U-402 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

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				Copy No. _ _ _ _ 5 _ _ _
				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h  .
				"  U-402  "
				Kommandant:  Kaptlt. Baron v. F  o  r  s  t  n  e  r  .
				Beginning:  26.10.1941.
				Ending:        9.12.1941.
				Distribution:     U-402 Copy No. 1   3. U.-Flottille " 2   B.d.U. " 3   2. A.d.U.-Boote " 4   O.K.M. " 5+6
				Enclosures:     1 Track chart For copy No. 1-5   1 Summary of the General Radio Log        "        "    2-5   1 Summary of the Officer-Only Radio Log        "        "    2-5   1 Original of the General Radio Log        "        "    1   1 Original of the Officer-Only Radio Log        "        "    1
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	- 1 -
		26.10.41	Kiel, Tirpitz Mole
		05.45		Farewell by the Chief of the 5. U.-Flottille
		06.15		Cast off from "HAMBURG".  In the wake of U-434 transit on Route "Red" up to "Red 15".
		09.12	Great Belt	At "Red 15" test dive from 09.12 to 09.29 hours.  Afterwards continued transit in convoy with Speerbrecher 13, U-434, U-402, hospital ship "STUTTGART".  Radio Circuit Karl Otto [U-boat Coastal Circuit].
			NNW 3, overcast, showers
		12.00	AO 7344 upper-center edge	Day's run:  Surfaced  62 nm.
		16.00	AO 7192	Continued transit at 2 x HF up to "Rot 28", hospital ship "STUTTGART" released from the formation at 17.50 hours.  Sperrbrecher comes to course 110°, LF to anchorage square AO 7245 center-right edge.  Anchored at 19.45 hours.
			NW 5, Sea 4
		19.45	AO 7245 center-right edge
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, moonlit
		27.10.41
		07.25	AO 7245 center-right edge	Raised anchor, in the wake of Speerbrecher, U-434, at LF, course 295° for "Red 26a".
			N 4, few clouds, clear horizon
		09.25		Change of escort.  Vp-boat, U-434, U-402, Vp-boot.  Vp-boats from the 16. Vp.-Flotille
		09.45		Passed Seelands Rev minefield gap.  Continued transit at KF.
		12.00	South Kattegat	Day's run:  Surfaced  105 nm.
			AO 7211 center
		12.04 - 12.14	AO 7211 center	Crash dive for aircraft (biplane), possibly "H 60".
		12.25 - 12.31		Crash dive for aircraft (possibly Ju 52, recognition signal not answered).
		13.20 - 13.32	AO 4793 lower-left	Crash dive for aircraft (possibly Ju 52, recognition signal not answered, approaching)
		16.00	AO 4768 upper-left	2 Vp-boats fall slowly astern and are lost from sight at 16.00 hours.  Continued transit on Route "Black" on 1 diesel LF to anchorage "Black 17" (south of Frederikshavn).
			N 4, shifting to the W
		20.00	AO 4731 lower-center edge
			Læsø Rende
		22.15	AO 4486 lower-center edge	Anchored at "Black 17".
			At Frederikshavn
		28.10.41
		05.30	AO 4486 lower-center edge	Attempted to raise anchor.  Anchor clutch will not engage.  During work on the deck No. 1 Bootsmann Neidemann goes overboard while securing a bowline and is immediately back on board.  Waited for it to get light.  In the sea the Vp-boat can not continue.
			Wind veering through S to E up to NE 5-6, Sea 5
		09.00		During a new attempt to raise the anchor the chain rushes out to 85 meters.  Went into the sea with 1 diesel to prevent drifting.
		10.30		U-434 runs in to Frederikshavn.

	Sun and Moon Data 26.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 27.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.10.41

	- 2 -
		continued
		28.10.41
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced  59 nm.
		15.00	Sea state abating, swell 4	The heavier Vp-boat, which U-434 had requested, arived in Frederikshavn from Skagen.
		17.30		With a new attempt by the Chief Engineer and Ob.Masch Fischer at 17.30 hours engaging the anchor clutch is successful due to the perseverance and skill of the latter.  Fischer worked 1.2 hours under the over washed stern until the clutch held to the point that the anchor could be heaved.
		18.15		Anchor aboard.  Anchor is operational.  Proceeding with 1 Vp-boat (905) and U-434 to Arendal.
		20.00	AO 4491 lower-left
		24.00	AO 4453 upper-left
		29.10.41	Skaggerak
		04.00	AO 4175	About 03.00 hours Vp-boat and U-434 were lost in a snow squall.  About 07.30 hours again in sight off Arendal.
		08.00	AN 3391
		09.20	Off Arendal	VP-boat and U-434 enter Arendal.  Back and forth off Arendal, waiting on Vp-boat.  Vp-boat not seen because of visibility deterioration in snow squalls.  Radio Message to B.S.O.:  "To B.S.O. [Befehlshaber der Sicherungs der Ostsee] Admiral Westküste:  Continuing transit to Kristiansand independently, because the Vp-boat taking U-434 in to Arendal has not returned.  Position naval square AO 3386.  Running at 10 knots, escort from Kristiansand assured."  U-402.
			NE 8-9, Sea 6-7, snow squalls
		12.00	AN 3694	Day's run:  Surfaced  115 nm.
		14.30		Transit to Kristiansand continued independently.
		16.00	AN 3622	16.10 hours U-578 in sight.  About 16.30 hours Vp-boat 905 again in sight off Kristiansand.
		18.10	Kristiansand	Entered Kristiansand because there is no new escort.
				18.10 hours made fast alongside U-578.
		30.10.41	Kristiansand	U-578 is waiting on a replacement for an ill junior Mechaniker who should have arrived at 07.30 hours from Stavanger; it was 11.20 hours before we could depart.
		11.20	NNE 2-3, later abating NNE 1, Sea 1, swells, few clouds, clear horizon
		11.30 - 11.49	Kristiansand Fjord	Test dive in Kristiansand Fjord.
		12.00	AN 3614	Day's run:  Surfaced  53 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 28.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 29.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 30.10.41

	- 3 -
		continued
		30.10.41
				From 11.50 hours in convoy with 2 Vp-boats proceeding to Egersund.  Vp-boat 1106 forward, U-402, U-578 in line ahead formation, Vp-boat NK 07 to starboard astern.  2 fighters (Me 109 for fighter cover).
		16.00	AN 3516
		16.20	Lister abeam
		18.07	Svåholmane abeam
		18.50		Because Vp-boats may only escort 1 hour after sunset, entered Egersund. 18.50 hours made fast alongside Vp-boat 1106. Waiting in Kristiansand cost to us practically another whole day, because, according to B.d.U. orders, we must transit submerged by day, we would have accomplished barely anything on 31 October from dismissal of the escort until darkness.
		31.10.41
		07.35	Egersund	Put to sea from Egersund.  In same formation as on 30 October.  Transit in convoy to AM 3126 at the latitude of the Skudenes
			NNE 1, cloudy to cloudless, Sea 0-1
				From 08.42 hours 2 Me 109s as fighter escort.
		11.30		Released by escort.
		11.40		Dived to proceed submerged.  Course 304°.  LF depth 40 meters.
		12.00	AN 3126	Day's run:  Surfaced  95 nm.
		16.00	AN 3121
		18.38	AN 2975 right-edge	Surfaced to proceed on the surface, 1 diesel, charging, 1 diesel HF.  From 23.00 hours both LF, course 350°.
			NNE 1, Sea 0, moonlit
		20.00	AN 2971
		23.50	AN 2399	Crash dive for training.
				Because in the evening the encryption key for October was destroyed, Officer-Only radio messages could not be decrypted.  Because U-578 has sent out several radio messages and therefore the area is already U-boat-suspicious and because position message must be sent, radio message to B.d.U.:
		23.56		B.d.U. from U-402:  Officer-Only encryption key for October destroyed.  Position naval square AN 2399.
				Up to diving to proceed submerged the Officer-Only from B.d.U. was not repeated.
		01.11.41	Northern North Sea
		01.25	AN 2395	Shadow 20° to port ahead.  Avoided on the surface, course 55.  01.40 hours came to old course 350°.
		04.00	AM 2362 center
		07.36	AF 8781	Dived to proceed submerged, course 350°, LF, depth 40 meters.
		10.25		Course changed to 294°.

	Sun and Moon Data 30.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 31.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 01.11.41

	- 4 -
		continued
		01.11.41
		12.00	AF 8746 center	Day's run:  Surfaced  131 nm, Submerged 35 nm.
			NE 0-1, Sea 0, clear horizon, few high clouds
		12.58		Surfaced to take the midday latitude and ventilate the boat.  During the long wave reception period copied the rest of the Serial Nos. on Karl Otto Circuit.  Shifted to Ireland Circuit.  Monitored long and short wave on the Ireland Circuit.  Serial Nos. from 0602/1/190.  Missing Officer-Only not repeated on Karl Otto Circuit.
		13.50		70° to starboard a possible periscope.  Turned away and ran off at GF.
		13.52		20° to starboard a drifting mine.
		13.57		Quick dive for training.  Continued submerged transit, course 294°, LF.
		14.35		Course changed to 285°.
		16.00	AF 7938
		18.43	AF 7938	Surfaced to proceed on the surface.  1 diesel charging, 1 diesel HF, later both LF, course 285°.
			N 1, Sea 0, few clouds, later moonlit,
		22.40		Course changed to 310°.
		23.25	AF 7912 upper-right	Quick dive for training (23.25 - 22.30 hours)
		20.00	AF 7929	During the evening confirmation on Karl Otto Circuit:  October Officer-Only Radio Message from B.d.U. settled.
		02.11.41	Northern North Sea
		02.09	AF 7595 upper-right	Changed course to 270°.
			N 1, Sea 0, cloudy, frequently unclear horizon
		03.35		Drifting mine to port.
		04.37		A shadow to port, sharp silhouette, ran off at GF.
		04.49		Came to old course.
		04.00	AF 7582
		07.02		Course change to 230°.
		07.12		Shadow 20° to starboard, turned towards, went to E-motors.  Lost it, probably clouds sighted.  Both diesels LF.  at 07.47 hours again came to course 230°.
		08.00	AF 7493
		08.05		Dived to proceed submerged, LF, course 230°, depth 40 meters.
		12.00	AF 7497	Day's run:  Surfaced  175.5 nm, Submerged 28 nm.
		13.00	NNE 0-1, Sea 0, high clouds	Surfaced to take the mid day latitude and ventilate the boat.
		13.12		Drifting mine abeam to port.
		13.25		30° to starboard and starboard abeam 1 drifting mine each.
		13.38		30° to starboard a drifting mine.
		13.58		Quick dive for training, continued transit submerged.
		16.00	AF 7731

	Sun and Moon Data 01.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 02.11.41

	- 5 -
		continued
		02.11.41
		19.00	AF 7734	Surfaced to proceed on the surface at GF and course 230° to pass between the Shetland and Faroe Islands.
			NNE 1, Sea 0, moonlit, Vis. very good, clear horizon
		22.30		Course changed to 245°.
		24.00	AE 9998	Junkers compressor failed, no compression, the liner may be torn.
		03.11.41	North Atlantic
		03.45	AM 3242 lower-edge	Drifting mine abeam.
		04.23	AM 3244	40° to starboard ahead a small shadow.  Came to course 145° and ran off at GF.  04.53 hours again came to old course, 245°.
			Vis. good, clear horizon
		08.26	AM 3477	Drifting mine to starboard.
			N 1, Sea 0, Vis. very good, cloudless
		09.14		Came to LF.  Because of the good visibility and cloudless sky (Vis. 12 nm) am safe from surprise by aircraft.
		11.37	AM 2423 lower-edge	Drifting mine to starboard.
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced  276.5 nm, Submerged 19 nm.
		16.00	AM 2368
		18.00	AM 2385
		20.00	AM 2378
		24.00	AM 1623
		04.11.41
		04.00	AN 1615
		08.00	AN 1553	Continued transit with 1 diesel LF, course 253°.
		12.00	AM 1546	Day's run:  Surfaced  190 nm.
			Wind shifting from N to W, Sea 2, W 2, overcast, low clouds, showers, Vis. good
		16.00	AL 3691	The trim pump does not pump at great depths.  Under the guidance of the Engineering Officer it was removed.  Piston seizure.  After a work period of 30 hours the pump was again in service.
		18.00	AL 3682
		20.00	AL 3676
		24.00	AL 3595
		05.11.41
		04.00	AL 3722	Cruising speed, 1 diesel LF, course 253°.
		08.00	AL 3716
		12.00	AL 3714	Day's run:  Surfaced  114 nm, Submerged 7 nm.
			NNW 5, Sea 4, overcast, rain during the night
		13.55		Quick dive for training.
		14.19		Surfaced.
		14.23		Crash dive for training.  Torpedoes withdrawn.

	Sun and Moon Data 02.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 03.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 04.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 05.11.41

	- 6 -
		continued
		05.11.41
		15.58		Surfaced.  Continued transit with 1 diesel LF, course 253°.
		16.00	AL 2838
		20.00	AL 2629	Diesel compressor is in service again.  A cooling water ring around the liner was cracked. As a result, water passed through the savaging ports into the combustion chamber and had heavily damaged a piston.  A replacement was found for the piston. The cooling ring was provisionally repaired.
		24.00	AL 2651
		06.11.41	North Atlantic
		04.00	AL 2845	Cruising speed 1 diesel LF, course 253°.
		08.00	AL 2844
		1045		Quick dive for training, test dive.
		11.45		Surfaced.
		12.00	AL 2765	Day's run:  Surfaced  102.5 nm, Submerged 15 nm.
			NE 2-3, Sea 2, rain showers, Vis. good to moderate
		15.41		Quick dive for training.  Torpedoes withdrawn.
		16.00		Surfaced, prior to surfacing faintly distinguishable propeller sounds relative bearing 275° (questionable).  Ran towards at HF for 30 minutes.  Nothing made out.  Came to old course.
		20.00	AL 2775	Again cruising speed 1 diesel LF, course 253°.
		24.00	AL 0116	Starboard diesel out of service.  Supercharger can not be disengaged.
		07.11.41
		04.00	AL 1938	Cruising speed 1 diesel LF, course 253°.
			Wind shifting from N 3-4 to S
		08.00	AL 1943
			S 3-4, Sea 3, rain showers, Vis. moderate
		10.29		Dived at dawn.  Crash dive for training.  Torpedoes withdrawn.
		11.29		Surfaced.
		12.00	AK 0368	Day's run:  Surfaced  110 nm, Submerged 4.5 nm.
		16.00	AK 0387
		20.00	AK 6233	Starboard diesel again in service.  Pivot pins to disengage the supercharger clutch were not secured so that one could drop out.  (See KTB Maschine Section, probably a serious failure of the shipyard).
		24.00	AK 6219
		08.11.41
		04.00	AK 6156	Cruising speed 1 diesel LF, course 253°.
		08.00	AK 6156
			Isolated showers, Vis. good, later clearing, Vis. very good, SW 3, Sea 2-3

	Sun and Moon Data 05.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 06.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 07.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 08.11.41

	- 7 -
		continued
		08.11.41
		10.23		At dawn crash dive for training, torpedoes withdrawn.
		11.30		Surfaced.
		12.00	AK 6118	Day's run:  Surfaced  95 nm, Submerged 3 nm.
		16.00	AK 5328
		20.00	AK 5284
		24.00	AK 5168
		09.11.41
		04.00	AK 5182	Cruising speed 1 diesel LF, course 253°.
		08.00	AK 5173
			Overcast, rain showers, Vis. good, NW 4-5, Sea 4
		09.30		Crash dive for training.  Depth 60 meters.  Torpedoes recharged.
		12.00	AK 4398	Day's run:  Surfaced  120 nm, Submerged 4 nm.
		13.45		Surfaced.
		16.00	AK 4389
		20.00	AK 4613
		24.00	AK 4537
		10.11.41	Southeast of Greenland
		08.00	AK 4500	Reached the western edge of AK 4500.  Crash dive for training.  Came to southerly course, depth 60 meters, torpedoes withdrawn.
			NW 4-5, Sea 4, rain showers, Vis. good
		11.09		Surfaced.  On various courses back and forth in ordered square.  1 diesel 220 RPM.
		12.00	AK 4500	Day's run:  Surfaced  92 nm, Submerged 4 nm.
			NW 5-6, Sea 5, rain and hail showers, Vis. moderate to good	Afternoon continued back and forth in square.   Because I have received no Radio Message addressed to me since 3 November and according to outbound orders I should receive my attack area by Radio Message, I decided to send the following Short Signal:
		22.00		Position square AK 4500.  U-402.
		11.11.41		Back and forth in position.
			AK 4500
			NW 5-6, Sea 5, snow, hail and rain showers, Vis. moderate to good
		09.43		Crash dive for training.  Torpedoes withdrawn.  Radio Message from B.d.U. to U-105, U-402 and U-434 from B.d.U.  Officer-Only:
				1.)  From 15 November 08.00 hours take position in following named order:  Schewe: square AE 84 right half and 85.  Forstner: square AE 89.  Heyda:  AE 76 upper half and 73.  Leave there area first on orders.  Anticipated 25 November.
				2.)  Task:  At all costs undetected reconnaissance in these areas.  Attack free only against troopships and warships from cruiser upwards.  Absolute radio silence. Messages are to be sent only on demand.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 09.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 10.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.41

	- 8 -
		continued
		11.11.41
				3.)  After completion of previous tasks and sending of ordered reports, up to 15 November boats have freedom to maneuver in the area to the south of the latitude of AK 2286.
		11.20		Surfaced.  Came to HF and course 65° transit to square AE 89.
		12.00	AK 4591	Day's run:  Surfaced  116 nm, Submerged 4 nm.
		16.00	AK 4652
		20.00	AK 5413
		24.00	AK 5271
		12.11.41
		04.00	AK 5262	Continued transit to ordered square, HF, course 65°.
		08.00	AK 5523
		12.00	AK 3972	Day's run:  Surfaced  264 nm.
			WSW 4-5, abating, during the night swell 1-2, rain showers, Vis. good to moderate
		16.00	AK 3965
		20.00	AK 0327
		21.20		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Report weather by Short Signal.
				Because by sending the weather report the area will be U-boat suspicious, Short Signal sent concerning fuel inventory.
		23.06		"Still have half my fuel inventory"  U-402.
		24.00	AL 1779
		13.11.41
		03.28		Short Signal weather report sent:  "57°N, 26°W, 987 mb, +7°C, SW 2-3, cumulus clouds to rain, Vis. 5 nm.
		04.00	AL 1791	Continue transit at HF, course 65°.
		08.00	AL 1828
			WSW 1-2, Sea 1, swells, light showers
		09.00		Crash dive for training.  Torpedoes ventilated.
		10.20		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
		12.00	AL 2585	Day's run:  Surfaced  238 nm, Submerged 6 nm.
				Main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank converted [for use as a ballast tank], afterwards test dive from 12.37 - 12.55 hours.  Transit continued.
		17.00	AL 2969	Course changed to 60°.  1 diesel HF.  Because the weather had become better and I made more progress through the water, I could save fuel at HF, or even better 1 diesel LF.
		20.00	AL 2643
		23.19		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Schewe, Heydemann, Gengelbach, Lüth, Heyda head for square BC 47.
				Liebe, Forstner head for square AK 92.  Previous orders are invalid for these boats.  Came to course 221°, 1 diesel LF to ordered square AK 92.
		24.00	AL 2633	Junkers compressor again out of service.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 13.11.41

	- 9 -
		14.11.41
		04.00	AL 2653	Continued transit to ordered position, 1 diesel HF, course 221°.
		08.00	AL 2673
			SW 2 Sea 1-2, swell, few clouds, Vis. very good
		10.20		Crash dive for training.  Test dive.
		10.50		Surfaced.
		12.00	AL 2736	Day's run:  Surfaced  192 nm, Submerged 4 nm.
		16.00	AL 2754
		20.00	AL 2798
		24.00	AL 2922
		15.11.41	North Atlantic
		04.00	AL 2943
		08.00	AL 0193	Transit to ordered square, course 221°, 1 diesel 170 RPM.
		10.20	S 3-4, Sea 3, few clouds, showers, Vis. good	10.20 - 10.50 hours crash dive for training, test dive.
		12.00	AL 4236	Day's run:  Surfaced  140 nm, Submerged 4 nm.
		16.00	AL 4256
		20.00	AL 4284
		24.00	AL 4514
			S 4-5, Sea 4, showers
		16.11.41
		04.00	AL 4464	Transit to ordered square.  Course 221°, 1 diesel HF.
		08.00	AL 4497	Crash dive for training.  Torpedoes recharged.
			SE 5-6, Sea 5, few clouds, Vis. good
		12.00	AK4477 lower-edge	Day's run:  Surfaced  150 nm, Submerged 6 nm.
		12.30		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
		16.00	AK 6355	Junkers compressor again conditionally in service, piston plate broken.
		17.11.41
		04.00	AK 6982
		08.00	AK 9313
		09.00	W 2-3, later abating, Sea 2, Vis. good	Reached AK 92, came to southerly course.
		11.25		10.45 - 11.25 hours test dive.
		12.00	AK 92	Day's run:  Surfaced  139 nm, Submerged 4 nm.
		17.07		Course change to 10°, 1 diesel 220 RPM.
		18.11.41
		07.50	AK 92	On changing courses back and forth in position.  Course changed to 240°.
			SE 5, Sea 6-5, showers, Vis. moderate
		10.15		08.13 - 10.15 hours test dive, torpedoes withdrawn.  Afterwards course 240°, 1 diesel 220 RPM.
		12.00	AK 92	Day's run:  Surfaced  95 nm, Submerged 6 nm.
			S 3-4, abating, rain during the night, Vis. 300 meters
		18.06		Course changed to 170°.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 17.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.11.41

	- 10 -
		19.11.41		03.50 hours changed course to 220°.
		10.50	AK 92	08.50 hours changed to course 10°.  1 diesel 220 RPM
			xx 2-3, Sea 1-2, swells, Vis. good	10.50 - 11.00 hours test dive.
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced  120 nm, Submerged 2 nm.
		20.11.41
		09.57	AK 92	270° and 090° back and forth in position on changing courses.  1 diesel 220 RPM.
			xx 1-2, Sea 1, long swells, Vis. very good
		09.57 - 10.20		09.57 hours crash dive for training.  Test dive until 10.20 hours.  Torpedoes ventilated.
		12.00	AK 92	Day's run:  Surfaced  140 nm, Submerged 4 nm.
		21.11.41
		10.22	AK 92	270° and 090° back and forth in position on changing courses.  1 diesel 220 RPM.
			xx 1-2, Sea 1, long swells, Vis. very good, light clouds
		11.00		10.22 - 11.00 hours test dive.  [illegible sentence]
		11.05
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced  94 nm, Submerged 2 nm.
				[illegible few sentences]
		22.11.41
			AK 92	270° and 090° back and forth in position on changing courses.  1 diesel 220 RPM.
			[weather illegible]
		07.50		07.50 hours crash dive for training.  Torpedoes recharged.
		10.50		10.50 hours surfaced.
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced  100 nm, Submerged 14 nm.
		23.11		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Zahn, Liebe, Forstner, Hirsacker report fuel inventory by Flotilla Short Signal.
				[illegible sentence concerning radio circuits]
		02.40 (23.11.41)		Position square 92 on Ireland Circuit.  43 cbm, no traffic.  Forstner.
		23.11.41	North Atlantic
			AK 92	Continued in square back and forth in position
		10.50 - 10.57		Test dive.
		11.31		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Occupy as attack area in square AK:  Zahn AK 7360, Schnee, AK 8880, Forstner square 8520.  Depth 80 nm.  Radio Circuit remains Greenland.   Forstner immediately switch Greenland Circuit.

	Sun and Moon Data 19.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 21.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.11.41

	- 11 -
		continued
		23.11.41
		12.00	AK xxxx	Day's run:  Surfaced  94 nm, Submerged 2 nm.
		16.00	AK 9237	[illegible sentence]
		20.00	AK 9251
		24.00	AK 9244
		24.11.41
		04.00	AK 9147	Continued on 1 diesel HF, course 255°.
		08.00	AK 9157
			SSW 7, Sea 8, squalls, Vis. good
		09.00 - 10.20		Test dive, torpedoes recharged.
		12.00	AK 9173	Day's run:  Surfaced  94 nm, Submerged 4 nm.
		16.00	AK 8336	[illegible few words]
		20.00	AK 8385
		24.00	AK 8373
		25.11.41
		04.00	AK xxx1	[illegible few words], 1 diesel HF, course 255°.
		08.00	AK 8531
		11.10 - 11.45		Test dive.
			xx 5-4, Sea 3, rain, Vis. 1 nm
		12.00	AK 8524	Day's run:  Surfaced  95 nm, Submerged 2 nm.
			SW 5-45, Sea 5, abating
				[illegible sentence]
		23.57		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  To Zahn, Forstner, Schnee:  head for the following squares:  Zahn square AL 01, Forstner AL 63, Schnee AL 69, day's run 120 nm.
		24.00	AK 8546
		25.11.41	North Atlantic
		04.00	AK 8552	Continued transit to ordered square AL 63, 1 diesel 220 RPM, course 70°.
		08.00	AK 8537
			SW 4-5, Sea 4, later W 7-8, Sea 6, Vis. good
		11.05 - 11.15		Test dive.
		12.00	AK 8645	Day's run:  Surfaced  105 nm, Submerged 2 nm.
		16.00	AK 8637
		20.00	AK 9413
		24.00	AK 9194
		27.11.41
		02.47	SW 6, later abating
				Radio Message from B.d.U.:  To Zahn, Forstner, Schnee:  evening of 30 November be in the following attack areas:  Zahn square 1280, Forstner 1620, Schnee 2460 all BE.  Depth 40 nm.  Convoy outbound from England is expected.

	Sun and Moon Data 26.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 27.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.11.41

	- 12 -
		continued
		27.11.41		[illegible sentence]
		04.00	AK 9199	[illegible sentence]
		08.00	AK 9527
			xx 4, Sea 5, Vis. good,
		09.00 - 10.25		Test dive, torpedoes recharged.
		12.00	AK 9566	Day's run:  Surfaced  139 nm, Submerged 4 nm.
		16.00	AK 9681	[illegible sentence]
		20.00	AK 9697
		24.00	AK 7724
		28.11.41
		04.00	AK 7751
			xx 1-2, Sea 1, Vis. good
		08.00	AK 7762	[illegible few sentences]
		11.00		[illegible few sentences]
		12.00	AL 7875	Day's run:  Surfaced  1xx nm.
		15.40		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  To Zahn, Forstner, Schnee:  Operations on outbound convoy located on 28 November at 10.30 hours in naval square AM 4980 is intended.  For this be in ordered attack areas on 30 November at 10.00 hours.
		16.00	BE 1128
		20.00	BE 1291
		24.00	BE 1377
		29.11.41
			[illegible weather]	[illegible sentence]
		04.00	BE xxxx
		09.xx		[illegible sentence]
		12.00	BE 1628	Day's run:  Surfaced  99 nm, Submerged 12 nm.
		19.25		[illegible sentence]
		30.11.41
			[illegible weather]	[illegible several sentences]
		08.35
		10.25		Surfaced.
		10.58		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  To Zahn, Forstner, Schnee:
				1.)  Boats form Group "Letzte Ritter".
				2.)  From 12.00 hours course south, speed of advance 6 knots.
		12.00	BE 2157	Day's run:  Surfaced  110 nm, Submerged 6 nm.
		16.00	BE 1626

	Sun and Moon Data 27.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 29.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.41

	- 13 -
		continued
		30.11.41
		20.00	BE 1658	Because I am northeast of the center of the square, initially I continue to go on course 210° to the square center, to come to the same distance from Zahn and Schnee.  Afterwards on southerly course, 1 diesel LF, diesel electric.
		24.00	BE 19x2
		01.12.41	SW 4, Sea 3-4, later abating, SW 2-3, Vis. good
		04.00	BE 1955
		08.00	BE 1988	Continue transit 180°, 1 diesel LF, diesel-electric.
		08.42 - 09.55		Test dive, torpedoes ventilated.
		10.21		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  "To "Letzte Ritter"
				1.)  Own aircraft from 13.00 hours.  In area of reconnaissance line.  From 13.00 stand by for bearing signals.  Bearing frequency 546 khz, alternate frequency 310 khz.  Report bearings immediately.
				2.)  Operations Order 40, Paragraph II6, is again pointed out.
		12.00	North Atlantic
			BE 4353	Day's run:  Surfaced  143 nm, Submerged 5 nm.
		16.00	BE 4386	Continue advance course 180°, LF 1 diesel, diesel-electric.
		20.00	BE 4629	Bearing signals were not received.
		24.00	BE 4698	20.30 hours, bearing receiver secured.
		02.12.41	NW 2, Sea 1, Vis. very good
		04.00	BE 4962	Continue advance course 180°, LF diesel-electric.
		08.00	BE 4995
		12.00	BE 7362	Day's run:  Surfaced  156 nm.
		15.52		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  "Letzte Ritter".
				From 18.00 hours own air reconnaissance in area.  Stand by for bearing signals.  Bearing frequency 310 khz, alternate frequency 367 khz, report bearing signals immediately.
		16.00	BE 7368
		20.00	BE 7632	20.30 hours, bearing receiver secured.
		24.00	BE 7667
		03.12.41	SW 1-2, Sea 0-1, Vis. very good, few clouds
		04.00	BE 7951	Continued advance course 180°, LF diesel-electric.
		08.00	BE 7964
		10.37		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  To "Letzte Ritter"
				From 13.00 hours own air reconnaissance in area.  Stand by for bearing signals.  Bearing frequency 367 khz, alternate frequency 443 khz, report bearing signals immediately.
		12.00	CF 2212	Day's run:  Surfaced  144 nm.
		16.00	CF 2245
		20.00	CF 2512	Again no bearing signals taken.
		20.49		Bearing receiver secured.

	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 01.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 02.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 03.12.41

	- 14 -
		continued
		03.12.41
		21.00		Went to 1 diesel 220 RPM, course 180°.
		24.00	CF 2548
		04.12.41	SW 0-1, Sea 0, few clouds, Vis. very good	Continued transit course 180°, 220 RPM, 1 diesel.
		04.00	CF 2578
		08.00	CF 2818
		12.00	CF 5219	Day's run:  Surfaced  179 nm.
		13.00	CF 5243	Because up to 13.00 hours no air reconnaissance is announced, fuel oil inventory amounts to only 17.5 cbm, I must start the return transit.
		13.00		Began return transit.  Course 66°, both diesels LF.
		14.06		Short Signal sent:  Have begun return transit.  U-402.
		16.00	CF 5236
		20.00	CF 2986
		24.00	CF 2995
		05.12.41	SW 1. Sea 0-1, few clouds, Vis. very good	Continued transit on course 66°.  Both diesels LF.
		09.36 - 10.00		Test dive.
		04.00	CF 3753
		08.00	CF 3821
		12.00	CF 3672	Day's run:  Surfaced  240 nm, Submerged 2 nm.
		16.00	CF 3664	Afternoon return transit continued.
		20.00	CG 1425
		24.00	CG 1275
		06.12.41	SW 1, Sea 0-1, few clouds, Vis. very good	Continued transit.  Course 66°, both diesels LF.
		04.00	CG 1268
		04.30		Changed course to 56°.
		08.00	CG 1324
		12.00	BF 7771	Day's run:  Surfaced  240 nm.
		16.00	BF 7737
		20.00	BF 7813	Afternoon continued return transit.
		24.00	BF 7568
		07.12.41	WSW 3, Sea 3, overcast, rain, Vis. moderate	Continued transit on course 56°, both diesels LF.
				Because in accordance with Radio Message east of 12°W boats in the Bay of Biscay must transit submerged by day. At dawn (09.15 hours) dived to proceed submerged.  LF, course 56°.
		04.00	BF 7625
		08.00	BF 8175
		09.15
		12.00	BF 8175	Day's run:  Surfaced  140 nm, Submerged 50 nm.
		16.00	BF 8158
		19.20		Surfaced, continued transit on 1 diesel at LF, course 56°.
		20.06	BF 8164	Short Signal sent:  36 hours off return harbor.  U-402.
			SW 2, Sea 2, showers, Vis. moderate
		24.00	BF 8215	After operational confirmation switched from Greenland Circuit, transferred to U-boat Coastal Circuit.

	Sun and Moon Data 03.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 05.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 07.12.41

	- 15 -
		continued
		07.12.41		(Karl Otto)
		23.25		Radio Message from B.d.U. to Forstner.
				Escort positioned on 9 December at 08.00 hours at Point N 1.
		08.12.41	SW 3, Sea 2, few clouds, Vis. good to very good	Continued transit, 1 diesel LF, course 56°.
		04.00	BF 5793
		08.00	BF 5843
		09.15		At dawn dived to proceed submerged, course 56°.
		12.00	BF 5828	Day's run:  Surfaced  130 nm, Submerged 50 nm.
		14.17 - 14.47		Surfaced, to take the midday latitude and ventilate the boat.  Continued transit submerged, KF, course 56°.
		16.00	BF 5829
		19.15		Surfaced.  Continued return transit, LF, course 56°.
		20.00	BF
		23.00	BF	Came to opposite course, because I want to avoid maneuvering back and forth off N1 and head for the escort meeting place at high speed.
		09.12.41	NW 2, Sea 1, few clouds
		01.20		Again came to course 56°, both diesels LF.
				Requested bearing signals could not be taken due to intermittent failure of the direction finder.
		08.xx		At Point N1 rendezvous with escort.  Proceeded to St. Nazaire, ahead Sperrbrecher 4, U-402, U-573 to port and to starboard one torpedo-boat.
		10.xx		Made fast in the St. Nazaire lock.

	Sun and Moon Data 07.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 08.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 09.12.41

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
	on the Kriegstagebuch of "U-402" from 26.10. - 9.12.1941
	-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
	First patrol of the Kommandant with a new boat.
	When shadows are initially sighted first determine what it is and attempt attack.  Do not run off immediately.
	Otherwise nothing to note.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		The Chief of the Operations Department

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