Snestorm

3.okt.40
BF61
2220: Underway from Lorient, bound for BF15.
5 (TII G7E) torpedoes, preset to 3 meters running depth, AZ (Impact).

7.okt.40
BF15
2350: On station.

8.okt.40
BF15
1100: "Sound contact! Medium speed merchant. 325 R. Closing."
1101: New course 325. Periscope depth.
1108: Preset TDC: AOB 90 Stb. 9 knots.
1109: Surface. Leading target by 60 degrees. Both Ahead Flank.
1129: Periscope depth. Contact. New course 242.
1130: Ahead Silent Speed.
1135: Target course estimated at 053, making 9 knots.
1140: New course 244.
1141: Target IDed as Coastal Merchant.
1150: New course 323. English flagged. Open tube 1.
1153: Fire 1! Estimated range 700 meters.
1154: Impact! 39 second run.
1155: New depth 47 meters. New course 053. Ahead One Third.
1157: Target moving Slow.
1203: Target moving less than 2 knots.
1205: Tatget heard to sink.

1927:
To BDU
From U56
BF15. 2.000 tonner sunk. 053-9k. 4 G7E torpedoes remaining.

2010:
To U56
From BDU
Report acknowledged.

11.okt.40
BF18
0823: "Ship spotted! 009. 7.500 meters." Destroyer! New depth 20 meters.
0825: "Warship 009. closing. Medium speed. - Warship. 331. Closing. Medium speed."
0826: Both warships at long range. Convoy closing!.
0828: "Warship. 011. Slow. Closing. Long range."
0847: Course estimated at 260, making 6 knots. New course 170.
0848: Preset TDC: AOB 90 Stb. 6 knots.
0854: Variouse Coursed, Silent Speed. Bow on to lead escort.
0858: Returning to course 170.
0859: Warships at 249, 331, 004.
0909: Open tubes 1, 2, and 3.
0910: 5 degree spread. Targeting 6.000 tonner for 1.000 meter shot.
0912: Detected!!! Fire all! (22 degrees early). New depth 102 meters. Ahead Flank!
0913: Impact x 3! Target sunk! Torpedo run 54 seconds.
0914: Variouse courses, Silent Speed.
0916: New course 124. (45 degrees angle off convoy's track, rearward.)
0919: "Warship lost at 203, short range." Depth Charges astern.
0923: Depth Charges.
0926: "Warship lost at 224, short range."
0937: New course 080. (Reciprical to convoy's course.)
0944: "Warship moving slow at 139. Short range." (Toward our stern).
0951: "Warship moving slow at 071. Short range."
0955: He crossed our bow, and contact was lost at 210.

1100: Surface. Report sent. In persuit.
1641: "Ship spotted! 317. Long range." Destroyer! New depth 20 meters.
1643: DD is Stb Escort. Convoy audible at a considerable range.
1651: Surface! DD at 6.800 meters. Both Ahead Flank!
1712: Dived for long range DD.

Attempted to close with convoy submerged at high speed, as convoy had changed course southward.
Battery down considerably. No further persuit possible.
Last torpedo fired at long range, for a miss.
Report sent to BDU, with new course and speed (228-6k).

14.okt.40
BF61
0705: Docked at Lorient.

Patrol results:
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
5 of 5 (TII G7E) torpedoes expended.
2 ships sunk, for 9.951 GRT.

U56's history to date:
9 war patrols completed.
6 merchants sunk, for 30.396 GRT.

U111 was last heard from on 2.okt.40, when she reported sinking 2 ships in the AN grids.

The crew of U56 looks forward to the arrival of U10 & U23 in France.