U-505 - 3rd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Lorient	7 June 1942	Lorient	25 August 1942	80

 

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 Attacked
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
28 Jun 42	18.55 - 20.00	22°39'N, 61°03'W	SEA THRUSH	5,447	American
29 Jun 42	13.55 - 15.22	22°33'N, 61°03'W	THOMAS MCKEAN	7,191	American
22 Jul 42	13.35 - 15.00	12°15'N, 81°15'W	URIOUS	153	Columbian
			Total = 12,791
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.

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	- 1 -
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			"  U-505  "    3rd War Patrol.
			Kommandant:  Korvettenkapitän    L  o  e  w  e
			Beginning:    7.5.42
			Ending:        25.8.42.
			Patrol under Operations Order 50.
			Time:                  D.G.Z.
			All naval squares.
			Distribution:	2 x O.K.M.
				1 x B.d.U.
				1 x 2.A.d.Uboote.
				1 x U-505.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 2 -
		07.05. - 08.05.42		Idle period Lorient.  Packing out.
		09.05. - 03.06.42		Overhaul at Kriegsmarine Shipyard Lorient.
		04.06. - 07.06.42		Fitting out in Lorient.
		07.06.42
		20.30		Put to sea on 3rd war patrol.
		22.30	N 4, Sea 3, cloudless, Vis. 6 nm	Released by escort at Point Luci 2.
				Transit via Route Bogenlampe.
				Outbound orders:  Head for square DD 50.
		08.06.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 6177
		04.00	BF 5549
		05.25		Dived to proceed submerged.
		08.00	BF 5574
		12.00	BF 5577	Day's run:  108 nm,   16 nm.
		16.00	BF 5733
		20.00	BF 5735	Test dive to depth A +40 meters.
		23.20		Surfaced.
		09.06.42
		00.00	BF 5729
			NNE 6-7, Sea 6, 6/10, high clouds, Vis. 6 nm
		04.00	BF 4968
		06.00		Dived to proceed submerged.
		08.00	BF 4984
		12.00	BF 4976	Day's run:  80 nm,   40 nm.
		16.00	BF 4975
		20.00	BF 4977
		23.45		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 07.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.06.42

	- 3 -
		10.06.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 4899
		04.00	BF 7227
			NE 5-6, Sea 5, 8/10, Vis. good
		06.20		Dived to proceed submerged.
		08.00	BF 7164
		12.00	BF 7159	Day's run:  87 nm,   40 nm.
		16.00	BF 7157
		20.00	BF 7173
		23.45		Surfaced.
		11.06.42	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BE 9396
			NE 3-4, Sea 4
		02.28		Short Signal:  My position is BE 93
		04.00	BE 9613
		08.00	BE 9561
		12.00	BE 9547	Day's run:  138 nm,   26 nm.
		12.05		Several incoming messages from "U-105" (Schuch) concerning inability to dive, water intake, aircraft attack.
				Likewise Radio Message from B.d.U.:
				"Loewe, Piening, Würdemann go to Schuch at highest speed."
				Came to course 110°, GF.
		16.00	BE 9586
		20.00	BE 9925
		21.30	W 3-4, Sea 3, rain clouds	Because nothing more is heard  from Schuch since 12.10 hours, headed for his 12.30 hours position.
		21.45	BE 9961	Crash dive for land-based aircraft.  Was not detected.
		22.25		Surfaced.
		12.06.42	West of Cape Finisterre
		00.00	BE 9958
		02.37		Reported position BE 99 by Short Signal.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.06.42

	- 4 -
		continued
		12.06.42
		02.40		Incoming Radio Message 0146 from B.d.U.:
				Head for square BE 9945.
		04.00	BE 9982
		04.12		Incoming Radio Message 0331 from B.d.U.:
				Loewe continue outbound transit.
		07.10		Dived.  Proceeding submerged.
		08.00	BE 9974
		12.00	CG 1223	Day's run:  220 nm,   12 nm.
		15.00	N 3, Sea 2, Vis. 6 nm	Surfaced.
		16.00	CG 1216
		20.00	CG 1149
		13.06.42	West of Portugal
		00.00	CF 3625
		04.00	CF 3563
			SSE 3, Sea 2, S-swell, dust rain
		08.00	CF 3558
			Vis. changing 400-4000 meters
		12.00	CF 3574	Day's run:  210 nm,   6 nm.
		16.00	CF 3723
		20.00	CF 3716
			Vis. 7 nm
		14.06.42	Northeast of the Azores
		00.00	CF 2962
		04.00	CF 3957
		08.00	CF 2974
		10.40 - 11.10		Test dive.
		12.00	CF 5222	Day's run:  154 nm,   1 nm.
		16.00	CF 5217
		20.00	CF 5164
		22.15	CF 5157	Steamer in sight momentarily in the haze.  Target angle not recognized.  Contact immediately lost again in a rain squall.  Pursuit is ineffective. Later in sight again with set lights.  Neutral, course west.
			Persistent rain, Vis. changing 1000-5000 meters

	Sun and Moon Data 12.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.06.42

	- 5 -
		15.06.42
		00.00	CF 5172
		04.00	CF 4394
		08.00	CF 4616
		12.00	CF 4562	Day's run:  165 nm.
			SSW 5, Sea 4, high fog, Vis. 6-7 nm
		16.00	CF 4555
		20.00	CF 4547
		16.06.42	Azores Sea Area
		00.00	CE 6683
		04.00	CE 6679
		08.00	CE 6835
		12.00	CE 6828	Day's run:  144 nm.
		16.00	CE 6845
		20.00	CE 6791
		17.06.42
		00.00	CE 9122
		04.00	CE 9115
		08.00	CE 8337
		10.30 - 11.00		Test dive.
		12.00	CE 8343	Day's run:  142 nm,   1 nm.
			WSW 3, Sea 2, SW-swell, Vis. good
		16.00	CE 8265
		20.00	CE 8257
		18.06.42	Southwest of the Azores
		00.00	CE 8193
		04.00	CE 8185
		08.00	CE 8177

	Sun and Moon Data 15.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.06.42

	- 6 -
		continued
		18.06.42
		12.00	CE 7623	Day's run:  156 nm.
			WSW 3-4, medium swell, high clouds, Vis. good
		16.00	CE 7616
		20.00	CE 7562
			Isolated rain showers
		19.06.42
		00.00	CE 7564
		04.00	CE 7549
		08.00	CE 7492
		12.00	CE 7487	Day's run:  135 nm.
			WSW 2, Sea 1, westerly flat swell, Vis. good, cumulus
		16.00	CE 9932
		20.00	CE 9924
		20.06.42	Southwest of the Azores
		00.00	CD 9862
		04.00	CD 9854
		08.00	CD 7793 [typo 9793]
		10.00 - 11.15		Test dive.
		12.00	CD 9785	Day's run:  173 nm,   3 nm.
		16.00	CD 9777
		20.00	DF 2223
			Calm, changing cloudiness, Vis. very good
		21.06.42
		00.00	DF 2217
		04.00	DF 2153
		08.00	DF 2145
		12.00	DF 1383	Day's run:  178 nm.
			S 2, Sea 0, Vis. good, isolated cumulus

	Sun and Moon Data 18.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.06.42

	- 7 -
		continued
		21.06.42
		16.00	DF 1296
		20.00	DF 1288
		22.06.42	Southwest of the Azores
		00.00	DF 1436
		04.00	DF 1428
		08.00	DF 1441
		10.10 - 11.30		Test dive.
		12.00	DE 3644	Day's run:  168 nm,   3 nm.
			S 3, Sea 2, Vis. good, 10/10
		15.20		Incoming Radio Message 1016/22 from B.d.U.:
				To Loewe:  New objective is ED 11.
		16.00	DF 3673
		20.00	DF 3833
		23.06.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	DE 3852
		04.00	DE 3872
		08.00	DE 6131
		12.00	DE 6143	Day's run:  186 nm.
		16.00	DE 5393
		20.00	DE 5622
		24.06.42
		00.00	DE 5642
		00.56		Short Signal to B.d.U.:  "Position DE 55, 178 cbm."
				(In accordance with Operations Order on passing 50°W.)
				Sent for the second time at 03.32 hours, because it was not confirmed by Control.
		04.00	DE 5591
		08.00	DE 5821
		12.00	DE 7291 [typo DE 5492]	Day's run:  176 nm.
			SW 2, Sea 1, high haze, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 21.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.06.42

	- 8 -
		continued
		24.06.42
		16.00	DE 5489	Test dive.
		17.00		Surfaced.
		20.00	DE 5718
		25.06.42
		00.00	DE 4992
		04.00	DE 7322
		08.00	DE 7341
		12.00	DE 7391 [typo DE 7291]	Day's run:  177 nm,   3 nm.
			NE 2, Vis. good, isolated clouds
		16.00	DE 7524	Test dive.
		16.30		Surfaced.
		20.00	DE 7435
		26.06.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	DE 7457
		04.00	DE 7711
		08.00	DD 9961
		12.00	DD 9978	Day's run:  188 nm,   1 nm.
			E 3-4, Sea 2, cumulus, Vis. changing good
		16.00	DP 2151
		20.00	DP 1393
		27.06.42
		00.00	DP 1625	For several days the gyro compass has had an error of 0-10°.
		04.00	DP 1691
		08.00	DP 1913
		12.00	DP 1864	Day's run:  178 nm.
			Trade wind weather

	Sun and Moon Data 24.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.06.42

	- 9 -
		continued
		27.06.42
		16.00	DP 1877
		16.30		Test dive.  Work on the high-pressure air and gyro-compass installation.
		20.00	DP 4133
		20.50		Surfaced.
		28.06.42
		00.00	DP 4152
		04.00	DO 6393
		08.00	DO 6622
		12.00	DO 6373	Day's run:  140 nm,   10 nm.
		15.32	DO 6532	Steamer in sight on course 120°.  No zig zags.
				Submerged attack.
		18.00		Dived.
		18.55	DO 6646	Double shot from tube I and II, depth 3 meters, range = 800 meters, Etos.  Hit at the forward edge of the bridge and bridge.  Steamer settles forward.  Crew is very disciplined, mans the cannons and gets the boats ready.
				Gives the impression of navy personnel.
				Anti-aircraft platforms forward, bridge and aft.
				A 10.5 cm cannon forward and aft.
				Deck cargo about 15 2-engined aircraft, unpacked.
		20.00	DO 6646	Coup de grace from tube III, Eto, depth 4 meters.
				Hit forward edge of the bridge.
				Crew of about 100 men had previously abandoned ship.  Subsequently surfaced.
				Steamer sinks quickly over the bow with flag waving.  Heavy wreckage, car tires, aircraft, timber.
				Steamer is American, Type "Robin Hood", estimated length 140 meters.  Tonnage 6900 GRT.
				Subsequently ran off.
				To check my gyrocompass I still want to remain 1 day in the broad sea area and only then approach the Antilles.
				Additionally, perhaps something will run into my hands.

	Sun and Moon Data 27.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.06.42

	- 10 -
		29.06.42
		00.00	DO 6621
		02.30 - 03.30		Downloaded over deck torpedoes from canisters 3 and 4 to the bow room.
		04.00	DO 6358	Reported success to B.d.U. by Radio Message 0302.
				(Clear text see Enclosure)
		05.50	DO 6364	In full moonshine a large steamer shadow on a southeasterly course in sight.
				Very heavily irregular 5-minute zig zags.
				Maneuver ahead lasts a long time.  Course 160°.
		08.00	DO 6399
		12.00	DP 4446	Day's run:  190 nm,   6 nm.
			Calm Trade wind weather
		12.48		Dived for submerged attack.
		13.55	DP 4457	Double shot from tube I and II, depth 4 meters, range = 1200 meters.
				One hit aft 60 meters.  Heavy impact.  Steamer stops, sets out boats.
		14.19		Surfaced.
				Steamer sunk with 72 shots of artillery (10.5 cm).  Incendiary ammunition very effective.
		15.22		It is sunk.
				A new large motor ship with 3 masts of the C1 - Type, 7400 GRT.  Deck cargo about 15 aircraft.  On the way from New York for Trinidad determined from lifeboats.
				Boats are well equipped.  By appearance and condition of equipment the ship is on its first journey.  Name "THOMAS MCKEAN", weapons 1 10.5 cm forward, several anti-aircraft weapons.
		16.00	DP 4482
		20.00	DP 4438
		30.06.42	Northeast of the Antilles
		00.00	DP 4272
		01.30 - 02.30		Over deck torpedoes from canisters 9 and 10 downloaded to the bow room.
		03.15		Reported success by Radio Message.
		04.00	DP 4163	Far astern to starboard several times redish flashes.

	Sun and Moon Data 29.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.06.42

	- 11 -
		continued
		30.06.42
		08.00	DP 4173	Incoming Radio Message 0738/30 from B.d.U.:
				To Loewe:  Operations area lower third of EB and south there from.
		12.00	DO 6631	Day's run:  166 nm,   4 nm.
		16.00 - 16.30		Test dive.
		20.00	DO 6567
		23.30	DO 6575	Vessel in sight ahead to port, 1 mast, 1 smokestack, quickly rises out.  Probably a gun boat or coastal patrol vessel, speed 14 knots, course 50°.  Suspect searching for survivors of the steamers I sank.  Nothing else nearby.
				I get away at high speed.  In the course of this the starboard diesel is out of service.
		01.07.42	Northeast of the Antilles
		00.20	DO 6549	Vessel out of sight.
		04.00	DO 6495
		08.00	DO 6716	Starboard diesel back in service.
		12.00	DO 5953	Day's run:  190 nm,   1 nm.
		16.00	DO 5947
		20.00	DO 5884
		02.07.42	North of Puerto Rico
		00.00	DO 5798
		04.00	DO 8116
		08.00	DO 7361
		12.00	DO 7376	Day's run:  190 nm.
			E 4, Sea 4, 10/10, stratus
		16.00	DO 7539
		20.00	DO 7585

	Sun and Moon Data 30.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.07.42

	- 12 -
		03.07.42	Mona Passage
		00.00	DO 7844
			6/10, Vis. moderate
		01.12		Sun set.
		01.30 - 02.00		Test dive.
		04.00	ED 1139
		04.59		Moonrise.
		08.00	ED 1426	Passed through the Mona Passage.  Nothing sighted.  Only the smell of land from windward.
		11.49		Sunrise.
		12.00	ED 1472	Day's run:  240 nm,   2 nm.
			ESE 5-6, Sea 5, thunderstorms, Vis. moderate
		16.00	EC 3932
		20.00	EC 3919
		04.07.42	Caribbean Sea
		00.00	EC 3819
		04.00	EC 3764
		08.00	EC 3748
		12.00	EC 2999	Day's run:  190 nm.
			E 5, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. moderate
		16.00	EC 5328
		20.00	EC 5266
		05.07.42
		00.00	EC 5285
		04.00	EC 5199
		08.00	EC 5184
		12.00	EC 4392	Day's run:  193 nm.
			ENE 5-6, Sea 5, cumulus, Vis. 8 nm
		16.00	EC 4266	Test dive.  At depth A +0 meters water temperature is always as above = 29°.
		20.00	EC 4251

	Sun and Moon Data 03.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.07.42

	- 13 -
		06.07.42	Western Caribbean Sea
		00.00	EC 4139
		04.00	EC 4158
		08.00	EC 4177
		12.00	EB 6653	Day's run:  183 nm,   3 nm.
		16.00	EB 6678
		20.00	EB 6834
			E 5-6, Sea 6, 4/10, low cumulus, Vis. 6 nm
		07.07.42
		00.00	EB 6854
		04.00	EB 6796
		08.00	EB 9125
		12.00	EB 9147	Day's run:  178 nm.
			ENE 6, Sea 6, low cumulus, rain squalls, Vis. medium
			From situation reports I have the impression that north-south traffic in the Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan Strait and Caribbean Sea is heavily throttled and is mostly led around outside via the Atlantic.   Likewise from Colon to the north since no traffic has been observed for 14 days, however there is strong east west traffic to Trinidad.
			I suppose that the North America-Panama Canal traffic and vice versa runs via the Atlantic-Trinidad.
			Therefore, I go first to the area northeast of Colon where the traffic route would have to run to Trinidad.
		16.00	EB 9179
		16.05 - 17.10		Test dive.
		20.00	EB 9425
		20.50	EB 9428	"Crash dive" for flying boat, 8000 meters off.
		21.45		Surfaced.
		22.30	EB 9453	"Crash dive" for flying boat, 8000 meters off.
		22.55		Surfaced.
		08.07.42
		00.00	EB 9464

	Sun and Moon Data 06.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.07.42

	- 14 -
		continued
		08.07.42
		04.00	EB 9574
		08.00	EB 9824
		12.00	EB 9859	Day's run:  135 nm,   4 nm.
		14.25	EB 9843	"Crash dive" for 2 flying boats, 10000 meters off.
		15.05	ENE 4-5, Sea 4, Vis. good, cumulus	Surfaced.
		16.00	EB 9854
		20.00	EB 9849
		09.07.42	Western Caribbean Sea
		00.00	EL 3223
		04.00	EL 3263
		08.00	EL 3373
		12.00	EL 3637	Day's run:  102 nm,   1 nm.
		13.00	EL 3662	Land in sight ahead.  Colombian coast.
		16.00	EM 1411
		17.10	EM 1412	"Crash dive" for 3 aircraft, 10000 meters off.
		17.30		Surfaced.
		19.20	EM 1174	"Crash dive" for 2 aircraft, 8000 meters off.
		19.45		Surfaced.  A smoke feather bearing 180°T, above it an aircraft, about 10000 meters off.
		19.50	EM 1174	"Crash dive".
		20.50	Vis. very good	Surfaced.  Operating on the smoke feather.  A small freighter close offshore.
		22.20	EM 1174	"Crash dive" for flying boat astern.
		23.15		Surfaced.  In the northwest an extensive storm front.
		23.30	EM 1428	A patrol vessel.
				Close offshore another smoke cloud on a southwest course.
		10.07.42
		00.00	EM 1188	In the east a large storm front.  Rain.  Freighter enters the Gulf of Morrosquillo and is lost from sight in rain.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.07.42

	- 15 -
		continued
		10.07.42		lost from sight in rain.
				I break off the pursuit for navigational reasons, bad weather and inaccurate ship's position.  Will make an advance the following night under the coast southwest there from where it is more precise.
		04.00	EM 1418
		08.00	EL 3693
		12.00	EL 3655	Day's run:  174 nm,   6 nm.
			Calm, lightening, water spouts, 8/10, Vis. good, during the day cumulus, light trade winds, NE-swell
		16.00	EL 3617
		20.00	EL 3283
		23.03	EL 3246	"Crash dive" for aircraft (course 90°).
		23.34		Surfaced.
		11.07.42
		00.00	EL 3245
		04.00	EL 3137
		08.00	EL 3112
		12.00	EL 8989	Day's run:  180 nm,   1 nm.
			Trade wind 3, Sea 3, Vis. moderate, rain cloud
		16.00	EL 8946
		20.00	EL 8866	Radio Message from B.d.U. (Contents:  Assumption of complete traffic stoppage, orders fuel conservation, waiting on opportunities.)
		12.07.42	North of the Panama Canal
		00.00	EB 8883
			Continuous heavy thunderstorms, very heavy summer lightening
		04.00	EL 2318	Lighthouse off Point Manzanillo burns as in peacetime.
		07.40	EL 2267	Aircraft parachute flare bearing 160°T.
		08.00	EL 2259
		10.55	EL 2249	"Crash dive" for aircraft.  Passes at 800 meters, throws parachute flare.  At depth 25 meters 5 aircraft bombs small caliber.  No damage.
			Dark night, 6/10, Vis. good, marine phosphorescence

	Sun and Moon Data 10.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.07.42

	- 16 -
		continued
		12.07.42
		12.00	EL 2217	Day's run:  192 nm,   2 nm.
		13.12		Sunrise.
		15.15	Vis. very good	Surfaced.
		16.00	EL 2336
		16.55	EL 2131	"Crash dive" for aircraft (course 0°).
		19.15	Heavy lightening, Vis. greatly changing	Surfaced.
		20.00	EB 8783
		13.07.42
		00.00	EB 8723
		04.00	EB 8481	Sent situation report in accordance with orders (for clear text see Enclosure Radio Message 0245/13).
		08.00	EB 7691
		12.00	EB 7672	Day's run:  166 nm,   11 nm.
		16.00	EB 7698
		20.00	EB 8478
		14.07.42
		00.00	EB 8497
		04.00	EB 8587
		08.00	EB 8598
		12.00	EB 8687	Day's run:  176 nm.
			Light trade wind, isolated rain squalls, low clouds
		14.10	EB 8924	"Crash dive" for 2-engined land-based aircraft out of a rain squall flying 2000 meters off.  At the same time a second aircraft passed astern.  I must therefore assume that I have been sighted, although no bombs fell.
		15.00		3 separate thuds, distant detonations heard.
		15.09
		16.00	EB 8925
		16.50		Surfaced.
		20.00	EB 8685
		20.10		"Crash dive" for aircraft (course 170°).
		21.10		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.07.42

	- 17 -
		continued
		14.07.42
		21.40	EB 8682	"Crash dive" for flying boat (course 90°) (Type "Consolidated").
		22.20		Surfaced.
		23.55	EB 8652	"Crash dive" for aircraft 8000 meters off (course 180°).
		15.07.42	North of the Panama Canal
		01.40		Surfaced.  Previous surfacing attempt failed due to aircraft.
		01.56	EB 8652	"Crash dive" for aircraft approaching from astern.
		02.54		Surfaced.
		04.00	EB 8625
		08.00	EB 8399
		12.00	EB 9421	Day's run:  125 nm,   17 nm.
			Trade wind 3-4, Sea 3, Vis. medium
		16.00	EB 9189
		20.00	EB 9436
		21.15	EB 9418	"Crash dive" for aircraft (course 50°).
		22.30		Surfaced.
		16.07.42
		00.10	EB 9519	Short Signal:  "No traffic" sent at the request of "U-129".
				The B.d.U. order to only report new observations since the situation report of 13 July, arrived only after the short signal was sent.
		04.00	EB 9567
		08.00	EB 9675
		12.00	EB 9675	Day's run:  154 nm,   2 nm.
		16.00	EB 9922
		16.10		"Crash dive" for aircraft (course 180°).
		17.00		Surfaced.
		20.00	EB 9939

	Sun and Moon Data 14.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.07.42

	- 18 -
		17.07.42
		00.00	EB 9962
		04.00	EB 9916
		08.00	EB 9597
		12.00	EB 9572	Day's run:  152 nm,   2 nm.
		15.05	EB 9464	"Crash dive" for aircraft (course 0°).
		15.55	EB 9456	Surfaced.
		20.00	EB 9417
			Stiff trade wind, swell, Vis. medium, rain squalls
		18.07.42
		00.00	EB 8626
		04.00	EB 8625
		08.00	EB 8536
		12.00	EB 8516	Day's run:  182 nm,   2 nm.
		16.00	EB 8424
		20.00	EB 8492
		19.07.42
		00.10	EB 8813
		01.55		Sunset.
		04.00	EB 8837	Unpleasantly bright night.
		05.45		Moonset.
		08.00	EB 8943
		12.00	EB 8952	Day's run:  130 nm.
		16.00	EB 8969
		16.15		"Crash dive" for approaching aircraft (course 210°).
		17.15		Surfaced.
		20.00	EB 9773
		20.07.42
		00.00	EL 3122

	Sun and Moon Data 17.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.07.42

	- 19 -
		continued
		20.07.42
		04.00	EL 3159
		08.00	EL 3199
		12.00	EL 3522	Day's run:  154 nm,   2 nm.
		16.00	EL 3294
			Extensive rain front, Vis. moderate	Radio Message order:  Report situation.
		20.00	EL 3257
		21.07.42	Off the Panama Canal
		00.00	EL 3156
		04.00	EL 3141
		08.00	EL 2352
		12.00	EL 2238	Day's run:  190 nm.
		12.30		Dived, for a time to listen and watch for northbound [ships].
		16.00	EL 2239	Nothing heard or observed.
		19.55		Surfaced.
		20.20	EL 2236	"Crash dive" for aircraft (flying very high, about 2000 meters, course 180°).  May have been detected.
		22.46		Surfaced.
		22.30		"Crash dive" for aircraft (course 180°).
		22.07.42
		00.00	EL 2231
		00.30		Surfaced.
		04.00	EB 8855
		05.30		Sent situation report.  (see Enclosure for text).
		08.00	EB 8814
		12.00	EB 8482	Day's run:  109 nm,   21 nm.
		13.25		Land in sight ahead (small island Courtown Cays).
		13.35	EB 8432	A sailing vessel in sight bearing 30°T.  Course west.  Three-masted schooner "ROMAR" from Cartagena with a Columbian flag.
			Clear weather, calm trade wind, Vis. very good
				Because the [vessel] did not stop at the challenge (several warning shots), I sank him with 10.5 cm (22 shots).  Size about 400 GRT.
		15.00		Is sunk.

	Sun and Moon Data 20.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.07.42

	- 20 -
		continued
		22.07.42
		16.00	EB 8196
		20.00	EB 8243
		23.30		Incoming Radio Message Order from B.d.U.:  To Loewe:
				Operate close offshore from naval square EL 25 to the east to square ED 90.  In square EC 70 and 80 presumably there is heavy traffic along the coast.  Supply anticipated.
			Due to bright nights and air off Colon I will initially move further to the east then towards the coast.
		23.07.42
		00.00	EB 8222
		04.00	EB 8263
		08.00	EB 8381
		09.00	EB 8378	Neutral passenger steamer, prescribed lighting, course 0°.
		12.00	EB 8536	Day's run:  192 nm.
		16.00	EB 8534
		20.00	EB 8641
		22.13	EB 8649	"Crash dive" for aircraft (course 180°).
		22.55		Surfaced.
		24.07.42
		00.00	EB 8682
			Very heavy lightening, continued for 1 hour, Vis. sometimes only 100 meters.
		04.00	EB 8932
			Very bright moonlit night.
		08.00	EB 9743
		12.00	EB 9783	Day's run:  142 nm,   2 nm.
			9/10, rain, Vis. medium to good
		13.25	EB 9795	"Crash dive" for approaching aircraft (course 310°).
		16.10	EB 9798	Surfaced.
		20.00	EL 3214
		23.10	EL 3248	"Crash dive" for aircraft (course 270°).
		23.35		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.07.42

	- 21 -
		25.07.42
		00.00	EL 3272	Panama coast in sight.
		02.00	EL 3212	Small aircraft, probably a patrol.
			Very bright night.
		04.00	EL 3279
		08.00	EL 3522
			Heavy lightening, summer lightening
		11.30	EL 3539	Shadow in sight bearing 50°T, in the shine of the lightening, which continually illuminates the entire area bright as day to a great distance, a dimmed large freighter at approximately 6 nm.  Course about 290°, zigzagging, 13-14 knots.
				Surface attack hopeless due to lightening and approaching dawn.  To maneuver ahead for a day attack I must get around behind him to the north, because otherwise he forces me, into the shallows of the Panama coast.
		12.45		Steamer is lost from sight in a rain squall.
				After considering maneuvering ahead before Colon, there is not enough room given the circumstances. Therefore, decided to break off pursuit.
				I will operate tomorrow night on the recognized route. The main thing is not to be detected.
		12.00		Day's run:  140 nm,   7 nm.
		14.30	Heavy rain squalls, Vis. very limited	Dived, to wait for better visibility.
		17.20		Surfaced, immediately thereafter "crash dive" for aircraft (course 270°).
		17.50	EL 3293	Surfaced.
		20.00	EL 3266
		26.07.42
		00.00	EL 3532	Coast of Panama in sight.
		04.00	EL 3537
			Summer lightening, very bright night
		08.00	EL 3643
		12.00	EL 3668	Day's run:  152 nm,   8 nm.
		16.00	EM 1412	Coast of Columbia in sight.
		20.00	EM 1153
		23.10	EC 7789	"Crash dive" for flying boat (course 270°).
				Cartagena is probably used as an air base.

	Sun and Moon Data 25.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.07.42

	- 22 -
		27.07.42
		00.00	EC 7789	Surfaced.
		04.00	EC 7764
		08.00	EC 7819
		09.00	ENE 6-8, Sea 6, Vis. medium, full moon	While draining the bow torpedo tubes tube I can not be drained.  Currently, all tubes are flooded via torpedo compensating tank III.   Additionally, is has freshened strongly.  I give up my intention to stay submerged off Brranquilla by day, and set off to sea first of all to examine the damage.
		12.00	EC 7821	Day's run:  170 nm,   2 nm.
				Outer door of tube I is leaking.  Metallic knocking on closing.
				Use of weapons greatly limited or even impossible due to weather.
		16.00	EC 7557
		20.00	EC 7529	I head for the coast again.
			Abating somewhat
		28.07.42
		00.00	EC 7569
		04.00	EC 7593
		08.00	EC 7688
			ENE 6-7, Sea 6, misty horizon, cloudless, full moon
		12.00	EC 7673	Day's run:  125 nm, heavily set to the north.
		16.00	EC 7697	Ahead the coast of Santa Marta in sight.
		20.00	EC 8474
		21.10	EC 8474
		21.10	EC 8478	Crash dive for flying boat (course 270°).
		21.50		Surfaced.
		29.07.42
		00.00	EC 8488	Intend to remain in EC 70 and 80 for 3 days.
		04.00	EC 8493
		05.00		In accordance with orders sent situation report (clear text see Enclosure.)

	Sun and Moon Data 27.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.07.42

	- 23 -
		continued
		29.07.42
		08.00	EC 8554
		10.20		Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Continue transit to ED 90 without delay.
		11.08		Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U. concerning handling of ETO in torpedo tube I.
		12.00	EC 8526	Day's run:  150 nm,   2 nm.
			Calm trade wind weather
		15.30		ETO ejected from torpedo tube I.
		16.00	EC 8595
		20.00	EC 8372	Coast of the Guajira Peninsula in sight all day.
			E 6-7, Sea 6, Vis. moderate, heavy ground swells on calm seas	Nothing sighted.
		30.07.42
		00.00	EC 8381
		04.00	EC 8368
		08.00	EC 9145
			E 6-7, Vis. moderate
		12.00	EC 9154	Day's run:  104 nm.
			Heavily misty horizon
		10.42		Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U.:  To U-505:  Go to naval square EO 10, 20, 50.
		16.00	EC 9161
		20.00	EC 9214
		31.07.42
		00.00	EC 9215	Tonight I will pass between Aruba and Curacao and then off the coast of Venezuela.
		04.00	EC 9264
			Moonlit
		06.30	EC 9377	North end of Curacao 8 nm distant.  Lighthouses are extinguished.
		08.00	EC 9614
		12.00	EC 9682	Day's run:  176 nm.
				Dived due to low clouds and moderate visibility.
		16.00	EC 9683
		20.00	EC 9691

	Sun and Moon Data 29.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 31.07.42

	- 24 -
		01.08.42	North coast of Venezuela
		00.00	EC 9691
		01.45	E 3, Sea 2, Vis. medium, misty	Surfaced.  Over the day nothing heard and nothing seen except for fishing vehicles.
		03.00		Radio Message to B.d.U. with request to return due to the state of health of the Kommandant.
		04.00	ED 7473	Lacre Point lighthouse (Bonaire) as in peacetime.
		08.00	ED 7571
		12.00	ED 7591	Day's run:  85 nm,   30 nm.  Los Roques 4 nm distant.
				Radio Message from B.d.U. with return transit orders.
		16.00	ED 7673
		20.00	ED 7654
		22.20		Crash dive for flying boat (course 0°).
		23.10	ED 7629	Surfaced.   Before surfacing aircraft in sight in the periscope.
		02.08.42
		00.00	ED 7635
		04.00	ED 8179
		08.00	ED 8191
		12.00	ED 8244	Day's run:  150 nm,   2 nm.
		16.00	ED 8228
		20.00	ED 5883
		03.08.42
		00.00	ED 5866
		04.00	ED 5927
		05.30	ED 5926	Hospital ship - course 130° - passed.
				Prescribed markings lighted.  Row of green lights along the entire ship.  Red cross.  Name not determined, because it is too fast, 16-18 knots.
		08.00	ED 5932

	Sun and Moon Data 01.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.08.42

	- 25 -
		continued
		03.08.42
		12.00	ED 6476	Day's run:  154 nm.
		16.00	ED 6464
		17.00	ED 6465	"Crash dive" for aircraft.  Boat completely surprised.  Aircraft turned off 200 meters from the boat.  Apparently American markings.  No bombs.
			E 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good, cumulus
		18.30		Surfaced.
		20.00	ED 6542
		21.00		Mountains of Dominica and Martinique in sight ahead.
		21.10		Dived.
		04.08.42	Dominica Channel
		00.00	ED 6523
		01.20		Surfaced.  Headed through the Dominica Channel to the east.  Lighthouses on Martinique as in peacetime.
		04.00	ED 6612	Northern tip of Martinique 6 nm abeam to starboard.
		08.00	ED 6395
		12.00	EE 4156	Day's run:  176 nm,   11 nm.
			Calm trade wind weather, Vis. good
		16.00	EE 4133
		20.00	EE 1766
		05.08.42	Atlantic east of the Antilles
		00.00	EE 1498
		04.00	EE 1462	Radio Message to B.d.U. concerning situation, supply, patient transfer, (Clear text see Enclosure).
		08.00	BE 1198
		12.00	EE 1162	Day's run:  178 nm.
			Calm trade wind weather, Vis. good
		16.00	DP 7793
		20.00	DP 7736

	Sun and Moon Data 03.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.08.42

	- 26 -
		06.08.42
		00.00	DP 7469
		04.00	DP 7433
		08.00	DP 7166
		12.00	DP 4799	Day's run:  182 nm.
		16.00 - 16.30	DP 4764	Test dive.
		19.03		Short Signal:  Will be at meeting point on 8 August at 20.00 hours.    U-505.
		20.00	DP 4732
			Calm trade wind weather, Vis. very good
		07.08.42
		00.00	DP 4468
		04.00	DP 4433
		08.00	DP 4166
		12.00	DP 1877	Day's run:  176 nm,   2 nm.
			E 1-2, Sea 0, Vis. good
		16.00	DP 1578
		20.00	DP 1543
		08.08.42
		00.00	DP 1284
		04.00	DP 1224
		08.00	DD 9757
		12.00	DD 9721	Day's run:  182 nm.
		16.00	DD 9459
		16.30		At meeting point with Wolfbauer.
		20.00	DD 9455
		20.05	E 1-2, Sea 0, medium NW-swell	"U-463" in sight.
				Establishing the towing connection goes smoothly.
		21.34 - 23.20		25 cbm fuel oil taken over.
		23.55		Connection disengaged.

	Sun and Moon Data 06.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.08.42

	- 27 -
		09.08.42
		00.00	DD 9456
		00.40		"U-463" out of sight.
		04.00	DD 9439
		08.00	DD 9522
		12.00	DD 9296	Day's run:  174 nm.
		16.00 - 16.45	DD 9357	Test dive.
		20.00	DD 9356
		10.08.42
		00.00	DE 7114
		04.00	DE 4787
		08.00	DE 4792
		12.00	DE 4851	Day's run:  176 nm,   2 nm.
		16.00	DE 4833
		20.00	DE 4679
		11.08.42
		00.00	DE 4667
		04.00	DE 5442
		08.00	DE 5426
		12.00	DE 5275	Day's run:  192 nm.
		16.00 - 16.30	DE 5259	Test dive.
		20.00	DE 5317
			NE 3, Sea 3, Vis. good, cumulus
		12.08.42
		00.00	DE 5323
		04.00	DE 3774
		08.00	DE 3758

	Sun and Moon Data 09.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.08.42

	- 28 -
		continued
		12.08.42
		10.00	ED 3764	Swiss "ST. GOTTHARD" passed, course 270°.  In so doing dived briefly.
		10.30		Surfaced.
		12.00	ED 3739	Day's run:  188 nm,   2 nm.
		16.00	ED 3821
		18.30	ED 3589	Passenger freighter in sight, course north.
				One-hour pursuit at AK produces nothing.  Bearing shifts quickly ahead.  By plotting 18-19 knots.
		19.30		Pursuit broken off.
		20.00	ED 3591
		13.08.42
		00.00	DE 3645
		02.30		In accordance with orders reported weather by Short Signal.
		04.00	DE 3629
		08.00	DE 3633
		12.00	DF 1184	Day's run:  168 nm.
		16.00	DF 1168
		20.00	DF 1243
		14.08.42
		00.00	DF 1234
		04.00	CD 8775
		08.00	CD 8759
		12.00	CD 8818	Day's run:  178 nm.
		16.00	CD 8854
		20.00	CD 8838
			NE 2-3, Sea 3, NE-swell, Vis. good
		15.08.42	Southwest of the Azores
		00.00	CD 8913

	Sun and Moon Data 12.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.08.42

	- 29 -
		continued
		15.08.42
		02.25		In accordance with orders sent weather by Short Signal.
		04.00	CD 8694
		08.00	CD 9445
			SW 3, Sea 1, Vis. good
		12.00	CD 9437	Day's run:  184 nm.
		13.00 - 13.30		Test dive.
		16.00	CD 9512
		20.00	CD 9294
		16.08.42
		00.00	CD 9349
		04.00	CD 9338
		08.00	CE 7121	On the Swedish route several lights course south.
		12.00	CE 4793	Day's run:  198 nm,   1 nm.
		13.00	CE 4821	An independent course north.  No zig zags, let go, because of Route Anton and Swedish route.
			Calm, Vis. good
		16.00	CE 4855
		20.00	CE 4839
		17.08.42	Azores sea area
		00.00	CE 4688
		04.00	CE 5471
		08.00	CE 5455
		12.00	CE 5511	Day's run:  200 nm.
		16.00	CE 5525
		20.00	CE 5299
			WSW 4, Sea 3, Vis. good, cumulus
		18.08.42	Azores sea area
		00.00	CE 5382

	Sun and Moon Data 15.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.08.42

	- 30 -
		continued
		18.08.42
		04.00	CE 6141	No operation on Group "Blücher"-convoy due to fuel inventory and condition of the Kommandant.
		08.00	CE 6126
		10.20		Dived to work on the high-pressure air installation.
		12.00	CE 3877	Day's run:  178 nm,   4 nm.
		14.00		Surfaced.
		16.00	CE 3876
		20.00	CE 3893
		19.08.42	Azores sea area
		00.00	CE 3958
		04.00	CF 1841
		08.00	CF 1837
		12.00	CF 1926	Day's run:  194 nm,   5 nm.
		16.00	CF 2741
		20.00	CF 2729
		20.08.42
		00.00	CF 2815
		04.00	CF 2832
		08.00	CF 2687
		12.00	CF 2696	Day's run:  198 nm.
			NNW 1-2, medium swell, 1/10, Vis. very good
		12.15	CF 2696	U-boat on southerly course in sight.  Visual recognition signals exchanged.  "U-214" (Reeder).  2 cans of tea delivered.
		13.15		"U-214" out of sight.
		16.00	CF 3488
		20.00	CF 3574
		21.08.42
		00.00	CF 3562
		04.00	CF 3384

	Sun and Moon Data 18.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.08.42

	- 31 -
		continued
		21.08.42
		08.00	CF 3363
			SW 3, SW-swell, 10/10, Vis. medium
		07.20		Dived.
		12.30	CG 1118	Surfaced.  Day's run:  240 nm,   10 nm.
		16.00	BE 9872
		20.00	BE 9835
		21.10	W 4, Sea 4, medium swell, low clouds, rain	Reached 13°W.  Dived.  Proceeding submerged.
		22.08.42
		00.00	BE 9677
		04.00	BE 9675	Surfaced.  Charging transit.
		07.00		Dived to proceed submerged.
		08.00	BE 9662
		12.00	BE 9639	Surfaced.  Day's run:  126 nm,   37 nm.
				Between 14.00 and 17.30 hours several distant detonations heard.
		16.00	BF 7417
		18.18	10/10 high clouds, Vis. good	Surfaced.  Charging transit.
		20.00	BF 7188
		21.35		Dived.  While submerged determined that gyro compass indication is completely wrong.
		23.08.42
		00.00	BF 7193	Steered by magnetic compass.  Hardly usable due to greatly changing deviation.
		04.00	BF 7247
		04.15		Surfaced.  Charging transit.
		06.55		Dived.
		08.00	BF 7253
		10.16		Several detonations heard.
		12.00	BF 7237	Surfaced.  Day's run:  70 nm,   38 nm.
		16.00	BF 7236

	Sun and Moon Data 21.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.08.42

	- 32 -
		continued
		23.08.42
		20.00	BF 7311
		22.40	Very misty, bright moonlit night, sometimes foggy	Surfaced.  Charging transit.
				Gyro-compass temporarily in service.  Error 3-5°.  Course continually improved by moon azimuth.
		24.08.42
		00.00	BF 4972
		03.45		Radio Message:  25 August 15.00 hours Point Luci 2, request Lorient bearing transmitter.
		04.00	BF 4961
		06.30		Dived.  Proceeding submerged.  In the vicinity of sailing fishing vessels.  Prescribed lighting.
		08.00	BF 5721
		12.00	BF 5726	Surfaced.  Day's run:  110 nm,   44 nm.
		13.13	SW 3, Sea 2, low clouds, Vis. changing	Surfaced briefly to measure sun elevation.
		16.00	BF 5765
		20.00	BF 5816
		22.48		Surfaced.  Charging transit.
		25.08.42
		00.00	BF 5585
		01.15		Dived.
		04.00	BF 5565
		08.00	BF 5563
		10.23		Surfaced.  Ran in.
		12.00		Surfaced.  Day's run:  36 nm,   40 nm.
		13.30		Point Luci 2.  Taken under escort.
		15.00		Made fast Lorient.
			Results:
			1.)  Sunk	2 freighters        14 300 GRT
				1 sailing vessel        400 GRT
			2.)  Total distance covered            12 842 nm
				498 nm
				13 340 nm
			No special experiences.

	Sun and Moon Data 23.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.08.42

 

	Enclosures to U-505's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track chart covering entire war patrol                7 June to 25 August 1942

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the K.T.B. of "U-505" from 7.5 - 25.8.1942.
	Due to the illness of the Kommandant the war patrol was broken off prematurely.  The few attack opportunities offered in a time of traffic stoppage were used.
	The sinking of the Colombian sailing vessel would have been better left undone.
	Nothing to note.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

---

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