosache.
			K  R  I  E  G  S  T  A  G  E  B  U  C  H
				"  U    3  7  7  "
			Kommandant:  Kapitänleutnant  K  ö  h  l  e  r
			Beginning:    26 July 1942
			Ending:	24 September 1942.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	-1 -
		26.07. - 02.08.42	Trondheim, Shipyard
		03.08.42
		12.36	Trondheim, HUASCARAN	Cast off for sea trial and crash dive training.
		16.15	Trondheim, HUASCARAN	Made fast.  Blowing distributor still leaks heavily.
		04.08.42
		09.30	Trondheim, HUASCARAN	Cast off, crash dive training.
		13.17	HUASCARAN	Made fast.
		05.08. - 09.08.42	Trondheim	Shipyard, dry dock.
		10.08.42
		09.30	Trondheim	Cast off for sea trial.
		13.50	"	Made fast.  Blowing distributor still leaks heavily.
		11.08. - 12.08.42	Trondheim	Shipyard.
		13.08.42
		11.00	HUASCARAN	Cast off for sea trial and crash dive training.
				Blowing distributor still as leaky as before.
		15.20		Made fast.
		14.08. - 19.08.42		Shipyard.
		20.08.42
		13.05	HUASCARAN	Cast off for sea trial.
		16.23		Made fast.
				Blowing distributor still leaks.  According to the Chief Engineer Oblt. (Ing.) Nitschke the pressure body must be warped. By his proposal the blowing distributor is no longer mounted on the pressure hull but only by the blowing pipes and with a flat iron at one upper deck strut.
		21. - 23.08.42	Trondheim	Shipyard
		24.08.42	HUASCARAN
		11.45		Cast off for sea trial.

	- 2 -
		continued
		24.08.42
		15.33	HUASCARAN	Made fast.
				The suggestion of the Chief Engineer proves its worth; the blowing manifold showed no further leaks.
		25. - 28.08.42	Trondheim	Outfitting.
		29.08.42	Trondheim
		10.19		Cast off for final trim test, afterwards crash dive training.
		13.05		Made fast.
		30.08.42	Trondheim
		10.02		Departed with escort through Trondheim Fjord, Trondheim- Leder Ramsö Fjord.
		16.20		Outgoing Radio Message 1620/55/756:
				Nordmeerchef, Seekommandant Narvik
				Located Victor I on 31 August 16.00 hours.
				Köhler
		19.30	AF 5987	Released escort, speed 12 knots.
		20.00	AF 5976
			NE 3, Sea 2, few clouds, Vis. good, 1026 mb
		31.08.42
		00.00	AF 5913
			NE 3, Sea 2-3, few clouds, Vis. good, 1026 mb
		04.00	AF 5629
			SSE 1-2, Sea 2, half overcast, Vis. medium, 1024 mb
		08.00	AF 5365
			NE 0-1, Swell 1-2, Vis. good, nearly completely overcast, 1023 mb
		12.00	AF 3772	Distance covered:
				30.8/31.8.        273.5 nm / -.-        273.5 nm

	- 3 -
		continued
		31.08.42
			NE 0-1, Swell 1-2, half overcast, Vis. good, 1021 mb
		16.00	AF 3754
			SE 1, Swell 1-2, half overcast, Vis. good, 1021 mb
		20.00	AF 3582
			NE 1, Sea 1, half overcast, Vis. good, 1018 mb
		21.55		Incoming Radio Message 2119/01/660:
				Köhler.  In Vestfjord side lights set, same going to Skjomenfjord.
				Adm. Nordmeer.
		01.09.42
		00.00	AF 3617
			NW 0-1, Sea 0, few clouds
		03.45		Recognition signal exchanged with Rotvaer.
		04.00	Rotvaer Lighthouse	Abeam.
			NE 0-1, Sea 0, half overcast, Vis. good, 1015 mb
		08.07	Skjomenfjord	Made fast alongside "STELLA POLARIS".
				Distance covered:
				31.8./1.9.            213.0 nm        - . -
				Up to 31.8.          273.5 nm        - . -
				486.5 nm       - . -        486.5 nm
		02.09.42
		07.10	Skjomenfjord
			"STELLA POLARIS"	Cast off, transit to Narvik.
		08.58	Narvik
			Alongside "TANGA"	Made fast.
				Took over the W.F.L. [Wetter-Funkgerät Land - Automatic Weather Station land] and
				Herrn Regierungsrat Dipl.Ing. Jäger and
				"              "          Dr. Sommermeyer.
		17.07	Narvik
		17.57 - 18.30	Otofjord, main trim test.
		20.30	Lödingen	Took over pilot.
			SW 1, completely overcast

Sun and Moon Data 02.09.42

	- 4 -
		continued
		02.09.42
			very hazy, rain, Vis. bad
		03.09.42	Harstad
		00.15	Alongside LAUGEN	Made fast, pilot disembarked.  Due to bad visibility remained lying in Harstad until visibility improved.
		06.30	Harstad	Departed.
				Heka.Harstad
				Teletype:  Adm.Nordmeer, Seekmdt. Narvik
				Very Urgent Secret.  23.40 hours due to very misty weather made fast Harstad.  06.00 hours continued transit.
				"U 377"  G 738
		10.00	Andenes Lighthouse	Bearing 270°T, distance 5 nm.
		10.32		Course 320° both diesels HF.
		12.00	AB 9629	Both diesels HF.
			W 2, Sea 1-2, Vis. changing, completely overcast, 1009 mb	Distance covered:
				2.9./3.9.                 155.5 nm       1 nm
				Up to 2.9.              486.5 nm          - . -_
				642.0 nm       1 nm       643 nm
		16.00	AB 9572
			WNW 2-3, overcast, Vis. greatly changing, fog, 1010 mb
		20.00	AB 9435
			W 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. changing, 1012 mb
		04.09.42
		00.00	AB 9157
			WNW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, misty, Vis. medium, 1012 mb
		04.00	AB 8333
			NW 1-2, Swell 1, few clouds, Vis. good, 1011 mb
		08.00	AB 5952
			WSW 1, Swell 1-2, overcast, fog, 1010 mb
		09.06	AB 5924	Test dive and propulsion system checks.  In so doing determined that the after bearing pin of the port crankshaft bearing is broken.  New pin was installed.  Proceeded submerged to complete the work due to the Swell.

	Sun and Moon Data 02.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.09.42

	- 5 -
		continued
		04.09.42
		12.00	AB 5924	Distance covered:
				3.9./4.9.                209 nm        7 nm
				Up to 3.9.             642 nm         1 nm
				851 nm         8 nm       859 nm
		12.58 - 13.37		Surfaced for Program time and ventilation.
		18.39		Repairs ended, Surfaced.  Continued transit on the surface at LF.
		20.00	AB 5675
			SE 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, 1003 mb
		05.09.42
		00.00	AB 5534
			E 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain, 1000 mb
		04.00	AB 5254
			SE 3, Sea 3, overcast, rain, mist, Vis. bad, 998 mb
		07.42	AB 2877	Course change to 0° (Null degrees).
			E 2, Swell 1, overcast, rain, Vis. medium, 995 mb
		09.56 - 11.06		Test dive and propulsion system checks.
		12.20	AB 2517	Distance covered:
			SE 2, Swell 3, overcast, rain, Vis. changing	4.9./5.9.             158.5 nm        9.9 nm
				Up to 4.9.           851.0 nm        8.0 nm
				1009.5 nm        17.9 nm   1027.4 nm
		16.00	AB 2544
			SE 1-2, Swell 4-5, overcast, Vis. very bad, 995 mb
		20.00	AB 2274
			E 0-1, Swell 4, overcast, fog, Vis. 100 meters, 997 mb
		06.08.42
		00.00	AB 2211
			SE 1, Swell 3, fog, Vis. 100 meters, 999 mb
		04.00	ÄG 7717
			E 1-2, Sea 2, fog, Vis. 100 meters, 1000 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 04.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.09.42

	- 6 -
		continued
		06.08.42
		08.00	ÄG 7447	Course change to 62°.
			E 1, Swell 1-2, fog, Vis. 300 meters, 1001 mb
		12.00	ÄG 7437	Distance covered:
			E 1, Swell 1, overcast, fog, Vis. changing, 1001 mb	5.9./6.9.             239.0 nm         -.- nm
				Up to 5.9.         1009.5 nm        17.9 nm
				1248.5 nm        17.9 nm   1266.4 nm
		15.00		Despite lack of astronomical navigation fix during the entire voyage and bad visibility arrived at the entrance almost on the nose.  In Lilliehöökfjord icebergs and drift ice.
		15.00	Fuglehuken Beacon	Bearing 100°T 3 nm away.
			NE 2, Swell 1, 3/4 overcast, Vis. good, 1003 mb	Navigation Krossfjorden, Lilliehöökfjorden poses no difficulties.  Passage completed with E-motors without endangering the boat.
		18.38	Signe Bay [Signehamna]	Anchored.  12 meters water, 35 meters chain.
				Nilspynten           131°T
				Fridtjovneset         45°T
				Good anchoring bottom, very favorable ice conditions.
				Distance covered:
				5.9.                          27 nm         -.- nm
				Up to 5.9.         1248.5 nm        17.9 nm
				1275.5 nm        17.9 nm   1293.4 nm
				1 Officer and 6 men ashore for terrain reconnaissance.  Old station undamaged.  Afterwards 1 Petty Officer and 1 man positioned as lookout in vicinity of Dronning Mauds Fjell at the destroyed Summer Station Konspe. From there an unobstructed view from west to south to Prins Karls Forland and thus over the entire entrance of Kongsfjorden, Krossfjorden. With this watch there was no chance of surprise while unpacking and setting up the station.
		07.09.42
		to	Signe Harbor	Set up of the station.
		08.09.42
		20.17		Incoming Radio Message 1921/785
				Köhler.  After completion of task strive to be in AB 23 from 10 September at 00.00.
				Adm. Nordmeer

	Sun and Moon Data 06.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.09.42

	- 7 -
		continued
		08.09.42
		22.00	NW 1, fog, Vis. 100 meters, 1002 mb	Task completed.
				Departure with this bad visibility and the ice bergs is not possible.
		09.09.42
		08.00
		12.00	Weather unchanged
		16.00
		17.45		Fog lifts.  Weighed anchor, with E-motors through the area of the ice bergs and drift ice.
		18.00		Presented Radio Message 1456/711
				FW 200 reports 12.40 hours 36°W AB 2950 1 battleship and 2 cruisers, 6 patrol vessels, about 35 merchant ships.
				Flieger Führer Nord (West)
		21.39 - 22.24	ÄG 7278	Main trim test.
			NW 0-1, Sea 0, Vis. greatly changing, at times fog, 1004 mb	Course 211.5°, both diesels LF headed for square ÄG 7722.
		10.09.42
		00.00	ÄG 7439
			NNE 2-3, Sea 1-2, Vis. bad, 100 meters fog, 1003 mb
		04.00	ÄG 7722	Outgoing Radio Message 0337/728
			SSE 2, Swell 0-1, Vis. changing, (fog), 1004 mb	Measurement head 34, Supplement 2 like Travemünde, square 7722.
				Köhler.
				Per discussion with Admiral North Sea meaning that placement of the unit took place with the specified measuring heads.
				Course change to 165.5°.
		08.00	ÄG 7783
			WSW 1, Sea 0, Vis. changing, 1004 mb
		08.22		Crash dive for aircraft bearing 180°, course 300° came out of a fog bank, range 400 meters.
		08.53		Surfaced.
		12.00	AB 2342	Distance covered:
			NE 2-3, Sea 1-2, Vis. bad, 100 meters, fog, 1003 mb

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

	- 8 -
		continued
		10.09.42		Distance covered:
				9./10.9.                169.9 nm         3.1 nm
				Up to 9.9.         1275.5 nm        17.9 nm
				1445.4 nm           21 nm   1466.4 nm
		14.13		Incoming Radio Message 1344/736:
				Köhler. As attack area occupy:
				Square AB 32 southern third and
				Square AB 35 northern third.
		14.30	AB 2373	Course change to 112°.
		20.00	AB 3425
			E 4-5, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, 1002 mb
		22.35	AB 3541	Arrived in ordered attack area, in this steered changing courses at economical speed.
		11.09.42
		00.00	NE 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, fog, rain, 1002 mb
		04.00	ENE 5, Sea 3, Vis. changing, snow showers, (1002 mb)
		08.00	NE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. changing, 1002 mb
		12.00	NE 5-6, Sea 4, Vis. good, overcast, 1003 mb	Distance covered:
				10./11.9.                188.5 nm         -.- nm
				Up to 10.9.         1445.4 nm         21 nm
				1633.9 nm         21 nm   1654.9 nm
		16.00	E 6, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good, 1003 mb
		18.22 - 18.44		Test dive.
		20.00	E 3-4, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, 1004 mb
		12.09.42
		00.00	E 1, Swell 1, overcast, Vis. good, 1005 mb
		01.46		Incoming Radio Message 0055/772:
				From 13 September at 12.00 be in
				Bohmann square 3280, Clausen square 3510
				Köhler square 3530, Hopmann square 3550
				Horrer square 3590, Hymmen square 3820
				Brandenburg square 3860.  All AB
				Admiral Nordmeer.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.09.42

	- 9 -
		continued
		12.09.42
		04.00	E 1-2, Swell 1, overcast, Vis. good, 1006 mb
		08.00	N 1, Swell 1, overcast, Vis. very good, 1008 mb
		12.00	ENE 1-2, Sea 0-1, overcast, Vis. good, at times snow showers	Distance covered:
				11./12.9.            153.0 nm          1.5 nm
				Up to 11.9.     1633.9 nm           21 nm
				1786.9 nm         22.5 nm   1809.4 nm
		12.38		Incoming Radio Message 1158/783:
				Köhler.  Automatic weather station not heard up to now.  Listen yourself and report with the next tactical message.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
				Automatic weather station heard each program time except once, always good.
		13.23		Incoming Radio Message 1114/789
				Air reports at 10.40 hours in square 17 East 2840 8 enemy destroyers on changing courses.  Low speed.
				Flieger Führer Nord (East)
		14.40		Incoming Radio Message 1427/785, that convoy was located in square AB 4642 at 13.20 hours.
		15.42		Incoming Radio Message 1523/786
				Köhler.  square 2940, Horrer square 2880
				Hymmen square 5330, Brandenburg square 6140.  All AB
				Admiral Nordmeer.
				Headed for the ordered square.
		16.00	AB 3538
			E 1, Swell 1, overcast, Vis. good, 1011 mb
		16.17		Incoming Radio Message 1536/787 concerning composition and speed of the convoy.
		18.44 - 19.06	AB 3551	Test dive.
		20.00	AB 3543
			W 1, Sea 0-1, 3/4 overcast, Vis. good, 1013 mb

Sun and Moon Data 12.09.42

	- 10 -
		continued
		12.09.42
		20.54		Incoming Radio Message 2021/795
				U-boats, Hopmann, Clausen, Bohmann, Köhler, Hörrer, Hymmen, Brandenburg form Group Trägertod.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
		21.53		Incoming Radio Message 2010/794
				13 September 05.00 hours Köhler, Horrer, Hymmen, Brandenburg patrol line from square AB 2679 to square 2956.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
		13.09.42
		00.00	AB 3459
			NNW 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, 1015 mb, Vis. changing
		01.14		Incoming Radio Message 0054/703
				New patrol line from square AB 2617 to square 2685 in old named order for 05.00 hours on 13 September.
				Heading for square AB 2617.
		05.00	AB 2617
			NNE 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. bad, snow showers
		05.40		Incoming Radio Message 0527/706
				Köhler to Brendenburg:  Attack free on Hopmann convoy.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
				Course 301.
		06.25	AB 2535	Convoy in sight bearing 330°T, many smoke clouds, distance 25 nm.  Course change to 30°.  Convoy located by my plotting in square 2521.
				Navigation difference for Hopmann report inexplicable because on leaving the southern tip of Spitzbergen on 12 September at 16.00 hours had perfect navigation fix.
		06.50		Course change to 80°.  Am located in favorable forward position.  Maneuvered ahead at GF.
		07.05	AB 2614	Carrier aircraft out of a cloud bearing 260°T at us.  Crash dive.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.42

	- 11 -
		continued
		13.09.42
		07.08		Depth charge.  Well-placed, was however already at depth A -20 meters.  2nd depth charge from aircraft.  By sound bearings destroyers detached from convoy and hold on us.  Went to depth A +40 meters, and with approaching destroyer to silent running and ran off to the south.
		09.55		Depth charge, far off.
		10.02		Went to depth A +0 meters.  When coming out of a favorable layer I heard destroyers above us.
				Again went to depth A +40 meters.
		10.03 - 11.10		The destroyer, that was above us, runs off at high speed, course 90°.
		12.00	AB 2539	Distance covered:
				12./13.9.            197.0 nm         14.4 nm
				Up to 12.9.     1786.9 nm         22.5 nm
				1983.9 nm         36.9 nm   2020.8 nm
		12.18		Surfaced.  Pursued.
		13.18	AB 2644	Crash dive for aircraft.
		14.19		Depth charge very far off.
		14.27		Destroyer bearing 15°T.
		14.31		Depth charge very far off.
		14.40		Surfaced.
		15.42	AB 2673	Crash dive for aircraft, range 8000 meters.
		16.45		Surfaced.
		16.33	AB 2681	Crash dive for aircraft.
		16.36 - 16.40		Sharp rolling detonation bearing 40-60°T.
		17.16		Surfaced.  Pursued.  Hauled well out to the south so as not to be continually forced to submerge.
		20.37	AB 3445	Smoke clouds in sight bearing 330°T.
			N 1, Sea 0-1, overcast, Vis. very good, 1019 mb
		23.41	AB 3515	Dived to listen.
		14.09.42
		00.07		Convoy in sound bearing 330°T.
		00.26		Surfaced.  Pursued sound bearing at GF.
		02.01		Course change to 70°, because convoy must also take this course to round the southern tip of Spitzbergen.

	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.09.42

	- 12 -
		continued
		14.09.42
		03.46	AB 3297	Crash dive for aircraft bearing 300°T, range 9000 meters.
			NW 3-4, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good
		03.48		2 torpedo detonations.
		03.52		Further torpedo detonations.
		04.23 - 04.29		Depth charge detonations far off.
		04.44		Surfaced.  Continued pursuit at GF.  Strong smoke cloud ahead to starboard.
		06.45	AB 3539	Crash dive for aircraft.
		07.02		Surfaced.
		07.14		Aircraft far off bearing 90°T.
		07.55		Recognition signal exchanged with Ju 88.
		07.57		U-Boat bearing 300°T, range 10 nm.
		08.04	AB 3617	Course change to 140°.
			NW 3-4, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, 1020 mb
		08.09		Recognition Signal exchanged with Ju 88 and FW.
		08.24
		08.12		U-boat bearing 140°T.
		08.36		Flag signal exchange with Brandenburg, that lies with a burning tanker and takes over material from lifeboats.  Convoy should be in 90°T.
				Continued pursuit at GF.
		09.14		Convoy in sight bearing 110°T.  Set myself off to the starboard side to hold contact on smoke clouds ahead.
		12.00	AC 1478	Distance covered:
			NE 0-1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. very good, 1021 mb	13./14.9.            232.5 nm         13.7 nm
				Up to 13.9.     1983.9 nm         36.9 nm
				2216.4 nm         50.6 nm   2267 nm
				Masthead in sight bearing 180°T. From further bearings it must be an ejected steamer, which searches for the convoy on course 40°.
		12.38	AC 1478	Am positioned at target angle 0° ahead of the steamer.  Dived and initiated attack.  Sounding 37 meters water.  The Sound Mate maintains that by the sounds it can not be a merchant ship.  Mast and smokestack however grow more and more like a large merchant steamer.

Sun and Moon Data 14.09.42

	- 13 -
		continued
		14.09.42
		14.00		Thick high mast. At half height crow's nest and [illegible word].  Thick smokestack, however the ship's hull won't come out.
		14.10		Once the vessel is raised by a sea in the periscope it is clearly made out as a U-boat hunter, that was rigged as a merchant ship.  And then in 35 meters water.  Therefore I must refrain from an attack on this U-boat trap.  Remained at periscope depth, extending little of the periscope and attempted to more off to the south.  The U-boat trap must await me, then changes speed level and course and comes closer.  Remained at periscope depth.  Intend if the U-boat trap detects me and attacks initially to shoot with torpedoes and immediately surface and try my luck with artillery because with this little water depth all other options appear hopeless.
		about
		14.30		U-boat trap throws a depth charge in the vicinity and afterwards runs off at high speed on course 90°.
		15.34		Surfaced and pursued the convoy on course 110°.
		17.11	AC 1762	Outgoing Radio Message 1555/757
			NE 1762	Square AC 1470 U-boat hunter disguised as a merchant ship.  W.F.L. system heard running well.  AC 1715.
			NE 0-1, Sea 0, Vis. very good, 1021 mb
				Köhler.
		18.00		Course 60°.
		18.13		3 He 115 bearing 30°T.
		18.20		Course 30°.
		19.00		Land comes in sight ahead, Hoffnungs Island.  Ran towards, to take a bearing, by that a navigation offset of 60 nm to the north, despite a perfect ship's position 12 hours earlier at Spitzbergen south.  Gyrocompass has been compared at each course change with the magnetic compass and agreed.  Offset unexplained.

Sun and Moon Data 14.09.42

	- 14 -
		continued
		14.09.42
		20.02	NE 0-1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. very good, 1022 mb	Smoke clouds bearing 90°T.  Pursued.
		15.09.42
		00.00	AC 1389
			Wind 0, Sea 0, Vis. medium, overcast, 1021 mb
		01.40		Smoke clouds of the convoy bearing 100°T.
		03.19		Detonation.
		04.00	AC 2189
			Wind 0, Sea 0, Vis. medium, 1021 mb
		05.29		Course change to 110°.
		08.17	AC 2529	Crash dive for aircraft.
			Wind 0, totally flat Sea, overcast, 1020 mb	Sound bearing of the convoy bearing 210°T.
		08.51		Surfaced.
		09.02		Course change to 120°. Intend by the chart to get ahead outside of the carrier aircraft.
		11.00		Course 125°.
		12.00	AC 2669	Distance covered:
			NW 0-1, Sea 0-1, Vis. good, occasional fog banks, snow showers, 3/4 overcast, 1020 mb	14./15.9.            225.5 nm         8.8 nm
				Up to 14.9.     2216.4 nm         50.6 nm
				2471.9 nm         59.4 nm   2531.3 nm
		13.07	AC 3476	Due to intermittent bad visibility and snow showers dived to listen and balance the boat.
				Sound bearing 270°T.
		13.54		Surfaced.  Ran against the convoy.
		15.18		The convoy seems to have zigzagged to the SE, came to course 170°.
		15.27		Incoming Radio Message 1340/783
				Flieger Führer Nord (East) attacks PQ 18 from 15.00 hours with all available forces.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
				Therefore I follow so that I can reach shooting position after the air attack.
				From 15.19 hours continuous detonations.
		17.39		Convoy zigzags strongly to the north.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.09.42

	- 15 -
		continued
		15.09.42
		18.21	AC 3727	Am ahead of the convoy from which I bear 90°T.  Convoy comes at me, it steers 90°, I dive to attack.
			E 0-1, Sea 0, Vis. greatly changing, completely overcast, 1017 mb
				Sound bearing steady.
		19.30		Convoy has zigzagged to course 120°.  I am hopelessly in the lee.
		20.25		Surfaced and pursued.  From the convoy reports, visual, sound, and contact keeping there is always a big difference from my available ship's position, specifically on easterly courses to the north and on westerly courses to the south.
				By continual monitoring of the gyro and magnetic compass I determine that with course changes of 90° the gyro compass initially shows the correct course and after a while slowly turns back, the directive force of the gyrocompass has decreased considerably.  Therefore I order the replacement of the gyro globe.
		21.30		Incoming Radio Message 2025/791:
				All except Ech [typo Esch] and Horrer immediately report position or contact by Short Signal.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
		22.05	AC 3527	My position is square AT 3527.
			EbyS 1, Sea 1, completely overcast, Vis. good, 1017 mb	U-377.
				The position I take from the Brandenburg convoy report.  Because I am in the wrong large square.
		23.31		Outgoing Short Signal:
				My position is square AC 3528.
				U-377.
		23.53		Incoming Radio Message 2300/796 Positions:
				Timm       3583    Borm            3552
				Zetsche    3448    Brandenburg 3581
				Grau        3473    Bielfeld         4821
				Hopmann 3484   Köhler           3527
				Hymmen   2662     All AC
				Hopmann und Brandenburg have contact.
				Admiral Nordmeer.

Sun and Moon Data 15.09.42

	- 16 -
		16.09.42
		04.00	AC 3922
			NNE 1-2, Sea 0-1, Vis 10-12 nm, overcast, 1018 mb
		09.10		Convoy in sight bearing 200°T.
				After the new gyro globe is installed, I create a new reasonably correct new position for myself on the convoy from the Hopmann, Reche, Brandenburg radio bearings and my visual bearing because there is no way to determine our position astronomically.
		10.40	AT 1773	Convoy zigzags to the south.
		11.11		Was forced off to the east by a destroyer.
		12.00	AT 1798	Distance covered:
			WNW 1-2, Sea 0-1, overcast, Vis. good, occasional fog banks and driving snow	15./16.9.            223.0 nm         6.3 nm
				Up to 15.9.     2471.9 nm         59.4 nm
				2694.9 nm         65.7 nm   2760.6 nm
		12.27		Course 200°.  Intend to maneuver ahead by the chart.
		14.40		Course 180°.
		16.00	AT 4173	From 13.30 - 15.00 hours port diesel out of service, because forward bearing pin of the crankshaft is broken.  New one installed again.
			SSE 3-4, Sea 2, overcast, driving snow, Vis. changing, 1011 mb
		17.00	AT 4416	Came to course 250°.  By plotting I must be positioned ahead of the convoy at 18.00 hours.
		17.59	AC 6636	Crash dive for destroyer bearing 270°T course 90° out of a fog bank distance 4 nm.  In the sound gear a destroyer is also detected bearing very close in 90°T.  Must have gotten into the forward port screen.  Destroyers zigzag strongly and irregularly.  By sound bearing sound band of the convoy from 10°T to 335°T. Shifts slowly out to the west.  The convoy is seen in the periscope as shadows they shift out to the east.  On further inquiry in the sound room it is confirmed to me that by sound bearings the convoy must have zigzagged to the east. In the low-light difficult to make out anything in attack periscope because of the beginning of twilight. Convoy course 60°.  Am positioned on the his port side.  Own course 320°.  The swell must have increased.
			SSE 4, Sea 3, Vis. changing, occasional driving snow

Sun and Moon Data 16.09.42

	- 17 -
		continued
		16.09.42		Depth control is complicated.  Destroyers work with sound gear.
		19.18	AC 6636	Two-fan on large steamer shadow closest to me.
				Settings:
				Bow right, target angle 90°, enemy speed 9 knots, spread angle 12.4°, range 2500 meters, lead angle green 17.5°, shooting angle 13.3°.
				After the shot there is danger of the boat broaching.  Therefore must retrain from further observations due to the starboard destroyer screen.
		19.22		After running time of 4 minutes 24.5 seconds heavy torpedo detonation.  Destroyer searches for us.  Moved off to the west.
		21.50		Surfaced.  Pursued, initially to the NE and from 24.00 hours to the south.
		22.35		Incoming Radio Message 1932/715
				Passing of both convoys is expected this evening.  Suspect part of the screen and carrier with shift over to QP 14.  All except Esch and Strelow report position and fuel by Short Signal.  Boats with contact report what was observed. Combat PQ 18 until 70°30' North.
				Nordmeerchef.
		17.09.42
		01.21	AT 4411	Outgoing Radio Message 2140/723
				19.18 square AC 6633 two fan on steamer, after 4 min 25 seconds 1 detonation.  Partial convoy course change to 60°.  63 cbm.
				Köhler.
		04.00	AT 4447
			SE 3-4. Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium, 996 mb
		04.38		Can still only run against the sea at HF.
				Incoming Radio Message 0438/730
				Reche, Köhler, Hopmann, Brandenburg, Zetsche from 19 September 08.00 hours in the area square AC 1270 and 1510.

	Sun and Moon Data 16.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.09.42

	- 18 -
		continued
		17.09.42		Until departure is necessary north of  70°30 North operate against PQ 18.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
		09.42	AT 4777	Dived to listen.  Without results.  Afterwards reloaded.  Believe further search for PQ 18 is hopeless.
			NW 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. good
		11.35	AT 4777	Surfaced and operated on QP 14 against the sea on course 310° and LF.
		12.00	AC 6998	Distance covered:
			NE 6, Sea 5, 3/4 overcast, rain showers, Vis. bad, 1000 mb	16./17.9.            199.5 nm         6.5 nm
				Up to 16.9.     2694.9 nm         65.7 nm
				2894.4 nm         72.2 nm   2966.6 nm
		14.36	AC 6985	Crash dive for aircraft bearing 110°T, range 3000 meters, course 330°.  Water intake through the conning tower hatch.  I.W.O. shouts blow.  I cannot see because he is caught on the hatch.  I shut the control room hatch.  After the boat immediately surfaces the aircraft has disappeared in a cloud.
			NE 7, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. good
				Snap hook of Sea pendent got stuck out so that the coning tower hatch did not close.
		20.00	AC 6839
			N 6-7, Sea 5, half overcast, Vis. bad, snow, rain, 1010 mb
		23.43	AC 6587	Incoming Radio Message 2311/742
			N 6-7, Sea 5, half overcast, rain, Vis. bad, 1010 mb	Boats that on 18 September at 17.00 hours can be in patrol line from square AC 2171 to square 2444 report by Short Signal position and yes.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
				Reaching is not possible for me.
		18.09.42
		04.00	AC 6465
			NNE 2-3, Sea 3, 3/4 overcast, Vis. changing, at times fog, driving snow, 1010 mb
		08.00	AC 6178
			N 1-2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		12.00	AC 5351	Distance covered:
			NNW 4-5, Sea 3, half overcast, Vis. medium, snow showers, 1010 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 17.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.42

	- 19 -
		continued
		18.09.42		Distance covered:
				17./18.9.            233.3 nm         5.7 nm
				Up to 17.9.     2894.4 nm         72.2 nm
				3127.7 nm         77.9 nm   3205.6 nm
		12.43		Incoming Radio Message 1100/750
				Condor C reports:  1057 hours convoy 27E 8785.
				Flieger Führer Lofoten.
		14.30	AC 5229	Therefore course change to 294°.
			NNW 3, Sea 2, 3/4 overcast, snow showers, Vis. changing, 1009 mb
		20.00	AC 1969
			N 3-4, Sea 2-3, half overcast, snow showers, Vis. changing, 1008 mb
		23.42		Incoming Radio Message 2308/767 with the suspicion that the convoy is located about 23°E and makes 8 knots and boats west of 22°E are to report position by Short Signal.  I am to the east.
		19.09.42
		00.00	AC 1914
			NE 3, Sea 2, completely overcast, Vis. changing, 1008 mb
		04.00	AC 1573
			NW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. changing, 1010 mb
		06.25	AC 1458	Crash dive for aircraft bearing 150°T, in 38 meters water.  Light grounding.  NW-course, range 700 meters.
		07.05		Surfaced.
		10.35	AB 3629	Came to course 275°.  Continuous detonations.
		12.00	AB 3617	Distance covered:
			NNW 1, Sea 0-1, overcast, Vis. very good, 1012 mb	17./18.9.            320.5 nm         1.8 nm
				Up to 17.9.     3127.7 nm         77.9 nm
				3448.2 nm         79.7 nm   3527.9 nm
		13.21	AB 3538	U-boat bearing 0°T, 12 nm on same course.
			Occasional snow showers
		16.00	AB 3514
			Vis. changing, show showers, nearly completely overcast, 1011 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.09.42

	- 20 -
		continued
		19.09.42
		20.00	AB 2632	Incoming Radio Message 1928/798
			Vis. changing	Until the beginning of evening twilight continue independent search.  21.00 hours all at convoy report position by Short Signal.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
				Course 220°.
		21.15		Sent Short Signal.
				My position is square AB 2637.  Still have 30-40 cbm fuel.
				Köhler.
		21.21		Incoming Short Signal from Esch that convoy is in square AB 2365 on course 315°.
		22.58		Incoming Radio Message 2229/705
				Bielfeld, Hopmann, Zetsche, Borm, Köhler occupy patrol line from square ÄG 7757 to square AB 2218 for 20 September at 06.00 hours.
				Nordmeerbefehlshaber.
		23.08	AB 2657	Objective square 2218.
				Incoming Radio Message 2236/709 concerning defunct Short Signal.
		20.09.42
		02.15		Incoming Short Signal 0143/711
				New patrol line in old named order for 06.00 hours from AB 2214 to 2279.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
		02.35	AB 2298	Objective AB 2279.
		04.37		Incoming Radio Message 0409/714
				New patrol line from square 2169 to square 2525 in old named order for 06.00 hours.  Timm and Reche 20 nm further to the south.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
		04.45	AB 2279	Objective square AB 2525.
		06.00	AB 2525	Reached.
		06.13	NW 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. very good, 1016 mb	Incoming Radio Message 0544/717
				All attack free.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
				Searched on course 295° and from 09.00 hours on course 270° to gain contact and at the same time get ahead.
		10.13	AB 2426	Crash dive for aircraft.  Sound bearings of the convoy in 0-20T.
		10.43		Destroyers bearing 335°T and 10°T.

	Sun and Moon Data 19.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.42

	- 21 -
		continued
		20.09.42		Was held submerged by the port flank screen.  Convoy zigzags to the west and past me out of reach.  Ran off to the south.
		11.22		2 detonations.
		11.25		1         "
		12.00	AB 2425	Distance covered:
				19./20.9.            278.0 nm         3.7 nm
				Up to 19.9.     3448.2 nm         79.7 nm
				3726.2 nm         83.4 nm   3809.6 nm
		12.02 - 14.56		A destroyer group bearing 10°T, distance 8-10 nm, searches and throws depth charges.
		15.13		All clear.  Surfaced, initially pursued on course 165° and from 18.00 on course 220° as fast as possible without hindering getting ahead.
		18.00	AB 2495
			WNW 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. very good, 1017 mb
		19.13		Incoming Radio Message 1850/739
				All at convoy report position by Short Signal at 21.00 hours.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
		21.00	AB 2743	Sent Short Signal.
				My position is AB 2743.
				Köhler.
		23.43	AB 1998	Incoming Radio Message 2322/745
			W 1-2, Swell 1, overcast, Vis. good, 1017 mb	If no contact for 21 September 05.00 hours patrol line from square AB 1785 to square 4257 in named order Hymmen, Vogler, Strelow, Borm, Timm, Zetsche, Köhler.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
				Objective square AB 4257.
		21.09.42
		01.04		Incoming Radio Message 2253/744 concerning confirmation of the Short Signal position report.
				Threaded coupling of the inlet manifold of the fuel pump starboard 5 broken.  Spare parts are not found on board, so that starboard diesel is operable with only 5 cylinders.  As a result of heavily nicked propellers already much speed loss.
		04.52	AB 4263	Outgoing Radio Message 0430
				Reaching position first possible due to diesel repairs at 06.30 hours, still clear for 13.5 knots.  26 cbm.  Square 4263.
				Köhler.

	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.42

	- 22 -
		continued
		21.09.42
		06.50	AB 4275	Flying boat bearing 40°T, course east, range 8000 meters.
		07.00	WNW 1-2, Sea 0-1, overcast, Vis. very good, 1017 mb	Turned towards us.
		07.01		Crash dive!
				By sound bearing convoy in 340°T.  Bearing steady, later shifts out a little to the west.  I believe that the convoy has zigzagged to the south and attempt to reach shooting position on course 270°, because the flying boat prevented my surfacing.
		10.00		By sound bearings the convoy must have zigzagged to the SW.
		11.51		Air and sea clear.  Surfaced.  After opening the conning tower hatch a carrier aircraft directly astern distance 500 meters in clear approach.  Immediate crash dive.  Waited each second for the bombs however it seems he had no more.
		12.00	AB 4272	Distance covered:
				20./21.9.            208.0 nm        17.5 nm
				Up to 20.9.     3726.2 nm         83.4 nm
				3934.2 nm         100.9 nm   4035.1 nm
		12.15		Flying boat, depth charges.
		12.42 - 13.34		Many depth charge detonations very far off.
		14.02		Surfaced.
		14.19	AB 4195	Incoming Radio Message 1106/759
				Köhler, begin return transit Narvik, Andfjord.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
		14.35		Flying boat bearing 220°T, very far off, turned to course 60°.
		15.00		Aircraft out of sight.  Course 130°.
		15.33	AB 4281	U-boat Timm abeam.  Compared positions.  By this we are 10 nm further to the west.
		20.00	AB 4641
			NE 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. very good, 1015
		22.19		Sent Short Signal:  Position 36 hours off meeting point with escort.
				Köhler.

Sun and Moon Data 21.09.42

	- 23 -
		continued
		21.09.42	AB 4689	Incoming Radio Message 2240/778
				Confirming Short Signal Köhler position 23 September at 10.00 hours off Andenes.
		22.09.42
		04.00	AB 5746
		08.00	AB 8132
			NE 1-2, Sea 0-1, Vis. very good, half overcast, 1008 mb
		12.00	AB 8257	Distance covered:
			NE 4-5, Sea 3, 3/4 overcast, Vis. good, 1008 mb	21./22.9.            253.0 nm          11.0 nm
				Up to 21.9.     3934.2 nm         100.9 nm
				4187.2 nm         111.9 nm   4299.1 nm
		16.00	AB 8528
		20.00	AB 8672
			ENE 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good, 1002 mb
		23.09.42
		00.00	AB 8698
			NE 6-7, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. medium, 998 mb
		04.00	AB 9722	Due to strong Sea State speed significantly reduced, therefore cannot comply with reported arrival time.  Therefore,
			NE 7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. good, 994 mb
		07.14		Outgoing Short Signal:  My arrival time delayed 4 hours.
				Köhler.
		10.33		Incoming Radio Message 1000/712
				U-377 first positioned 23 September at 14.00 hours at Andenes.  Enter without escort.
				Admiral Nordmeer.
		12.00	Andenes Lighthouse	Bearing 180°T, 8 nm.
			E 4, Sea 4, half overcast, Vis. good, 984 mb	Distance covered:
				22./23.9.            242.0 nm          --   nm
				Up to 22.9.     4187.2 nm         111.9 nm
				4429.2 nm         111.9 nm   4541.1 nm
		12.45	Andenes Lighthouse	Bearing 270°T, 5 nm.  Transit through Andfjord, Topsund, Tjeldsund, Ofotfjord.

	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.42

	- 24 -
		continued
		23.09.42
		17.14		Incoming Radio Message 1645/728
				Köhler, Teichert
				If arrival in Narvik is not possible before darkness stay in Harstad.  Report intentions.
				Nordmeerbegehlshaber.
				Because I am passing Tjeldsund
		17.51		Outgoing Radio Message 1732/730
				Arrival Narvik 21.00 hours.
				Köhler.
		20.30	Narvik	Made fast alongside "TANGA".
		24.09.42
		14.35	Narvik	Cast off TANGA.
		16.19	Skjomenfjord	Made fast alongside "STELLA-POLARIS".
				Distance covered:
				23./24.9.            157.0 nm          --   nm
				Up to 23.9.     4429.2 nm         111.9 nm
				4586.2 nm         111.9 nm
				4698.1 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.42

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the KTB of "U 377" (Köler) from 26.7.42 - 24.9.42.
	Nothing to note.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

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