[FUBAR295]

This is from U-96's KTB 7. Unternahmung on stopping a Spanish Steamer from U-boat Archieve web site. It appears some U-boat Captains preferred to have the ships papers brought over to them than to risk sending personnel over to look at them and examine the merchantman.

This is also part of the book Das Boot.




3.12.41
On course 0°T. 04.00 CG 5761 NEbyN 2, Sea 2, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 2 05.38 Steamer in sight bearing 240°. Closed, [steamer is] steering SE-course. Passenger superstructure. Spanish markings. Brightly lit. Size and course made him appear suspicious. Used searchlight in order to request him to stop. Gives name "CABO DE HORNOS". Requested to send papers in English and Spanish language. Steamer acknowledges. It remains stopped, nothing happens. 06.52 Radio message to B.d.U. transmitted: Is not received by administration and is acknowledged only at 08.12 hours. "Large passenger steamer "CABO DE HORNOS" Spanish markings, steering SE, question reported status. CG 5467." After approximately one hour nothing happened, with renewed demand he answered with international signal groups "forziere pp". Morsed in Spanish that if the boat is not launched within 10-minutes, torpedoing will take place. 05.43 - 08.00 Various courses. 07.37 After 15-minute stern shot fired on stopped ship. It fails, likely an effect of the bombs. Before the second shot boat is in the water. Papers aboard at 08.00 hours. Are correct. On the way from Buenos Aires Sun and Moon Data 02.12.41 Sun and Moon Data 03.12.41

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03.12.41 to Bilbao by way of Lisbon. 08.00 CG 5731 W NE 2, Sea 2, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 1 09.05 Radio message transmitted: "Papers examined. Enroute Bilbao." 09.26 Radio message from B.d.U.: Let pass. 08.30 hours Continued on course 0°T.