This is the KTB of the U-103 second patrol (Leutnant s. Z. Wilhelm Pinderschlast).
On march 1941, the BDU wanted the 2nd Flotilla to strike against the Liverpool-Gibraltar convoy line and the merchant traffic from England to the Mediterranean sea. The U-103 was one of the U-Boats assigned to this task.
07 march 1941
1121 : Leaving Lorient to patrol grid BE99. Special order : maintain radio silence until the patrol zone is reached.
08 march
2200 : grid BF42. Strong winds 13MPS direction 226 and high sea. We stay submerged until better weather conditions. Surfaced only for the batteries.
12 march
1120 : Patrol zone reached. No traffic encountered. Strong winds 15MPS direction 86 ans high sea. Patrol report and weather conditions transmitted to BDU.
1152 : Radio message from BDU “Transmit patrol report every three days only.”
13 march
0407 : Smoke on horizon.
0441 : Engaged and sunk british merchant ship “SS Lycaon” 1065GRT with two torpedoes.
15 march
1827 : No traffic. Winds 4MPS direction 10 and calm sea. Patrol report and weather conditions transmitted to BDU.
16 march
1529 : Smoke on horizon.
1645 : Engaged and sunk british cargo “SS Dumra” 2253GRT. Engaged with deckgun.
18 march
1531 : No traffic. Winds 15MPS direction 165 and high sea. Cloudly sky and no good conditions for hunting. Patrol and weather reports transmitted to BDU.
21 march
1602 : No traffic and bad weather. Heavy rain, winds 7MPS direction 5. Reports transmitted to BDU.
23 march
1412 : Hydrophone contact while submerged.
1714 : Engaged and damaged british merchant. Fired one torpedo. The weather conditions were too rough and we lost contact with the enemy ship after the first hit.
2034 : After hours of research, we were unable to find and maintain contact with enemy ship. Return to patrol course.
24 march :
1527 : No traffic. Bad weather for hunting. Strong winds 15MPS direction 166 and very high sea. Reports transmitted to BDU.
27 march
1933 : No traffic. We’re still caught in bad weather. Winds 15MPS direction 343 and high sea. Reports transmitted to BDU.
29 march
1728 : Smoke on the horizon.
1829 : Engaged and sunk british Empire cargo “SS Tahsina” 6783 GRT. Fired two torpedoes.
30 march
1647 : No traffic. Winds 9MPS direction 136. Patrol and weather reports transmitted to BDU.
1930 : Received transmission from BDU : “To U103 – Condor aircraft spotted a british cargo in your patrol zone BE99 heading north at slow speed. Try to intercept – BDU”.
1955 : Smoke on horizon.
2026 : Engaged and sunk british Granville cargo “SS Thistlegarth” 4707 GRT. Fired one torpedo.
2 april
1742 : No traffic and bad weather conditions. Strongs winds 15MPS direction 104, clouds and high seas. Reports transmitted to BDU.
5 april
1723 : No traffic. Winds 4MPS direction 168 and clear skies. Reports transmitted to BDU.
8 april
1551 : Still no traffic. One month at sea now. Bad weather and no visibility. Winds 15MSP direction 34. Patrol and weather reports to BDU.
11 april
1350 : No traffic and bad weather again. Heavy rain, winds 15MPS direction 356 and high sea. Reports transmitted to BDU.
12 april
2340 : Smoke on the horizon.
13 april
0044 : Engaged and sunk british cargo “SS Kelantan”2229GRT. Fired one torpedo.
14 april
1444 : No traffic. Winds 15MPS direction 134, clouds and high sea. Reports transmitted to BDU.
17 april
1414 : Still no traffic and bad weather. Strong winds 15MPS direction 281 and high sea. Reports transmitted to BDU.
20 april
1023 : Received radio transmission from BDU : “To U103 – New radio procedures : maintain total radio silence until next success or vital fuel/rations reports – BDU”
23 april
2035 : Smoke on the horizon.
2104 : Engaged and sunk british Empire cargo “SS Pacific Grove” 6785 GRT. Fired four torpedoes. Becoming short on torpedoes and rations. Reports transmitted to BDU.
2134 : Received radio transmission from BDU : “TO U123 – New orders : return to base and maintain radio silence like the last procedures. “
2200 : Leaving the patrol zone and heading to Lorient.
25 april
1640 : Grid BF49. Smoke on the horizon.
1703 : Engaged and sunk the greek merchant “SS Penlover” 2393 GRT. Engaged with deckgun.
27 april
1441 : Docked at Lorient. End of the patrol.
Days at sea : 52
Enemy merchant ships sunk : 7
Enemy merchant ships damaged : 1
Patrol GRT : 35764
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