[sublynx]

Lt.z.s. Walter Zantow
U-46, VIIB, "die Elster"
7. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol grid AL03

25.8.1940
0515 AM51 Clear, visibility 9 km, wind 2.5 m/s. Between 0408 and 0410 hours four G7a torpedoes launched against the convoy (course 83, speed 7 kn) we have been following, 1500 meters from the convoy body, on it's starboard side. Estimated AOB at impact time 90 degrees for all the launches, as well as AZ pistol, depth 2 meters as the wind was very light, gyro angle 0, relative bearing 350, torpedo speed 40 knots. Rohr 1 was shot at a 6000 BRT Erzfrachter at a range of 5388 meters. Rohr 2 was shot at a 4800 BRT freighter at a range of 4844 meters. Rohr 3 was shot at another 4800 BRT freighter at a range of 3633 meters. Rohr 4 was shot at an 5500 BRT Empire class merchant at a range of 2183 meters.

Evaded diving to A+70 at 100 RPM, turning away from whichever escort the hydrophone man estimated closest. The enemy didn't notice us.

Two of the torpedoes were heard exploding, one followed with very loud explosions and one torpedo was heard hitting a ship, but not detonating. One torpedo missed. Radio Intelligence confirmed a sunk Erzfrachter. A mittelgrosser frachter witnessed on periscope on fire but still able to keep up with the convoy.

The idea in trying to hit many different ships with just one torpedo was that in light seas and the enemy having no air cover nor destroyers to spare it would be possible to save torpedoes and sink any damaged stragglers eventually with the deck gun. In hindsight it probably would have been better to try to hit two ships with two torpedoes.

An A&B class destroyer as a front guard, a Black Swan class frigate as a starboard guard. Two more warship contacts heard on the hydrophone. An unidentified frigate as a rear guard. Before our attack the A&B was seen and heard stopping it's engines for a period of two minutes, probably for listening.

Now preparing for an end run, loading torpedoes. We have only G7a torpedoes left and there is no time for a night attack, so for the next attack we are going to try to sneak inside the convoy for close range shooting. That way the merchants probably spotting the bubbles of the torpedoes won't be a problem as there is not enough time for evasive action at close range.

Wochenschau's newsreporter reported a Fiji class cruiser sunk.

Zantow