U-764 - 4th 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
15 Jun 44	19.07	50°03'N, 2°05'W	HMS BLACKWOOD   (K-313)	1,085	British
			Total = 1,085
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.

				Anlage zu 9. Ufl. gkdos /44.
			Geheime Kommandosache!
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h  "U.  7  6  4"
			================================
			Kommandant:              Oberleutnant zur See von  B  r  e  m  e  n
			Operating per Operations Order "Atlantic" No. 56
				and Operations Order "Channel" No. 1
			Attachments:
				Beginning:   28 May 1944
				Ending:    23 June 1944
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

				- 1 -
		28.05.44 -
		05.06.44	Brest	6 hours readiness.
		06.06.44	Brest
		14.50		Departed for the 4th war patrol.
		16.30		Taken in convoy.
		16.47		Radio Message:  1604/6/844.
				Repeat for deployers.
				1)  Operations area in accordance with teleprinter orders F.d.U. West for snorkel boats is lifted.  Snorkelers proceed to BF 2730 on the shortest route for BF 3184.
				2)  BF 3186 and 3194 are mined by own S-boats.
		18.10	Outbound route	1 aircraft over Quessant.
		18.44	"	1      "     290°T.
		18.46	"	1      "     230°T.
		18.50	"	1      "     230°T.
				4 fast aircraft (2-motored, double rudder) course for the convoy.
		19.10	Point "342"	Released from convoy.
		19.12		Dived.  Course 260°T.  Proceeding submerged.
				Depth A -50 meters.
		20.00	BF 5213
		23.15		Course 283°T.
		23.45	BF 5215	Snorkeling.
			Medium-high swell from the west, moonlit light, few clouds
		24.00	BF 5136
		07.06.44	Western Channel entrance
		01.37	BF 5136	Above the boat MG-firing is clearly heard.  Wanze out of service.
				Snorkel alarm to depth A -40 meters.  Snorkeling ended.
		01.42 -
		03.25		Continuous aircraft bombs in direct proximity to the boat.
		04.00	BF 5133	Course 345°T
		08.00	BF 2799
		12.00	BF 2799	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 23.5 nm
				Submerged = 40.2 nm
				Total           = 63.7 nm.
		16.00	BF 2795
		20.00	BF 2792
		20.02		Buzzing sound bearing 15°T (like circular saw).  Steady tone, strength 1-2.
		20.22		Depth charge detonation bearing 15°T.
		21.30		Course 70°T to avoid search group.
		24.00	BF 2769
		08.06.44	Western Channel
		00.23	BF 2769	Snorkeling.
			Slight swell from the west, bright moonlit night

	Sun and Moon Data 06.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 07.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 08.06.44

				- 2 -
		continued from
		08.06.44	Western Channel
		03.00		Buzzing sound now bears 315°T.  Occasionally 2 devices can be heard.  Depth charge series fall at different distances from the same direction.
		04.00	BF 2845
		05.00	BF 2845	Snorkeling ended.  Listened every half hour.
				Buzzing sounds are still weakly audible bearing 310°T.
		05.15		Course 60°T
		08.00	BF 2843
		12.00	BF 2851	Day's run:  Submerged = 53.1 nm.
		14.58		Buzzing sounds bearing 15°T.  Strength 0-1.
				Occasionally 2 buzzing sounds.  Sound sometimes pauses, can then hear the whirring of a turbine.
		17.30		Sounds now bear 50°T.
				Evaded on course 0°T.
		18.33		Buzzing sounds and turbines with strength 3-4 bearing 50°T.
				In the periscope the shadow of a destroyer can be seen at large magnification.  All together three sound bearings can be heard now.  All sound bearings become quieter and slowly disappear to the north.
		19.17		Ran off to the south.
		20.00	BF 2852
		21.08		Incoming Radio Message:  1730/8/803.
				4 destroyers today proceeding at high speed from Brest to Cherbourg.  Off Point 340 a destroyer proceeds about 5 nm north of route "Herz".
		22.26		Course 230°T.
				Buzzing sounds are no longer heard.  A propeller sound with strength 1bears 110°T.
		23.08		Propeller sound bearing shifts to 100°T.
		23.30		Another propeller sound with strength 1 bearing 225°T.
		23.50	BF 2852	Snorkeling.
			Dark night, calm sea
		09.06.44	Western Channel
		00.00	BF 2852	Course 90°T.
		01.25	BF 2852	Snorkeling ended.
				From 110°T bangs and hissing changes into crackling.  Probably grenades and MG- bullets striking [the water].
		01.50		The bangs and hissing have stopped.  Next, from the east, a one diesel after another overruns the boat and disappears in the west.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 09.06.44

				- 3 -
		continued from
		09.06.44	Western Channel
		01.50		Own destroyers have likely got into an enemy convoy.  In the periscope starshells and parachute flares were seen.  The overrunning of the boat continues.  I do not surface, because I would certainly be detected.
				It is probably a landing armada.  Intend to go to depth 20 meters, and shoot by sound bearings.
		02.45	BF 2853	T 5 from tube I on especially loud sound bearing at 90°T.
				T 5 from tube V on especially loud sound bearing at 170°T.
				First detonation after 15 minutes 25 seconds.
				Second detonation after 17 minutes 30 seconds.
				The torpedoes could only be followed in the sound gear a short time because they were drowned out by propeller sounds.  The last detonation terminated the other [the propeller sounds].
		03.22	BF 3856	Propeller sounds (diesel) now shifting from west to east.
				2-fan Fat from tubes II and III on strong sound band at 70°T.
				Gyro angle 50°.  Long legs, initial runs 3000 and 4000 meters.
				After 9 minutes and 30 seconds two heavy torpedo detonations.  Probably end of run detonations.
		03.42		T 5 from tube IV on strong propeller sounds bearing 80°T.
				Torpedo remains stuck in the tube for 27 seconds.  No indications in the boat.
		03.45		Course 330°T.  Set off to charge.  Propeller sounds disappear slowly in the east.
		04.00	BF 2856	Based on radio messages and the Armed Forces report that destroyers engaged in combat at the west exit of the channel.  It is strange that all propeller noises were assessed as diesels and they concerned at least 30 [vessels].
		08.00	BF 2853
		12.00	BF 2826	Day's run:  Submerged = 37.9 nm.
		12.30		Radio Message:  0216/9/811.
				To snorkel boats in the Channel
				1.)  Heavy enemy traffic from the sea area between "St. Catherine's Point" and "Owers Lightship" to the S and SSE.
				2.)  Attack this traffic.  Latitude 50°10'N may not be crossed to the south, because own destroyers operate here.
				3.)  Enemy traffic observed in the operations area, indicating mine free areas for attack.

Sun and Moon Data 09.06.44

				- 4 -
		continued from
		09.06.44	Western Channel
		12.41		Radio Message:  1158/9/816.
				Own destroyer missing about BF 2837.  Boats within 20 nm of the vicinity go to the assistance as quickly as possible.  At the moment because of weather there is probably no enemy air.  Anticipate B.S.W. [Befehlshaber der Sicherung West]- Armed Forces.
				Course 90°T.  Heading for BF 2837.
		16.00	BF 2826
		16.20		From 0°T propeller sounds quickly growing louder which shift to the south, 2 destroyers proceeding in broad line ahead can be seen in the periscope.  One is identified as an H-class destroyer.  Shooting range is too great.  An aircraft is above the destroyers.
				Sound bearings slowly become faint in 90°T and then shift ahead.
		17.30		Course 63°T
		18.09		Radio Message:  1322/9/815.
				Rescue for destroyer completed.  Head for ordered attack areas.
		18.49		Radio Message:  1350/9/818.
				3.)  Focal point for "Bork", "Bremen", "Hartmann", "Sieder" is BF 3610.  Also attack observed enemy traffic to the south of the latitude of "Barfleur".
		20.00	BF 2834
		10.06.44
		00.00	BF 2832
		00.23	BF 2832	Snorkeling.
			Calm sea, cloudy, moonshine
		00.32		A light bearing 240°T.  Sound bearing 110°T and 240°T strength 0-1 shifting quickly to 170°T and 220°T.
		00.45		Sound bearings shifting to the south, probably advance of destroyers on route "Herz".
		01.18	BF 2598	Borkum detection strength 3.  Snorkel Alarm.
				Sound bearing from destroyers bearing 280°T and 30°T strength 1-2, shifting to the north.
		01.30		No further sound bearings.
		04.00	BF 2599
		05.00	BF 2599	Snorkeling ended.
		08.00	BF 2599
		12.00	BF 2675	Day's run:  Submerged = 40.6 nm.
		16.00	BF 2674
		20.00	BF 2674
		11.06.44
		00.00	BF 2678	Sound bearings from destroyers are heard in the boat for the entire day

	Sun and Moon Data 09.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 10.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 11.06.44

				- 5 -
		continued from
		11.06.44	Western Channel
		00.45	BF 2678	Snorkeling.
			Dark night, calm sea
		02.18	BF 2675	Borkum detection strength 2-3.
				Dove quickly.
		04.00	BF 2679
		04.30	BF 2679	Snorkeling ended.  Listened every half hour.  Always weak destroyer sound bearings detected.  Also occasional buzzing sounds again from west.
		08.00	BF 2679
		12.00	BF 2687	Day's run:  Submerged = 24.3 nm.
		12.00		Incoming Radio Message:  0849/11/850.
				1.  Buoyed routes in N-S direction at longitude 0°35'W and 0°55'W.
				2.  N-S running route east of "Barfleur".
				3.  At "Barfleur" defensive position against enemy destroyers for own S-boats coming from Cherbourg.
		16.00	BF 2687	In the north is another search group operation.
		20.00	BF 2688
		23.55	BF 2689	Snorkeling.
			Bright night, nearly calm sea
		24.00	BF 2689	Course 70°T.
		12.06.44	Western Channel
		00.17		Incoming Radio Message:  2342/11/856
				Everywhere on French Channel coast within the 15-meter line be aware of own mines.
		02.42		Borkum detection.
		02.55	BF 2695	Land stands out ahead against the bright sky.  At 0°T two dark shadows are seen.  A red flashing light bears 270°T.  Boat is positioned between the Channel Islands.  The attempt to put the boat on the bottom until it gets light is abandoned due to the strong current.
		04.00	BF 2695
		04.15
		05.02		Snorkeling, course 220°T.
		05.30		Correction after a navigation fix:  78°, 8.2 nm.
		08.00	BF 2694
		12.00	BF 3574	Day's run:  Submerged = 34.1 nm.
		16.00	BF 2695
		20.00	BF 2691
		23.52	BF 2692	Snorkeling.
			Dark night, calm sea
		24.00	BF 2692
		13.06.44	Western Channel
		00.28	BF 2692	Borkum detection strength 1.  Two units at the same time.  Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 12.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 13.06.44

				- 6 -
		continued from
		13.06.44	Western Channel
		02.52	BF 2665	Borkum detection.  Swelling from strength 1 to 3.
				Dived.
		03.12		During a listening pause a very loud detonation.  Between them bangs like shots in the water.  Still other detonations in 250°T and 90°T.
		04.00	BF 2665
		04.25		Sound bearing growing slowly louder up to strength 3 shifts from south to the north past the boat.  Other sound bearings can be heard in the south with strength 1.
		05.00		One other sound bearing from the south shifts past the boat and becomes fainter to the NW.
		08.00	BF 2661
		12.00	BF 2664	Day's run:  Submerged = 52.2 nm.
				Incoming Radio Message:  0940/13/879.  When returning from the Channel Coastal route is not to be used, instead proceed via BF 2760 and 2790 to Point 342.  Correct Operations Order Channel 1 appropriately.  Return harbor for all snorkelers is Brest.
		12.30		Course 90°T.
		16.00	BF 2663
		19.30		Course 45°T.
		20.00	BF 2639
		23.30	BF 2638	Borkum detection strength 1.
		23.35		Snorkeling.
		24.00	BF 2638
		14.06.44	Channel
		02.50	BF 2635	Snorkeling ended.  Several sound bearings shifting from north to south.
		04.00	BF 3511
		08.00	BF 3513
		12.00	BF 3512	Day's run:  Submerged = 57.4 nm.
		13.50	BF 3512	Sound bearing with strength 2 60°T quickly shifting to 140°T.  Fast escort vessel.  Too fast for a T V shot.
		16.00	BF 3513
		18.50	BF 3513	8 minesweepers approaching from 90°T.  Attack initiated on the last pair.  Formation about 4 green.  Course west.
		19.03		The last two vessels turned toward the boat.  Probably a course change, before which a signal was flown.  While rotating the periscope, a mast like a periscope with a black flag was seen.  While retracting the periscope a wire warp ending in chain was seen.  Likely a part of the detecting device or the sweeping device.  Went to 30 meters.  In the sound locator clear chain rattling can be be heard.  Minesweepers move off to 270°T.
		20.00	BF 3522
		21.57		Incoming Radio Message:  1847/14/810.  Call at "Cherbourg" only in an extreme emergency.  The harbour and east entrance also beyond the mole is mined.

	Sun and Moon Data 13.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 14.06.44

				- 7 -
		continued from
		14.06.44	Channel
		23.35	BF 3522	Snorkeling.
			Sea 1-2, from the west, dark night
		23.58		A light bearing 130°T.  Dived.
				Weak sound bearing in 130°T.
		24.00	BF 3522
		15.06.44	Channel
		01.00		No further sound bearings.
				Two red lights from aircraft seen during a periscope sweep.
		01.30		Because of the constant surveillance and charging difficulties with the snorkel turned back to charge in Peter Port.  The crew must have a day of rest.  Course 270°T.
		02.30		Flares bearing 155°T.  Dived.
		04.00	BF 3522
		04.44	BF 3522	Snorkeling ended.
		06.00	BF 3522	A mine sweeping flotilla running on a northerly course passed ahead of the boat.
		08.00	BF 3523
		12.00	BF 3521	Day's run:  Submerged = 40 nm.
		14.00		Fast escort vessel coming from the south on a northerly course passes by the boat at 4000 meters.
		16.00	BF 3513
		19.00		1 fast escort vessel and 1 frigate pass behind the boat to the south.  At approximately 7000 meters abeam to port the escort vessel zig-zags about 90° and runs to me on course 330°T before the tubes
		19.07	BF 3513	2-fan from tubes 1 and IV.
				Target speed 15 knots,  range 800 meters, target angle red 100°, depth 4 meters.
				After 1 minute 34 seconds a loud detonation.  Target is shrouded in a large brown cloud.  After the cloud dissipates the vessel, type "Atherstone", lies stopped.  The foredeck has broken off up to bridge, the mast has bent.  The stern of the vessel lies higher.  The frigate comes haltingly to the shot location.  A second vessel approaches from 300°T.
		19.30		Course 180°T.
				The frigate suddenly speeds up, bypasses the escort vessel and turns towards me.  The boat does not turn quickly enough for a stern shot with TV.  Went to depth 30 meters.  The frigate cuts across astern the boat.  Whether it has seen the boat is doubtful.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 15.06.44

				- 8 -
		continued from
		15.06.44	Channel
		19.33	BF 3513	2 heavy detonations shake the boat.  Likely these were by thrown as scare charges.
				Damage:  Attack periscope no low magnification.
				Torpedo jams in tube V.
				2 bad tears in the cooling water piping for the E-motors.
			[handritten] Main ballast tank I ruptured, watertight stern cannot be closed.	Aft diving plane makes loud noises.
				Starboard propeller shaft makes noises.
				Glass and backup damage.
		20.00	BF 3513	The frigate and the other vessel race wildly back and forth.
		20.17		1 depth charge series.  No damage.
				Ran off to the south at silent speed.  With the ebb tide beginning we are quickly carried away from the shooting location.  On the surface there is a large search operation.  Fortunately the sound conditions are very bad.  All consumers [of current] switched off.  Ran off with one E-motor at KF to the west.  I will probably not charge any more tonight.
		00.00	BF 3515	Course 270°T.
		16.06.44
		04.00	BF 3514
		08.00	BF 3514
		12.00	BF 3514	Day's run:  Submerged = 45.6 nm.
		14.00		Course 210°T.
		16.00	BF 2636
		20.00	BF 3517	Throughout the day a wild search operation on the surface.
		24.00	BF 2663	Snorkeling.
		17.06.44	Western Channel
		04.00	BF 2691
		04.42	BF 2691	Snorkeling ended.  This was the first snorkeling without sound bearings.
		08.00	BF 2691	Sound bearing coming from the north, shifting to the west.
		12.00	BF 2694	Day's run:  Submerged = 49.8 nm.
		16.00	BF 2694
		20.00	BF 2658	A sound band with fast propeller revolutions shifting from N to S.  Probably proceeding on route "Herz".
		21.00		From depth sounding the boat is not in the plotted position.  Presumed a correction after a navigation fix to the NW.
				Correction after a navigation fix:  300°, 17.5 nm based on soundings.
				Intention to go to Peter Port abandoned, the boat must return to Brest.
				Began return transit to Brest.

	Sun and Moon Data 15.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 16.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 17.06.44

				- 9 -
		continued from
		17.06.44	Western Channel
		22.30		Course 235°.
		23.56	BF 2673	Snorkeling.
		24.00	BF 2673
			Calm sea
		18.06.44
		04.00	BF 2675
		04.30	BF 2675	Snorkeling ended.  Interrupted for 2 hours by a sound bearing.
		08.00	BF 2671
		12.00	BF 2593	Day's run:  Submerged = 50.4 nm.
		16.00	BF 2592
		20.00	BF 2593	Throughout the day depth charge pursuit and occasional faint propeller sounds heard bearing 0°T and 150°T.
		24.00	BF 2591
		19.06.44
		00.02	BF 2591	Snorkeling.
			Calm sea.
		01.00 -		Sound bearing 115T, strength 1-2 shifting from 0°T aft to 50°T.
		02.25
		04.00	BF 2584
		04.40	BF 2584	Snorkeling ended.
		08.00	BF 2587
		12.00	BF 2579	Day's run:  Submerged = 51.2 nm.
		16.00	BF 2812
		20.00	BF 2812	2 sound bearings from the east shifting to the west.  Strength 1-2.
		23.53	BF 2815	Snorkeling
			Calm sea.
		24.00	BF 2815
		20.06.44
		04.00	BF 2768
		05.15	BF 2768	Snorkeling ended.  Had no sound bearings.  This is the first time the battery has been fully charged by snorkeling.
		08.00	BF 2792
		12.00	BF 2795	Day's run:  Submerged = 58.9 nm.
		16.00	BF 2795
		20.00	BF 2874

	Sun and Moon Data 17.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 18.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 19.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 20.06.44

				- 10 -
		continued from
		20.06.44	Western Channel
		21.55	BF 2858	A sounding results in a water depth of 84 meters.  In the periscope a lighthouse can be seen bearing 142°T, next to it there stands a small white tower.  It is agreed that it is "Vierge".
				Correction after a navigation fix = 58.3°, 35 nm.
				Course 270°T.  Immediately on crossing the 100 meter line, water depths of 125 meters are sounded.  This does not agree with the chart.
		24.00	BF 2849
		21.06.44
		00.12	BF 2858	Snorkeling.
			Sea 2-3, from the east
		00.14		Incoming Radio Message:  2126/21/842.
				1.)  . . . . . . . . . .
				2.)  "Bremen" also send situation report by short signal, if opportunity arises to do so.
		04.00	BF 2872
		04.38	BF 2872	Snorkeling ended.  Pausing every half hour to listen.
		08.00	BF 2872	Course 230°T.
		12.00	BF 2874	Day's run:  Submerged = 51.6 nm.
		13.00		Course 270°T.  By soundings the boat must be positioned further to the south.
		16.00	BF 2798
		19.10		Course 90°T.  Intend to strike for the 100-meter line.
		20.00	BF 2797
		23.47	BF 2798	Snorkeling.
			Sea 3, from the east
		22.06.44
		03.04		Sounding gives water depth of 100 meters.  From a series of depth soundings the position of the boat is west of the "Ile de Sein".
				Course 0°T.
		04.00	BF 2875
		04.28	BF 2875	Snorkeling ended.  Sounding gives a water depth of 150 meters.  Therefore the position of the boat is west of "Quessant".
				Incoming Radio Message:  0109/22/846.
				1.)  . . . . . . . . . .
				2.)  For "Hartmann", "Stuckmann", "Bremen" the initial report remains the most important task in accordance with Serial No. 842.

	Sun and Moon Data 20.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 21.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 22.06.44

				- 11 -
		continued from
		22.06.44	Western Channel
			Since the boat is just about to arrive, will send situation report via teletype. [transmission ashore]
		04.45		"Point de Creach" bears 162°T.
			Intention: to join the escort requested by "Stuckmann".
		08.00	BF 2873
		12.00	BF 2875	Day's run:  Submerged = 64.6 nm.
		16.00	BF 2878
		20.00	BF 2878
		23.30		Course 90°T.  From plotting the water depth should be 114 meters.  The sounder shows 130 meters.
		24.00	BF 5212
		23.06.44
		00.12	BF 5212	Snorkeling.
			Light seas
		01.50	BF 5212	Snorkeling ended.
		02.00	BF 5212	Surfaced.
				Correction after a navigation fix.  254°, 6.6 nm
				Course 70°T.
		03.00		Taken under escort.
		02.00 -	Entrance route.	Naxos detection.
		04.00		Day's run:  Surfaced     = 36.4 nm
				Submerged = 14.5 nm
				Total           = 50.9 nm
				Total:        766.7 nm Submerged
				_59.9 nm Surfaced
				826.6 nm
		Conclusions:
			The advance in the channel was heavily interfered with by search group activity in the western Channel (8 June BF 2850 with circular saws; 10 June BF 2590; 10 June BF 2670; 11 June BF 2650).  In the Channel itself (13-15 June BF 3510 and 20) the patrolling was so strong that for two days the boat hardly charged, destroyer raids from the islands during the day went up to line BF 3511-3523.  At night these pushed further ahead to the "Cotentin" peninsula.  During the day mine search activity was determined in an east a west direction in a line from BF 3511-3561.  At night from the island in southern direction to the "Cotentin"peninsula in BF 3523.  Had turned back to charge the battery in "Peter Port" and to give the crew a needed day of rest.  The boat was hit by depth charges at its most sensitive place, and had to begin return transit prematurely.                                                                                      It was

	Sun and Moon Data 22.06.44
	Sun and Moon Data 23.06.44

				- 12 -
			It was interfered with by searching groups on 19 June in BF 2590.  The search group was avoided by showing the boat's narrow silhouette.  The sound conditions in the Channel were very bad; caused by strong water layering.  The best conditions were at periscope depth.  In the western Channel the sound conditions were better.  Asdic was not detected; however there were buzzing sounds.  In the face of strong Borkum detection on the Schnorkel the boat dived briefly.
		Navigation:
			The boat remained under water for the entire patrol (18 days).  After 6-days in the western Channel the boat made a land navigation fix with a correction of 78°, 8.2 nm.  The current conditions in the Channel itself seem to be stronger under water than indicated in the Current Atlas.  After another 6 days the boat had a correction after a navigation fix of 300°, 17.5 nm.  This was inaccurate, because it was based on a sounding series.  The return to Brest was difficult.  Because of the air situation we did not surface and, navigation was by dead reckoning with assistance only from soundings.  On 20 June the boat had a correction after a navigation fix of 58.3°, 35 nm,  Presumably this was so large because a navigation fix had been accepted previously.  It turned out, that the water depths west of "Quessant" deviate very much from the charts.
		Boat Operations:
			Maintenance was completed only while snorkeling.  Also the main meals were taken during the night.  Snorkeling was interrupted every half hour in order to listen.  Diving plane operators were relieved every hour.  At program times the WO's steered to depth 20 meters.  The periscope was manned while snorkeling including the return transit.  All small waste was pumped through the "W.C.".  Larger items were accommodated in empty tins stowed away in the torpedo storage.  During snorkeling life jackets were donned; individual life boats were close at hand. The behaviour of the crew during the entire patrol was good.
			On board, on 23 June 1944
				Oberleutnant zur See
				and Kommandant

	Enclosures to U-123's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track chart covering entire war patrol                6 June 1944 to 23 June 1944
Radio	Excerpt of the Radio Log

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the K.T.B. of "U 764" (Bremen) from 28 May - 25 June 1944.
	Patrol in the channel.  The task was an attack with total comittment on the invasion traffic between the south coast of England and the Seine Bay.  This task was handled without the energy and without the will to attack which was required in this situation.                 The patrol was unsatisfactory.                 In spite of detailed orders and good prospects, the task to reach the operations area north of Sein Bay, was broken off prematurely and without sufficient reason.  After being relatively undisturbed the boat arrived in the area off Cherburg.  There, the commander decided without being particularly under enemy action, to proced to Peter Port for charging, which had been done successfuly up to then, and to allow the crew to rest.                 This decision was wrong.  The favorable position just off the operations area could not be given up, particularly as conditions were probably easier within the flow of the enemy's traffic because of confusion in enemy's vessels rather than away in a strongly patrolled outer area.                 On giving up his big chance, the commander was also promptly punished with a depth charge pursuit, which forced him into the final retreat.                 4 torpedos shots on 9 June were shot without chance of success, because novisual indication was present and, with only the GHG, the range of the targets could not be known.  A blind shot by the GHG without having actually sighted the opponent is wrong.  Moreover, the 4 destroyers reported proceeding from Brest to Cherburg were later detected, at the time in question, in the shooting area of the boat.   Acredited success:  1 escort vessel, type Atherstone sunk.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- for the Chief of Operations -

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