U-48 - 8th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with the help of Ken Dunn and Andi Forster

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
Lorient
8 September 1940
Lorient
25 September 1940
18

 

Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol.  You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file.  Download Google Earth here

 

Ships Hit
Date
KTB Time
Position
Ship
Tons
Nationality
Convoy
15 Sep 40
00.26
56°27'N, 14°12'W
HMS DUNDEE (L 84)
1,060
British
SC-3
15 Sep 40
01.23
56°24'N, 14°08'W
ALEXANDROS
4,343
Greek
SC-3
15 Sep 40
03.00
56°27'N, 14°06'W
EMPIRE VOLUNTEER
5,319
British
SC-3
18 Sep 40
00.01
56°51'N, 21°12'W
CITY OF BENARES
11,081
British
OB-213
18 Sep 40
00.07
56°51'N, 21°12'W
MARINA
5,088
British
OB-213
18 Sep 40
18.49
57°33'N, 20°24'W
MAGDALENA
3,118
British
SC-3
21 Sep 40
06.14
55°21'N, 22°05'W
BLAIRANGUS
4,409
British
HX-72
21 Sep 40
23.58
55°03'N, 18°20'W
BROOMPARK (damaged)
5,136
British
HX-72
     
 Total = 39,554
   
Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

 

This KTB uses the depth notation "depth T = xx meters"  Under this scheme, the actual depth was twice the depth given after T = so for example, if the KTB entry read "depth T = 50 meters, the actual depth was 100 meters.  This was intended to hide the actual depth for security purposes. This notation was used from about January 1940 to December 1941.  In these KTBs, depths written without using "T =", for example "dived to depth 35 meters" were not so disguised.


 
                                                                           
 
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
                K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h      "U  48".  
                ==============================  
           
           
           
                Kommandant:  Kapitänleutnant Blechrodt.  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
                Beginning:  29.8.1940.  
                Ending    :  25.9.1940.  
           
           
                                    
           
           
           
                          
           
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
           
        Overhaul period in Lorient 29.8.- 8.9.1940.  
        =============================  
           
    29.08.40   Overhaul of the boat.  
         
    30.08.40   Torpedo offload.  
         
    31.08.40   Overhaul of the boat.  
         
    01.09.40   Overhaul of the boat.  
         
    02.09.40   Torpedo loading.  
         
    03. - 06.09.40   Overhaul of the boat.  
         
    06.09.40   Provisions and fuel loading.  
         
    07.09.40   Trim test off the fishing harbor.  
                                               
           
    08.09.40   8th remote patrol from 8.9.-25.9.1940.  
        ==========================  
           
    20.00   Cast off Lorient for 8th remote patrol!  
        Up to Point II proceeded under escort by 2 R-Booten.  
    21.45   R-Boots escort released.  
    24.00 West of France Position:  Square BF 5534.  
      NW 4, Sea 3-4, few clouds, clear, Vis. good                                        
    09.09.40      
    04.00 West of France Position:  Square BF 5544.  
      NW 4, Sea 3-4, few clouds, clear, Vis. good    
    08.00 West of France Position:  Square BF 5454.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 08.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 09.09.40
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    09.09.40      
      NW 4, Sea 3-4, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good    
    10.01 - 11.15   Test dive.  Deep dive to depth T = 50 meters. [actual depth 100 meters]  
        Forward distribution box of the GHG is flooded.  
    12.00 West of France Position:  Square BF 4666.  
      NW 4, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good Day's run:  From 08. - 09.09.40        173 nm.  
    16.00 West of France Position:  Square BF 4651.  
      NW 3, Sea 2-3, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good    
    20.00 West of France    
      NW 3, Sea 2, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good    
    24.00 South of Ireland Position:  Square BF 4264.  
      NWbyW 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. good                                        
    10.09.40      
    00.53 From AL 3720 to AM 5730 Incoming Radio Message 2247/9/159 from B.d.U.:  New disposition in operations area in strips . . . . . . . .  
    04.00 South of Ireland U-48 from AL 3720 - AM 5730 focal point . . . . . . . .  
      NWbyW 4, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. good Position:  Square BF 4212.  
    08.00 South of Ireland Position:  Square BF 1791.  
      NWbyW 4, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. good    
    10.00 - 11.02   Test dive, fire control training.  
    12.00 South of Ireland Position:  Square BF 1728.  
      NWbyW 4, Sea 3, cloudy, overcast, clear, Vis. good Day's run:  From 09. - 10.09.40        199 nm.  
    16.00 South of Ireland Position:  Square BE 3696.  
      NW 4, Sea 3-4, cloudy, clear, Vis. good, rain showers    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 09.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 10.09.40
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    10.09.40      
    20.00 South of Ireland Position:  Square BE 3615.  
      W 4-5, Sea 4, cloudy, clear, Vis. good    
    24.00 South of Ireland Position:  Square BE 3295.  
      NW 4, Sea 3, overcast, clear, Vis. good                                        
    11.09.40      
    04.00 Southwest of Ireland Position:  Square BE 3251.  
      NW 3, Sea 2, overcast, clear, Vis. good    
    08.00 Southwest of Ireland Position:  Square AM 7799.  
      NW 3, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. good    
    10.02 - 10.45   Test dive:  fire control training.  
    12.00 Southwest of Ireland Day's run:  From 10. - 11.09.40        213 nm.  
      NW 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. good    
    16.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AM 7722.  
      NW 2, Sea 2, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good    
    20.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AM 7451.  
      WNW 3, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. good    
    24.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AM 7149.  
      W 4, Sea 4, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium                                        
    12.09.40      
    04.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AM 7112.  
      W 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium    
    08.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AM 4741.  
      WbyS 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium-bad    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 11.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 12.09.40
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    12.09.40      
    10.00 - 10.47   Test dive.  
    12.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AL 6695.  
      WbyS 5, Sea 4, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium-bad Day's run:  From 11. - 12.09.40        211 nm.  
    16.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AL 6634.  
      W 7, Sea 6, overcast, at times misty, Vis. medium, high Swell    
    20.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AL 6269.  
      WNW 7, Sea 7, overcast, clear, Vis. good    
    24.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AL 6325.  
      NW 9, Sea 8, overcast, clear, Vis. medium                                        
    13.09.40      
    04.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 0373.  
      NW 10, Sea 8, overcast, clear, Vis. good    
    08.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 0343.  
      NW 10, Sea 8, cloudy, clear, Vis. good    
    08.09   Dived due to weather conditions.  
    10.00 Weather not obs. because Position:  Square AL 0315.  
    12.00 Weather not obs. because Position:  Square AL 0318.  
        Day's run:  From 12. - 13.09.40        132 nm.  
    20.00 Weather not obs. because Position:  Square AL 0312.  
    24.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3872.  
      NNW 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good                                        
    14.09.40      
    04.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3846.  
      WNW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good    
    08.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3824.  
      WNW 3, Sea 3, overcast, clear, Vis. good    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 12.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 13.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 14.09.40
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    14.09.40      
    12.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3891.  
      WNW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good Day's run:  From 13. - 14.09.40        122 nm.  
    16.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AM 1918.  
    16.00 WNW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good Dived for aircraft.  
         
    16.23   Surfaced.  
    17.11   Dived for aircraft.  
    17.41   Surfaced.  
    20.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AM 1976.  
      WNW 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good    
    20.20   Convoy in sight.  Course 90-100°.  Speed about 7 knots.  Maneuvered ahead and while doing so went to the favorable moon side.  Up to now 1 gunboat is recognized as convoy escort.  
    23.57   Radio Signal sent:  Convoy in sight AM 1955, course 90°.  Speed 8 knots.   [typo AM 1995]  
    24.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AM 1994 lower-right corner.  
      WNW 3, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good, bright full moon night, light Swell                                        
    15.09.40      
    00.24   Position:  Square AM 1998.  
        Shot from tube I on two overlapping steamers.  Hit after 215 seconds running time on the outermost steamer.  Size of the steamer 5000 GRT.  Steamer sinks in an enormous detonation cloud.  About 8 seconds later a second strong detonation, suspect depth charge detonation.  
    00.26   While turning shot from tube IV G 7a.  Again on a column of overlapping ships.  Hit after 230 seconds running time.  Size of the steamer 5000 GRT.  
        After the shot turn away ahead and ran with the convoy.  As further escort 3 destroyers are now recognized.  
    01.23   Position:  Square AM 1998 lower-right corner.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 14.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 15.09.40
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    15.09.40      
        Shot from tube I on a steamer of the forward column.  Again hit on a ship on the other side.  Running time 155 seconds.  Size 6000 tons.  Sinking definitely observed.  
    01.24   Shot from tube II.  Miss.  The convoy turns towards us suspecting we are on the other side.  
        On the 600-meter wavelength radio traffic of the convoy observed.  (Warning for surfaced U-boats etc.).  
    03.00   Shot from tube II on a ship at the head of the convoy.  Hit after 135 seconds running time, aft 40 meters.  Torpedo broke through the surface several times.  Size of the steamer 7000 tons.  After 1 minute the stern was already overspilt.  
        After the shot ran towards a steamer in the center.  It shoots at us when we have closed to within artillery range.  
        Turned away and ran on the general course of the convoy.  The 3 destroyers of the screen of the convoy have now come over on our side.  The destroyers run back and forth at high speed.  The gunboat is no longer seen.  
    03.12   Radio Signal sent:  Dispersed convoy square AM 1998.  
    03.50   Radio Signal sent:  Convoy dispersed, square AM 0174, general course 100°.  
    05.10   Because the moon is already covered by a thick cloud deck I want to run over to the other side ahead of the convoy.  
      Bright moonshine    
    05.28   While changing attack sides a sweeper positioned ahead of the convoy suddenly turned towards us at high speed.  He must have heard us or seen the wake in the bright moonlight.  Dived, because avoiding on the surface is no longer possible.  Range on diving still about 2000 meters.  
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 15.09.40
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    15.09.40      
    10.50   Surfaced.  
    11.21   Dived for aircraft.  
    12.10 - 12.45   3 detonations, last must have been in the vicinity of the boat.  Suspect aircraft bombs.  
    12.00   Position:  Square AM 4217.  
        Day's run:  From 14. - 15.09.40        226 nm.  
    13.48 Northwest of Ireland Surfaced.  
      WNW 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good    
    14.23   Radio Signal sent:  0535/15 Was forced off.  Have lost contact.  Square AM 4235.  
                                                                     U-48.  
    16.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AM 1987.  
      SW 2, Sea 2, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good    
    20.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AM 1975.  
      SSE 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. good    
    24.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AM 1919.  
      SSE 3, Sea 3, cloudy, overcast, rain showers, Vis. changing.                                        
    16.09.40      
    04.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AM 1784.  
      SW 4, Sea 4, overcast, rain showers, Vis. changing    
    08.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AM 1728.  
      WSW 5, Sea 4, overcast, rain showers, Vis. changing    
    12.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3832.  
      WSW 5, Sea 5, cloudy, rain showers, Vis. changing Day's run:  From 15. - 16.09.40        128 nm.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 15.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 16.09.40
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    16.09.40      
    16.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3684.  
      WSW 6, Sea 5, cloudy, rain showers, Vis. changing    
    20.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3592.  
      WSW 5, Sea 6, cloudy, rain showers, Vis. medium - good    
    20.47   Incoming Radio Message 2001/16/162 Gun boat "DUNDEE" apparently damaged. . . . position 15 September 09.30 hours square AM 1982, course . . . .  - there we had our convoy  on 15 September after the first torpedo hit depth charge detonations were heard these may have damaged the gun boat.  
    24.00 Northwest Ireland Position:  Square AL 3738.  
      SW 3, Sea 2, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good                                        
    17.09.40      
    04.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3783.  
      W 3, Sea 3, overcast, clear, Vis. good    
    08.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3925.  
      NNW 5, Sea 5, overcast, at times misty, Vis. medium, high Swell    
    10.02   Convoy in sight.  Course about 240°.  Speed 7 knots.  Held contact, because submerged attack in the steep swell is no longer possible.  At the convoy no escort is recognized.  
    12.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3911.  
      WNW 7, Sea 7, overcast, at times misty, Vis. medium, steep Swell Day's run:  From 16. - 17.09.40        162 nm.  
    16.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 0253.  
      WNW 6, Sea 7, cloudy, clear,    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 16.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 17.09.40
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    17.09.40      
      rain showers, Vis. good, high Swell    
    20.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 0245.  
      WNW 4, Sea 5, overcast, clear, Vis. good    
    23.45   Position:  Square AL 2966.  
    24.00 Northwest of Ireland Double shot on tube III and IV on a passenger steamer proceeding in the center.  Both missed, because target angle was over estimated at about 30°.  Turned away ahead and for a short time ran with the convoy.  
      WNW 4, Sea 4, cloudy, clear, Vis. good, moonshine  
                                               
    18.09.40      
    00.01   Shot from tube I, again on the passenger steamer.  Hit after 119 seconds running time in the aftership.  Steamer remained lying stopped and set out all lifeboats.  It transmits S.O.S.  It is the 11081 ton steamer "CITY OF BENARES".  
    00.07   Shot from tube II on a freight steamer.  Hit after 43 seconds running time aft 50 meters.  Steamer also transmits S.O.S.  It is the English steamer "MARINA" 5088 GRT.  
        The convoy breaks up and the ships continue on independently.  We follow a medium-size tanker.  
    00.27 Bright moonlight, Vis. changing, rain squalls While turning away for a stern shot on a tanker, it sees us, turned away and shot with artillery.  
        Maneuvered ahead again.  
    00.34   The passenger steamer sinks over the stern.  Shortly before the "MARINA" also sank!  The tanker steers changing courses against the sea, speed about 10 knots, we must always maneuver ahead again.  
    04.21   During an attack on the tanker it turns away shortly before the shot again and disappears in a rain squalls.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 17.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 18.09.40
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    18.09.40      
    04.31   The tanker is in sight again at target angle 150°T.  Maneuvered ahead again.  The tanker continually zigzags.  
    04.50   The tanker again passes out of sight in a rain squall.  Contact lost.  
    05.14   Dived.  No sound bearings.  Proceeded submerged.  
        Position:  Square AL 2955.  
    08.00 Weather not obs. because Position:  Square AL 2956.  
    12.00 Weather not obs. because Position:  Square AL 2956.  
        Day's run:  From 17. - 18.09.40        181 nm.  
    13.25   Surfaced.  
    14.02   Smoke cloud in sight.  Turned towards and closed at GF.  It is a steamer proceeding independently.  Course 90°, speed about 8 knots.  Maneuvered ahead.  
    16.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 2876.  
      W 3, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good    
    16.58   Dived to proceed submerged.  
    18.49   Position:  Square AL 2881.  
        Shot from tube V on the steamer.  Hit center after 27 seconds running time.  
    18.54   Surfaced.  It is the English steamer "MAGDALENA" 3188 GRT.  Steamer sinks about 10 minutes after the hit.  
    20.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 2889.  
      WSW 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good    
    21.00 - 22.20   Downloaded both over deck torpedoes.  
    22.33 - 22.54   Test dive.  
    24.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3774.  
      W 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good                                        
    19.09.40      
    04.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3727.  
      W 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good    
    08.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3734.  
      W 3, Sea 2, overcast,    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 18.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 19.09.40
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    19.09.40      
      rain-showers, Vis. medium    
    12.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3562.  
      N 4. Sea 3, overcast, rain squalls, Vis. medium Day's run:  From 18. - 19.09.40        179 nm.  
    16.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3769.  
      NNE 6, Sea 5, overcast, rain-showers, Vis. medium    
    20.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3936.  
      NNE 7, Sea 7, cloudy, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium    
    24.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 0345.  
      NNE 3, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good                                        
    20.09.40      
    04.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 6324.  
      NNE 2, Sea 2, overcast, clear, Vis. good    
    08.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 0352.  
      NNE 2, Sea 1, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good    
    11.52   Incoming αα from U-47:  Enemy convoy in sight square AL 1968, easterly course.  Low speed.  I come to course 259° both diesels GF against the convoy, to search for contact.  
    12.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3889.  
      NNE 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good Day's run:  From 19. - 20.09.40        162 nm.  
    14.42   Radio Message sent to B.d.U.:  Request continuous contact keeper reports from U-47.  Position AL 3877.  
        Afterwards sent weather report.  
    15.00   Came to course 245° on new contact keeping report from U-47.  
    16.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 3922.  
      NNE 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good    
    17.20   Incoming Radio Message  
        From B.d.U. to U-48, 65, 43, 99, 100"  take up attack  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 19.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 20.09.40
 
- 12 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    20.09.40      
        disposition . . . . . . . .  
        U-48 square AL 2835.  
    18.15   Incoming Radio Message:  
        B.d.U. to U-48, 65, 43, 99, 100.  An inbound convoy is expected in the area of the attack disposition tomorrow.  
    18.50   Radio Message sent to B.d.U.:  
        Position square AL 0269.  Will have contact at 24.00 hours.  Question despite this going to attack disposition.  Up to now 7 steamers 42287 tons.  Still 2 stern, 1 bow Ato.  1 bow Eto.   
    18.00   Came to course 238° on new contact keeping report from U-47.  
    20.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 0259.  
      NNE 1, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good Am missing a Radio Message from B.d.U.  
    24.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 5224.  
      WNW 2, Sea 1, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good, bright moonlit night                                        
    21.09.40      
    03.16 Bright moonlit night Reported convoy in sight.  Maneuvered ahead.  
    04.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 5433.  
      W 2, Sea 1, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good, at times rain squalls    
    04.26   Gave contact keeper report.  
        Position:  Square AL 5436.  
    05.30   To the rear of the convoy approximately 10-minute long flashing of muzzle fire and dull thunder observed.  Thereafter S.O.S. "ELMBANK" torpedoed on 600-meter wavelength.  
    06.00 Bright moonshine Shot from tube I.  G7a (torpedo speed 40 knots) from 6000-7000 meter range.  Miss, because estimated data too inexact due to the long range.  During the running time of the torpedo the ships drew apart.  
        Shots must be taken at this range due to the bright moonlit night.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 20.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 21.09.40
 
- 13 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    21.09.40      
    06.20   Position:  Square AL 5436.  
        Shot from tube V (G7a, torpedo speed 40 knots) hit after 129 seconds,  Steamer gives S.O.S. and position.  It is the English steamer "BLAIRANGUS" 4409 tons.  High detonation column observed.  About 1/2 second after the torpedo detonation 2 bright fiery glows with 2 dull heavy explosions observed.  Suspect the steamer was loaded with explosives or artillery ammunition went high order.  It was still observed that boats were set out, then the steamer disappeared in a rain squall from which light glow was seen now and then.  After this moved off a little and maneuvered ahead of a clearly visible tanker.  
    07.14   Position:  Square AL 5519.  
        Shot from tube III (G7e, torpedo speed = 30 knots) on a tanker.  Miss, because target angle was already too broad.  The 14th torpedo is not operable because the gyro assembly ruder is dented.  Therefore moved off to hold contact.  
    07.50   Sent new contact keeping report.  
    08.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 5535.  
      W 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good    
    09.15   Sent contact keeping report.  
    11.36      "        "            "         "  
    12.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 5538.  
      SSW 3, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good Day's run:  From 20. - 21.09.40        338 nm.  
    13.06   Sent contact keeping report.  
    15.05   Dived before approaching gun boat.  
        Listening speed at depth T = 70 meters. [140 meters]  
    17.15   Surfaced.  Convoy is still in sight.  
    16.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 6455.  
      SSW 3, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good    
    18.00   Sent contact keeping report.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 21.09.40
 
- 14 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    21.09.40      
    20.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 6439.  
      SSW 3, Sea 2, overcast, clear, Vis. very good    
    21.00   Sent contact keeping report.  
    23.00   Closed the convoy, in so doing determined 2 escorts, gunboats.  
        Position:  Square AL 6554.  
        Torpedo shot from tube V on a freight steamer.  Hit (G 7a, 40 knots) after 72 seconds running time about forward 40 meters.  Steamer, English "BROOMPARK" 5200 tons, gave S.O.S. set out boats and settled forward deeper.  
        The G7a in tube V was limitedly clear to shoot because the gyro assembly rudder could only be aligned in a makeshift way.  
        The shot was with the U.Z.O. using the Lead Angle Table.  
        After the shot moved off from the convoy, because in the mean time U-100 holds contact.  
    24.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 6554.  
      WSW 3, Sea 3, cloudy-overcast, clear, Vis. good                                        
    22.09.40      
    01.11   Radio Message sent to B.d.U.:  
        9 steamers just now knocked off "BROOMPARK".  
        This morning only "BLAIRRANGUS".  No more torpedoes.  Have begun return transit Lorient.  
    04.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 6817.  
      WSW 3, Sea 3, overcast, clear, Vis. good    
    08.00 Northwest of Ireland Position:  Square AL 9133.  
      WbyS 4, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. good    
    11.10   Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U. to U-48, U-99.  
        Report by Short Signal "Yes" or "No" if major shipyard repairs are necessary.  
    12.07   Sent Short Signal "No".  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 21.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 22.09.40
 
- 15 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    22.09.40      
    12.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AL 9273.  
      NW 5, Sea 5, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good Day's run:  From 21. - 22.09.40        232 nm.  
    16.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AL 9652.  
      NW 5, Sea 5, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good    
    17.15   2 steamers in sight.  Independents.  
    17.30   Dived.  Looked at one of them submerged.  It is a large steamer with pole masts.  
        2 cannons.  
        Attack with artillery is not possible due to the high seas, thereafter moved off submerged.  
    18.46   Surfaced.  
    20.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AL 9913.  
      NW 3, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good    
    24.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square AL 9968.  
      Sea 2, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good                                        
    23.09.40      
    04.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square BE 3124.  
      NW 2, Sea 2. few clouds, Vis. very good    
    08.00 West of Ireland Position:  Square BE 3191.  
      NW 2, Sea 2, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good    
    12.00 Southwest of Ireland Position:  Square BE 3516.  
      NW 2, Sea 2, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good Day's run:  From 22. - 23.09.40        250 nm.  
    14.07   Incoming Radio Message No. 1344/23/196  
        Urgent.  
        Sea emergency HE 111 area square BF 1718 to 1720 and square 1741 to 1746.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 22.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 23.09.40
 
- 16 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    23.09.40      
        The area lies 100 nm east of our position, therefore to search course 112° both diesels GF.  
    15.10   Radio Message sent to B.d.U.:  Position 20.30 hours square BF 1716  
    16.00 Southwest of Ireland Position:  Square BE 3557.  
      NW 2, Sea 2, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good    
    18.24   Incoming Radio Message to U-48, 65, 29, 100, 99, 138 from B.d.U.:  Go to Lorient.  
    20.00 Southwest of Ireland Position:  Square BF 1478.  
      NW 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good    
    24.00   Position:  Square BF 1743.  
                                               
    24.09.40      
    04.00 South of Ireland Position:  Square BF 4136.  
      NW 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. good    
    08.00 South of Ireland Position:  Square BF 4253.  
      NWbyN 1, Sea 0, overcast, clear, Vis. good    
    12.00 South of Ireland Position:  Square BF 4376.  
      N 1, Sea 0, cloudy, clear, Vis. good Day's run:  From 23. - 24.09.40        319 nm.  
    13.06   Dived for aircraft.  
    13.52   Surfaced.  
    16.00 West of France Position:  Square BF 4635.  
      NE 4, Sea 4, overcast, misty, Vis. medium    
    20.00 West of France Position:  Square BF 5455.  
      NW 3, Sea 3, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium    
    23.00   Dived.  
    24.00 West of France Position:  Square BF 5548.  
      Weather not obs. because                                        
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 23.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 24.09.40
 
- 17 -
 
           
           
           
           
    25.09.40      
    04.00 West of France Position:  Square BF 5546.  
      NNE 3, Sea 3, cloudy, overcast, clear, Vis. good Surfaced.  Ran at GF to the meeting point.  
    08.00 West of Lorient Position:  Square BF 6174.  
      NNE 3, Sea 3, cloudy-overcast, clear, Vis. good    
    08.54   Reached Point II. Ahead of us U-100 and U-65.  Taken under escort by an R-Bootes and an auxiliary mine search boat ran in to Lorient.  
    10.24   Made fast Lorient.  
           
           
           
           
                                               
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 25.09.40

 

  Enclosures to U-48's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
   
Chart Track chart of entire patrol
   
Radio Excerpt of the Radio Log
   
Torpedo Torpedo firing reports

 
 
     
 

Commentary of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote.

 
     
     
 

        Very successful, well executed patrol, the correct behavior of the Kommandanten at the convoys deserves to be especially highlighted.

 
     
     
   

Signed in draft   D  ö  n  i  t  z  .

 
    For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote  
 
- The Chief of the Operations Department -  
                                                                             
     
     
 


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