U-77 - 10th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
La Spezia
26 January 1943
La Spezia
10 February 1943
16

 

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 Hit
Date
KTB Time
Position
Ship
Tons
Nationality
Convoy
7 Feb 43
02.00 - 05.12
36°51'N, 1°22'E
EMPIRE BANNER
6,699
British
KMS-8
7 Feb 43
02.00 - 05.43
36°51'N, 1°22'E
EMPIRE WEBSTER
7,043
British
KMS-8
     
 Total = 13,742
    
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.

 
 
           
           
           
           
                                   
           
            K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h  "U.  77"  
            ============================  
           
           
            Kommandant:  Obltn.z.S    H  a  r  t  m  a  n  n  
           
                10th    W  a  r    P  a  t  r  o  l .  
           
           
           
            Beginning on    :                      5 December 1942  
            Ending on        :                      10 February 1943.  
           
           
                                      
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
    05.12.42 La Spezia Arrived from 9th war patrol.  
    06.12.42        " Shipyard period, battery replacement, removal of all cylinder heads, regular overhaul work, pulled all the cylinder liners.  
    18.12.42   Dry-docked Dock IV.  
    28.12.42   Un-docked.  
    22.01.43   Pier-side trials.  
    23.01.43   Sea trial.  
    24.01.43   Torpedo loading.  
    25.01.43   Provisions loading.  
    26.01.43   Fresh provisions loading, took over the boat, final adjustments.  
    16.30   Shipyard workers disembarked.  
    17.09   Departed for 10th war patrol.  Warfare in the western Mediterranean in accordance with Operations Order Mediterranean No. 9.  
    17.40   Shipyard trim test.  
    18.37   Surfaced.  Flotilla Chief Engineer disembarked.  
    19.46 Tino abeam    
    20.35 Point Cäsar In accordance with Outbound Orders headed for 42°20'N, 7°10'E.  
           
    27.01.43 Gulf of Genoa    
    07.18   Test dive, afterwards arrangement and clearing of the boat.  Noted deviation of the gyro compass.  
    11.10   Surfaced.  
    12.00   Day's run:  Surfaced 114 nm, Submerged 6 nm, Total 120 nm
    13.43   Crash dive for training, afterwards drills.  
    15.59   Surfaced.  
    16.34 W 3, Sea 3, half overcast, in the NW low clouds Ju-88 out of the clouds.  Recognition Signals exchanged.  
    17.28   Reached 42°20'N, 7°10'E.  
    17.25   Crash dive for training.  Afterwards damage control exercises.  In accordance with Outbound Orders headed for square CH 6750.  
    18.00   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CH 3936    
      W 3, Sea 3, few clouds, dark night    
    21.47   Radio Message 2120/27/565:  Hartmann as attack area occupy square CH 82 southern third and square 85.  
           
    28.01.43 West of Corsica    
    00.00 CH 3987    
      Vis. good    
    04.00 CH 6293    
    07.28 CH 6525 Crash dive for training.  Afterwards damage control exercises.  Repair of damage to the diving plane clutch forward.  
    08.00 CH 6527    
      W 3, Sea 2, Vis. clear    
    12.00 CH 6527 Day's run:  Surfaced 219 nm, Submerged 11 nm, Total 230 nm
    12.14   Surfaced.  
    12.32   Radio Message 0951/28/575:  Hartmann occupy square 82 and 85 as attack area.  
    13.48 CH 6549 Crash dive for unknown aircraft, 7000 meters away.  Altitude 1000 meters.  Course North.  
    14.21   Surfaced.  
    15.18 CH 6573 Crash dive for Sunderland 6000 meters away, altitude 800 meters.  Course 90°.  Afterwards approached 2 depth charges far off at depth A +20 meters.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 26.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 27.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 28.01.43
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    28.01.43      
    16.10 W 2, Sea 2, few clouds Surfaced.  
    16.16 CH 6513 Crash dive for 2-engined low-winged unknown aircraft.  Approaching 3000 meters away.  Altitude = 400 meters.  
    17.28   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CH 6738    
           
    29.01.43 South of Majorca    
    00.00 CH 6779    
      SW 3, Sea 2, clear moonlit    
    03.50 CH 5964 Crash dive for detection on sea surveillance wavelength.  
    04.00 CH 5964    
    04.39   Surfaced.  
    05.40   Anti-aircraft fire bearing 140°T.  
    07.25 CH 5982 Dived to proceed submerged due to low cloud deck.  Want to reach the operations area unseen.  
    08.00 CH 5982    
      W 4, Sea 3, half overcast    
    12.00 CH 8315 Day's run:  Surfaced 182 nm, Submerged 17 nm, Total 199 nm
    15.25   Surfaced.  
    16.00 CH 8317 Reached operations area.  
      WSW 5, Sea 4, few high Cirrus clouds, Vis. good    
    19.00 CH 8292 Crash dive for Fu.M.B. detection on sea surveillance wavelength. For the time being intend to dive immediately on detection from aircraft, until getting an overview of the local situation.  
    20.00 Algerian Coast    
      CH 8295    
      WSW 4, Sea 3, dark clear night    
    20.28   Surfaced.  Detection still present.  Regular repeats every 3 seconds.  Later repeat every 13 seconds.  
    20.3x CH 8295 Crash dive for detection, on the same wavelength.  Additional repeat very loud steady tone.  
    21.48   Surfaced.  
    22.45 CH 8291 Crash dive for detection on sea surveillance wavelength.  Rising loud steady tone.  
           
    30.01.43      
    00.00 CH 8283    
    00.41   Surfaced.  
    00.46 CH 8283 Crash dive for detection.  
    02.40   Surfaced.  
    02.53 CH 8283 Crash dive for detection.  
    04.00 CH 8282    
      WSW 5, Sea 4, few clouds    
    05.20   Surfaced.  No war can be won like this.  Suspect that all detections were from land stations, because the radio operators read inaccurately.  For now remained on the surface.  
    07.21 CH 8284 Dived.  
        Intention:  At periscope depth by day on the route of the last large convoy about 8-10 nm from the coast.  
    08.00 CH 8276 Charged the torpedoes.  Aft dive plane motor failed.  
      WSW 5, Sea 4, light Swell  
    12.00 CH 8279 Day's run:  Surfaced 86 nm, Submerged 34 nm, Total 120 nm
    16.00 CH 8287 Diving plane in service again.  
    19.20   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CH 8276    
      W 5, Sea 4, partial overcast, hazy    
           
Sun and Moon Data 28.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 29.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 30.01.43
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
           
    31.01.43      
    00.00 CH 8227 The entire night on the surface detections from land stations.  With steady tone turned away with too much Volume.  
    04.00 CH 8278    
      Moonlit, hazy    
    06.49 CH 8513 Dived.  All day under the coast at periscope depth.  
    08.00 CH 8279    
      W 4, Sea 3, Vis. good    
    09.30   Seaplane along the coast, course west, altitude = 800 meters in the periscope.  
    12.00 CH 8284 Day's run:  Surfaced 119 nm, Submerged 19 nm, Total 138 nm
    16.00 CH 8285    
    17.30   2 seaplanes along the coast, course west, altitude = 1000 meters, sighted in the periscope.  
    19.35   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CH 8282    
      W 3, Sea 2, Vis. clear, dark night    
    21.00   Radio Message 1717/31/521:  Ceuta reports tonight 03.00 hours convoy passed, course for the Mediterranean.  
        Radio Message 1858/31/522:  With the convoy reported in accordance with Radio Message 1717 by Agent Report there are 6 large troop transports.  
        Plotted at 12 knots, the convoy would pass at about 04.00 hours.  Set off to charge and, to not be detected too early by land locating, briefly away from the coast.  From 01.00 hours on the route of the last large English convoy west of Tenes.  Detections from land stations the entire night.  
           
    01.02.43      
    00.00 CH 8278    
    04.00 CH 8289    
      SW 3, Sea 2, cloudless, clear moonlit    
    04.37   Short detection on warship wavelength.  
    04.46   Steady tone on warship wavelength.  
    04.53 CH 8282 Shadow in sight bearing 240°T.  
    04.58   To Action Stations.  Ran to meet.  6-8 shadows distinguished.  Came to parallel course.  
        Convoy is about 6 nm from land.  General course 70°.  Zigzags.  Attack from the murky land side is no longer possible, because I am positioned too far to sea.  Surface attack from the seaward side in the clear visibility, moonlight and before the sharp horizon only from range over 2000 meters.  Destroyer escort to seaward is set out far.  Visibility conditions were increasingly worse, because for the convoy I am positioned before the easterly horizon.  Therefore I decided on a submerged attack immediately after twilight.  
        Maneuvered ahead at highest speed.  Enemy speed about 13 knots.  
        After reaching a position ahead, I want to remain on the surface as long as possible until forced to submerge by twilight.  In the 45 minutes the convoy will need to close, the visibility conditions for submerged attack will be favorable.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 31.01.43
Sun and Moon Data 01.02.43
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    01.02.43      
    06.15 CH 8298 Explosive blast of air. Presume aircraft bomb immediately next to the boat, as air pressure was like bomb hits on the last patrol.  Crash dived.  
      Twilight  
        After diving it turned out to be a crankcase explosion at piston 6 of the starboard diesel.  Crew unharmed.  Starboard diesel out of service.  
        Believe surfacing is no longer possible, because I am exactly east of the convoy against the lightening morning horizon and can no longer maintain convoy speed.  
        Attempted submerged attack with the air search periscope.  Am ahead of the convoy.  Propeller sounds from 210°T to 230°T.  In the periscope nothing is seen to the west.  By sound bearing a destroyer passed on the landward side with continuously operating S-gear.  Propeller sounds of a large steamer shift from 300°T over 0°T to the east.  Interposed with destroyer sound.  Against the eastern morning sky I saw the silhouettes of the passing steamers one after another, among them a large 2-smokestack [2 illegible handwritten words], convoy probably proceeded in double line abreast.  4 in the first, 2 in the second line.  Number of escort vessels not exactly detected.  Recognized 1 destroyer each as flank screen to land and seaward and 1 destroyer astern to starboard.  When overrun I was between the starboard screen and the steamers.  
    07.40   Secured from Action Stations.  
    08.00 CH 8295 Set off from the coast a bit for diesel repairs.  
      WSW 2, Sea 2, clear    
    10.25   Surfaced to ventilate the boat due to diesel gases.  
    10.43   Crash dive for aircraft bearing 140°T, unknown.  6000 meters away, altitude = 800 meters, course 210°.  
    12.00 CH 8292 Day's run:  Surfaced 110 nm, Submerged 29 nm, Total 139 nm
    13.57   Surfaced for Radio Message Program Time, because submerged on very long wavelength up to now on the patrol no reception.  
    13.59 CH 8292 Crash dive for Lockheed, course 240°, range = 4000 meters, altitude = 1000 meters.  
    16.00 CH 8265    
    19.02   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CH 8229    
      Sea 2, Sea 1, dark, Vis. clear    
           
    02.02.43      
    00.00 CH 8226    
    04.00 CH 8235    
    07.02 CH 8293 Dived.  
    08.00 CH 8293    
      WSW 5, Sea 4    
    12.00 CH 8295 Day's run:  Surfaced 120 nm, Submerged 24 nm, Total 144 nm
      Overcast, hazy Starboard diesel in service again for 380 RPM.  Piston 6 put up.  
    15.00   For the first time reception on very long wavelength submerged.  Apparently reception with the misty overcast weather.  In clear weather no reception.  
    15.18   Radio Message 1054/2/559:  To West Boats:  On 1 January 03.00 hours Ceuta sighted 26 steamers, 9 destroyers, 1 Type NELSON, 1 probable ILLUSTRIOUS, 1 probable cruiser.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 01.02.43
Sun and Moon Data 02.02.43
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    02.02.43      
    16.00 CH 8294    
    19.32   Surfaced.  
    18.08   Radio Message 1529/2/566:  German air reported 13.15 hours CH 9645 convoy 14 merchant ships up to 5000 GRT, 7 escort vessels, course west.  
    20.00 CH 8288    
      NW 5, Sea 4, dark    
    21.00   Radio Message 2029/2/569:  Today 12.40 hours passing Tanger on course east, 10 large standard freighters loaded, 7 large tankers escorted by 3 corvettes, 3 minesweepers, 1 gun boat passed Tangier on course east,  
        Want to be close under the coast, because assume that the convoy will take the same route as the last large convoy and the convoy observed on 1 February 1943.  
    21.15   Radio Message 2016/2/568:  Hartmann report position by Short Signal.  
        In view of the expected convoy I intend to transmit first after enemy contact.  
           
    03.02.43      
    00.00 CH 8512    
    04.00 CH 8292    
    06.56   Dived.  
    08.00 CH 8292    
      W 3, Sea 2, Vis. clear, hazy under the coast    
    12.00 CH 8294 Day's run:  Surfaced 115 nm, Submerged 25 nm, Total 140 nm
    12.30 CH 8294 Very faint propeller sounds bearing 0°T, shifting to the west.  Nothing seen.  Surfacing not possible, because we are directly under land.  
    15.25 CH 8283 Very faint propeller sounds bearing 240°T, shifting to the east.  Nothing seen.  Probably the first propeller sounds arising from the westbound convoy reported in Radio Message 1529 with average speed of advance of 8.5 knots, second propeller sounds from the eastbound convoy reported in Radio Message 1054 with speed of advance 9 knots.  Both must have been at least 30 nm from the coast.  
    16.00 CH 8283    
    19.28   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CH 8258    
      NW 2, Sea 1, dark horizon    
    20.17   Radio Message 1918/3/582:  Own air reports 16.25 hours in square CH 8471, 1 merchant ship, 2 tankers, 5 escort vessels, course 80°.  
        Want to charge about 2 hours from the coast and afterwards run in perpendicular zigzags to and from the coast, to minimize the possibility of being detected by radar.  
    21.39   Radio Message 2107/3/583:  Hartmann report position tonight.  
           
    04.02.43      
    00.00 CH 8512    
      SE 2, Sea 1, dark, hazy under land    
    00.01 CH 8512 2 shadows bearing 180°.  
        To Action Stations.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.02.43
Sun and Moon Data 03.02.43
Sun and Moon Data 04.02.43
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    04.02.43 Algerian Coast    
    00.01   Am positioned on the seaward side abeam the convoy.  Convoy is about 3-4 nm from the coast, only distinguished with difficulty and at low range.  Boat itself stands out well due to the clear horizon on the seaward side.  Maneuvered ahead at the limit of visibility and wedged myself with the dark promontory of Cape Tennes in the background between coast and convoy, 2-3 nm from the coast.  At the same time to make the radar of the escort vessels ineffective.  General course of the convoy 80° along the coast.  Enemy speed plotted at 8 knots.  2 tankers in line abreast and 5-6 escort vessels distinguished.  Destroyer screen ahead one each side set out 3000-4000 meters, the remaining on the flank-aft and aft of the convoy.  This time also the land side covered by 3 destroyers.  
    01.50 E 2, Sea 1, dark night, hazy under the coast, strong marine phosphorescence Ran in to attack.  
      Ran in at LF between the forward flank escort and a tanker from ahead.  After passing the destroyer on the land side at 700 meters distance turned towards a tanker of 6000 GRT.  Shot had to be taken because the boat lay abeam an escort vessel of the aft flank screen.  
    02.38 CH 8523 Four-fan with Pi 2.  
        Shooting data:  Depth = 6 meters, target speed = 8 knots, shooting angle = 17°, target angle = 55°, range = 1800 meters, enemy length 100 meters.  
        Turned away towards land at GF.  Due to the stern sea after 20 seconds back to LF.  
        Wanted to creep through between the aft screen and the coast.  While turning, was noted by a destroyer we had already passed.   It came about, ran with a an illuminated bow sea towards the boat.  Stern shot readied.  
    02.44 CH 8523 Tube 5 fired on now overlapping tankers.  
        Shooting data:  
        Depth = 2 meters, target speed = 9 knots, target angle = 90°, shooting angle 174.5°, range = 1800 meters.  
        Turned away to run off between the aft screen and the coast.  
    02.45 CH 8523 Crash dive for approaching destroyer.  
        Quickly to depth A +90 meters.  
        156 seconds after the stern shot detonation as coming from an aircraft bomb.  No depth charges.  Afterwards 1 1/2 hour listening pursuit by 2 destroyers or escort vessels. Badly placed light depth charges.  No locating.  
      [geschlossen liefen - not sure exactly what this means - belive the other torpedos ran as intended in a tight set] With the 4-fan the 4th torpedo went out far to port, while the others ran as a group.  Possibly that is the explanation for the miss.  Range was underestimated, instead of 1800 meters it was probably 2500 meters.  With set length 100 meters, real length 150 meters, the shot [meaning the target] could not have passed between two torpedoes of the fan.  
    04.00 CH 8288    
    05.42   Surfaced.  
    06.06   Short Signal sent.  "My position is square 8512.    - U-77 -  
        The crew swore that the stern torpedo hit and smelled fuel in the air.  I could not  
           
Sun and Moon Data 04.02.43
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    04.02.43      
    06.06   determine and ran in the vicinity of the shooting location.  Nothing sighted.  Due to lightness did not actually run to the shooting location.  
    07.20 CH 8259 Dived.  Reloaded torpedoes.  
    08.00 CH 8259 From previous observations I suspect that convoys move off from the coast in the dawn and proceed about 30 nm from the coast.  Therefore will stay out there by day, possibly surfaced, if visibility and cloudiness allow timely recognition of aircraft.  
      NE 2, Sea 1, few clouds  
    12.00 CH 8282 Day's run:  Surfaced 91 nm, Submerged 34 nm, Total 125 nm
      E 3, Sea 2, Cirrostratus clouds Did not surface due to cloudiness.  
    16.00 CH 8282    
    16.30-17.20   Hard, fast propeller sounds, as from a Schnellboote or fast U-boat hunter under land.  Suspect part of a search group.  
        Nothing seen in the periscope.  
    20.00 CH 8267    
      NE 3, Sea 2, half overcast, dark clear    
    20.04   Surfaced.  
    21.00   Radio Message 0618:  Short Signal 0606 Volume 5.  U-77 reported position square CH 8512.  
           
    05.02.43      
    00.00 CH 8282 Detection on Fu.M.B. from warship.  
      NE 3, Sea 2, light rain showers, hazy    
    03.34   Bright, high bow sea sighted, suspect Schnellboot.  Despite turning away rushed towards the boat.  
    03.35 CH 8512 Crash dive.  
    04.00 CH 8512    
    05.50   Surfaced.  
    07.20 CH 8247 Dived.  
    08.00 CH 8247    
      NW 4, Sea 3, low clouds    
    12.00 CH 8246 Day's run:  Surfaced 90 nm, Submerged 30 nm, Total 120 nm
    16.00 CH 8273    
      3/4 overcast    
    19.24   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CH 8287    
      NE 5, Sea 4, dark night, hazy    
    20.58   Radio Message 2010:  Own air sighted 16.05 hours square CH 9483 24 merchant ships up to 10000 GRT with escort vessels.  Westerly course.  Speed up to 10 knots.  
        Convoy must pass in the early morning hours of 6/7 February by plotting.  
    22.30   Parachute flare bearing 100°T.  
           
    06.02.43      
    00.00 CH 8285    
    04.00 CH 8514    
      E 3, Sea 3, half overcast, clear    
    05.32 CH 8511 Several shadows bearing 90°T.  
        To Action Stations.  
        Ran with to determine enemy course and speed.  Over 20 shadows distinguished.  
        General course 270°.  Zigzags up to 50°.  Speed 9 knots.  Visibility and illumination only for surface attack at medium to long range.  
        Additionally it is just before dawn.  Believe it is especially favorable for submerged attack in twilight, because the convoy is positioned exactly to the east  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 04.02.43
Sun and Moon Data 05.02.43
Sun and Moon Data 06.02.43
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    06.02.43 Algerian Coast and visibility in twilight is unfavorable for aircraft.  
        Maneuvered ahead, until positioned ahead on convoy course.  
    07.03 CH 8432 Dived for submerged attack.  
        Ran to meet submerged.  Convoy is picked up well in the periscope against the eastern sky.  Freighters have barrage balloons set.  The convoy zigzagged strongly to the south.  As a result am positioned ahead of the starboard outer edge of the convoy.  At GF ran athwart the convoy course.  Initiated attack on course 170° on the starboard outer column.  
    07.50   S-gear locating heard in the boat.  Corvette of the forward starboard outer screen probably detected the boat with S-gear which it closed athwart [the boat's] course.  Ran in an arc towards the boat, at 600 meters hoisted a blue pennant and raced in at target angle 0°.  
    08.00 CH 8432 Went quickly to depth A +80 meters.  
      Clear, cloudless    
    08.05   At depth A -30 meters 6 well-placed depth charges directly over the boat.  
        Main drain pump, rudders, depth gages fail.  Small crack at the entrance to the foot valve.  
        Settled through to depth A +120 meters.  
        Systematic listening pursuit by 2 destroyers or escort vessels. Positioned to starboard and port of the boat.  Each one stopped and listened, while the other ran in, overrunning the boat almost every time however, without throwing depth charges.  
    10.50   Destroyers ran off.  Moved off to the north.  
    12.00 CH 8277 Day's run:  Surfaced 132 nm, Submerged 26 nm, Total 158 nm  
    14.08   Surfaced.  
    14.26   Radio Message:  Own air sighted 10.49 hours 50 merchant ships up to 5000 GRT and 10 escort vessels square CH 7695 easterly course, low speed.  
        Expected the convoy about 02.00 hours on 7 February in the operations area.  
    15.35   Crash dive for training.  
    16.00 CH 8273    
    19.10 - 19.50   Scattered throwing of heaviest caliber depth charges in the vicinity of the boat.  
    20.00 CH 8281    
      SE 1, Sea 0-1, mirror flat sea, strong marine phosphorescence, dark    
    20.50   Surfaced.  
        Every slight ripple of the water lights up, as I have not seen in the Mediterranean up to now.  Therefore a surface attack even at KF is impossible.  Otherwise it is a splendid night for attack.  Dark and a little milky.  
    22.24   Radio Message 1911:  KR from Schlippenbach.  By sound bearing an eastbound convoy 19.00 hours CH 8439, 9 knots.  
        Operated on this report.  Coming in sight at 01.00 hours by plotting.  
           
    07.02.43      
    00.00 CH 8267    
      SE 3, Sea 2, still only light marine phosphorescence, clear and dark.    
           
Sun and Moon Data 06.02.43
Sun and Moon Data 07.02.43
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.02.43      
    00.56 CH 8291 Shadows in sight bearing 215°T.  
        To Action Stations.  
        Turned away and ran with.  General course easterly, speed 9 knots by plotting.  
        Over 30 shadows.  So the eastbound convoy reported in Radio Messages in broad formation.  One escort vessel each to port and astern.  Remaining escort vessels not recognized.  
    01.40   Ran to attack at LF, to avoid a bow sea.  Because of that first reached attack position on the latter third.  When the escort vessel of the port flank screen had passed, 2 large steamers in the last echelon were distinguished and attacked.  
        Intend 4 associated single shots on 2 steamers with aim point bow, stern, bow stern.  Because still 2 torpedoes were at hand with MZ, one for each steamer.  
    02.00 CH 8291 Tube II, I, III, IV fire!  
        Aim point 10 meters inside the bow and stern as intended.  
        Shooting data.  
   
Tube II: depth = 5 meters speed = 9 knots shooting angle = 340° range = 2000 meters
    "     I: depth = 4 meters speed = 9 knots shooting angle = 342° range = 2000 meters
    "   III: depth = 4 meters speed = 9 knots shooting angle = 357° range = 2000 meters
    "   IV: depth = 5 meters speed = 9 knots shooting angle = 0° range = 2000 meters
        Turned away to starboard at LF to move off to the west.  
        After running time of 174, 180, 185 seconds 1 hit after third on 1st steamer, 2 hits both after third on 2nd steamer, the latter settled deeper at the stern.  Directly thereafter . . .  
    02.05 CH 8291 Crash dive for destroyer or escort vessel from the NW.  While diving 2 bright explosions heard, 1 minute later crackling, rushing [of water], multiple-spaced noises like bulkheads breaking.  4 depth charges at depth A +80 meters.  Locating with S-gear.  Propeller sounds of an escort vessel.  Moved off to the north at listening speed, then at LF.  
        Reloaded torpedoes.  
    03.30   Surfaced.  
        3 shadows bearing 175°T in the direction of the shooting location.  Ran towards until a steamer lying stopped, one an escort vessel protecting in large legs and a vessel with a sharp target angle was distinguished.  
         
    04.00 CH 8268  
    04.25   To Action Stations.  Turned away to port, until the latter vessel is also recognized as freighter lying stopped.  So our two shot steamers.  When the escort vessel is away, ran in on the first steamer at KF to minimize our stern sea.  
    05.12 CH 8268 Tube II fire.  
        Shooting data:  
        Lead angle 0°, aim point center.  
        After 107 seconds hit at the smokestack.  Steamer breaks apart in the middle, bow and stern rise up and sink within 20 seconds at an angle of 70°.  
        After shooting the 1st coup de grâce intended on the same approach to sink the 2nd steamer.  Due to the turning towards of the escort vessel I had  
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.02.43
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.02.43 Algerian Coast    
    05.12   to turn away to starboard, move off and initiate a new attack.  
        Parachute flares in the direction of the convoy, anti-aircraft fire, detonations and fiery glow.  
        Ran in to attack the 2nd freighter.  
        Suddenly a parachute flare over our target.  Freighter lies with its stern in the water.  Had double masts and seemed larger than the first.  Was a minimum of 6000 GRT!  Boat was illuminated by the parachute flare, also the escort vessel.  Fortunately this was away, however I will surely be seen in the next moments because it is bright as day.  Therefore ran at highest speed to the steamer.  Escort vessel locates with S-gear a corvette with camouflage paint, turns in an arc slowly towards the boat.  When the range to the freighter was above 2000 meters  
    05.43 CH 8268 Tube IV fire.  
        Shooting data:  
        Depth = 5 meters, lead angle = 0°, aim point center.  Turned away to the west, to at least observe the hit as we moved off on the surface.  Corvette followed at target angle 0° and large foaming bow sea, shortly thereafter a hight explosive shell detonates off over the boat with a red fiery glow.  
    05.45 CH 8268 Crash dive.  
        With a down angle of 40° down to depth A -50 meters, rudder is hard to starboard, to turn away from the diving direction.  
        After 158 seconds torpedo running time hit heard.  At depth A meters the first depth charge.  Lies abeam to port in the immediate vicinity of the boat, further depth charges.  Hull valve for cooling water E-motor leaks heavily and can no loner be tightened.  
        Locating with S-gear.  
    07.20   Propeller sounds move off. To periscope depth.  Nothing seen.  
    07.50 SW 2, Sea 1, Vis. clear, cloudless 2nd steamer sunk.  Because in the vicinity of land, proceeding on the surface to search for wreckage is not possible,  
    08.00 CH 8268 Dived.  
        With 1 stern torpedo, 2 leaking hull valves, squeaking diving planes and rudders I decide on return transit.  
    12.00 CH 8262 Day's run:  Surfaced 100 nm, Submerged 28 nm, Total 128 nm
    15.30   Surfaced.  
    15.57   Radio Message sent:  Both freighters shot 05.12 and 05.43 hours sunk by coup de grâce.  1 stern torpedo, hull valve, cooling water discharge E-motors leaks, piston seizure starboard diesel.  Return transit.        Hartmann  
    15.57 CH 8235 Crash dive for low-wing, suspect Lockheed.  Range = 8000 meters, altitude = 1000 meters quickly went to depth A +20 meters.  4 well-placed aircraft bombs with settings about A -30 meters.  Suspect that aircraft also locate by day, because the last approach with bomb throwing was all done from a great distance, from which the boat could hardly have been seen.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.02.43
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.02.43      
    16.00 CH 8235    
    19.15   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CH 5977    
    20.21 N 2, Sea 2, clear Radio Message 1804:  To Hartmann.  Bravo, go to La Spezia.  
           
    08.02.43 South of the Balearic Islands    
    00.00 CH 5953 Anti-aircraft fire at Majorca.  
    04.00 CH 6773    
    07.30 CH 6735 Dived to proceed submerged because there is plenty of time up to the entry point.  
    08.00 CH 6735    
      N 2, Sea 2, partly cloudy    
    11.01   Surfaced.  
        Sent Short Signal:  Position 30 hours off entry point. U-77  
    11.28 CH 6733 Dived.  
    12.00 CH 6733 Day's run:  Surfaced 154 nm, Submerged 22 nm, Total 176 nm
      NW 4, Sea 4    
    16.00 CH 6577    
    19.01   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CH 6577    
      N 3, Sea 2, clear    
    21.30   Radio Message 1237:  To Hartmann.  From entry point head north direct to Point Cäsar, where escort will be on 10 February at 08.00 hours.  
           
    09.02.43      
    00.00 CH 6537    
      N 5, Sea 5, clear    
    04.00 CH 6345    
    08.00 CH 3989    
      N 4, Sea 4    
    08.43   Crash dive for unknown aircraft.  9000 meters away, altitude = 1000 meters, course 180°.  
    09.17   Surfaced.  
    11.20 CH 3963 Recognition Signals exchanged with Italian float plane at 5000 meters.  
    12.00 CJ 4141 Day's run:  Surfaced 174 nm, Submerged 14 nm, Total 188 nm
      N 3, Sea 3, clear    
    13.05 CJ 4115 Dived.  
    16.00 CJ 4113    
    17.01   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CJ 1767    
      S 2, Sea 2, clear    
           
    10.02.43      
    00.00 CJ 1821    
    04.00 CJ 1644    
      Vis. bad, overcast, SE 5, Sea 4, rain    
    07.45   Reached Point Cäsar.  Escort vessel not in sight.  
    08.35   Tino abeam.  
    08.55   Passed the barrier.  
    09.30 La Spezia Made fast at the base.  
            Because during the entire patrol by day no vessels were seen on convoy routes, the convoy on 1 February in the morning twilight zigzagged strongly away from the coast and on 3 February 2 convoys were were heard out to sea, I believe that the convoys proceed set off a minimum of 30 nm from the coast by day.  By night convoys proceed on the already known route.  
            On dark nights the convoy screen seems trust in the low visibility, no radar gear was used, so as not to betray himself, during bright nights works with Fu.M.G. [radar]  
           
            On board 10 February 1943  
                         
            Oberleutnant z. See and Kommandant.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.02.43
Sun and Moon Data 08.02.43
Sun and Moon Data 09.02.43
Sun and Moon Data 10.02.43

 

Enclosures to U-77's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart Track chart covering the entire patrol
   
Sketches Combat sketches
   
Radio Excerpt of the radio log

 

     
     
 

                                Comments of the F.d.U. Italien on the

 
                                  K.T.B. of "U  77" from 5.12.42 to 10.2.43.  
 

 

  
 
1.) Also the 3rd war patrol of the Kommandanten was characterized by the attack spirit demonstrated on previous patrols and the will to destroy an enemy once engaged.  The tenacity of holding onto the enemy and the skillfully driven attacks brought the boat the well-deserved success.
2.) On the attack on 4 February is noted:
  The miss of the 4-fan was probably due to the too low range estimate.  With the set spread angle of 3° the spread width at the target at a range of 1800 meters was about 90 meters.  With an accepted enemy length of about 130 meters for a tanker of 6000 GRT with otherwise perfect data one torpedo must hit.  However, at a range of 2500 meters the spread range is about 120 meters and there is the distinct possibility, that in this case 2 torpedoes will run ahead and behind the target, especially, when as observed from the boat, the running track from tube IV lay too far to the left.
          Incomprehensible is the statement in the shooting report, according to which the plotted enemy speed is to be regarded as correct, because of U-Krieg ("U-81") Radio Message with the same speed data resulted in a hit.  Apart from the fact that this boat was in the eastern Mediterranean, it is wrong to take the data of another boat as own shot values.  It must be expected that the enemy changes his speed level. Definitive for the enemy values to be set are only the data observed or estimated shortly before the shot itself.
          The subsequent shot from tube V was counted as a hit on the basis of the heard detonation and considering the target width of the two overlapping tankers.
          It is not clear from the K.T.B. why the torpedo was shot with a depth of 2 meters.  A depth of 4 meters would have been more correct.
3.) From the attack on 7 February it is seen that even with two hits a steamer cannot automatically be accepted as sunk.  In particular, despite the pursuit by the Corvette, the cold-blooded attacks on the 2nd freighter and the desire to stay on the surface as long as possible to observe the effect of the attack are noteworthy.
4.) The observations of the Kommandanten, that surface warships of the enemy only work with Fu.M.G. [radar] in bright nights, have been noted by other boats.  The justification cited by the Kommandanten is true.
5.) Accredited were:
  On 4 February 1943 1 hit on a tanker of 6000 GRT.
  On 7 February sank 1 steamer each of 5000 and 6000 GRT.
 
   
     
     
 
     
     
 
P o s t a l  C o d e, 8 March 1943
 
                              
 

To

  
      the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine / 1 Skl. - B e r l i n W 35  
      the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote - Op. - P o s t a l  C o d e .  
     
  Subject:  K.T.B. "U-77"  
      - Without Action -  
     
                  Enclosed the K.T.B. of "U-77" from 5 December 1942 to 10 February 1943 with Enclosures and Comments of the F.d.U. Italien are submitted.  
     
                                                                                                     On behalf  !  
                                                                                                   
     
     
                                
     
 

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