Saturday, 24 January 1942 - East of Charleston -
0200 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
During outbound transit was forced south by heavy storm into the air cover zone of Bermuda. Many airplanes, was bombed once, no damages. Arrived in Op.-area on 15 Jan., 1536h. On 22 Jan., 0511h, sunk U.S.A. Steamer 1710ts, and on 23 Jan., 1813h, sunk British M04B Steamer 5650ts, both in Qu.3945DB. On 23 Jan., 1130h, double Eto Early Detonator on Panamanian Steamer 2180ts, in Qu.3831DB, attack broken off. All remaining torpedoes checked, no damages found. Current position Qu.3916DB, heading north. 9 internal and 8 external eels. 139cbm. NE6/5, overcast, light haze, visibility 5sm, medium swell, <1000mb.
- RST -
0245 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Well "pauked". Continue acc. Op.-Orders.
0825 - Qu.3655DB -
0950 - 15sm south of Bald Head Island - Early Morning Dawn.
1051 - Off Frying Pan Shoals - Sunrise. Weather unchanged in 3 days.
1200 - Qu.3637DB - Days Run: 147.1sm - ↗ 139.0sm (19h) - ↘ 8.7sm (5h).
137.1cbm (3.6cbm/24h). On course 53°. Battery 10000Ah. 9 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged since Sunrise, 21 January.
1516 - Incoming F.T.: From U 130:
30000ts sunk. Expended all torpedoes. 130cbm. Commencing return transit. - Kals -
1702 - Qu.1177DC - "Surface Vessel!". A Small Merchant and a Coastal Schooner ahead, E=8000. Both on parallel course SSW, distance between them is about 1600m.
1715 - At E=4500, Diving for submerged attack. Water depth here is 33m.
1720 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
Ship contact report in Qu.1167DC, on course WSW, medium speed.
1725 - Turning boat hard to port, in order to bring bow tubes to bear. Course is 300°. "Battle Stations!". Flooding tube I. Targeting the Small Merchant, which is another Panamanian Steamer of 2180ts, and is burning in the forecastle.
1731 - Qu.1177DC - Single Shot with tube I: G7a/G7H (K-a/AZ); Running depth 4.0m; Vt40. Own course 300°; Own speed 2kn ahead; Shooter: Kptlt. & Cmdr. RST.
Target ship: Panamanian Steamer of 2180ts, draught 5.6m.
Target course 210°; Target distance 692m; Target angle red90°; Target speed 8kn; Firing angle α 007°.
=> Torpedo is a hit under the bridge after 27 Sec.!
The steamer catches on fire over its entire length. As its continuing on, its burning cargo is setting the water on fire. The steamer sinks after 1-2 minutes on an even keel, the top of the masts are still sticking out of the shallow water. 1 boat with 4 survivors seen in the periscope.
1736 - The U.S.A. Coastal Schooner is approaching the sinking position. Boat is staying at S-Tiefe and running off on course 30°. "Dismissed from Battle Stations!".
1825 - Surfaced after 1h 10min. and 3.5sm. Boat operating on ship contact report 1720/24. New course 68°, 2xH.F.-Ahead.
1902 - Qu.1175DC - Boat has to dive from a Catalina, direct approach from 230°true, E=6000, water depth is 26m.During the diving process, 2 bombs behind the boat, no damages.
1903 - At Reception Depth, 4 more bombs at the diving position, no damages.
1912 - Running off submerged on course 0°, 1/3-Ahead.
2012 - Surfaced after 1h 10' and 4.6sm. Weather unchanged. 9000Ah.
2021 - Qu.1172DC - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Sunrise, 21 January. Fly over by a double-tail airplane, identified as a Lockheed P-38 "Lightning", right over the boat from stern to bow, was all of the sudden right over the boat, flew off again on heading NNE. No gunfire or bombs dropped. Suspect air reconnaissance from Norfolk.
2050 - Nothing seen at calculated interception point of ship contact report 1720/24.
2125 - Diving for sound check. Water depth is 30m.
2130 - At Reception depth nothing heard.
2135 - Surfaced after 10min. and 0.3sm. Darkness. Weather unchanged. 2x235RPM.
Cmdr.: The ship contact must have by-passed our position, due to the airplane sightings.