U-387 - 2nd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason

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 387"
			Kommandant:  Kapitänleutnant  B  ü  c  h  l  e  r  .
				2nd Patrol
				Beginning on:    22 August   1943
				Ending on:          6 October 1943
			1st Copy, Control Number 1 2nd Copy, Control Number 2 3rd Copy, Control Number 3 4th Copy, Control Number 4 5th Copy, Control Number 5 6th Copy, Control Number 6 7th Copy, Control Number 7 8th Copy, Control Number 8
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		22.08. - 04.09.43	Narvik	Overhaul by WS "HUASCARAN".
		05.09.43	Skjomenfjord	Outfitting at steamer "KÄRNTEN".
		06. - 17.09.43	Narvik	Alongside "HUASCARAN"
		18.09.43	Narvik
		09.30		Alongside "METEOR".
		12.30		Cast off for 2nd patrol.
				Operational Orders for the weather observation operation "Schatzgräber" in effect.
		15.08	Lödingen	Pilot on board.
		17.25	Harstad	Made fast Provisioning office.  Provisions and clothing taken over.
		21.10		Departed Harstad.
		19.09.43	Harstad - Tromsø	Transit through the Finsnes-narrows to Tromsø.
		04.47	Tromsø	Pilot disembarked.
		05.00		Continued transit with WBS "KEHDINGEN" in convoy by R-Boat via Hammerfest up to SR 1.
		12.00	Position Red 51	Day's run:  Surfaced 25 nm.
			Due to engine damage (bearing starboard III) it is necessary to run in to Hammerfest for the purpose of notifying F.d.U. because the starboard engine will be out of service for 24 hours.
		17.10	Hammerfest	Entered.
			Telephone conversation with A 1 F.d.U. Nordmeer.  In my opinion the boat can continue under these circumstances, necessary because time is pressing for the operation.
		20.00	E 3, Sea 1-2, gloomy, 6/10, 986 mb, +9°C
		21.55	Position SR 1	Released from convoy.  Continued with "KEHDINGEN" to 79°N, 37°E.
		22.27	AC 7249	Drifting mine sighted.  Type not distinguished due to night, not shot.
		20.09.43	Southern Barents Sea
		00.00	AC 7227
			E 2, Sea 2, 6/10, clear, 983 mb, +10°C
		04.00	AC 4859
			E 3, Sea 1-2, 9/10, 985 mb, +7°C
		0x.13	AC 4837	Encounter with reconnaissance aircraft.  Recognition signal exchanged (Morse name ZZUD).
				Until 06.37 hours local reconnaissance.
		0x.35 - 0x.01		Test dive.
		08.00	AC 4834
			ESE 2, Sea 1-2, 8/10, 983 mb, +8°C

	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 19.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.43

	- 2 -
		continued
		20.09.43
		09.42	AC 4592	Drifting mine sighted.  Type not determined, not shot.
		12.00	73°05'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       210 nm.
			26°16'E	Submerged       1 nm
			ESE 2, Sea 2, clear, 8/10, 984 mb, +7.5°C
		13.50	73°33.9'N	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix by the sun:  33°T, 12.9 nm.
			27°04.5'E
		14.25	Own U-boat in sight square AC 4354.  Recognition Signal exchange initiated per Armed Forces procedures.  U-boat answers twice by shooting the correct cartridge.  Letter exchanged goes unanswered.  Morse name not decipherable due to range and swell.  Suspect "Sickel".
		16.00	AC 4329
			ESE 2, Sea 2, clear, 7/10, 985 mb, +8°C
		20.00	AC 1969
			ESE 3, Sea 2-3, gloomy, overcast, 986 mb, +6.5°C
		21.09.43	Barents Sea
		00.00	AC 2464
			ENE 3, Sea 2, overcast, mist, 986 mb, +6°C
		04.00	AC 2455
			ENE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, mist, 986 mb, +5°C
		08.00	AC 2196
			ENE 3, Sea x, mist, gloomy, 988 mb, +4.5°C, Vis. 1-5 nm, at times clearing
		12.00	76°59'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       242 nm.
			32°50'E
			ESE 4, Sea 3, overcast, fog, 988 mb, +3°C, Vis. 1-6 nm
		16.00	ÄG 9755
			ESE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, fog, 990 mb, +2°C, Vis. 1-5 nm
		20.00	ÄG 9491
			ESE 3, Sea 1-2, mist, overcast, 991 mb, +0°C, Vis. 2-10 nm
		22.09.43	Barents Sea
			ESE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, fog, 993 mb, +0°C, Vis. 3-8 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.43

	- 3 -
		continued
		22.09.43
		04.00	ÄG 9258
			E 3, Sea 2-3, overcast (drizzle) fog, 995 mb, +0.5°C, Vis. 1-5 nm
		04.19	With two position lines from the moon with a foggy horizon a difference between dead reckoning and actual position of about 15 nm to the south is determined.
		08.00	ÄG 9315
			E 4, (fog), (clear), (mist), overcast, 995 mb, +0.5°C
		11.20		Prince George Land in sight to starboard.
		12.00	80°01'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       240 nm.
			44°20'E
			E 4, Sea 3, overcast, clear, 9/10, 995 mb, +0°C
		12.24	80°08'N	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after an exact navigation fix = 354°T, 4 nm.
			44°37'E
			The view of the coast here corresponds to the chart.  Cape Crowther, Cape Neale, Cape Lofley, Cape Ludlow are perfectly recognized.  On steering into the sound between Cape Nansen and Alexandra Land entirely different conditions arose, the plotting sometimes resulted in positions over land.  What is shown on the chart as low lying land is a deep semi-circular bay.  In spite of the picture being the opposite of the chart, I must accept that I am in the searched for bay, because the 12.24 hours navigation fix was perfect.
		18.15	ÄF 4487	"KEHDINGEN" has anchored.
		18.30		Made fast alongside.
			In the course of the evening examined the grounds for suitability for the construction of the station with Dr. D r e e s.
		20.00	Cambridge Sound
			EbyN 2, Sea 2, clear, 5/10, 995 mb, -1°C
			Because "KEHDINGEN" has engine damage, I think it is necessary to remain alongside until the repairs are completed, because for the sake of better unloading the ship is as close as possible under land and there is danger of grounding on the steep coast with the shifting wind..
		23.09.43	Cambridge Sound
		00.00	ENE 4, Sea 2, overcast, clear, 9/10, 993 mb, -1°C
		04.00	ENE 3, Sea 2, clear, 7/10, 995 mb, -2°C
		08.00	NE 5, Sea 3, overcast, clear, 991 mb, -2.5°C	Cannot begin unloading of the ship today because of the freshening wind because for the small boats the danger of swamping exists.
		12.00	Cambridge Sound
			NE 8, Sea 4, overcast, fog, 9/10, 990 mb, -2.5°C

	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.43

	- 4 -
		continued
		23.09.43
		16.00	NE 9, Sea 4, overcast, fog, 9/10, 990 mb, -2.5°C
		20.00	NNE 6, Sea 2, overcast, fog, 9/10, 992 mb, -3°C
		24.09.43	Cambridge Sound
		00.00	NNE 5-6, Sea 2, overcast, fog, 9/10, 993 mb, -3.5°C
		04.00	NbyE, Sea 2, overcast, mist, 9/10, 995 mb, -4°C
		08.00	N 6-7, Sea 2, overcast, mist, 9/10, 995 mb, -5°C
		12.00	NNW 5-6, Sea 2, overcast, mist, 9/10, 996 mb, -5.5°C	Began unloading "KEHDINGEN".
				My entire crew helps, the work proceeds quickly.
		16.00	N 4, Sea 1-2, 997 mb, -6°C
		20.00	N 2, Sea 1-2, clear, 9/10, 997 mb, -6°C
		25.09.43	Waters around Alexandra Land
		00.00	NNW 3, Sea 1-2, clear, 9/10, 997 mb, -5.5°C	Alongside "KEHDINGEN".
		04.00	NW 2, Sea 2, clear, 9/10, 997 mb, -1°C	"KEHDINGEN" lies on a reef ledge and was shifted by me to another anchorage.  Engines are still not in order.
		06.45		Cast off.  Intention:  Exploration of the north coast of Alexandra Land from the west and the east.
		08.00	ÄF 4713
			W 2, Sea 2, clear, 9/10, 997 mb, -6°C
		09.00		A FW-Condor in sight over Cape Neale, course for "KEHDINGEN" anchorage.
				The aircraft was not announced by Radio Message.
		09.22 - 09.41		Test dive.
		12.00	80°45.5'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       52 nm.
			45°15'E	Submerged      1 nm
			W 2, Sea 1, overcast, mist, 9/10, 998 mb, -3.5°C
			The calving fronts of the glaciers no longer corresponds with the map, instead they have receded at all points in some places by miles.
		16.00	ÄF 4482	The eastern part of Prince George Land as far as Arthur Island is in sight.  Came about, because the eastern passage between Prince George Land and Alexandra Land is blocked by pack ice.
			WbyS 2, Sea 2, overcast, snow, 9/10, 998 mb, -3°C

	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.43

	- 5 -
		continued
		25.09.43
			Plotting and sounding results are practically of little use due to the lack of any navigation fixes and unknown currents, but give only an approximate indication.
		18.49	80°53.7'N	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix = 174°T, 5.8 nm
			46°27.5'E
		20.00	ÄG 6669	The drift ice is located about at 81°N, therefore haste is necessary in unloading "KEHDINGEN".
			WSW 3-4, Sea 2-3, (snow), clear, 9/10, 997 mb, -6°C
		26.09.43	Waters around Alexandra Land
		00.00	ÄG 6938
			WSW 3, Sea 2, overcast, clear, 9/10, 1000 mb, -3°C
		04.00	ÄG 4721
			WSW 2, Sea 2, clear, overcast, 9/10, 1000 mb, -3°C
			No indications were found to suggest an enemy weather observation station.
		04.40		Made fast at "KEHDINGEN".
		08.00	Cambridge Sound	The day was utilize to assist with unloading.
			SSW 2, Sea 1, overcast, clear, 9/10, 1000 mb, -3°C
		12.00	Cambridge Sound
			SSE 2, Sea 1, overcast, clear, 9/10, 1000 mb, -3.5°C
		16.00	Cambridge Sound
			ESE 2, Sea 1, overcast, fog, snow, 996 mb, -3.5°C, Vis. 2 nm
		20.00	ÄF 4487
			E 4, Sea 3, (snow), overcast, fog, 994 mb, -2°C, Vis. 1-2 nm
		27.09.43	Cambridge Sound
		00.00	ÄF 4487	Alongside "KEHDINGEN".
			E 5-6, Sea 3, overcast, mist, 992 mb, -1.5°C, Vis. 3 nm
		02.05		Cast off from "KEHDINGEN".  Intend to explore the north coast of Prince George Land.
		04.00	ÄF 4718
			EbyN 5, Sea 3-4, gloomy (fog), overcast, 997 mb, -1.5°C, Vis. 4-5 nm, fog banks
		06.45		Due to visibility deterioration to 1 nm in 18 meters water anchored.  (Cape Nansen).
		08.00	ÄF 4720
			ENE 5, Sea 3, fog, overcast, (snow), 989 mb, +0.°5C, Vis. 1 nm, clearing briefly

	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 26.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 27.09.43

	- 6 -
		continued
		27.09.43
		12.00	80°25.8'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       36 nm.
			47°10'E
			NE 4-5, Sea 3, overcast, mist, 989 mb, +1°C, clearing
		12.38		Weighed anchor.  The attempt to explore further was broken off because immediately after weighing anchor there was mist and fog.
		15.40	ÄF 4487
			Boat anchored at "KEHDINGEN".  Unloading work suspended because the motorboat is out of service and from 13.00 hours drifted with 15 men for several miles onto land.  "KEHDINGEN" finally has his engine operable and brings the people back, the motor boat must be abandoned because it is stuck in the ice in shallow water.  Traffic to land with the rubber boats is not possible due to the stiff squally wind.  Both outboard motors are out of service.
		16.00	NE 5, in squalls up to 8, Sea 4-5, (8/10), overcast, gloomy, 989 mb, +05°C, Vis. 6-8 nm
		20.00	SE 4, Sea 3-4, clear, 9/10, 990 mb, +0°C, Vis. good
		28.09.43	Cambridge Sound
		00.00	S 2, Sea 2, overcast, fog, 8/10, 991 mb, +1°C, Vis. bad
		04.00	S 2-3, Sea 1, overcast, fog, 9/10, 995 mb, -1°C, Vis. medium
		06.00		Alongside "KEHDINGEN"
				My crew assists with unloading and with hut construction.
		08.00	SE 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, mist, 8/10, 995 mb, -1°C
		12.00	80°44.8'N
			47°28'E
			E 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, mist, 9/10, 993 mb, -1°C, Vis. medium
		16.00	NE 4, Sea 1-2, overcast, fog, 9/10, 993 mb, -1°C, Vis. medium, at times thick fog
		19.00	The unloading work has ended.  With our help today the hut has come far enough along that it provides sufficient shelter.
		20.00	NNE 3, Sea 1-2, overcast, mist, 9/10, 990 mb, -2°C, Vis. medium to good

	Sun and Moon Data 27.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 28.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 29.09.43

	- 7 -
		29.09.43	Cambridge Sound
		00.00	NNE 2, Sea 1, overcast, mist, 9/10, 988 mb, -3°C, Vis. medium
		03.00	NE 3, Vis, 3 nm	Cast off.  Intention:  Ice reconnaissance due to freshening NE-wind.
		04.00	NE 4-5, Sea 3, mist, overcast, 986 mb, -1.5°C, Vis. 2 nm, constantly changing fog	Only a little ice is found at the entrance of Cambridge Sound.
		07.20		Alongside "KEHDINGEN".
			With the current wind and ice conditions I believe it is a matter of urgency to undertake the unloading of the evasion stash today and to finish, although the wind constantly freshens and the exposed shore offers little protection.
		08.00	NNE 5, Sea 3-4, snow, mist, overcast, 986 mb, -3°C, Vis. 2-6 nm
		09.30	Cast off and again came alongside "KEHDINGEN" at the unloading place for the evasion stash.  "KEHDINGEN" is so close to land that the cutter can be hauled back and forth on a long line to unload.  A appropriate number of men ensures the quick transfer for camouflaging ashore. The greatest haste is necessary because with a shifting wind there is a danger of running aground.
		12.00	80°45'N
			46°55'E
			NNE 6, Sea 3, overcast, mist, snow, 988 mb, -4°C
		15.10		Unloading ended and cast off, to the old anchorage alongside "KEHDINGEN".
		20.00	NNE 5, Sea 2, mist, overcast, 990 mb, -5°C	Bid the expedition farewell and put them ashore.
				Intention:  03.00 hours ready for sea, to give the people of the expedition opportunity to check if anything was forgotten.
		30.09.43	Cambridge Sound
		00.00	N 2, Sea 1-2, mist, overcast, 995 mb, -5°C
		03.00	Dr. D r e e s comes aboard because he has determined that his Message Instructions (red print) to Operations Order "Schatzgräber" came into contact with water during yesterday climb ashore and have become illegible.  Message Instructions come from "KEHDINGEN" with instructions, to work with these until a new one is received if necessary.
		04.00	ÄF 4487	Cast off and began return transit with "KEHDINGEN".
			NbyE 3, Sea 3, mist, (snow), overcast, 993 mb, -6°C
		06.36		Cape Nansen abeam.
		08.00	ÄF 4743
			NNE 4, Sea 3, (snow), mist, overcast, 992 mb, -3.5°C, Vis. 3-4 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 29.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 30.09.43

	- 8 -
		continued
		30.09.43
		12.00	80°5.6'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       50 nm.
			44°40'E
			NE 4, Sea 3, overcast, mist, snow, 994 mb, -4°C, Vis. 5-6 nm
		12.58 - 13.15		Test dive.
		16.00	ÄG 9319
			NE 3, Sea 3, mist, overcast, snow, 995 mb, -3°C
		20.00	ÄG 9261
			NE 4, Sea 3, snow, mist, overcast, 996 mb, -2°C
		01.10.43	Barents Sea
		00.00	ÄG 9277
			NE 4, Sea 3, overcast, mist, snow, 998 mb, -3°C
		04.00	ÄG 9465
			NE 3, Sea 2, overcast, gloomy, (snow), 998 mb, -2°C, Vis. 8 nm
		08.00	ÄG 9728
			NE 4, Sea 3, gloomy, overcast, 998 mb, -1°C, Vis. 10 nm
		12.00	77°08.5'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       229 nm.
			33°10'E	Submerged      1 nm
		13.40		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix (stellar) 270°T, 8 nm.
		16.00	AC 2192
			NNE 3, Sea 2, clear, 9/10, 999 mb, -0.5°C, Vis. 15 nm
		20.00	AC 2452
			NNE 3, Sea 2, clear, 7/10, 999 mb, -0.5°C, Vis. 15 nm
		22.00		Outgoing Radio Message:
				Position 30 hours off arrival point.
		02.10.43	Barents Sea
		00.00	AC 2712
			NNE 3, Sea 2, overcast, clear, 8/10, 1000 mb, +1°C, Vis. 10 nm
		04.00	AC 1995
			NNE 3, Sea 2, overcast, clear, 9/10, 1000 mb, +0.5°C, Vis. 12 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 30.09.43
	Sun and Moon Data 01.10.43
	Sun and Moon Data 02.10.43

	- 9 -
		continued
		02.10.43
		08.00	AC 4355
			NNE 3, Sea 2, clear, 8/10, 1001 mb, +1°C, Vis. 12 nm
		10.56		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix (stellar) 338°T, 19.5 nm.
		12.00	73°39'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       239 nm.
			26°00.7'E	Submerged       2 nm
			NNE 2, Sea 1, clear, 1/10, 1002 mb, +4°C, blue sky, Vis. 15 nm
		16.00	AC 4568
			NNE 1, Sea 1, 3/10, clear, 1001 mb, +4°C
		20.00	AC 4829
			E 3, Sea 2, clear, 9/10, 999 mb, +5°C
		03.10.43	Barents Sea
		00.00	AC 4887
			E 4, Sea 3, 5/10, clear, 993 mb, +5.5°C
		04.00	AC 7246
			ENE 5, Sea 4, passing showers, 9/10, 987 mb, +5°C
		04.30	SR 1	Met with escort R-boat.
		08.00	Hammerfest
			ENE 5, Sea 4, mist, (rain), passing showers, overcast, 985 mb, +4.5°C
		10.25		Continued transit in convoy for Tromsø.
		12.00	70°29'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       213 nm.
			22°53.6'E
			ENE 5, Sea 4, overcast, mist. rain, 988 mb, +4°C
		16.00	Point 50
			NNE 5, Sea 4, overcast, mist, (rain), 990 mb, +5°C
		21.30	Tromsø	Released from convoy.
		22.40		Pilot on board.
		04.10.43	Tromsø - Narvik
		00.00	AB 9952
			NNW 2, Sea 1, overcast, clear, 6/10, 998 mb, +4.5°C

	Sun and Moon Data 02.10.43
	Sun and Moon Data 03.10.43
	Sun and Moon Data 04.10.43

	- 10 -
		continued
		04.10.43
		04.00	NbyW 2, Sea 1, 7/10, clear, 999 mb, +4°C
		08.00	Lödingen	Pilot disembarked.
			NW 1, Sea 0-1, clear, 6/10, 1001 mb, +6.5°C
		13.00		Ran in to Narvik
			At sea, 6 October 1943
				Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant.

Sun and Moon Data 04.10.43

	Enclosure 3 to F.d.U. Norwegen Gkdos 3524
	Comments of the F.d.U. Norwegen
	on the K.T.B. of "U 387" from 22.8. - 6.10.43
	1) To 22 September 12.24 hours:  Details in Navigational Special Report. 2) The energetic dedication, seamanship and organizational performance of the Kommandanten is recognized. The correct and timely construction of the station with the apparently insufficient skills of the head of the weather troop is much to the credit of the Kommandant.  Further see Special Report.

	Comments of the Admiral Nordmeer
	on the Kriegstagebuch of "U 387" for the period from 22.8. - 6.10.1943
	A judgment on the skills of the head of the weather troop is to be made final only after completion of the operation.  Up to now there is nothing derogatory to say concerning the reports of weather troop.         With regard to the lack of equipment for the operation, I refer to my reports.  Furthermore, it should be noted that the U-boat was to support small ship's crew and the weather troop in every respect to assist in deployment and this task was carried out well.
	Signed in draft Klüber

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the KTB of "U 387" (Büchler) from 22.8.-6.10.1943.
	Agreed.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

Click the icons to view the associated records
	Return to the U-boat KTB page