U-57 - 11th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Lost	Date	Days at Sea
Lorient	14 August 1940	Brunsbüttel	3 September 1940	21

 

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Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
24 Aug 40	00.42	55°48'N, 7°20'W	HAVILDAR (damaged)	5,407	British	OB-202
24 Aug 40	00.42	55°48'N, 7°20'W	SAINT DUNSTAN	5,681	British	OB-202
24 Aug 40	00.42	55°48'N, 7°20'W	CUMBERLAND	10,939	British	OB-202
25 Aug 40	19.46	56°21'N, 8°05'W	PECTEN	7,468	British	HX-65B
			Total = 29,495
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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		08. - 14.08.40	Lorient	Makeshift repairs to the G.H.G..
				Diesels overhauled.
		14.08.40	Summer time   [DGZ - German legal time]
		21.00	Lorient	Ready for sea.  Led out in zigzags by two R.Booten.
		24.00	47°26'N, 3°20'W
			W 2-3, 3/10, Sea 3	Day's run:
				Submerged:   0.3 nm
				Surfaced:     19.0  "
		15.08.40
		04.00	47°17'N, 4°19'W
			NNW 2, 5/10, Sea 1	Transit to the west.
		08.00	47°17'N, 5°06'W
		12.00	47°20'N, 5°55'W
			WNW 2, 9/10, Sea 1-2
		14.55		Radio Message "U-57" proceed to the North Channel via square AM 77.
		16.00	47°29'N, 6°40'W
		20.00	47°38'N, 7°29'W
			NWbyW 2, 0/10, Sea 1
		24.00	47°47'N, 8°04'W
			NNW 2, overcast/mist, Sea 1-2, medium Swell	Day's run:
				Submerged:   -//- nm
				Surfaced:      216  "
		16.08.40
		04.00	47°55'N, 8°39'W
			N 2, 8/10, Sea 1, medium-Swell	In transit to square AM 77.
		08.00	48°16'N, 9°08'W
		11.30		Radio Message "U-57" give Short Signal weather report today at 14.00 hours.
		12.00	BF 1848
			NWbyW 2-3, overcast, Sea 2
		14.00		Short Signal weather report to B.d.U.:
				N 2, Sea 1, breezy, +20°C air, 1029 mb, Vis. 10 nm, BF 18, completely overcast, +14°C water, several precipitation cloud types together, short or medium-long N-Swell
		16.00	BF 1737
		20.00	BF 1476
			NNE 2, overcast/mist, Sea 1, , Medium Swell
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	Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
	Sun and Moon Data 14.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 15.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 16.08.40

	- 2 -
		continued
		16.08.40
		24.00	BE 3665
			NbyE 2-3, overcast/mist, Sea 2	Day's run:       Submerged:     -//- nm
				Surfaced:      211.2  "
		17.08.40
		04.00	BE 3622
			NNE 1, 0/10, Sea 0, light Swell	In transit to square AM 77.
		08.00	BE 3371
			NNE 2, 0/10, Sea 1
		12.00	BE 3253
		16.00	AM 7879 lower-left corner
			W 1-2, 0/10, Sea 1
		20.00	AM 7789
			W 2-3, 9/10, Sea 2	Reached AM 77, turned to the north.
		20.36		Radio Message occupy operations area.
		24.00	AM 7753
			NW 2, 3/10, Sea 1	"U-57" A etc.    B.d.U.
				Day's run:        Submerged:     0.4 nm
				Surfaced:      211.4  "
		18.08.40
		04.00	AM 7486
			W 2-3, overcast, Sea 2	Transit into operations area.
		08.00	AM 7429
			WNW 6, overcast/mist, Sea 5-6, Vis. bad
		12.00	AM 7183
			WNW 6, overcast/mist, Sea 5-6
		16.00	AM 7161
			WNW 5, overcast/mist, Sea 4-5, Vis. changing 2000-6000 meters
		20.00	AM 4879	Day's run:       Submerged:     0.3 nm
				Surfaced:      213.3  "
		19.08.40
		00.00	AM 4855
			NW 5, overcast/mist, Sea 4
		03.55	Water use limited	Two shadows, sharp silhouettes.
		03.58		Dived before two destroyers, ran at listening speed.  Asdic impulses are heard.  Was overrun slowly, came about, overran us again.  Went to depth 80 meters.
		05.17		Surfaced.
				Steamer 500-600 tons, lay stopped range 4000 meters, gets underway slowly and zigzags.  Dived for submerged attack.  Steamer zigzagged away.
		05.34
		06.00		Surfaced.  Maneuvered ahead at the limit of visibility.
		08.00	AM 4678
			N 5, 5/10, Sea 4

	Sun and Moon Data 16.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 17.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 18.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 19.08.40

	- 3 -
		continued
		19.08.40
		08.40		Meeting with "U-48", same intentions.
				Steamer left to U-48, who gets ahead with greater speed.
		12.00	AM 3667
			WNW 3, overcast/mist, Sea 2
		15.13		Crash dive for destroyer, which came in sight at high speed, target angle 0°.  Attack broken off, because the destroyer went to listening speed and continually turned towards.  S-gear.  Destroyer stopped several time, changed course, disappeared slowly.
		17.00		Surfaced.
		18.08		Steamers in sight target angle 60°, maneuvered ahead.  Out of sight occasionally.  Vessels were recognized as two trawlers, have changed to an easterly course.
		19.25	AM 5415	Dived for an aircraft coming towards us, range = 6000 meters.
				Unique locating detected, boat was probed from fore to aft, not the usual Asdic sounds, clang like light hammer blows.  Nothing distinguished in the periscope.  Visibility about 6000 meters.  Patched the port cooling water jacket drain while submerged.
		21.31		Surfaced.
		22.12		Dived before aircraft, range = 4000 meters.
		22.38		Surfaced.
		24.00	AM 5188
			WNW 3, 8/10, 2/10	Day's run:       Submerged:    8.1 nm
				Surfaced:     159.2  "
		20.08.40
		04.00	AM 5257
			SSW 3, overcast/mist, Sea 2
		06.40	W 5, overcast/mist, Sea 4, Vis. 2000-3000 meters	Dived for a destroyer shadow.
				Through the periscope the following picture:
				4 columns of heavily armed fishing trawlers, 1 column, 2 2-cm M.G.'s on the stern, maneuvering in a formation similar to a convoy.  These 4 columns have 3-4 patrol vessels each in line abreast direction 270°, ahead to starboard a destroyer.
				Suspect:  A decoy convoy or the English are actually already dependent on vessels of this size.
		08.30	AM 5265	Surfaced.  Weapons use limited.
			W 6, overcast/mist, Vis. 4000-5000 meters

	Sun and Moon Data 19.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 20.08.40

	- 4 -
		continued
		20.08.40
		11.17	AM 5342
			WSW 7, overcast/mist 7/10, Sea 6-7	Dived for the destroyer and patrol vessels.  Weapons use only still against targets over 10000 tons with any prospect of success.
		20.05	AM 5319
			NW 7, overcast/mist, Sea 6-7	Surfaced.  Weather conditions unchanged.
		21.25		Radio Message new operations area off the North Channel.  Line without east-west limit at the level of the following squares U-101, U-57 square 42 southern half.
		24.00	AM 5354	During the night avoided several patrol vessels with and without set lights.
				Day's run:        Submerged:  16.1 nm
				Surfaced:      91.5  "
		21.08.40
		04.00	AM 5345
			WNW 7, overcast/mist, Sea 6
		08.00	AM 5371
			NWbyW 8, 7/10, Sea 7-8	Dived before monoplane, "Lysander" reconnaissance aircraft.
				Any use of weapons excluded
		12.51	AM 5293
			NW 10, 7/10, Sea 8-9	Surfaced.  Turned away and dove before 16-20 patrol vessels.  Weather conditions unchanged.
		20.05	NW 10, 7/10, Sea 8-9	Dived for a large steamer.  Tried to attack.  "FRAMIK", 18800 tons, course west, boat cannot be held at periscope depth despite highest speed setting.
		24.00	AM 5371
			NNW 9, 8/10, Sea 8-9	Radio Message according to new intelligence inbound convoy at 58°N and to the north . . .
				New disposition.  Occupy:  U=57 square AM 5200 and 5300.
				Day's run:        Submerged:  16.2 nm
				Surfaced:      57.1  "
		22.08.40
		04.00	WNW 9, 8/10, Sea 8
		05.00	AM 5269	Hospital ship, course west, let pass unhindered, 3 large illuminated red cross on a white background, green lamp chain, red lamp cross, high bridge.
			WNW 6-7, 7/10, Sea 6
		05.35		Radio Message  "U-57" steamer reported a U-boat today 22.45 hours in square AM 6412.
				We were not there.
		08.00	AM 5265
			NW 6-7, 6/10, Sea 6	Dived for patrol vessel.
		09.20		Surfaced.
				Am in sight of land. (Tory Island)

	Sun and Moon Data 20.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 21.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 22.08.40

	- 5 -
		continued
		22.08.40
		12.00	Navigation offset
			AM 5299
			NNW 4, 6/10, Sea 4
		13.23		Dived before multi-engined aircraft, type: Bristol-Blenheim, range = 4000 meters.
		13.47		Surfaced.
		15.00		Forced to submerged by a patrol vessel turning towards.
		17.14		Surfaced.
		17.22		Dived for a biplane, range = 6000 meters.
		17.48		Surfaced.
		19.03	AM 5347	Dived for a monoplane, type "Lockheed", range = 3000 meters to 4000 meters.
			NNW 4-5, 7/10, Sea 4
				At depth 40 meters 4 bombs in the immediate vicinity.  Lighting, spring depth gage for the most part failed, 1 water-level-, 1 oil level gauge, fuel feed tank cracked, main bearing bolts bearing IV starboard diesel engine broken.
				Everything is repaired except for the main bearing bolt. This can neither be replaced nor fixed in place and forces us to shutdown the starboard diesel engine.  The boat is only limitedly clear to maneuver.
				It is decided to remain in the operations area until fuel is exhausted.
		23.30		Surfaced after repair of the damage.
		24.00	AM 5345
			WNW 6, overcast/mist, Sea 5	Day's run:        Submerged:   13.2 nm
				Surfaced:       61.6  "
		23.08.40
				Reduction in speed capability must be compensated for by constricting the steamer route area.  Moved further to the east.
		04.00	AM 5320
			WNW 7-8, overcast/mist, Sea 6-7	Forced to the north by a patrol vessel.
				Weapons use is no longer possible.
		08.00	AM 5325
			NW 6-7, 8/10. Sea 6
		11.16		Dived for patrol vessel.
		12.53	AM 5329
			WNW 5-6, 9/10, Sea 5	Surfaced.
		14.56		Dived for destroyer.  Turned to the east from 6000 meters away.
		16.00	AM 5356
		19.53		Surfaced.
		19.57		Destroyer comes in sight again.  Dived.
		21.22		Aircraft in the periscope on course 0°.
		22.18	AM 5364	Surfaced.  Full use of weapons is possible again.
			NW 4, 4/10, Sea 3, long Swell	Day's run:        Submerged:        9 nm
				Surfaced:      101.8  "

	Sun and Moon Data 22.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 23.08.40

	- 6 -
		24.08.40
		00.16		Shadow to starboard.
				Convoy of 30 medium and large vessels.  Convoy is maneuvering.  Headed for the center.  3 destroyers of the convoy in sight.  The convoy has maneuvered.  Course west, each 3 vessels in line ahead at a distance of 400 meters. Destroyers stationed to starboard ahead, to starboard center, adhered tightly to a group,  astern together with a suspicious vessel of 3000-4000 tons proceeding alone.
		00.30	Rinns of Islay is ahead, Instrahull abeam to starboard
			Vis. 3000 meters	Thrust at target angle 60° towards the center of the convoy.  Passed the forward destroyers at 600 meters.  Both broad silhouettes.  Got clear.
				Intention:  one shot each for 3 of the center group.  On one of the largest steamers minimum size 9000 tons 800-900 meters,
		[00.42.00]	AM 5392 upper-left	1st shot:  own course 180°, target speed 7 knots.
			NW 4, 7/10, Sea 3, medium Swell	Boat turns slowly further to port.  On the center steamer of the 2nd group, minimum 5000 tons,
		00.42.12		2nd shot:  range = 900 meters, own course 170°.
				On center steamer of the 3rd group, minimum size 5000 tons,
		00.42.27		3rd shot, range = 1100 meters.
				The vessels in the group overlap to a large degree.  No steamer under 5000 tons, the largest 9000 tons.  Although outbound, all steamers lie deep in the water.
			Shortly before the 1st shot the moon comes out.  Am positioned on the unfavorable horizon for the forward destroyers.	The center destroyer 100 meters away [probably a typo for 1000 meters] had already turned towards us at the 1st shot.  We carried out the plan.  Between the 2nd and 3rd shot the forward destroyer 800 meters away turns towards us.  After the 3rd shot turned away hard and crash dived.
				Detonations as planned.  Shortly before getting in [into the boat] 1st detonation - boiler hit.  Small fire, large smoke cloud.  Ship sagged in the middle.  Bow and stern still seen out of the water.
				2nd detonation after closing the conning tower hatch.
				3rd detonation at depth 15 meters.
				All detonations were heard at the same strength.  In the prevailing Sea State and Swell there is no doubt about the sinking of the ships. Boat went deep at 40° bow down.  Reason: vent 2 stuck tight again.  Vent main ballast tank 1 was opened too late.  Water intake via the changeover valve of torpedo tube I.  Torpedo room bilge ran full.  Boat settled through to the bottom, depth 55 meters.  3 depth charges, medium concussion.
				Attempted to raise the boat from the bottom by all means as fast as possible.  Regulating tanks pumped.  Boat remains fixed in position.  Main ballast tank III blown to cancel out the bow down attitude.  Quantities of water rush aft, boat was strongly down by the stern.  Vent main ballast tank III opened again.  Water passed from the stern with bailers to get reasonably in trim.  Destroyer stays over us.  Drain pump cannot be started.  As well as water masses distributed, main ballast

Sun and Moon Data 24.08.40

	- 7 -
		continued
		24.08.40	[to catch the boat and counter the buoyancy caused by the expansion of the pressure hull and any air bubble in the ballast tanks]	tank II blown.  Boat rises slowly, trim is good.  Flooded at depth 50 meters.  Flooding does not compensate for the buoyancy of the air bubble. The boat rises quickly despite higher speed settings.  Vent II actuated.  Despite this the boat broaches briefly, thereafter was immediately forced deep again but it was enough to be seen.  Boat sank to the bottom quickly depth 55 meters and received 8-10 depth charges.  Lay very close.  Boat was raised several meters.  A few failures, which could be corrected again.  Destroyer is positioned over us.  S-gear.  Sounds as from search lines, that drag over the boat.  Boat can only be raised from the bottom by pumping the bilges, without the danger of running on the surface.
				Decision:  Remain lying on the bottom during the day.
		08.00 - 08.30		Several large vessels move off over us.  Apparently a convoy.  Thereafter several destroyers proceeding alone.  Remaining time calm.
		20.00		Depth charge detonations in the vicinity.
		22.00	AM 5392	Boat raised from the bottom.
			WSW 5-6, overcast/mist, Sea 5, very dark night	Periscope head is full of water.
		22.53		Surfaced.
				Inbound large steamer and two destroyers in 1500 meters.  Reserve torpedoes still not loaded.  Gyrocompass still not spun up.  Projecting compass out of service.
				Came approximately to the NW to deeper water.
				Day's run:        Submerged:   0.3 nm
				Surfaced:        9.6  "
		25.08.40
		04.00	AM 5352
			WSW 4-5, overcast/mist, Sea 4
		06.21		Patrol vessels to all sides.  Dived.  Reloaded the torpedoes.  Repaired the periscope.
		10.30		Destroyer sounds, 12 depth charge detonations at 3000-4000 meters.
		14.25	AM 5343	Surfaced
			WSW 4-5, overcast/mist, Sea 4, medium Swell
		16.00	AM 5342
		18.14	AM 5313	Convoy in sight, bow left, target angle 20-30°.  A maneuver ahead with diesel-electric is unrealistic.
		18.21		Dived.  Ran in submerged.
				Boat can only be held at periscope depth at higher speed.  After the flooding the periscope is no longer completely operable.  Convoy is not seen.
		18.57		Convoy comes in sight, bow right target angle 70°, range 7000-8000 meters.  G.H.G. should have picked it up.  Began a new approach at GF.

	Sun and Moon Data 24.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 25.08.40

	- 8 -
		continued
		25.08.40		Convoy steered SE-course, 20 vessels, 2 destroyers, several large tankers among them.  Forward, a larger passenger vessel closely surrounded and protected by several freighters.  The fully loaded tankers proceed astern, protected by a vessel similar to our BRUMMER (not found in Weyer).
				Initiated attack on the tanker furthest to starboard, type "REGENT LYON" 9600 tons.
		19.46		Double shot from 1500 meters, target angle 90°, target speed 7 knots.
				1st torpedo hit after 92 seconds beneath the smokestack.  Strong smoke development, tanker settled astern.
				2nd torpedo hit.  Enormous column of fire.  Tanker sank quickly, disappeared after a few seconds.
				The special protection vessel turns towards us at high speed.  Showed the stern, went to depth 80 meters.
				Despite the large sea and great depth we are positioned exactly and for a long time in the Asdic ray.  Within an hour 27 depth charges of heavy caliber, the best targeted 50-100 meters.
		22.52	AM 5312	Surfaced.  Moved off to the west.
			WSW 4-5, overcast/mist, Sea 4
		23.40		Radio Message B.d.U. from "U-57":
				Lengthly shipyard period necessary.  Battery desludging.  Depth charge damage, torpedo tubes, periscopes, am running diesel-electric.  Question Kiel-Lorient. Square AM 5235.
		24.00	AM 5233	Day's run:
				Submerged:  18.4 nm
				Surfaced:       54.8  "
		26.08.40
		02.00		Radio Message "U-57" go to Kiel.  Entry Route Green.
				B.d.U.
			Navigation fix
		04.00	AM 5232	Began return transit.
			SWbyW 4-5, overcast/mist (rain), Sea 3-4
		08.00	AM 0289
			WSW 4-5, overcast/mist (rain), Sea 3-4
		12.00	AM 0256
			NWbyW 3-4, overcast/mist, Sea 2-3, long Swell
		16.00	AM 0213
			NW 5, 5/10, Sea 4
		19.17		Radio Message "U-57" somewhat out of the area west of the Orkney Islands.  Send success report.    B.d.U.
		20.00	AM 2859	Chief Engineer reports starboard diesel in service again up to HF.
			NW 6, 1/10, 5/10
		24.00	AM 2834	Day's run:        Submerged:   - // - nm
			NW 4, 2/10, Sea 3	Surfaced :     149.6  "

	Sun and Moon Data 25.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 26.08.40

	- 9 -
		27.08.40
		04.00	AM 3575
			NNW 2, 6/10, Sea 1, long Swell
		08.00	AM 3555
		08.13		Dived for aircraft, range = 4000 meters.
		08.54		Surfaced.
		10.15		Dived for aircraft, range = 8000 meters, altitude 1500 meters.
		10.36		Surfaced.
		11.07		Dived for aircraft, range = 8000 meters altitude 1000 meters.
		11.23		Surfaced.
		12.00	AM 3537
			SW 3, 6/10, long Swell
		16.00	AM 3449
			NNW 3, 6/10, Sea 2-3
		20.00	AM 3439
		20.07		Crash dive, aircraft 6000 meters, altitude 600 meters.
		20.48		Surfaced.
		21.03		Radio Message B.d.U.:
				From sighted convoy 28600 GRT, 3 freighters, 1 tanker, double shot, out of torpedoes. From these sank:  2 freighters not observed however accepted.  Square AM 3437.
				"U-57"
		22.33		Radio Message "U-57"
				Great!  Is running into Bergen necessary due to fuel?  Answer by Short Signal.    B.d.U.
		24.00	AN 1177
			N 2, 1/10, Sea 1-2, medium Swell	Day's run:
				Submerged:   10.5 nm
				Surfaced:        82.6  "
		28.08.40
		04.00		Radio Message:
				Supply Bergen.  Passing 2°30'E.    "U-57"
		04.00	AN 1158
			N 2, 8/10, Sea 1, high Swell
		06.34		Crash dive!  Aircraft 8000 meters, altitude 2000 meters.
		07.12		Surfaced.
		08.00	AN 1162
			NNW 2, 8/10, Sea 1
		08.42		Radio Message "U-57":  28 August 12.00 hours switch to North Sea Circuit.    B.d.U.
		12.00	AF 7789
			WSW 3, 8/10, Sea 2-3
		16.00	AF 7875
			WSW 4, overcast/mist, Sea 3
		20.00	AF 7891
			SSW 4-5, overcast, Sea 4
		22.23		Radio Message to B.d.U.:  Børnestangen 29 August 21.00 hours.  "U-57"
		24.00	AF 7978	Day's run:        Submerged:    1.5 nm
			SSW 4-5, overcast, Sea 4	Surfaced:     124.2  "

	Sun and Moon Data 27.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 28.08.40

	- 10 -
		29.08.40
		04.00	AN 2234
			S 3, overcast/mist, Sea 2
		05.06		Radio Message "U-57":
				Boat is announced for Børnestangen 22.00 hours.
		08.00	AN 2343
			NE 3, 9/10, Sea 2
		10.24		Crash dive for Bristol Blenheim aircraft.  Received 5 M.G. shots.
		12.10	AN 2364	Surfaced.
			NNE 2, 8/10, Sea 1
		16.00	AN 2484
			N 4-5, 2/10, Sea 4
		18.00	Off Korsfjord	Dived!  Ran in submerged in Korsfjord.
			N 6-7, 2/10, Sea 5
		21.00		Surfaced.
		21.27		Joined escort steamer "ARCTURUS".
				Day's run:
				Submerged:     7.0 nm
				Surfaced:      147.2  "
		30.08.40
		00.42		Made fast Bergen, alongside "ANITAS".  Supplied with fuel.  Thrust bearing repaired.
				Day's run:
				Submerged:    - // - nm
				Surfaced:          3.6  "
		31.08.40
		00.01		Ready for sea.
				Secure teletype from B.d.U.:
				Entry Route is Green.  From square AN 2800 to north entrance of Route Green remain unseen.
		02.25		Released escort.
		03.21		Marstein passed abeam.
		04.00	SSE 6, overcast/mist, Sea 4-5, Vis. bad
		08.00	AN 2836
			SW 6, overcast (rain), Sea 4-5, misty, Vis. bad
		10.45		Radio Message "U-57":
				From today 18.00 hours North Sea Circuit.  "U-61" is on outbound transit on the southern coast of Norway.
		12.00	AN 2855
			WSW 6, overcast/mist, Sea 5, misty
		16.00	AN 4325
		20.00	AN 4382

	Sun and Moon Data 29.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 30.08.40
	Sun and Moon Data 31.08.40

	- 11 -
				Kriegstagebuch broken off because data could not be found on sunken boat.
				Broadly:
				In the ordered area off and in the Warning Area dived by day.
		02.09.40
		18.30		Taken under escort at Hog Stean by Sperrbrecher III and brought up the Elbe to Brunsbüttel.
		03.09.40
		00.25		Rammed by the Norwegian steamer "RONA" off the lock.
				Boat sunk, 6 men of the crew drowned. (See Accident Record).

 

	Enclosures to U-57's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Torpedo	Torpedo firing reports

 

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