U-96 - 4th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
St. Nazaire	12 April 1941	St. Nazaire	22 May 1941	41

 

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
28 Apr 41	19.25-19.26	59°45'N, 16°00'W	OILFIELD	8,516	British	HX-121
28 Apr 41	19.25-19.26	59°45'N, 16°00'W	CALEDONIA	9,892	Norwegian	HX-121
28 Apr 41	19.25-19.26	59°45'N, 16°00'W	PORT HARDY	8,897	British	HX-121
19 May 41	03.24	54°45'N, 11°25'W	EMPIRE RIDGE	2,922	British	HG-61
			Total = 30,227
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.

 

This KTB uses the depth notation "depth T = xx meters"  Under this scheme, the actual depth was twice the depth given after T = so for example, if the KTB entry read "depth T = 50 meters, the actual depth was 100 meters.  This was intended to hide the actual depth for security purposes. This notation was used from about January 1940 to December 1941.  In these KTBs, depths written without using "T =", for example "dived to depth 35 meters" were not so disguised.

---

				Copy No. . . .1 . .
				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				Unterseeboot  "  U  96  "
				Kommandant:  Kaptlt. Lehmann-Willenbrock
				Beginning:  28.2.1941
				Ending:      22.5.1941
				Distribution:   "U-96" Copy No. 1 7.U-Flottille " 2 B.d.U.-Op.- " 3 B.d.U.-Org.- " 4 O.K.M. " 5 + 6
				Enclosures: 1.) 2 Track charts for Copy Nos. 1-5 2.) 5 Torpedo firing reports for Copy Nos. 1-3 3.) Excerpt of the Radio Log for Copy Nos. 1-5 4.) Special Experiences (only for Copy Nos. 1-5) 5.) Officer-Only Radio Log (only for Copy No. 1)
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		28.02.41	St. Nazaire
		18.00		Made fast in the St. Nazaire Lock.  Reception by the Flottillenchef and Div.Kommandeur Generalleutnant Richter.
		18.18		Cast off (through the lock).
		18.34		Made fast in the St. Nazaire Basin.
		01.03.41
		09.00		Muster at the U-boat Home by the Second Watch Officer followed by marching on board.  Muster by the Kommandant.
		10.23		Cast off.  Shifted for torpedo offload.
		10.46		Made fast Penhoët Basin.
		15.29		Cast off.
		15.54		Made fast St. Nazaire Basin.  Afterwards cleared the boat.
				Kommandant with B.d.U., presentation of the Knight's Cross.
		02.03.41
		11.00		Muster by the Flottillenchef.  Award of Iron Crosses.
				Sunday routine.
		03.03.41		Shipyard routine.  Began leave for the crew.  Provisions offload.
		15.00		Cast off and shifted.
		15.35		Made fast in the Penhoët Basin.  Strm. W e r n e r  ordered away.
		04.03.41		Began shipyard overhaul.  Crew cleaning and uniform upkeep in the morning duties, free time in the afternoons.
		05.03. - 08.04.41		Duties according to shipyard routine.
				6 March  Boat visited by Generalfeldmarschall Blaskowitz.
				8 March  17.00-19.45 hours boat dry-docked with the assistance of a tug.
				9 March  Oblt.z.S. Schlieper ordered on board, Oblt.z.S. Hamm ordered away.
				15 March  08.00-11.25 hours un-docked and shifted the boat to the Penhoët Basin with the assistance of a tug.
				27 March  Ordered away:  Masch.Ob.Gefr. Behrens, Ebeling, Tragesser,
				Ordered on board:  Masch.Ob.Gefr. Schulze, Carstensen, Reichers.
				5 April  Fuel oil loading and testing of the diesels.

	- 2 -
		09.04.41
		09.00		Cast off for degaussing.
		09.15 - 11.25		Passed through the loops.
		11.30		Made fast (Penhoët Basin).
		13.50		Cast off.
		14.10		Made fast in the lock to pass through.
		14.21		Cast off.
		14.45 - 15.07		Dived for trim test.
		15.17 - 16.05		Engine trials.
		16.10 - 17.15		Radio direction finder calibration.
		18.15		Made fast in the lock to pass through.
		18.30		Cast off.
		18.48		Made fast in the Penhoët Basin.
		10.04.41		Morning and afternoon torpedo loading.
		14.15		Cast off for deviation determination.
		15.05		Made fast.
				Bootsmann Kropius, Matr.Ob.Gefr. Wittmann, Matr.Gefr. Lehmann ordered on board.
				Over charging of the battery.
				End of leave.
				End of shipyard overhaul.
				During the shipyard period the following work was completed:
				Overhaul of the over deck; painting of the exterior of the boat, cleaning of all tanks, overhaul of the hatches, berths, heads; repair of the lockers and latches; painting of the rooms except for the engine room; repair of the over deck cover of the Marcks lifebuoy, all suction valves in all rooms; overhaul of the torpedo loading gear, the torpedo mountings, the trim pump.
				In the diesel room:
				Examination of the piston rings, reconditioning of the  starting-, safety-, fuel valves; overhaul of the exhaust valves.  Check and repair of the camshaft and main bearings, flushing the engines with water and oil.  Repair of the spring clutches, the head and foot valves of the low pressure automatic controller; the air compressors, the exhaust gas distributor; overhaul of the clutches for the diesel and E-motors.

	- 3 -
		continued
		10.04.41
				In the E-system:
				Overhaul of the main E-motors, the gyro-compass system, the air cooler for the E-motors, overhaul of the periscopes.
				Torpedo system:
				Overhaul of the entire torpedo system (including the fire control system).
				Radio Message system:
				Overhaul of the entire Radio Message- and G.H.G. systems and the depth sounders.
				Artillery:
				Removal and major overhaul of the 8.8 cm cannon, of the MG C/30, MG 34 and automatic pistols.
		11.04.41		Stable provisions loading.
		12.04.41		Morning fresh provisions loading, afternoon personal outfitting on board.
		16.24		Cast off to balance the boat in the Penhoët Basin.
				Made fast in the lock.  Balance personnel disembarked.  Send off by the Flottillenchef.  Cast off from the lock.
		18.44 - 18.53		Trim test.  Afterwards departed in convoy with "U-95".
		20.00	BF 6517
			SW 3, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		21.12	Course 245°.	Released escort at Point N 1.  Began transit to the operations area southwest of Iceland.
		22.45		Crash dive for training.
		23.16		Surfaced.
				Transit speed LF.
		24.00	BF 6455
			SW 3, Sea 1-2, 7/10, Vis. good, full moon, Swell 1
			Course 270°.

Sun and Moon Data 12.04.41

	- 4 -
		13.04.41
		04.00	BF 5565
			NW 1, Sea 0-1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		08.00	BF 5545
			W 0-1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		08.33	Course 290°.
		10.22		Aircraft bearing 300°T far off, did not dive.
		12.00	BF 5428	Day's run:  Surfaced        203 nm
			W 0-1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged     1.2 nm
		16.00	BF 4398
			W 1, Sea 0-1, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		16.20 - 16.48		Crash dive for flying boat bearing 20°T, course 260°, range = 4000-5000 meters.
		17.10 - 17.48		Crash dive for flying boat bearing 90°T, course 270°, range = 5000 meters.
		18.09 - 19.00		Crash dive for flying boat bearing 10°T, course 210°, range = 4000 meters.
		20.00	BF 4385
			W 1, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		24.00	BF 4268
			SWbyW 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 1
		14.04.41
		04.00	BF 4218
			WbyS 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		08.00	BF 4123
			WbyS 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast (rain), Vis. good, Swell 2
		09.00	Course 320°.
		11.37		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  . . . . Objective squares for . . . . . . U-96 square AE 78.
		12.00	BF 1748	Day's run:  Surfaced        255.4 nm
			NW 1-2, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged       5.5 nm
		16.00	BE 3935
			NWbyW 3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		20.00	BE 3682
			NWbyW 3, Sea 2, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		22.10		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  14 nm, in 108°T.
		24.00	BE 3652
			NWbyW 2-3, Sea 2, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		15.04.41
		04.00	BE 3377
			NWbyW 3, Sea 2, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		08.00	BE 3264
			NWbyW 2-3, Sea 2, 4/10 (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 2

	Sun and Moon Data 13.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 14.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.04.41

	- 5 -
		continued
		15.04.41
		09.50		Radio Message from B.d.U.:
				Report position by Short Signal!
		11.07		Short Signal to B.d.U.:
				Position report BE 32.
		12.00	BE 3221	Day's run:  Surfaced        244.9 nm
			NWbyW 2-3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged         0 nm
			Course 340°.
		12.21		Confirmation of the Short Signal by B.d.U.
		15.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  29°T, 9 nm.
		16.00	AM 7817
			WbyS 3-4, Sea 3, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		16.09 - 17.00		Crash dive for training and depth control training.  Deep dive to depth T = 45 meters. [actual depth 90 meters]
		17.05 - 17.56		Crash dive for training and depth control training.  Deep dive to depth T = 45 meters. [90 meters]
		20.00	AM 7496
			WbyS 3-4, Sea 3, 6/10, (rain), Vis. good, Swell 2	UZO flooded,  GHG received quite weakly, water penetrated into the cable boxes.  Boat admits significantly more water than before the shipyard overhaul.
		20.49		Radio Message from B.d.U. with distribution of new attack areas.
				"U-96" square AE 72 to square AE 78.
		22.06		2 destroyers in sight astern to port bearing 206°T.  Crash dive.  No attack possible, the situation developed too quickly.  Destroyers passed by astern.
		22.28		3rd destroyer heard.  Destroyer course is about 80°.
		22.58		Surfaced.
		23.x5		Radio Message to "U-95", "U-96" from B.d.U.:
				Convoy located 15 April 12.00 hours in AL 6944, course 30°.
				Distance behind the convoy 250 nm.  Operation is pointless.
		24.00	AM 7461
			WbyS 3-4, 8/10, (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 3
		16.04.41
		04.00	AM 7182
			SW 2, Sea 1-2, 9/10, Vis. medium, Swell 2
		08.00	AM 7116
			SW 4-5, Sea 3, overcast, (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 3

	Sun and Moon Data 15.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.04.41

	- 6 -
		continued
		16.04.41
		12.00	AM 4747	Day's run:  Surfaced        221.0 nm
			SW 4, Sea 3, 9/10, Vis. medium, Swell 3	Submerged        3.0 nm
		13.27		Crash dive for Sunderland bearing 90°T, course 270°, distance 4000 meters.
		14.05		Sounds bearing 110°T.
		14.27		Surfaced.
				Ran towards the sounds.
		14.50		Crash dive for Sunderland.  Distance 2000 meters, out of a rain cloud.  Went to depth T = 20 meters. [40 meters]
		15.05		Went to periscope depth.  Flying boat is very close.  Went to depth T = 20 meters again. [40 meters] Sounds apparently 2 destroyers bearing 215° were heard again.
				Aircraft and destroyer seem to operate together.  Suspicious.  Possibly also the convoy is nearby.
		16.00	AL 6936
			No observation
		16.46		Surfaced.  Weather is now misty, visibility changing.  Squalls and rain clouds.
		16.48		Smoke cloud in sight bearing 200°T.  Convoy detected on NW course.  Held contact on the starboard side of the convoy.
		16.50	Course 300°, changing
		17.35		Radio Signal to B.d.U.:  Convoy in sight square AL 6938, steers NW course.
				Lost the convoy from sight with visibility deterioration, angled in.
		18.00		Convoy came in sight again, however was surprised by a destroyer out of a rain band.  Attempted to reach a rain band at AK.  Destroyer came up.
		18.10		Crash dive.  Went to depth T = 45 meters. [90 meters]
				Destroyer sounds came closer, held astern to starboard.  Apparently 2 destroyers search there now.  Distance is still great based on listening results.  Therefore remained at depth T = 35 meters [70 meters], so as not to get too much water in the boat for the time being.
		18.25		Was overrun by a destroyer from port which had not been heard at all before.  Propeller sounds were very strong.  S-gear heard very late and only in the G.H.G (see Special Experiences).  Apparently the G..H.G. is completely flooded on the port side.
		18.26		8 depth charges.  Very close, apparently all above the boat.  Strong concussion, which increased with the last of the charges.  Paint chips rain down, lamps and fuses fail, lamp glasses jump out.  Papenberg gauge in the conning tower shatters, filaments of the fixed cable on the attack periscope break. Glass container of the auxiliary drain and trim pump breaks.  Broadcast receiver and speed measurement system are out of service.  1 foundation bolt

Sun and Moon Data 16.04.41

	- 7 -
		continued
		16.04.41	[between 110 and 140 meters]	on the diesel torn off.  Forward oer deck canister has sprung a leak.  Strong blowing was heard from forward for a long time.  Boat was down by the bow and heavy.  Moved off a bit at GF.  We must pump strongly now and then.  Boat was held between T = 55 and T = 70 meters.  Destroyers were shaken off.  Depth charges slowly fell further away.  G.H.G. has slowly grown blind.
				18.26 - 21.00 hours 26 depth charges counted.
				Throwing results:  8, 1, 3, 4, 1, 9.
		20.00	AL 7697 [position in error]
			No observation
		22.32		Surfaced.  Visibility has gotten better.  Nothing more to see.
		23.00	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  14 nm in 212°T.	Pursued in 300°.  Can be there tomorrow morning at 07.00 hours.
			Course 300°.
		23.28		Radio Signal to B.d.U.:  Was forced off, square AL 6695.
		24.00	AL 6689
			NNW 4, Sea 3, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		17.04.41
		00.05 - 00.25		Test dive.
				From the balance conditions the over deck canister is full of water.  On diving the tube floods slowly.
		03.00		Light glow in 200°T, after that a glow on the horizon as if from as light rocket.
		03.05	Course 200°.	Ran towards the light glow, because it may be at the convoy.  Nothing found.
		04.00	AL 6677
			NNW 4-5, Sea 3, 6/10, Vis. medium, Swell 3
		05.00	Course 270°.
		07.46		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  (time group 16 April 1901):  U-96 maintain contact.  Today only attack by day in favorable opportunity.  U-95 and U-65 operate on convoy.  Remaining boats remain in attack areas.
		08.00	Course 250°.
			AL 6824
			NNW 5, Sea 4, 4/10, Vis. medium, Swell 3
		10.00	Course 300°.	Can no longer run at HF due to the Sea State, LF.
		12.00	AL 6733	Day's run:  Surfaced        162.1 nm
			NW 5, Sea 4, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 3	Submerged       20.4 nm
		15.12		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  2 nm in 105°T.

	Sun and Moon Data 16.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 17.04.41

	- 8 -
		continued
		17.04.41
		15.30	Course 340°.
		16.00	AL 6485
			NW 4-5, Sea 4, 2/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		19.00	Course 0°.	Continued on one diesel LF into the operations area.  Broke off the search for the convoy.
		20.00	AL 6419
			NNW 3, Sea 3, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		23.10		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  10 nm in 89°T.
		24.00	AL 6175
			NbyW 3, Sea 2, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		18.04.41
		04.00	AL 6117
			NNE 1-2, Sea 2, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		07.38		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  7 nm in 180°T.
		08.00	AL 0287
			NbyE 2, Sea 2, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		10.15		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Focal point in ordered attack area is the northern half.  Determine if traffic runs under the coast.
		11.15 - 11.58		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 0257	Day's run:  Surfaced        140 nm
			EbyS 4, Sea 3-4, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 3	Submerged       2 nm
		16.00	AL 0222
			NNE 3-4, Sea 3-4, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		20.00	AL 2857
			EbyS 4, Sea 3-4, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		23.26		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  7 nm in 38°T.
		23.30		Radio Message from B.d.U. with new attack areas, U-96 from AE 72 to AE 81.
		24.00	AL 2822
			EbyS 4-5, Sea 4, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 4
		19.04.41
		04.00	AL 2655
			E 3, Sea 3-4, 7/10, Vis. medium, Swell 4
		08.00	AL 2622
			EbyS 6, Sea 5, overcast (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 4
		12.00	AL 2482	Day's run:  Surfaced        158 nm
			EbyS 5, Sea 4, 7/10, Vis. medium, Swell 4	Submerged       0 nm
		15.41 - 17.21		Dived due to bad visibility.  Torpedoes filled, torpedo in tube V is jammed, probably depth charge effect.
		16.00	AL 2428
			No observation

	Sun and Moon Data 17.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 19.04.41

	- 9 -
		continued
		19.04.41
		20.00	AL 2422
			E 4-5, Sea 4, overcast (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 4
		24.00	AL 2458
			E 4, Sea 4, 8/10, Vis. medium, Swell 4
		20.04.41
		04.00	AL 2225
			EbyN 5, Sea 4, overcast mist (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 4
		08.00	AE 7895
			EbyS 4-5, Sea 4, 8/10, Vis. medium, Swell 4
		12.00	AE 7838	Day's run:  Surfaced        126 nm
			EbyN 4, Sea 4, overcast (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 4	Submerged       4 nm
		16.00	AE 7568
			EbyS 5, Sea 4, 9/10, Vis. medium, Swell 4
		21.55		Reached attack area
		24.00	AE 7295	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  12 nm in 130°T.
			EbyS 3-4, Sea 4, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		21.04.41
		02.25		2 destroyers pass close by on course 280°.  Wide starboard echelon, 30° echelon.  High speed.  Was positioned in-between.  Crash dive at 02.29 hours.  Attack failed, because the tubes could not be made ready so quickly.
		03.02		Surfaced.
		04.00	AE 7344
			EbyS 4, Sea 4-5, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 4
		04.42	Course 140°.	Lighthouse (peacetime identifier) at Stórhöfði (Vestmannaeyjar) in sight.
		06.30		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  314°T, 12 nm.
				During the day remained out of sight of the coast, by night to the coast to observe traffic.
		08.00	AE 7344
			EbyS 3, Sea 3, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		08.29		Crash dive for Sunderland bearing 300°T.  Course 160°, distance 7000 meters.
		09.40	Course 0°.
		09.44		Surfaced.
		11.30	Course 20°.
		12.00	AE 7371	Day's run:  Surfaced        129 nm
			ESE 5, Sea 3-4, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 3	Submerged       5 nm
		16.00	AE 7345
			E 5, Sea 3-4, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 4

	Sun and Moon Data 19.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 21.04.41

	- 10 -
		continued
		21.04.41
		17.05		Coast in sight, there is snow on Eyjafjallajökull.
		17.20	Course 170°.	Came about.
		19.33	Course 0°.
		20.00	AE 7348
			EbyS 5-6, Sea 4-5, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		22.00		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  New attack areas for determination of current traffic routes.  U-96 AE 73.
		21.48 - 23.37		Lay stopped.
		23.58 - 01.40		Lay stopped.
		24.00	AE 7318
			EbyS 5, Sea 4, 7/10, Vis. medium, Swell 5
		22.04.41
		00.44		Land in sight again.  Lay stopped until darkness, then to within 6 nm of the coast (80 meters water).  Lay stopped to monitor traffic.
		00.30		Lighthouse at Dyrhólaey (peacetime identifier) in sight.
		01.40	Course 250°.
		02.00		Lighthouse at Stórhöfði in sight.  North of the island about 10 bright anchor lights.
		03.14	Course 140°.
		04.00	AE 7482
			E 6, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 4
		04.34	Course 180°.
		06.00 - 07.43		Lay stopped.
		07.43		Crash dive for Sunderland bearing 320°T,  Course 120°, distance 3000 meters.  Apparently the same morning reconnaissance as the day before.
		07.50	Course 270°.	Visibility deteriorating, storm from the EbyS, rain squalls.
		08.00	AE 7265
			EbyS 7, Sea 5, overcast mist (rain), Vis. low, Swell 5
		09.42		Surfaced.
		09.47		Dived., because visibility is still bad.
		09.54	Course 140°.
		12.00	AE 7268	Day's run:  Surfaced        86 nm
			No observation	Submerged      8 nm
		12.50	Course 150°.	Surfaced for Program time.
		15.00	Course 140°.	Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 21.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.04.41

	- 11 -
		continued
		22.04.41
		16.00	AE 7292
			No observation
		20.00	AE 7296
			No observation
		21.14		Surfaced.  Abated, visibility remains bad due to continual rain fronts until 03.00 hours.  Barometer is steady at 1020 mb.
		24.00	Course 50°.
			AE 7377
			EbyN 4-5, Sea 3-4, overcast (rain), Vis. low, Swell 3
		23.04.41
		03.27		Lighthouse in sight bearing 18°T, Dyrhólaey.
		04.00	AE 7372
			ENE 5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 3
		04.08 -		Lay stopped.
		08.00	Course 130°.
			AE 7372
			ENE 5, Sea 4, overcast (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 3
		11.43 - 13.00		Dived due to low visibility.
		12.00	AE 7372	Day's run:  Surfaced        32.5 nm
			No observation	Submerged     10.5 nm
		13.02 - 15.19		Lay stopped.
		13.58		Alpha Alpha Signal from "U-95".
				Convoy in sight square AL 8852, NW course, contact lost.
				Am about 120 nm from the convoy on convoy course 300°.  Visibility conditions are very bad, rain and gentle foggy mist.
		14.41		Radio Message from B.d.U. to "U-95".
				All boats north of 58°N except for U-147 operate on convoy square AE 8852.
		15.19	Course 140°.	Transit speed 6 knots against the seas. Ran towards the convoy.  Sighting possible earliest 24.00 hours.  Due to low visibility very unlikely.
		16.00	AE 7375	Radio Message from B.d.U.:  If contact is not made by darkness, early tomorrow morning patrol line from AE 78 to AE 72 is intended.
			ESE 5-6, Sea 4, overcast mist (rain), Vis. low, mostly 1000 meters), Swell 3
				No further contact keeper reports from U-95.  Further searching in the low visibility pointless.  Want to remain stopped, because disposition orders for patrol line are expected.
		18.30 - 19.56		Dived before patrol vessel bearing 170°T.  Distance 3000 meters.  Moving off on the surface was no longer possible because it suddenly appeared out of the foggy mist.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.04.41

	- 12 -
		continued
		23.04.41
		18.32	Course 40°.
		20.00	AE 7387
			ESE 5, Sea 4, overcast misty (rain), Vis. low, Swell 4
		20.05	Course 120°.
		21.30 - 07.45		Lay stopped.
		24.00	AE 7387	At Program time after 22.00 received:
			ESE 5, Sea 3-4, overcast misty (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 3	U-95 reports that instead of a small convoy it turned out to be 6 patrol vessels, course 295°.
				So operation on "Schreiber-convoy" is surely settled.
				23.00 hours radio message with new attack area from B.d.U.:  U-96 remain in square AE 73.
				Position is AE 73 lower edge.  Ship's position is inexact, because there has been no navigation fix for 2 days.
		24.04.41
		04.00	AE 7387
			ESE 4, Sea 4, overcast misty (rain), Vis. low, Swell 3
		07.47		Dived, visibility below 1000 meters.  Worked on the torpedoes.
		08.00	AE 7384
			ESE 4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. low, Swell 4
		12.00	AE 7381	Day's run:  Surfaced        30.5 nm
			No observation	Submerged     17.0 nm
		12.26		Surfaced.  Visibility is still bad, about 1000 meters.  Fog banks.
		14.00		Dived.
		14.10	Course 140°.	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix by soundings:  12 nm, 20°T.
		16.00	AE 7353
			No observation
		18.58		Surfaced.  Up to about 23.00 hours sunshine, clear visibility, thereafter fog arose from the east.  Visibility 500 meters.
		19.00 - 08.34		Lay stopped.
		20.00	AE 7356
			SEbyE 2, Sea 2, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		24.00	AE 7356
			SE 2, Sea 2-3, overcast (fog), Vis. bad, Swell 2
		25.04.41
		04.00	AE 7356
			SEbyE 2, Sea 2, overcast, misty, Vis. medium, Swell 2

	Sun and Moon Data 23.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 24.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 25.04.41

	- 13 -
		continued
		25.04.41
		08.00	AE 7356
			SEbyS 2-3, Sea 2, overcast (rain), Vis. changing, Swell 2
		11.00		Dived.
		12.00	AE 7367	Day's run:  Surfaced        13.5 nm
			No observation	Submerged     15.5 nm
		12.49		Surfaced.
		15.20		Vessel came out of the fog.
		15.26	Changing courses.	Crash dive.  No sound bearings, nothing seen in the periscope due to mist.
		16.00		Surfaced, small patrol vessel or fishing vessel bearing 20°T.
		16.01		Crash dive.  Moved off submerged.
		16.34	Course 270°.
		16.51		Surfaced.
		17.04	Course 180°.
		20.00	AE 7391	It cleared in the evening, first good sight in days.  The wind has abated, shifts to the south.  Steady high barometer, 1040 mb.
			SSE 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		23.00	Course 224°.
		23.15		A patrol vessel in sight bearing 140°T.  Took no action, soon ran out of sight.
		24.00	AE 7397
			SSE 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		26.04.41
		04.00	AE 7397
			SSE 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		07.52		Crash dive for 2 flying boats bearing 300°T, flying quite low.  SE-course.
		08.00	AE 7386
			SSE 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		08.43		Surfaced.  Iceland's snow mountains in sight in the mist.
		09.25		Vessel in sight bearing 150°T.  Changing courses to maneuver ahead.  It is a patrol vessel on a westerly course, fishing trawler with 2 masts.  Every 15 minutes smokes heavily.
		10.34		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Report traffic situation by Short Signal.
		10.45 - 14.04		Lay stopped.
		11.07		Short Signal to B.d.U.:  No traffic only surveillance.
				Short Signal was confirmed at 12.18 hours.

	Sun and Moon Data 25.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 26.04.41

	- 14 -
		continued
		26.04.41
		12.00	AE 7391	Day's run:  Surfaced        31 nm
			SSE 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged      4 nm
		12.21		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  With new attack areas:  U-96 AM 12.
		14.04	Course 130°.	Transit to new attack area, transit speed 6 knots, distance 190 nm.
		14.40		Several floating cotton bales sighted, fished out a sample.
		16.00	AE 7395
			SE 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		16.13		Patrol vessel (small fishing trawler) sighted bearing 110°T.  Went around, he steered about 30°.
		20.00	AE 8415
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, Vis. good, Swell 1
		22.59		Smoke feather sighted bearing 90°T.  It is a small coastal steamer or patrol vessel.  Steered 290°.  Had set position lights.  Only very low speed.  Stopped on the dark horizon and let him pass.  Seemed about 600 GRT.  Wanted to shoot with a torpedo.  While maneuvering ahead he turned away and showed the stern, extinguished lights, ran at higher speed.
				01.27 hours gave up pursuit.  Moved off on deceptive course 180°.
		23.16	Course 100°.
		23.32	Course 90°.
		24.00	AE 8451
			SE 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		27.04.41
		04.00	AE 8481
			SE 1-2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		03.58 - 05.02		Dived to balance the boat and flush main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank port 4.  Afterwards the oil trace was corrected.
		04.20	Course 160°.
		05.05	Course 130°.
		08.00	AE 8731
			ESE 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		12.00	AE 8841	Day's run:  Surfaced        136 nm
			E 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged      2.7 nm
		16.00	AE 8873
			E 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		20.00	AE 8885
			NEbyE 2, Sea 2, overcast (rain), Vis. good, Swell 2
		21.00	Course 105°.
		23.00		Attack area (AM 12) reached.
		24.00	AM 1213
			NEbyE 2, Sea 2, 5/10,
			[missing line]

	Sun and Moon Data 26.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 27.04.41

	- 15 -
		28.04.41
		01.21		Radio Signal from U-123:  Convoy in sight AL 2332, easterly course.
		01.32 - 06.10		Lay stopped.
		02.20		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  U-123 free to attack.  Despite this hold contact for other boats.  Go. Go!
		06.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix by soundings:  6 nm, in 135°T.
		06.10	Course 180°.
		07.18	Course 250°.
		07.47		Radio Signal from U-123:  The correct position of the convoy is AL 3313.  Enemy steers 110°, speed 7 knots.
				Operated on convoy after the improved position.  Meeting the convoy is expected about 16.00 hours.  Visibility is good.  U-123 gives continuing contact keeper reports.
		08.00	AM 1219
			ENE 3, Sea 2-3, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		08.15	Course 230°.
		10.30	Course 258°.
		12.00	AM 1158	Day's run:  Surfaced        121 nm
			ENE 3, Sea 3, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged       0 nm
		12.25 - 12.53	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix by noon sun:  4 nm, in 180°T.	Dived to balance the boat.
		13.06	Course 270°.
		14.30		U-95 came in sight, went a bit to the north.
		14.x8		Radio Signal from U-123: Last observed position of the enemy is square AL 3271, was forced off by 2 destroyers.
				By this the main course of the convoy is 80°.
		15.35	Course 280°.
		16.00	AL 3286
			EbyS 3, Sea 3, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		16.16		Tanker explosion in 230°T, ran towards.  It is the convoy.  So 3 boats are now here  Maneuvered ahead for submerged day attack.
		18.06		Radio Signal sent to B.d.U.:  The correct position of the convoy is AL 3426.
		18.25		Reached a position ahead, dived to attack.
				A group of large tankers proceeded ahead, heavily escorted by corvettes.  In the 2nd column to port set out medium and small freighters.  Position for attack on the freighter is favorable.  However the tankers are positioned so well in echelon that
				[cut off line of text]

Sun and Moon Data 28.04.41

	- 16 -
		continued
		28.04.41		unlikely.  Determined target angle from course (convoy stubbronly steers 90 against the seas) and ship's bearings and compared with the target angle of the approaching freighter.  Fired three individual shots with target angle running.  Shortly before the shots was located by a corvette to starboard abeam distance 2000 meters away.  Corvette ran towards.
				Shooting data:
				1st shot:  G 7e, 19.25 hours, bow shot, bow left, target angle 75°, enemy speed 8 knots, running time 3 minutes 50 seconds - 3280 meters. Lead angle 15°.  Hit, strong high column of fire and smoke development.  Estimated size 10000 GRT.
				2nd shot:  G 7e bow shot, 19.26 hours, bow left, target angle 80°, enemy speed 8 knots, running time 4 minutes 44 seconds - 4042 meters.  Lead angle 15°.  Hit, same phenomena observed.  Estimated 8000 GRT.
				3rd shot:  G 7e, bow shot, 19.26 hours, bow left, target angle 90°, enemy speed 8 knots, running time 5 minutes 58 seconds = 5082 meters. Lead angle 15°.  Estimated size 6000 GRT.  Hit heard.  Shooting position AL 3438
				After the hits went to depth T = 70 meters.  [140 meters] 2 corvettes locate and run towards us.
		19.43 - 21.31		37 depth charges, some lie well.  No damage, apart from a few glass bulbs and fuses.  In the course of this the aft diving plane motor.  Rudder was positioned down 20°.  Boat was held by briefly blowing main ballast tank 5.  Got away from the pursuit to the north.  Cracking of bulkheads and frames of the hit tankers were heard repeatedly in the boat.
		19.49		Explosion with strong bursts perceived afterwards, apparently a tanker flying into the air.
		20.00	AL 3434
			No observation
		21.45		At periscope depth.  At the shooting location in 209°T, there is still a huge fire and smoke, in which the three tankers are shrouded.
		21.50		Destroyer heard and seen bearing 175°T, zigzags wildly around the burning tankers, S-gear heard.
		22.20 - 23.20		3 bow tubes reloaded.
		23.39		Surfaced.  Pursued the convoy.  No contact keeper reports follow.  Speed 13 knots.  Can reach the convoy about 05.00 hours.
		23.40	Course 95°.
		24.00	AL 3298
			E 3, Sea 3, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 3

Sun and Moon Data 28.04.41

	- 17 -
		29.04.41
		01.09 and		Light rockets sighted at the burning tankers.
		01.29
		01.15		Light bearing 320°T, apparently an escort.
		03.45		Friction clutch on the starboard shaft slips and gets hot.  As a result the starboard diesel was out of service for a few hours.
		04.00	AM 1331
			E 3-4, Sea 3, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 3, strong Northern Light glow
		04.30	Course 135°.
		05.02 - 05.21		Dived to listen and balance the boat.
		05.30		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  If there is no contact U-123, U-95, U-552, U-65, U-96 at 09.00 hours be in patrol line from square 1265 to square 1495,  Depth 10 nm.
				Will reach ordered position 11.06 hours.
		07.15	Course 125°.
		08.00	AM 1442
			E 4, Sea 3, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 3, abating
		11.06	Course 180°.
		11.50	Course 0°.
		12.00	AM 1498	Day's run:  Surfaced        206.8 nm
			NEbyE 2, Sea 2, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged      17.4 nm
		13.02		Crash dive for aircraft, type land-based, 2-engined, bearing 100°T, course 290°, distance 6000 meters.
		13.43 - 15.00		36 aircraft bombs.
		13.20  )		At periscope depth:  Aircraft flies in a strip and remains in the vicinity.
		13 35  )
		15.25  )
		16.00	AM 1493
			NE 0-1, Sea 0, 1/10, Vis. very good
		16.57		Surfaced.
		17.24		Crash dive for aircraft.
		19.18		Surfaced.
		19.28	Course 90°.
		20.00	AM 2371
			NEbyE 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. very good, Swell 1
		20.36		U-95 in sight bearing 315°T.  Went within hailing distance.  Experience exchange.  U-95 saw 2 tankers burning out at our shooting location.
		20.14	Course 315°.	From U-95 received a radio message from B.d.U.:

Sun and Moon Data 29.04.41

	- 18 -
		continued
		29.04.41
				14.00 hours form patrol line from AM 2616 to AM 2759.  Transit speed 12 knots, order as before.  From 20.00 hours air reconnaissance in the area.
				Radio Message was received during Program time at 23.18 hours.
				My position is AM 2729, course is 167°, range = 103 nm.  Before the position is reached, the plotted convoy will have passed by.  Ran to the southeast at LF.
		23.10		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  To boats in transit to patrol line.  From 24.00 hours from reached position course W, transit speed.  From 30 April 06.00 hours proceed to the following strips as attack area in square AL:  . . . . .  U-96 AL 29 to 03.
		23.30		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  15 nm, 348°T.
		24.00	Course 170°.
			AM 2385
			E 2, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		30.04.41
		04.00	AM 1486
			E 2, Sea 1-2, 2/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		05.30		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  273°T, 13.2 nm
		06.00	Course 220°.	Course for square AM 03.  Range 140 nm.
		07.10		U-95 in sight bearing 260°T.  Name exchange.
		08.00	AM 1532
			E 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		12.00	AM 1557	Day's run:  Surfaced        186 nm
			S 2, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged      13.5 nm
		13.24 - 13.53		Test dive.
		16.00	AM 1577
			E 2-3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		20.00	AL 3839
			E 2-3, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		20.45		Destroyer bearing 210°T, 4 smokestack on the horizon, course 340°.
		20.49		Dived.
		22.13		Surfaced.
		24.00	AL 3864
			E 2-3, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		01.05.41
		01.00	Course 190°.
		04.00	AL 3891
			E 2-3, Sea 2, overcast (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 2
		06.45		Reached attack area.

	Sun and Moon Data 29.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 30.04.41
	Sun and Moon Data 01.05.41

	- 19 -
		continued
		01.05.41
		08.00	AL 0323
			EbyS 2, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		11.01 - 13.03		Balanced the boat and depth control training.
		12.00	AL 0353	Day's run:  Surfaced        101 nm
			E 2, Sea 1-2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged        6 nm
		16.00	AL 0382
			E 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		17.51		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Form patrol line from square AE 8725 to square AL 3285, depth 10 nm.  Be in position on 2 May at 12.00 hours.  Air reports convoy 16.30 hours in square AM 2271 westerly course.
				Position for U-96 in the patrol line is square AL 3285.  Must run at 14 knots.
		18.22	Course 0°.
		19.07		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  110°T, 22 nm
		20.00	AL 0369
			EbyS 1-2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.53	Course 353°.
		21.20		Steamer in sight on an easterly course, sharp target angle, bow right.  Came out, had to dive.
		21.23		Crash dive, attacked.  Range is very great, hoped for a zigzag.  He did not zigzag, was heard at 180 RPM.  Ran at high speed, maneuvering ahead by night is hardly possible.  Shot a three-fan at 21.59 hours.
				Settings:
				Range = 3000 meters, bow right, target angle 85°, speed 17 knots, lead angle 34°,  Fan went past ahead (sound bearings).  Steamer reduced RPM.  Now heard at 120 RPM.  Modern steamer, 2 masts, high canted smokestack, bridge set clear of the passenger deck.  Estimated 10000-12000 GRT.
		22.30	Course 100°.
		22.35		Surfaced to maneuver ahead.  Ran at AK.
				Steamer steered about 95°.  Passed out of sight.
		24.00	AM 1943
			EbyS 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		02.05.41
		02.47 - 02.57		Dived to listen.  Steamer bears 85°T.  Pursued until 03.52 hours, steamer did not come in sight again.  Gave up and continued transit to patrol line.  Can first reach position at 21.00 hours.
		02.54	Course 85°.
		03.52	Course 315°.

	Sun and Moon Data 01.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 02.05.41

	- 20 -
		continued
		02.05.41
		04.00	AM 0142
			EbyS 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		04.15	Course 335°.
		06.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  10 nm, in 67°T.
		06.34		Rockall in sight.
		06.58 - 07.26		Crash dive for aircraft.
		07.00	Course 330°.
		08.00	AM 1766
			E 2, Sea 1, 1/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		12.00	AM 1582	Day's run:  Surfaced        146 nm
			E 2, Sea 1-2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged      6.7 nm
		13.48		Lifebuoy from "TERJA VIKEN" (20000 ton whale factory) fished out.
		16.00	AM 1512
			ESE 2, Sea 1-2, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.00	AL 3426
			ESE 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		21.00		Went through an enormous oil slick at sinking location of our three shot tankers.
		21.30		Reached position in patrol line.  By plotting the convoy should already have passed about 17.00 hours.
		21.13	Course 290°.
		21.50	Course 0°.
		23.46		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  New attack area as North-south strip north of 56°N, at the level of the square:  . . . . . . U-96 AL 36.
				Suspect the strongest convoy traffic between 61° and 63°N and want, despite the unfavorable weather conditions (mirror flat sea and shortest bright nights) observe traffic in square AE 84 and 87.
		24.00	Course 90°.
			AL 3257
			ESE 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		03.05.41
		00.15		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  10 nm, 313°T.
		04.00	AL 3256
			SE 2-3, Sea 2, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		05.36		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  119°T, 7.5 nm.
				The navigation fixes in the morning and evening twilight cancel each other out, apparently horizon reflections.
		06.36	Course 270°.
		08.00	AL 3268
			EbyS 2, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 1

	Sun and Moon Data 02.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 03.05.41

	- 21 -
		continued
		03.05.41
		09.39		Aircraft bearing 90°T, course 310°, distance 8000 meters.
		09.40 - 11.04		Dived.
		09.50	Course 0°.
		12.00	AL 3267	Day's run:  Surfaced        181 nm
			SE 2-3, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged        3 nm
		15.00		Midday latitude offset 3.7 nm to the north.
		16.00	AL 3234
			SE 2, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.00	AE 8782
			ESE 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		24.00	AE 8753
			ESE 1, Sea 1, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		04.05.41
		00.30		Opened the forward over deck canister.  Tube is leaking (depth charge effect).
		00.30 - 06.15		Lay stopped.
		04.00	AE 8729
			ESE 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 1
		08.00	AE 8726
			Calm, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 0, high horizon mirror.
		08.58		2 destroyers, far apart bearing 160°T.  Course 340°.  Destroyers were suddenly reflected high over the horizon with a huge forecastle.
		08.59	Changing courses	Crash dive.  Destroyers go past the boat on both sides at a great distance from the boat.  S-gear heard.
				10.00 and 10.06 hours each one depth charge.
		11.07	Course 0°.	Surfaced.
		12.00	AE 8486	Day's run:  Surfaced        97 nm
			Calm, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged        4 nm
		15.00	Course 200°.
		15.50		Smoke feather bearing 200°T.  Ran towards, apparently a patrol vessel.
		16.00	AE 8433
			NE 1, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		16.20		Sunderland bearing 340°T, course 160°, distance 7000 meters.
		16.22	Changing courses.	Crash dive.
		16.49		Surfaced.  Pursued the smoke feather.
		17.06		Sunderland flies towards again.
		17.07		Crash dive.

	Sun and Moon Data 03.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 04.05.41

	- 22 -
		continued
		04.05.41
		17.25		Sounds heard bearing 290°T,  The suspicious curves of the Sunderland lead one to conclude there is a U-boat hunting group or convoy?
		17.31		Surfaced, ran towards the sounds.
		17.40		Convoy distinguished, inbound.  Sunderland circles at a great distance around the convoy.  Want to set off to the north and hold contact on the Sunderland.
		17.51		Crash dive.  Sunderland is close.  Must remain submerged for the time being.  Made out the Sunderland in the periscope.
		20.00	AE 8452
			NE 2, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.05		Surfaced.  Convoy has passed.  Maneuvered ahead.
		21.06 - 21.57  )		Dived for flying boat.
		22.00 - 22.19  )
		20.33		Radio Signal:  Convoy in sight square AE 8457, steers easterly course.
		from 22.19	Changing courses to maneuver ahead
		22.50		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  U-96 attack first. . . . . .
		24.00	AE 8493	Convoy comes in sight before darkness.
			NE 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1	I make good progress.  Convoy speed of advance is 7 knots.
				23.15 hours Radio Signal sent:  Enemy located square AE 8496.
		05.05.41
		01.00		Am ahead of the convoy, closed from target angle 0°.  Stopped, it is still to bright to attack.
		01.55	Course 280°.	Darkness is sufficient for surprise attack.  Ran to the front of the convoy, because the convoy was lost from sight. It does not come in sight, must have zigzagged  strongly.  As a result the prospect of a night attack is over. This zigzag was clever, because the opportunity for night attack is only 2 hours.  Suspect a southerly zigzag, because in the north the horizon is dark.
		02.37	Course 220°.
		02.29 - 02.48 )		Dived to listen, no results.
		03.58 - 04.35 )
		04.00	Course 60°.	Searched to the north.
			AE 8731
			NE 1, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1

	Sun and Moon Data 04.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 05.05.41

	- 23 -
		continued
		05.05.41
		05.20	Changing search courses
		05.44		Convoy sighted again bearing 40°T, however, by later observations it turned out to be escort vessels, which created a deception by blowing off smoke.  Could not search for the the entire day because of a nearly continual air and U-boat hunting group, which ran search strips in the vicinity and forced us to submerge.
				Pursuit broken off in the evening, because it is pointless.  The range is too great for night attack, the air surveillance is too strong to maneuver ahead for day attack.
		05.54 - 06.18		Dived for aircraft, came from the southwest.
		06.25		Radio Signals sent:  Enemy located square AE 8572.
		08.00	AE 8578
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		08.31 - 09.22		Dived before Sunderland bearing 0°T.
		10.18		Crash dive for aircraft.  When attempting to surface escort vessel was too close.  Ran off to the south, later southwest.  Escort vessel ran back and forth on course 70° and 250°.
				From 10.30 hours changing evasion courses.
		12.00	AE 8812	Day's run:  Surfaced        157.1 nm
			No observation	Submerged      16.8 nm
		12.30		Escort vessel out of periscope view.
		12.55		Escort vessel seen in the periscope bearing 55°T.
				Steered 0°.  Corvette, S-gear, went past behind.  It met the escort vessel and formed a search strip.
		14.10 - 14.29		9 aircraft bombs heard, estimated about 2-3 nm away.
		14.34		Surfaced.  Sighted a flying boatbearing 310°T,
		14.37		dove again.
		15.08		Surfaced.  Escort vessel only distinguished by a smoke cloud.  In the vicinity saw 2 mastheads and red gaff flag, probably Danish.  Apparently bait.
		15.09		Dived.
		16.00	AE 8812
			No observation
		19.00		Surfaced.
		19.03		Dived for aircraft bearing 160°T.
		20.00	AE 8814
			No observation
		21.47		Surfaced.
		22.00	Course 300°.	Saw 2 corvettes bearing 240°T, course about 100°.

Sun and Moon Data 05.05.41

	- 24 -
		continued
		05.05.41
		22.02		Dived.
		23.02		Surfaced.  Now the air is finally clear and the horizon free.  Transit to the attack area.
		23.06	Course 250°.
		23.52		Radio Signal sent:  Was forced off.  Square AE 88.
		24.00	AE 8735
			SW 1, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		06.05.41
		00.18		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 8°T, 8.4 nm.
		04.00	AE 7963
			SW 1-2, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. medium, Swell 1
			Course 180°.
		04.45		Smoke feather bearing 110°T.  On closing steamer and directional light seen.  It is a small patrol vessel.  Avoided to the NW.
		07.33	Course 300°.
		08.00	AE 6971
			SW 1-2, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		09.04	Course 0°.
		11.03		Aircraft bearing 230°T.
		11.05 - 11.40		Dived.
		11.45		Smoke feather bearing 320°T patrol vessel.
		12.00	Course 10°.	Day's run:  Surfaced        127.5 nm
			AE 7923	Submerged      20.5 nm
			W 1, Sea 0, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		14.30		Smoke feather bearing 20°T, closed, patrol vessel.  Turned away.
		15.55	Course 170°.
		16.00	AE 7661
			Calm mirror sea, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 0
		19.24		Aircraft bearing 20°T.
		19.25		Crash dive.
		20.00	AE 7694	Surfaced.
			Calm, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.10		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 183°T, 5 nm.
		22.39		Headed towards an empty lifeboat, name unclear, apparently "CRACHWELL".
		23.59 - 00.18		Dived to flush main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 2.
		24.00	AE 7939
			Calm, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 1

	Sun and Moon Data 05.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 06.05.41

	- 25 -
		07.05.41
		00.28	Course 0°.
		04.00	AE 7692
			Calm, 5/10, Vis. medium, Swell 1
		07.29		Drifting mine shot with MG C/30 square AE 7662.
		08.00	AE 7638
			WbyN 2, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		09.30		Smoke feather bearing 340°T, ran towards.
		09.56	Course 340°.	Crash dive for flying boat.
		10.26		Surfaced.  Patrol vessel has come too close.
		10.30 - 11.45		Dived before patrol vessel.
		12.00	AE 7398	Day's run:  Surfaced        161 nm
			No observation	Submerged      4.6 nm
			Course 170°.
		12.11		Crash dive for Sunderland from the north.  Boat was seen.  Went to depth T = 30 meters.  [60 meters] Evasion course.
		12.18 - 14.51		32 aircraft bombs.
		12.56	Course 180°.
		16.00	AE 7398
			No observation
		16.17		Surfaced.
		20.00	AE 7668	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  1.3 nm, in 50°T.
			WbyN 2-3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		22.00	Course 170°.
		24.00	AE 7938
			WbyN 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		08.05.41
		01.22 - 05.48		Lay stopped.
		04.00	AE 6965
			NWbyN 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good, Swell 2
		08.00	AE 7996
			NWbyN 2-3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		12.00	AL 3241	Day's run:  Surfaced        132.5 nm
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged        4.5 nm
			Course 180°.
		12.20		Went alongside the lifeboat from "PORT HARDY" and searched.  No crew.
		15.10		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  5.5 nm, in 257°T.
		15.45 - 17.01		Dived.
		16.00	AL 3193
			NNW 3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 2

	Sun and Moon Data 07.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 08.05.41

	- 26 -
		continued
		08.05.41
		20.00	AL 3333
			NNW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		24.00	AL 3366
			NW 3, Sea 2, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		09.05.41
		00.25		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  5.6 nm, in 109°T.
		01.30 - 06.09		Lay stopped.
		04.00	AL 3471
			NW 3, Sea 2-3, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		08.00	AL 3477
			NW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		08.53	Course 5°.
		10.11		Radio Message from B.d.U.: . . . . U-96 operate without limitations of the attack area northwest of England.
				Initially remained in the north of the previous area, because many convoys were reported here.
		12.00	AL 3471	Day's run:  Surfaced        97.5 nm
			WbyN 3, Sea 2-3, overcast (rain), Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged      2.5 nm
		16.00	AL 3417
			W 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 3
		19.42		Mine shot in square AL 3277.
		20.00	AL 3278
			NWbyW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 3
		20.34		Crash dive for flying boat bearing 160°T, distance 8000 meters, course 270°.  Remained submerged due to low visibility.
		22.31		Surfaced.
		24.00	AL 3272
			NWbyW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. medium, Swell 3
		10.05.41
		04.00	AL 3245
			WbyN 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 3
		08.00	AL 3215
			NW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 3
		10.34 - 10.57		Dived before aircraft bearing 60°T, course 340°.
		12.00	AE 8775	Day's run:  Surfaced        93.1 nm
			NW 3-4, Sea 3, Vis. good, Swell 3	Submerged     4.9 nm
		13.00	Course 210°.
		16.00	AL 3211
			NW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		18.45 - 19.45		Dived for aircraft.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 09.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 10.05.41

	- 27 -
		continued
		10.05.41
		19.00	Course 190°.
		20.00	AL 3163
			NWbyN 2, overcast, Sea 2, Vis. good, Swell 2
		24.00	AL 3195
			NW 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		11.05.41
		02.00	Course 0°.
		04.00	AL 3195
			WbyN 2, Sea 1, overcast (rain), Vis. good, Swell 1
		08.00	AL 3161
			NW 2, Sea 1, overcast (mist), Vis. medium, Swell 1
		11.46		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Condor reported 11.00 hours outbound convoy square AE 8788.
		12.00	AL 3132	Day's run:  Surfaced        120 nm
			W 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 2	Submerged     2.5 nm
		12.14	Course 70°.
		12.20		Radio Message:  In square AE 8788 reported convoy consists of 50 ships, course W, speed 6 knots.
				Operated on the convoy.  Meeting must follow at about 15.00 hours.  From 15.00 hours steered search curve for convoy courses between 310° - 240°, until 24.00 hours.  Convoy not found.
		12.59 - 13.47		Dived for patrol vessel on course 310°.
		13.47		Type like large R-Boot.
		15.00	Course 8°.
		16.00	AE 7874
			WbyN 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 2
			Course 324°.
		17.00	Course 350°.
		18.00	Course 246°.
		19.00	Course 230°.
		20.00	Course 218°.
			AE 7994
			WbyN 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 2
		21.00	Course 207°.
		22.00	Course 197°.
		23.00	Course 188°.
		24.00	Course 0°.
			AL 3157
			WNW 3, Sea 2-3, 9/10, Vis. medium, Swell 2
		12.05.41
		02.00	Course 180°.	Gave up the search for the convoy.
				Proceeded to Rockall Bank to the south.
		04.00	AL 3146
			WbyN 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 2
		08.00	AL 3313
			WbyN 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 2

	Sun and Moon Data 10.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 11.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.05.41

	- 28 -
		continued
		12.05.41
		12.00	AL 3349	Day's run:  Surfaced        197 nm
			WbyN 3, Sea 3, overcast (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 2	Submerged        2 nm
		16.00	AL 3516
			WbyN 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		17.46 - 19.17		Dived.
		20.00	AL 3546
			WNW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		24.00	AL 3713
			WNW 2, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		13.05.41
		04.00	AL 3773
			WbyN 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		07.50		Smoke feather bearing 230°T.
				Ran towards, 5 patrol vessels on an easterly course, denote the convoy.  Moved off to the north.
		08.00	AL 3919
			NWbyW 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		09.38	Course 180°.
		12.00	AL 3946	Day's run:  Surfaced        162.5 nm
			WbyN 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged           3 nm
		16.00	AL 3976
			NW 1, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		17.00	Course 20°.
		20.00	AL 3981
			NW 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		24.00	AL 3928
			NE 2, Sea 2, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		14.05.41
		02.20		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  8.4 nm, in 211°T.
		03.00	Course 170°.
		04.00	AL 3928
			NbyE 0, Sea 1-2, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 1, moonlit night
		07.58 - 08.22		Test dive.
		08.00	AL 3959
			NE 2, Sea 2, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		09.57 - 10.33		Dived for aircraft, bearing 190°T, 4-engined land-based aircraft. After the first surfacing the aircraft flew out of the clouds at a high altitude.  Boat was seen.  10.42-13.36 hours 3 aircraft bombs.  1 escort or patrol vessel threw 30 depth charges, range quite large.
		10.35 - 15.14
		11.40	Course 180°.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 13.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 14.05.41

	- 29 -
		continued
		14.05.41
		12.00	AL 3983	Day's run:  Surfaced        111 nm
			No observation	Submerged      6.3 nm
		15.24	Course 130°.	Going south from Rockall Bank because several convoys were reported there in the last days on SW-N courses.
		16.00	AL 3997
			NbyE 1-2, Sea 1, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		17.22 - 18.27		Dived for aircraft bearing 170°T, 7 nm away, course 30°.
		20.00	AL 6314
			NEbyN 2, Sea 1-2, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		24.00	AL 6353
			NbyE 2, Sea 1-2, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		15.05.41
		01.46		Short Signal weather report sent on orders.
		00.20		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  6 nm, in 167°T.
		04.00	AL 6398
			NNE 2, Sea 1-2, 7/10, Vis. medium, Swell 1
		08.00	AM 4415
			N 2, Sea 1-2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		12.00	AM 4455	Day's run:  Surfaced        121 nm
			NNW 1, Sea 1-2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged     10.5 nm
			Changing courses.
		13.22 - 14.08		Dived for aircraft bearing 40°T, course 290°, distance 6 nm.
		14.14 - 14.46		Dived for aircraft bearing 220°T, course 50°, distance 7 nm.
		15.05	Course 20°.
		16.00	AM 4464
			NNW 2, Sea 1-2, 9/10 (rain), Vis. good, Swell 1
		16.49 - 18.09		Dived for aircraft bearing 330°T, course 110°, distance 6 nm.
		18.19	Course 200°.	Strong air surveillance at the moment in the area.  According to radio messages today in this area U-boats are reported by English air reconnaissance.  Set off to the SW.
		20.00	AM 4483
			NNW 2, Sea 1-2, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		24.00	AM 4746
			NNW 2, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
			Course 270°.
		16.05.41
		04.00	AL 6964
			NNW 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. low, Swell 2
		07.29 - 08.09		Dived for aircraft bearing 320°T, course 160°, 7 nm away.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.05.41

	- 30 -
		continued
		16.05.41
		08.00	AL 6946
			WNW 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		09.08 - 09.45		Dived for aircraft bearing 160°T, course 300°, distance 7 nm.
		11.00	Course 310°.
		12.00	AL 6862	Day's run:  Surfaced        164 nm
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged        9 nm
		15.10		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  8 nm, in 167°T.
		16.00	AL 6828
			WbyS 2, Sea 1-2, overcast (rain), Vis. good, Swell 2
		20.00	AL 6577
			SWbyW 3, Sea 3, overcast (rain), Vis. good, Swell 2
			Course 0°.
		24.00	AL 6542
			W 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 2
		17.05.41
		00.30		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  4 nm, in 75°T.
		03.00 - 05.25		Dived to listen.
		04.00	AL 6275
			W 2-3, Sea 2, 8/10 (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 1
		07.00	Course 170°.
		08.00	AL 6248
			WNW 3, Sea 3, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		12.00	AL 6529	Day's run:  Surfaced        157.7 nm
			WbyN 3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged        3.3 nm
		16.00	AL 6596
			WNW 3-4, Sea 3, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
			Course 20°.
		18.30	Course 40°.	Must begin return transit soon due to fuel.  Am going to the North Channel again because nothing was seen here.  South of Rockall there were no patrol vessels, since 17 May no air reconnaissance observed.
		20.00	AL 6642
			NNW 3, Sea 3, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		24.00	AL 6394
			NNW 2, Sea 1, 5/10 (rain), Vis. good, Swell 1
		18.05.41
		00.10		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  17 nm, 267°T.
		01.00	Course 60°.
		01.06		Short Signal weather report sent on orders.
		04.00	AL 6366
			NNW 1-2, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		08.00	AM 4126
			NbyW 2-3, Sea 2, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 2

	Sun and Moon Data 16.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 17.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.05.41

	- 31 -
		continued
		18.05.41
		10.28 - 10.46		Dived to balance the boat.
		12.00	AM 1995	Day's run:  Surfaced        212 nm
			NbyW 2, Sea 1, 8/10, (squalls), Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged        1 nm
			Course 130°.
		12.30		Radio Message from B.d.U. to U-96, U-138:
				Enemy convoy 10.30 hours in square AM 4831, course 73°, speed 7 knots.
				Operated on convoy.  Sighting expected around 22.00 hours, 30 nm before reaching the 200-meter line in square AM 5440.
		14.14		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  12 nm, in 200°T.
				During the entire day, despite proximity to the North Channel, no air reconnaissance, even though the sky was completely free of clouds.  (Sunday routine?)
		16.00	AM 4269
			NbyW 1-2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
			Course 125°.
		20.00	AM 4635
			NbyW 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.50		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  6 nm, 290°T.
		23.00	Course 100°.	Convoy not sighted.  Ran further on the main course of the convoy because in the calm sea a convoy speed of advance of 8 knots can be expected.
		22.30		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  6 nm, 288°T.
		24.00	AM 5458
			N 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
			Course 40°.
		19.05.41
		00.30	Course 240°.	Came about to search on the opposite course.
		02.07		Sent Short Signal weather report on orders.
		03.12		Convoy in sight bearing 270°T.  Am ahead and in favorable position for attack.  Convoy is small, only a few larger ships, among them a few tankers, widely spaced.  Protected by destroyers.
		from 03.16		Changing courses.
				Thrust into the convoy, approached the largest tanker.
		03.24		Fired 1 double shot (1 G 7a and 1 G 7e).  Hit center.  Tanker broke its back, and broke apart after the 2nd hit and sank within a few minutes.  No fire.
				Shooting data:
				Enemy speed 8 knots, lead angle 15°, target angle bow right 70°, range = 300 meters, running time 18 seconds = 270 meters.  Estimated size 9000 GRT.  Sank in AM 5474.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 19.05.41

	- 32 -
		continued
		19.05.41
				Stern shot on a steamer doesn't go,  Steamer turned away hard, had sighted the boat and shot with automatic weapons tracers over the conning tower.  Also a destroyer approached quickly.
		03.27		Crash dive.  Moved off submerged.  No depth charges.  The destroyers screen at a large distance from the convoy.
		04.00	AM 5474
		04.50		Surfaced, destroyer is at the sinking location.
		05.30	Course 200°.	Maneuver ahead for a day attack is pointless, because the convoy runs in shallow water.  Still 27 cbm fuel, 3 Etos, 1 Ato below deck.  Began return transit.
		05.12		Radio Message to B.d.U.:  Return transit, from convoy 9000 GRT British tanker.  From Möhle-convoy 3 tankers 24000 GRT.  Square AM 54.
		07.30	Course 190°.
		08.00	AM 4964
			NNW 2-3, Sea 1-2, 8/10 (rain), Vis. good, Swell 2
		12.00	AM 7355	Day's run:  Surfaced        305 nm
			NbyW 2, Sea 1, 8/10, (squalls), Vis. good	Submerged      4.3 nm
		14.44		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  8 nm, in 267°T.
		16.00	AM 7642
			NbyW 1-2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
			Course 180°.
		20.00	AM 7915
			NbyW 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		24.00	BE 3312
			N 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.05.41
		04.00	BE 3335
			N 1, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		06.20		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  11 nm, 220°T.
		08.00	BE 3674
			N 1, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
			Course 140°.
		12.00	BE 3956	Day's run:  Surfaced        269 nm
			N 1, Sea 1, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged        1 nm
		13.43		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  5 nm, in 131°T.
		16.00	BF 4114
			NbyE 1, Sea 1, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
			Course 120°.
		20.00	BF 4168
			NbyE 1, Sea 1, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		24.00	BF 4287
			NbyE 1, Sea 1, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 1

	Sun and Moon Data 19.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.05.41

	- 33 -
		21.05.41
		00.00		Short Signal sent:  Position 36 hours off return harbor.
				Signal was confirmed at 00.45 hours.
		01.15	Course 100°.
		04.00	BF 4619
			NbyE 1, Sea 1, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		08.00	BF 6662
			NbyE 1, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		09.00 - 12.55	Changing courses	Dived.  Depth control training.
		12.00	BF 5441	Day's run:  Surfaced        241 nm
			W 1-2, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged      6.5 nm
		12.55	Course 100°.
		12.25	Course 110°.	[typo 13.25?]
		14.00	Course 111°.
		13.00		Radio Message from B.d.U.:
				For U-96 escort positioned 22 May 15.00 hours Point Nanni 1.
		14.37		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  U-96 be at Point N 1 not at 15.00 hours instead at 12.00 hours.
		16.00	BF 5459
			W 1-2, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.00	BF 5579
			WbyS 2, Sea 1, overcast (rain), Vis. good, Swell 1
		24.00	BF 5839
			WbyS 2, Sea 1, overcast (rain), Vis. good, Swell 1
		22.05.41
		04.00	BF 6755
			WSW 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. low, Swell 1
			Course 30°.
		from 06.30	Zigzag course around 30°.
		08.00	BF 6492
			WSW 3, Sea 2, overcast (mist), Vis. medium, Swell 2, later misty, Vis. low
		08.06	Course 0°.
		09.00	Zigzag course around 0°.
		10.30	Zigzag course around 340°.
		12.00	BE 6439	Day's run:  Surfaced        240 nm
			WSW 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast (mist) (rain), Vis. bad, Swell 2, later fog	Submerged        0 nm
		12.10		Met the escort.  Ran in.

	Sun and Moon Data 21.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.05.41

	- 34 -
		continued
		22.05.41
		14.48		Radio Message to B.d.U.:  Lie at anchor at N 3 with escort in fog.
		15.00 - 15.50		Made fast at the stern of the Sperrbrecher (journey interrupted due to fog).
		16.20		Radio Message to B.d.U.:  Continuing on.  Will be in the lock at 17.15 hours.
		17.22	St. Nazaire	Made fast in the lock.
				Reception by Flottillenchef.
		17.36		Cast off.
		18.04		Made fast in the Penhoët Basin.
			Summary:
			The boat was at sea 41 days.  Covered were 6198.2 nm surfaced and 237.6 submerged.
			Ran at AK for 3 hours 28 minutes.
			Consumed were:    123.4 cbm fuel oil
			1095 kg. lubricating oil
			3245 liters fresh water.
			8 torpedoes were fired (7 G 7e, 1 G 7a), all attack shots and in fact a triple shot on 3 targets = 3 hits, 1 double shot = 2 hits, 1 three-fan = miss.
			Sunk were:  4 tankers, estimated size: 10000, 8000, 6000 and 9000 =  3  3  0  0  0  GRT.

Sun and Moon Data 22.05.41

 

		Special Experiences
		==============
			I. Depth charge pursuits on 16 April and 28 April 1941.       16 April  The boat was seen by a destroyer and dived before it at a range of 5000-6000 meters.  Sea State 3, Swell.   I held destroyer sounds, apparently 2 destroyers, that bore 20° from one another and were still far away, astern to starboard.  The boat was slowly going to depth T = 40 meters [80 meters] and had reached T = 35 meters [70 meters].  Suddenly loud propeller sound were heard abeam to port with the naked ear, which went away quickly over the boat.  In the listening gear S-gear sounds were heard, but not as usual as a regular whip impact with simultaneous interruption of all audible sounds during the impulse, but irregular and perceptible only during the interruption of the sounds.           The destroyer threw 8 depth charges, they lay well and caused failures, for example crack in the forward over deck canister.  Apparently they all lay above the boat.          I showed the moving off destroyers the stern and went to depths between T = 55 and T = 70 meters [between 110 and 140 meters].  It was necessary pump for a long time repeatedly with the main drain pump.  While doing this ran at HF or GF.  The boat turned to keep the stern at the nearest destroyer and move away in one main direction.           The inaccurate listening results with the KDB show:  One destroyer was closeby and apparently locating.  From low propeller RPM and occasional stopping one can conclude it was listening.  The rest of the sounds remained further off.  After the first good approach, where he could locate the boat in full width when still at a shallow depth, the destroyer had no further accurate approaches.  Only one destroyer remained for a long time in the vicinity and threw irregular depth charges.  The rest apparently soon ran back to the convoy.

			28 April.  Even before shooting a multiple shot during a submerged attack on the convoy, the boat was obviously detected by S-gear by a corvette which was still 2000 to 2500 meters away.  The boat had to maintain attack course, showing a broad silhouette.  The S-gear could be heard with the naked ear, sounds about like the German, however deeper in tone.  After the shot I turned away and showed a smaller silhouette, relative bearing 220°.  Distance was still 1000 meters, when the torpedo hits were observed.  I went quickly to depth T = 70 meters [140 meters] and turned at GF athwart the approach course of the corvette.  The depth charge detonations were over the boat, estimated depth setting was 70-90 meters.           During the subsequent depth charge pursuit, carried out by 2 corvettes, it was noticeable that the corvettes several times before new search approaches were ahead and astern of us or to the starboard and port side, i.e. about 180° on opposite sides of one another.  One corvette stopped at the beginning of the approach and located, the other located, ran in and threw.           With the impulse transmission, taking an exact bearing was possible in the listening gear because the transmissions were audible.  From previous observations during the transmissions the listening gear was overwhelmed by all the sounds.           On coming closer the impulse transmission changed, 4 second, 2 second and 1 second impulses were observed.           A lesson.  To avoid failures of the E-part of the diving plane (fuses) it is advisable not to move the motor during depth charge detonations.

 

	Enclosures to U-96's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Radio	Excerpt of the Radio Log

 

	C  o  p  y  .
	Comments of the B.d.U.
	Outstanding patrol.  Very good success.
		Signed in draft:    Dönitz
		For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
		The Chief of the Operations Department.
		i .V.
		Signed in draft:    Signature.

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