Excerpt of the General Radio Log "U-618".
 
     
 
32 New objective for Tippelkirch, Baberg, Deetz, Schütt, Wellm [Weber], Dahlhaus is JO 63.  Same objective for Müller-Edzards and Dieterichs after released from Staats.
   
1.)  As temporary attack area occupy:   Baberg AK 65, Deetz AK 69.
2.)  New objective for Loeser, Wintermeyer, Lange, Brünning, Rendte, Haupt, Bothe, Müller, Schetelig is VN 81
   
750 1.)  Bothe, Schetelig, Haupt, U-633, Rendtel, Wintermeyer, Lange, Brünning, Tippelkirch, and Baberg are released from Group "Neuland".
  2.)  Operation is intended with these boats on a northeast-bound convoy that was reported by Hopmann on 6 March at 13.53 hours in square AK 4454.  The first 5 named boats  head for AK 0220, the last 5 AK 6170 at high speed.  All naval squares.
  3.)  Named boats immediately switch to Hubertus Circuit.
  4.) For the remainder of Group "Neuland" previous Orders stand.
   
869 1.)  Ex "Neuland" boats operating on Hopmann convoy form Group "Ostmark".
  2.)  Remaining boats operating on Hopmann convoy form Group "Westmark".
   
894  
If there is no contact on Hopmann-convoy boats operating to the west continue search for northeasterly courses and enemy speed 7-9 knots.  Ex Neuland boats as ordered.
   
870 Group Ostmark:
  1.)  On 8 March in the morning at 08.00 hours in old named order in patrol line located from DM 2953 to 4341.  Group absolutely must be there at the prescribed time, because the convoy may pass from 08.00 hours.
  2.)  If in the coming night there is perfect contact on the convoy, operate directly on the convoy without taking up the line.
   
920 1.)  Convoy may have separated into groups, one proceeds to the east and the other on the old general course.
  2.)  Group "Ostmark" on 8 March in the morning at 09.00 hours be in new patrol line from IM 4116, to 1769.  Direct operation on the convoy only on specific orders.
  3.)  Shoot even in bad weather.  The torpedoes work.
   
838 "Westmark" and "Ostmark" boats operate on report, if there is no own enemy contact.
   
843 Convoy naval square AK 3547, course 60°, speed 8 knots.
                                                                                        from Möglich
   
846 Convoy naval square AK 3545, 5 steamers.
                                                                                        from Möglich
 
                                           
 
 
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853 To Ost- and Westmark boats.
  Attempt to detect the convoy at dawn.  Shooting just at the beginning of the night to bring up the other boats by star shells.  The relatively calm weather conditions are favorable for you but unfavorable for the defense of the enemy.  The further the convoy gets to the east, the more difficult combat will be due to increasing air.  Therefore go, together you are 24 boats, the strongest group yet.
   
918 1.)  U-635, Weber, Baberg, Hornkohl, Schwaff and Kinzel tomorrow between 03.00 and 06.00 hours report weather.
  2.)  . . . .
   
847 "Ost- and Westmark boats".
  1.)  Boats in favorable position in the vicinity of the convoy hang on and utilize last opportunity to attack.
  2.)  Boats in unfavorable position to the west move off, expect stragglers on the convoy route.  Report fuel inventory and position.
   
869 Naval square 2547 inexact from Baberg
  89 cbm, attack periscope out of service by moisture. W 9, high Swell, snow showers, 1000 mb steady.
   
878 Ost- and Westmark boats.
  1.)  All boats on 11 March at dawn break off operation and search for straggelrs to the west on the convoy route.
  2.)  After breaking off report position and fuel inventory.
   
903 1.)  Group Ost- and Westmark boats are dissolved.
  2.)  Dahlhaus, Massemann, Zetsche, Christophersen, Koitschka, Siegmann begin economical transit to supply place from 20.00 hours switch to Diana Circuit.
  3.)  Weber return transit.  Attempt to give situation report via another boat.  From 20.00 hours switch to Ireland Circuit.
  4.)  Hüttemann free to maneuver to the west for stragglers, return transit according to fuel situation.  No further supply. From 20.00 hours switch to Ireland Circuit.
   
902 BahrUhlig, Engel, Peitzsch, Schetelig, Möglich, Brünning, Tippelkirch, Kinzel, Rendtel, Haupt, Baberg, Wintermeyer, Lange in this order as Group "Stürmer" on 15 March 20.00 hours be in reconnaissance line from SE 1871 to PH 8778, course 240°, speed of advance 5 knots.  Do not occupy position early.  Radio Circuit for these boats from today at 20.00 hours is Ireland.
   
189  
1.)  Previous reconnaissance line Stürmer settled.
2.)  Group "Stürmer" with 4 boats and connecting to it to the south Krüger, Holtorf, U-384, Brosin on 15 March 20.00 hours be in reconnaissance line from square KA 5063 to KY 8715, course 260°, speed of advance 5 knots, interval 20 nm.
 
     
     
     
 
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  3.)  Boats mentioned by name join the Group.
   
143 Group "Stürmer" and "Dränger":
  From 15 March 08.00 hours do not steer 260°, instead 235°.
   
159 Feiler reports 08.52 hours convoy naval square BD 1491, course 70°.
   
161 The eleven southernmost boats of Group Stürmer, from Tippelkirch to Brosin operate at highest speed on "Feiler"-convoy.  Immediately switch to Hubertus Circuit.  Convoy position 08.25 hours naval square BD 1491, course 70°, about 7 knots.
   
ßß Convoy square BD 1379, course 50°, speed 8 knots.    ix
   
ßß Convoy square BD 1357, course 60°, speed 8 knots.    nc
   
ßß Enemy in sight square AK 8598, course 50°, speed 7 knots.    gi
   
Convoy square BD 1388, NE.    dr
   
ßß Convoy square BD 1383.    ix
   
850 New convoy position from Strelow 05.45 hours naval square BD 1391. 
   
ßß Enemy in sight square BD 2114.    pg
   
ßß Convoy square BD 2143, course 40°, speed 7 knots.    gi
   
ßß 2 steamers in square BD 2112.   bj
   
863 From U-Wintermeyer.
  Have contact on smoke cloud naval square BD 2116.
   
871 Kinzel-convoy 11.09 hours naval square BD 2143, course 40°, speed 7 knots.  Additionally Serial No. 846 settled for all.
   
877 From Kinzel:
  Convoy located naval square 2127, course 50°, speed 8 knots.  4 patrol vessels, 2 flying boats seen.  Several lines ahead.
   
894 Raubgraf-convoy naval square AK 8867, course 60°, speed 8 knots, good navigation fix.
                                                                                         from Zurmühlen.
   
ßß 1 destroyer square AK 8866, southerly course.    nt
   
896 Destroyer sighting Baberg 1616 hours naval square AK 8866, southerly course.
   
861 Forced off by destroyer.  Listening pursuit.  Contact lost.  Last convoy position 00.30 hours naval square AK 8665 inexact.  No navigation fix since 16 March 22.00 hours.  In pursuit.
                                                                                         from Tippelkirch
   
870 Naval square AK 9551 from Baberg:
  Fu.M.B. cable failed, not reparable.  Periscope in service again.  All torpedoes, 62 cbm.  NW 6, high Swell, 1002 mb, falling.
 
     
     
     
 
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872 Boats in the area of the Raubgraf-convoy go at highest speed on Freyberg report.   
   
878 From Freyberg:
  Convoy by perfect sound bearings naval square AK 9225.  Visibility changing 900 meters to 5 nm.
   
ßß Convoy square AK 9317    bj
   
821 Brosin.  Convoy 02.20 hours naval square AK 6999 [typo AK 6989], easterly course.
   
ßß 2 destroyers square AL 4747.    nt
   
837 2 destroyers sighted Baberg 06.27 hours in naval square AL 4747.
   
852 From Baberg 4776.
  Forced to submerged before destroyer 06.40 hours in 4771.  Depth charge pursuit.  Thereafter at greater intervals depth charges after explosive locating.  In this no sound bearings, suspect aircraft.  Attack periscope out of service again.  Strong sounds below the over deck.  By Sea State baffles in the spark arrestor knocked loose.  All naval square AL.
   
861 Raubgraf and Stürmer convoy.
  Despite air attempt to get ahead unconditionally to be in the vicinity of the convoy at the beginning of darkness.  Tonight utilize the last chance because in the morning at the beginning of lightness will be breaking off.
   
878 1.)  If possible on the morning of 20 March still utilize the chance to dive at lightness for day attack.  Thereafter break off and search in large legs to the southwest for independents on the convoy route.
  2.)  After moving off report position and fuel, except for boats that have already reported breaking off.
   
882 From Baberg:
  At 17.30 hours in naval square AL 4858 sighted drifting wounded vessel just just now while attacking before the nose flew in the air.  Shooting boat not seen.  All torpedoes, 54 cbm.  Broke off, because convoy can no longer be reached today.  S 4, medium Swell, 1002 mb rising.  Very bright moonlit night.
   
913 1.)  Bahr, Zetsche, Krüger, Schug, U-384, EngelBaberg, Hunger, Schwaff, Lange, Uhlig, Geissler,   Loeser, U-441, Edzards, Rendtel, Brünning and Rahe Rahe as Group Seewolf on 25 March at 08.00 hours be in patrol line from YN 5679 to MJ 2848.  NE convoy expected from 25 March.  Named boats switch to Hubertus Circuit today at 20.00 hours. 
  2.) From 22 March 00.00 hours radio silence except for tactically important reports.
  3.)  For boats low on fuel supply after short operation anticipated.
  4.)  Rendtel, Uhlig and Baberg receive engine spare parts before starting return transit.
 
     
     
     
 
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845 Naval square AK 8635 at 18.15 hours a destroyer of the "ASHANTI Class" on course to the northeast, high speed.  From Baberg, SE 3, high Swell, 984 mb falling, Vis. 12 nm.
   
859 To Seewolf:
  Schug and boats positioned north therefrom move one position back to the south.
   
875 Uphoff and Kapitzky join Group Seewolf and occupy extension of the patrol line in square VQ 2879 and 3178.  By this the Group on 25 March 08.00 hours with 19 boats in line from NC 5928 to VQ 3128.  Named boats today at 20.00 hours switch to Hubertus Circuit.
   
891 Group Seewolf from 10.00 hours course 150°, speed 5 knots.  NE-bound convoy was expected today.
   
906 To Seewolf:
  At 22.00 hours remain in position line from naval square 4736 to naval square 2714 as patrol line.
   
828 Group Seewolf from 20.00 hours course 340°, speed 10 knots.
   
851 Group Seewolf:
  After fall out of Brünning with 18 boats today at 11.00 hours remain in reached position line from VW 5357 to PX 0214 as patrol line.
   
861 Bahr sighted convoy 16.05 hours naval square AJ 3885, course 50°, speed 7 knots.
   
865 Convoy speed amounts to 5 to 7 knots and course 100 Bahr reports 16.49 hours.
   
866 1.)  Group "Seeteufel" break off operation on SW-bound convoy.
  2.) "Seeteufel" and "Seewolf" from Bahr up to and including Lange at highest speed operate on east-bound convoy that was reported at 14.56 hours in naval square AJ 3873.
  3.)  Suspected northeasterly course, speed up to 9 knots. 
   
ßß Convoy AJ 3894, easterly course, speed 7 knots.    fs
   
ßß Convoy located square AJ 3896, course 100°, speed 7 knots.    fs
   
ßß Convoy square AJ 3981.    os
   
ßß Convoy square AJ 3959 easterly course, low speed.  os
   
ßß Request bearing signals from contact keeper.  My position is square AJ 3967.     nt
   
894 If there is no contact operate on courses between 70° and 100° and enemy speed up to 8 knots.
   
902 By plotting picture speed of advance of the convoy is 9.5 knots.
 
     
     
     
 
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908 Seeteufel and Seawolf:
  Utilize western weather conditions and run ahead at highest speed.  Boats can in no case fall behind the convoy.  Always ahead again at highest speed, to strike the convoy from ahead.
   
914 Naval square AK 0193 2 steamers, 1 destroyers, course 90°, speed 11 knots.  Hurricane from the SW, Vis. greatly changing.
                                                                                         from Zitzewitz
   
821 To Seeteufel and Seawolf:
  Convoy may be in the area of the reported independents.  With the severe weather conditions do not stay back instead as far as possible attempt to gain ground, to be in the vicinity of the convoy when the weather improves. In case of contact on independents be tough, hold on, to be there when the weather improves.  Consider that with the storm ships nay be nearly hove too due to drifting.
   
837 To Seeteufel and Seawolf:
  1.)  B.d.U. believes that with the hurricane the convoy has broken up into small groups.  Ships are individually attempting on straight courses to head for the North Channel.  Expect speed of advance of 9 knots for these independents.  Therefore with weather improvement all boats must be ahead of the ships so that they can not get through to the east due to the large group of boats.
  2.)  Krüger, Freyberg, Schug and Karpf send position reports.
  3.)  Krüger with this report highest possible own speed of advance to the east.
   
838 Seewolf and Seeteufel:
  Also utilize attack opportunities in the heavy seas.  The torpedoes run, if shot athwart the seas at shallow depth settings.  In his be careful not to over estimated the enemy speed.  When plotting in this weather consider that own speed is substantially slower than the speed for the RPM.  Do not rely on speed measurement in this Sea State.
   
08.50 From Baberg, naval square AK 3989 1 steamer, 1 destroyer, easterly course.  Was forced off.  30 cbm.
   
849 Seeteufel and Seawolf:
  By reports of Zetsche and Karpf ships of the convoy run at 10 knots.  Position reports from Schug and Krüger are too far behind.  Run after at highest speed to get ahead of the group.  With weather improvement with the many independents the boats have the greatest opportunity.  With certainty the course the ships drive passes south of the Rockall Bank for the North Channel.
 
     
     
     
 
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868 Seeteufel and Seawolf:
  1.)  Break off operating on convoy, as long as there is no contact on convoy or independents.  Set off to the west on the convoy route and expect independents.  Stay tough on these and bump off.
  2.)  All boats, that have still not reported since 00.00 hours report position and fuel inventory when set off.
   
ßß My position is square AL 0169.  Still have 22 cbm fuel oil.    nt
   
881 Position Borm, naval square AL 5218 with 61 cbm fuel.  Baberg is in naval square AL 0169 with 22 cbm.
   
891 1.)  For Zetsche, Baberg, no supply.  Begin return transit accordingly.  From tomorrow at 08.00 switch to Diana Circuit.
  2.)  Pitzsch, Bahr, Schug, return transit via Wolfbauer.  Move off to supply place first, if if supply is possible weather-wise and several boats have supplied.  Until then free to maneuver in reached area, as well as west and north therefrom, from tomorrow at 08.00 switch to Diana Circuit.
  3.)  Occupy as temporary attack areas:  Holtorf square 18, Brosin square 51, Neide square 52, Freyberg square 78, Krüger square 53, all DM.  Supply for further operations about 9 April intended, if necessary small intermediate supply from Wolfbauer.
  4.)  Borm . . . .
  5.)  Expelled independents from convoy suspected especially north of the convoy route.  Tomorrow also expect heavy enemy air.
  6.)  . . . .
  7.)  Still necessary reports regarding supply etc. send tonight.  Afterwards radio silence except for tactically important reports.
  8.)  . . . .
   
808 From Baberg:
  BT 5619.  Question immediately to "Wolfbauer".  Otherwise will occupy MT 81as attack area.  Still only 3 operable binoculars.  W 3, 1008 mb rising,  misty, Vis. 4 nm, +7°C.
   
810 To Baberg:
  Occupy temporary attack area.  First move off when several boats supply.  Departure orders to follow. Circuit remains Diana.
   
753 1.)  Baberg leave attack area so that "Wolfbauer" can be reached with at least 5 cbm.
  3.)  . . . .
 
     
     
     
 
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ßß Going to take over fuel.    nt
   
796 Baberg goes to get fuel.
   
ßß Still have 52 cbm fuel.    nt
   
149 Baberg still has 52 cbm fuel.
   
1.)  As new Group Adler Lüdden, Rehe, Uphoff, Kapiztky, Tinschert, Bülow, Müller, Möhlmann, Köppe, Rodler, Wolfram, Mässenhausen, Poel, Heinsohn, Pückler and Baberg on 11 April at 08.00 hours be in reconnaissance line from EM 8757 to OO 3459, course 225°, day's run:  100 nm.
2.)  . . . .
3.)  NE-bound convoy is expected morning of 11 April.
4.)  . . . .
   
195 1.)  Boats operating on Bülow-convoy form Group Adler.
  2.)  A new Group Meise be in listed order:  Neide, Poel, Heinsohn, Pückler, Baberg,   Wolfram, Mässenhausen on 11 April at 08.00 hours be in patrol line from AK 7593 to BD 4617.  Circuit for named boats remains Ireland.
   
227 Group Meise today at 14.00 hours reconnaissance line course 230°, day's run 120 nm.  At 20.00 hours switch to Hubertus Circuit.
   
932 21.28 hours convoy naval square BC 3146.  Signature Short Signal not fully taken, believe it was U-618.
   
ßß No, my position is square BD 1274.    nt
   
852 1.)  Möhlmann, Neide, Poel, Heinsohn, Pückler, Baberg, Wolfram, Mässenhausen and Müller as new Group Meise on 13 April at 08.00 hours be in patrol line from NY 4798 to 7869.  NE-bound convoy was expected about tomorrow.
  2.)  . . . .
  3.)  . . . .
   
878 As new Group Meise the following boats on 14 April 10.00 hours in patrol line from JF 4777 via RD 8579 to 1667.  Tinschert, Rahe, Lüdden, Rodler, Uphoff, Köppe, Bülow, Möhlmann, Neide, Poel, Holtorf, Heinsohn, Pückler, Baberg, Wolfram, Mässenhausen, Freyberg.  NE-bound convoy is expected.
   
896 To Meise:
  Keep a sharp lookout.  Convoy is expected from about 18.00 hours.  If however there is no contact by 23.30 hours proceed in reconnaissance line with course 50°, speed 6 knots.  On 15 April at 10.00 hours come about,  Course 230°, speed 4 knots.
   
899 1.)  . . . .
  2.)  . . . .
  3.)  Group Meise with 18 boats steers from 23.30 hours from line from FF 4777 via TB 8759 to 1667.  Course 50°, speed 6 knots, and tomorrow 10.00 hours comes about to course 230°, speed 4 knots.
   
902 To Group Meise: