U-568 - 2nd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

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
16 Oct 41	01.14	54°51'N, 27°35W	EMPIRE HERON	6,023	British	SC-48
17 Oct 41	04.15	56°51'N, 24°12'W	USS KEARNEY DD-432 (damaged)	1,630	American	SC-48
			Total = 7,653
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.

				Copy No.  . . . . . . . .
				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
				Unterseeboot    "  U  568  "
				Kommandant:  Kaptlt.  P  r  e  u  s  s
				Beginning:  9.10.1941
				Ending    :  7.11.1941
				Distribution:   " U-568 " Copy No. 1 3. U-Flottille " 2 B.d.U. " 3 2.A.d.U.-Boote " 4 O.K.M.______ " __5 + 6__
				Enclosures: 1) 1 Track chart for Copy No. 1-5 2) 3 Torpedo firing reports for Copy No. 1-3 3) 1 Excerpt of the General Radio Log for                       Copy No. 2 4) 1 Original - Radio Log General Messages for Copy No. 1 5) 1      "                 "        Officer Only Messages     "        1
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		11.09.41 -	St. Nazaire	Shipyard overhaul.
		06.10.41
		07.10.41		Torpedo and provisions loading.
		08.10.41		Balanced the boat.
		09.10.41		Changes to the crew after the 1st patrol.
				Ordered away:
				1.  Lt.(Ing)d.R. Schmidt-Dahlenburg
				2.  Fähnr.z.S. Otting
				3.            "      Fischer
				4.            "      Meyer
				5.  Mech.Ob.Gfr. Röllecke
				6.  Mtr.Gfr. Schier
				Ordered aboard:
				1.  As Commander in training:  Oblt.z.S. Lemcke
				2.  Fähnr.z.S. Stehler
				3.            "      Peters
				4.  Mech.Gfr. Schüßler
				5.  Mtr.          Günther
		18.30	Small lock	Departed St. Nazaire on 2nd war patrol.
		21.00	Point N 1	Released by escort.
		21.15 -		Balancing the boat (test dive).
		22.17
		24.00	BF 6483
		10.10.41
		04.00	BF 5833
		08.00	BF 5815
			W 3, Sea 2, Vis. clear, overcast
		08.47 -		Test dive, deep dive to depth T = 70 meters [actually depth 140 metes], no issues.
		10.41
		12.00	BF 5735	Day's run:  Surfaced 174 nm, Submerged  3 nm
		12.46		Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U.:  U-568 should make for square AK 43, [contrary to] outbound order square AK41.
		16.00	BF 5717
		16.41 -
		16.53		Crash dive for training.
		20.00	BF 4927
		24.00	BF 4852

	Sun and Moon Data 09.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 10.10.41

	- 2 -
		11.10.41
		04.00	BF 4576
		08.00	BF 4465
		12.00	BF 4419	Day's run:  Surfaced 236 nm, Submerged 1 nm.
		12.00	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 215°, 8 nm.
		14.28 -		Crash dive for training.
		15.20
		16.00	BE 6398	Diesel air compressor out of service.
		20.00	BE 6398
		21.44	BE 6345	Position short signal.
		24.00	BE 6282
		12.10.41
		04.00	BE 6213
		08.00	BE 5783
			W 3, Sea 3, overcast, intermittent rain
		09.15 -		Test dive.
		10.35
		12.00	BE 5746	Day's run:  Surfaced 199 nm, Submerged 7 nm.
		16.00	BE 2934	Diesel air compressor temporarily in service again.
		20.00	BE 2677
		21.00	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 276°, 15 nm.
		24.00	BE 2556
		13.10.41
		04.00	BE 2517
		08.00	BE 2188
			NW 3, overcast, Sea 2-3
		09.45 -
		10.55		Test dive, minor repairs.
		12.00	BE 2171	Day's run:  Surfaced 203 nm, Submerged 6 nm.
		16.00	BE 1353
		20.00	BE 1315
		24.00	AL 8783
		14.10.41
		04.00	AL 8744
		04.17		Short Signal weather report.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 13.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 14.10.41

	- 3 -
		continued
		14.10.41
		08.00	AL 7822
			W 4, Sea 4, Vis. medium, overcast, rain
		09.47 -		Test dive.
		10.17
		12.00	AL 7574	Day's run:  Surfaced 205 nm, Submerged 1.5 nm.
		15.49		Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Attack area U-568 square AK 59.
		16.00	AL 7455
		20.00	AL 7414
		24.00	AK 9384
		15.10.41
		04.00	AK 9265
		08.00	AK 9216	Incoming Radio Message:  Convoy AK 6828, course 70°, 7 knots.                                                    U-553.
			NW 3, Sea 3-4, Vis. clear, cloudless
		09.17	AK 9211	By plotting steered 70°.
		10.21		Approach orders from B.d.U. for U-432, U-558, U-502 and U-568.
		10.58		Radio Message by U-553 about convoy course change to 360°.
		12.00	AK 6883	Day's run:  Surfaced 211 nm, Submerged 0 nm.
		13.00	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 159°, 31 nm.
		15.03	SW 4, Sea 3, Vis. clear, cloudy	Smoke cloud in sight to port.  I close on the starboard side of the convoy and maintain contact at the limit of visibility, have been homed in by bearing signals from U-553.
		16.00	AK 6868
		18.30		Radio Message to B.d.U.:  Position 6832.
				U-568.
		20.00	AK 6928	Intended to attack after nightfall, but a diesel has failed. Because the night is very bright (aurora borealis, moon light) and the diesel should be in service, I'm waiting.
		22.31		Radio Message convoy position 9326, steering a northerly course.                U-568.    This was an incorrect report.
		24.00	AK 6678	Diesel again in service.
		16.10.41
		01.14	AK 6673	Shot at steamer 4000 tons.  3-fan, target angle 84°, target speed 6 knots, range 1500 meters, 2 hits after 1 minute 28 seconds.  Shot at long range because of very bright horizon and marine phosphorescence (torpedo tracks could be seen at 300 to 400 meters).  Steamer quickly sinks over the stern.  It sets off violent star shell firing which forces me from the formation.  Reloaded while the convoy is lost from sight in rain.  Because pursuit brings nothing, I run on convoy course, and at dawn I' positioned approximately 4000 meters on his port side.
		04.00	AK 6657
		08.00	AK 6629
		09.30 -		Dived.
		10.16		Surfaced and maintained contact on the port side of the convoy.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.10.41

	- 4 -
		continued
		16.10.41
		10.24		Radio Message:  Convoy in sight square 6661, enemy steering northeastern course.                      U-568.
		11.45		Bearing signals for U-553.
		12.00	AK 6393	Day's run:  Surfaced 201 nm, Submerged 2.5 nm.
		12.15		Bearing signals for U-553.
		12.44		Radio Message:  Enemy position 4414 northerly course.  U-568.
		13.50		Crash dive for destroyer, stern sweeper, who appears at target angle 0° from astern.  Sound-gear heard, stops temporarily.
		15.27		Surfaced.  No contact.  Rain.
		16.00	AL 4144
		18.09                  18.43 -		U-boat in sight bearing x0°T, running ahead of us, probably U-553.  Crash dive for Sunderland.
		19.08
		19.18 -
		20.19	AL 4152	Crash dive for Sunderland
				Surfaced.  In pursuit.
		24.00	AL 1989
		17.10.41
		00.13		Star shells all around.  I am north of the convoy.  Had to move off a bit due to a star shell exploding directly above me, because a corvette was approximately 2000 meters away.  Then I ran to the east to get further ahead.  I'm positioned at the rear of the convoy, where several escorts, apparently corvettes, struggle with survivors from a tanker and a freighter.  Had to evade several maneuvering escorts and corvettes while moving up, which apparently pause to listen then fire star shells on the sound bearings.
		04.15	AL 0146	Four-fan on a destroyer, which always gets in the way when I angle in.  Target angle right 86°, speed 9 knots, range 2000, a hit after 1 minute 39 seconds.  Destroyer breaks apart amidships and sinks very quickly.  Probably A or D Class, two stacks.  Ran on a parallel course and reloaded.  In so doing had to avoid several corvettes.
		05.40		Corvette in sight to starboard ahead, approaches me at low speed.  Turn away and proceed at AK, the corvette follows at approximately 800 meters in the wake and will not be shaken off.  When it suddenly starts to rain, I decide to slow down and turn away, because the wake shines very brightly.  However, nothing is gained, the corvette approaches to within 400 meters, throws a depth charge every now and then and shoots with the bow gun (6 shots).
		06.02	AL 0155	Fired the stern torpedo, as the corvette again lies exactly in the wake at target angle 0°.  Miss.
		06.15	[oscillating = rocking the boat twice 3-4° up and down to purge residual air from the ballast tanks]	Crash dive, because I cannot get away on the surface and range is slowly getting smaller.  Turn to starboard while still diving, then hard to port passing 10 meters.  At depth T = 40 meters [80 meters] 4 depth charges laid behind us.  Went directly to depth T = 90 meters [180 meters] without oscilating..

	Sun and Moon Data 16.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 17.10.41

	- 5 -
		continued
		17.10.41		Corvette returns again and throws 5 depth charges which are quite well placed about the boat.  No failures.  Corvette stops, but there is no sound-gear.  Boat can be held well, once settling to depth T = 98 meters [196 meters], however, with 5° stern down and HF is again at depth T = 85 meters [170 meters].  Intend to surface again as soon as possible, but must wait, because two additional escorts are searching with sound-gear.  Put the vessels astern.  From the shifting bearings I notice that they have lost me and surface at LF, duration:  about 3/4 of an hour.  At approx. 3000 to 4000 meters there are 2 corvettes still in sight which busily Morse.  I blow out and run off to the southeast.
		08.00	AL 0159	Convoy no longer in sight.  In pursuit to the east.
			SW 3, Sea 3, overcast
		12.00	AL 2977	Day's run:  Surfaced 212 nm, Submerged 18 nm.
		16.01	AL 2989	Smoke clouds ahead to port, still very far off.
		16.13		Dived for a flying boat.
		17.33		Surfaced, in pursuit.
		19.50		Radio Message:  Convoy in sight square 0272 easterly course.
				U-568.
		20.00	AL 0279	Smoke clouds are lost from sight in rain, despite 2 x GF hardly seemed to come ahead.  Therefore, the course of the convoy must be to the northeast.
		20.49		Radio Message:  Square 0249 convoy out of sight, probably northeasterly course.                            U-568.
		22.00		Radio Message from B.d.U. concerning search sectors.
				I come to the northeast sector and operate as ordered on enemy position 13.25 hours square 2953 speed 7.5 knots.
		24.00	AL 0229
		18.10.41
		04.00	AL 3779
		08.00	AL 3871
			W 2, Sea 2, cloudy
		09.00		Came to course 270°.
		10.10		Steering course 230°.
		10.28		Radio Message concerning search sector 70° to 100° in square 3451 at 04.50 hours.
		12.00	AL 3871	Day's run:  Surfaced 258 nm, Submerged 2 nm.
			W 5, Sea 4, overcast	2 escorts to starboard, running at high speed, so I can't evade on the surface with the swell.
		12.30		Dived.  Escorts remain nearby running on a zig-zag course.
		15.00		Sound bearings growing slowly weaker.
		15.40		Surfaced.
		16.00	AL 0323	Operating on convoy group Schonder, which was reported at 16.32 hours in square 0353 course 100°.
		17.56 -
		18.20		Crash dive for flying boat.
		19.01		Because there is nothing in sight and Schulze reported at 18.33 hours, in square 3465 a convoy group on an easterly course I decide to

	Sun and Moon Data 17.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.10.41

	- 6 -
		continued
		18.10.41		operate on this group.
				Radio Message to Krech that convoy group Schulze is identical to the group with the heavily smoking escort.  Again operating on Schonder-convoy.
		20.00	AL 0363
		20.10		Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U.
				On the evening of 17 October, the Americans maintain, that the U.S.A. destroyer "KEARNEY" was torpedoed during the morning of 17 October, but could continue on its journey.  Preuß and Mengersen immediately report: 1.)  Day and time of the sinking of their destroyers.  2.)  Whether the sunken destroyer could have been American or if it was positively English.  3.)  Whether sinking was confirmed with certainty and what else was observed. 4.)  Whether any possibility exists that another destroyer was hit while firing on a steamer.  All boats in convoy report, if item 4 is a possibility before the evening of 17 October.
				B.d.U.
		23.40		Radio Message to B.d.U.
				Sunken destroyer 17 October 04.15 hours AL 0146 probably A or D class.  2 stacks of the same height and same thickness.  Hit amidships, breaking up and fast sinking observed.  Possibility of item 4. is nil.
				U-568.
		24.00	AM 1984
		19.10.41
		03.00		Proceeding on course 310° because I must get ahead of the convoy.
		04.00	AM 4133
		06.22		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				The boats which have operated on Thurmann-convoy, if there is no contact by dawn, proceed to the west, report as yet unreported successes, additionally position, fuel and torpedoes remaining.
		08.00	AM 1944
			SSE 3, Sea 2, overcast	Westerly course.
		08.40		Radio Message to B.d.U.
				Position square AM 1945, 80 cbm, 4 plus 2 torpedoes.
				U-568.
		08.54		Dived to perform work on the Diesels.
		12.00	AL 0366	Day's run:  Surfaced 200 nm, Submerged 28 nm.
		14.20		Surfaced.
		14.58	SW 10, Sea 7	Dived to proceed submerged, due to weather.
		16.00 -
		20.40	AL 0356
		20.00	AL 0357
		24.00	AL 0372
		20.10.41
		00.27		Disposition order from B.d.U.
				Group Reißwolf U-77, U-73, U-751, U-568, U-502, U-101, U-432 patrol line in square AK 4875 to 8745.
		04.00	AL 3xx5
		04.24		Short weather signal.
		08.00	AL 6213
			NW 5, Sea 4, [illegible line]

	Sun and Moon Data 18.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 19.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.10.41

	- 7 -
		continued
		20.10.41
		12.00	AL x152	Day's run:  Surfaced 10x nm, Submerged 27 nm.
		16.17 -
		16.52	AL 5286	Test dive.
				Radio Message from U-84
				Convoy square BE 1556 course northeasterly.
		17.43		Deployment orders from B.d.U. for Group Schlagetot, Reißwolf [rest of sentence illegible].
		18.00 -
		20.04	AL 5591	[illegible entry]
		19.57		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				Group Reißwolf proceed to ordered patrol line [rest of sentence illegible]
		20.04	AL 5591	Operated on the convoy by plotting.
		20.50 -
		21.20		[Illegible entry]
		24.00	AL xxxx
		21.10.41
		04.00	AL 5457
		08.00	AL 7989
			x 3, Sea 3, cloudy
		09.41 -
		10.x0		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 4736	Day's run:  Surfaced 91 nm, Submerged xx nm.
		16.00	AL 4743
		20.00	AK 6955	[Illegible entry]
		20.50 -
		21.20		Test dive.
		24.00	AK 6xxx
		22.10.41
		04.00	AK xx79
		08.00	AK 9122
			x 4, Sea 3, xxxx, Vis. xxxx
		09.25		Dived to proceed submerged.
		12.00	AK 9115	Day's run:  Surfaced 1xx nm, Submerged 7.5 nm.
		13.06		Surfaced.
		14.00	AK 915x
			xx 4, Sea 3, xxxx, Vis. xxxx
		1x.x1		An own boat was seen briefly abeam to port in rain.
		18.30		Dived.
		20.52	AK 8268	Surfaced.
		24.00	AK 8x72
		23.01.41
		04.00	AK 8197
		08.00	AK 7634
			xx 3, Sea 3, xxxx, Vis. clear
		10.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 74 nm in 75°T, speed loss of the boat is less than indicicated by the speed measurement system.
		10.01		Dived.
		1x.00		Surfaced.
		12.03		Day's run:  Surfaced xx nm, Submerged xx nm.
				Position  [rest of entry is illegible]

	Sun and Moon Data 20.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 21.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.10.41

	- 8 -
		continued
		23.01.41
		16.00	AK 8424
		20.00	AK 7634
		23.15		In position:  on course 230° or 50° at knots turned each [illegible time interval]
		24.10.41
		04.00	AK 7670
		08.00	AK 7615
			W 2, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. clear
		10.31 -
		11.23		Test dive [remainder of entry illegible]
		12.00	AK 7617	Day's run:  Surfaced 17x nm, Submerged 5 nm.
		16.00	AK 7617
		20.00	AK xxxx
		23.26		Radio Message from B.d.U. to Reißwolf
		[contents of this message are illegible in the U-658 KTB and are taken from U-751's KTB]		Move back and forth in the ordered patrol line at most economical cruising speed in the direction of the line.  Every 4 hours come to the opposite course.  Between 00.00 hours and 04.00 hours northwest, between 04.00 hours and 08.00 hours southwest etc.  at 02.00 and 06.00 be at the center of the ordered position etc.  Course deviations up to 30° to each side due to sea and weather authorized.  After ending attack operations return to the old location and integrate movement there.
		24.00	AK 7617
		25.10.41
		04.00	AK 7611
		08.00	AK 7619
			SE 2, Sea 2, fog
		10.26		Dived.
		12.57	AK 7611	Day's run:  Surfaced 1xx nm, Submerged 4.x nm.
				Surfaced.
		13.27		Radio Message from B.d.U. to Reißwolf
		[contents of this message are illegible in the U-658 KTB and are taken from U-751's KTB]		In the same order as in the deployment order of 19 October occupy ordered patrol line square AK 7296 to BD 1325. Moving back and forth as ordered on 24 October.  Attack permission as for the attack area.
		16.00	AK 7643
		16.50 -	Fog
		20.00		Dived.  [illegible few words] fog.
		23.xx		Surfaced.
		24.00	AK 7681
		26.12.41
		02.00	AK 7931	In position.
		04.00	AK 7689
		08.00	AK 7935
			SE 3, Sea 2, overcast
		10.15 -
		10.53		Test dive.

	Sun and Moon Data 23.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 24.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 25.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 26.10.41

	- 9 -
		continued
		26.12.41
		12.00	AK 7689	Day's run:  Surfaced 113 nm, Submerged 19 nm.
		13.16		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				Group Reißwolf immediately proceed in previously ordered patrol line 60 nm in direction 145°.  Trransit speed.  Move back and forth in new positions in accordance with orders. On 24 October a convoy coming from England is expected.
		16.00	AK 7939	Radio Message from B.d.U.
				To Group Reißwolf
				In order not to allow to the outbound convoy to pass during the night, from 21.45 hours proceed on course 215°, speed through the water, according to weather conditions, up to 7 knots.  At dawn on 27 October return to starting positions.
		20.00	AK 8776
		21.00	AK 8787
		24.00	BD 1316
		27.10.41
		04.30	BD 1269
		08.00	BD 1523
			SE 3, Sea 2, overcast
		10.20 -
		10.40		Test dive.
		12.00	BD 1523
				Day's run:  Surfaced 181 nm, Submerged 1 nm.
		15.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 24 nm 47°.
		16.00	AK 1322

	Sun and Moon Data 26.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 27.10.41

	- 10 -
		continued
		27.10.41
		17.33		Incoming Radio Message:  Enemy convoy in sight square AL 7473, SW course, medium speed.
				" U-74 ".
		17.53		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				Group Reißwolf and U-106 operate on Kentrat convoy.
		18.00		Course 105° by plotting.
		20.00	BD 1331
		21.30		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 24 nm, 47°.
		21.12		Incoming Radio Message:
				Square 7715 enemy steers 200°.
				" U-74 ".
		22.37	SE 6, Sea 4	New course 155°.
				Incoming Radio Message:
				Enemy convoy in sight square 7473, 7 knots, 190°.
				" U-74 ".
		24.00	AK 2123
		28.10.41
		02.25		Incoming Radio Message:
				Have lost contact, square 7742.  Enemy possibly steering westerly course.
				" U-74 ".
		03.23		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				Reißwolf in listed order operate on convoy general course 235 - 205°.

	Sun and Moon Data 27.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.10.41

	- 11 -
		continued
		28.10.41		Enemy speed 6-8 knots.  Kentrat and Rasch free to maneuver while searching.
		04.00	BD 2195	Course 118°, operating on general course 220° and speed 7 knots.  Own speed due to the seas 7 knots.
		08.00	BD 2512
		12.00	BD 2526	Day's run:  Surfaced 178 nm.
				No contact on the convoy during the day.
		16.00	BD 2563
		20.00	BD 2657
		20.30	NW 3, rain, Vis. changing	Convoy in sight ahead to starboard.  Initially only a 4 stack destroyer and indistinct clouds of smoke.  The destroyer is positioned 5000 meters ahead on the starboard side.  Ran along on a parallel course, the convoy soon disappears in the rain.  Destroyer is in sight a little longer.
		21.19		Radio Message:  Enemy convoy in sight, square BD 2682, course 246°.
				U-568.
				Was unable to determine the speed due to poor visibility.  2 destroyers and a steamer come briefly into sight in the darkness.  Pursued to the south, but nothing more is seen because of the visibility in rains of 100-200 meters.
		22.55		Radio Message:  Convoy out of sight, last position square 2685, rain, visibility 500 meters.
				U-568.
				Operating further on general course of 240° and speed 8 knots.
		24.00	BD 2676
		29.10.41
		01.47		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Reißwolf
				If independent searches promise no success, continue searching in sector 255°T to 210°T starting from 21.15 hour location in square 2685.  In order: Schonder, Rosenbaum, Bigalk, Preuß, Rosenstiel, Mengersen, Resch, Kentrat. Operate on enemy speed 6-9.
		04.00	BD 2834
		05.51		To Group Reißwolf:  Due to the absence of Mengersen other boats distribute evenly across the whole sector.  Course 230°.                                         B.d.U.
		08.00	BD 2848
			NW 3, Sea 2
		10.01 -
		11.07		Test dive.
		11.20		Incoming Radio Message:  Convoy BD 2758, SW-course.
				Schonder.
		12.00	BD 2856	Day's run:  Surfaced 191 nm, Submerged 3 nm.
				From the Schonder's contact keeping reports it is apparent that the convoy has moved slowly ahead and to the south.  Speed 12 knots.
		16.00	BD 5143	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 211, 17 nm.
		17.00		Course change to 245°.
		20.00	BD 4385	Course change to 260°.

	Sun and Moon Data 28.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 29.10.41

	- 12 -
		continued
		29.10.41		In the meantime, Bigalk, Rosenbaum and Resch have gained contact.  Convoy reported at 22.00 hours in 4317 to 4319.  In pursuit on course 300°.
		22.05		[entry crossed out]
		24.00	BD 4291	On course 270°, because nothing is in sight and the convoy is reported at speed 12.5 knots.
		30.10.41
		04.00	BD 4193	Based on plotting, I am already positioned ahead of the convoy however Schonder's bearing signals are heard from directly ahead.  Course 260°.
		05.30	BD 4168	Came to course 90°, as the Schonder-convoy has run off and my fuel supply has fallen below 35 cbm.
		08.00	BD 4271
			NW 3, Sea 1, clear
		11.30	BD 4282	Again in pursuit in direction 250°, because the southern group of Kentrat, Resch and Rosenstiel is again reporting contact on the convoy
		12.00	BD 4279	Day's run:  Surfaced 250 nm.
		13.00	BD 4433	Course 240°, based on contact keeper reports from Kentrat in 6698 speed 10 knots.
		16.00		On return transit with 32 cbm, because the convoy is about 90 nm ahead of me.  Convoy is located in 6914.
		20.00	BE 4551
			Bright moonlight
		22.00		Evaded an eastbound destroyer.
		24.00	BD 4614
		31.10.41
		04.00	BD 4388
		08.00	BD 5172
			N 1, clear, sea 0
		10.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix, 316°, 8 nm.  Dived to work on the Diesels.
		12.00	BD 5181	Day's run:  Surfaced 197 nm, Submerged 7.5 nm.
		13.54		Surfaced.
		16.00	BD 5192
		20.00	BD 5281
		21.39		Incoming Radio Message:  Enemy convoy in sight square AL 7898, course 240°.                                  Lehmann.
		22.15		Came to 50° and ran towards the convoy at cruising speed.
		23.45		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Schonder and Bigalk operate on Lehmann-convoy, Preuß and Rosensteil join if at all possible.
		24.00	BD 5265
		01.11.41
		02.02		Weather short signal.
		04.00	BD 5315	Continuing to operate on convoy course SW, per   Lehmann's success report from BE 1125.
		06.41		Lehmann reports no further contact.
		08.00	BD 2983
		10.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 27°, 21 nm.
		10.05		Dived.
		10.55		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 29.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 30.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 31.10.41
	Sun and Moon Data 01.11.41

	- 13 -
		continued
		01.11.41
		11.54		Lehmann reports convoy in sight square BD 3636 course 170°.
		12.00	BD 3715	Proceeding on course 100°.  Because I regard the convoy course 170 as a temporary change of course.
				Day's run:  Surfaced 182 nm, Submerged 5 nm.
		14.31		Lehmann-convoy square 3933 course south.  Operating on this course, speed 8.5 knots.
				On course 135°.
		16.18	BD 6231	Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Schonder, Bigalk, Preuß, Rosenstiel, Winter, Heßler operate on Lehmann-convoy.
		18.24		Incoming Radio Message from Lehmann square 1745, 140°, 9 knots, weary screen.
				Operating again on general course 180°, because of fuel I can no longer operate on general course 140°.  Contact broken off during the night.
		20.00	BD 3878
		24.00	BD 6261
		02.11.41
		04.00	BD 6613
		08.00	BD 6667
			SE 2, Sea 1, overcast
		09.30		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 80°, 50 nm.  Speed measuring arrangement is not any more in adjustment.  Boat has lost less speed than was indicated against the sea.
		10.00		Convoy in sight square BE 4493.  For now it is impossible to determine whether he steers a southwest or southeast course. I approach but am detected by a corvette positioned far off.
		10.22		Crash dive.
				Depth charge and sound pursuit by three escort vessels or corvettes.  Two distinct types of sound gear are heard.  Depth charges are well-placed over the boat, count 36, proceeded at depth T = 95 meters [190 meters].  Damage:  Fixed periscope (2 pulleys torn off), linkage for the port negative buoyancy tank, several pressure gauges.  The 3 escorts ran towards several times astern, usually 2 stopped to locate and listen, while the 3rd approached.  Boat became heavy slowly due to water intake (stuffing boxes) such that it was necessary to proceed at HF at depth T = 65 meters [130 meters] to drain with air.  Using the machines [powered pumps] always seems to be heard.  Therefore made the boat so light that it can just barely be held at a depth of T = 90 meters [180 meters] with both diving planes hard down and silent speed.  It does not need to be pumped out again for about 3/4 of an hour.  As a result the escorts lose the boat.  Locating sounds are heard only very weakly, apparently due to [water] layering.
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced 229 nm, Submerged 5 nm.
		13.37		As there were no further sound bearings, surfaced, sweep with the search periscope is clear.  Astern lie the 3 escorts in line ahead, distance 4000 meters, stopped, have apparently heard me blowing and start again.

	Sun and Moon Data 01.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 02.11.41

	- 14 -
		continued
		02.11.41		Attempt to run off at AK, however, distance becomes slowly smaller, at range = 7000 meters again dived.
		13.52		Ran off under water at LF to the north at depth T = 90 meters [180 meters].  Escort locates again and still throws some depth charges, however, they lie farther away.  Also small explosive devices are heard in the boat apparently on whose reflected sound bearings are taken.
		16.30		No sound bearings.
				Each time a double bang.
		18.21	BE 4574	Surfaced.
				Radio Message to B.d.U.: Convoy position 10.00 hours square 4493.  SE-course, forced to submerge for 8 hours.  Depth charges.  Fixed periscope and negative buoyancy tank out of service.  Position square 4574.  Request return transit 21 cbm.
				U-568.
		20.00	BE 4547
		21.05 -
		21.24		Test dive.
		24.00	BE 4558
		03.11.41
		04.00	BE 4647
		06.00		Radio Message from B.d.U. to U-568
				Continue return transit.
		08.00	BE 4658
			E 2, Sea 2, overcast
		09.30		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 44, 6 nm.
		12.00	BE 5444	Day's run:  Surfaced 159 nm, Submerged 15 nm.
		16.00	BE 5454
		20.00	BE 5465
		24.00	BE 5545
		04.11.41
		04.00	BE 5556
		08.00	BE 5648
			NE 3, Sea 3, overcast
		12.00	BE 5667	Day's run:  Surfaced 164 nm, Submerged 0 nm.
		16.00	BE 6472
		20.00	BE 6491
		24.00	BE 6584
		05.11.41
		04.00	BE 6674
		08.00	BE 6689
			NE 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
		12.00	BF 4712	Day's run:  Surfaced 216 nm.
		16.00	BF 4734
		18.00	BF 4739	A thick periscope is sighted 30 to starboard.
				Turned and ran off at AK.
		18.49		Radio Message to B.d.U.:  Square BF 4739 periscope sighted.                                               U-568.

	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

	- 15 -
		continued
		05.11.41
		20.00	BF 4828
		24.00	BF 4917
		06.11.41
		04.00	BF 4961
		08.00	BF 5746
			NE 1, Sea 1, clear
		08.30 -
		08.54		Test dive.
		11.16		Crash dive for aircraft, approaching from astern to starboard, 2-engined, land-based aircraft.  When the boat is at 30 meters, 2 bombs, placed aft of the boat, no damage.
		12.00	BF 5841	Day's run:  Surfaced 205 nm, Submerged 3 nm.
		13.28		Surfaced.
		16.00	BF 5859
		20.00	BF 6745
		24.00	BF 6759
		07.11.41
		01.30		On Route Uhunest.  Dived.  Proceeding submerged.
		07.29		Surfaced.
		08.50	BF 6723
			NW 3, Sea 3, cloudy, clear	Crash dive for Bristol-Blenheim, flying low over the water.  x bombs at depth 30 meters, minor damage.
		10.13		Surfaced.
		13.29	Point N 1	Put the boat on the bottom.
		16.00		Surfaced.
		19.00		Entered St. Nazaire.

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

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	to the Kriegstagebuch of "U-568" from 09.10.41 - 07.11.41.
	The Kommandant learned from his first patrol for this 2nd.  Success did not fail to materialize there either.  Good!
		For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of Operations -

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