[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

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Thursday, 25 February 1943 - Danzig

At Danziger Werft AG, for Repairs and Overhaul.

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Battle for Kasserine Pass in Tunisia closes with the Americans, inexperienced and poorly led, suffering a major defeat. Nevertheless, the Americans will regain the pass at the end of the battle as overall strategy dictate the Axis forces to withdraw back into northern Tunisia.

U 410 (Oblt. Horst-Arno Fenski) lost contact, after a 12-hour chase, of a large vessel with two funnels when the weather suddenly deteriorated. The steamer was proceeding on a course of 15°, speed 16 knots. Last position CF 3549.

Situation of U 509 (Kptlt. Werner Witte): Only one steamer with course 160° sighted from 15/21 February in area GR 2948 - 5358. Moderate sea patrol. In view of own minefield, a nearer approach to the harbor to determine number of ships and their courses was not possible. Further operations intended in GR 6477 to 6763.

Convoy No. 10 (ON.166):
Weather situation in the area of the convoy was extremely unfavorable for operations on the 25th and in the night of the 26th. The visibility was generally less than 300 meters owing to thick fog, sea calm, it only freshened towards evening to wind S.E. 5. At 1127 on the morning of the 25th U 468 (Oblt. Klemens Schamong) contacted the convoy in BC 8239 and reported on it continually until 2130. It was also possible to maintain contact by hydrophone fix, when darkness fell, however, contact was lost in view of an especially dark night. U 600 (Kptlt. Bernhard Zurmühlen) and U 621 (Oblt. Max Kruschka) also came up to the convoy for a short time.
U 468 reported on the morning of the 25th that the convoy still consisted of 26 large steamers and tankers, while U 600 reported 4 more steamers. Possibly this was a new convoy which had joined the one already attacked.

U 606 (Oblt. Hans-Heinrich Döhler) - U 225 (Oblt. Wolfgang Leimkühler) and U 623 (Oblt. Hermann Schröder) were operating against Convoy 10 and have not reported up to now in spite of repeated orders to do so. While U 606 certainly reached the convoy and, according to a report from U 92 (Kptlt. Adolf Oelrich), at 2222 on the 22nd February after successfully attacking, was probably machine-gunned and subsequently pursued and depth-charged, it is not certain that the other two boats contacted the convoy at all. They were ordered to report on the weather for the first time on the 22nd but did not reply. Since boats generally report on contacts at once, their loss must have occurred earlier unless the circumstances are exceptional. 3 boats are considered lost.

Convoy No. 11 (ON.167):
Apart from destroyers reported by U 664 (Oblt. Adolf Graef) and U 607 (Kptlt. Ernst Mengersen) nothing was sighted in the patrol line. On the 26th February at 1034 Group "Sturmbock" was dispersed. Convoy operation concluded.

Convoy No. 12 (UC.1; aka 'Greyhound' convoys):
Contact was again made by U 202 (Kptlt. Günter Poser) in DF 7134 at 0912, which was maintained until 2118 by U 202, 66, 558, and 504. Convoy route DF 7121, 9345, 9264. At 0430 the convoy was again detected in DF 9124 by U 558 (Kptlt. Günther Krech), and reported on until 0820. Position of convoy at 0820 by U 558, DF 8365.
The following broke off operations: U 218 (VIID; Kptlt. Richard Becker) owing to rudder damage, U 382 (Kptlt. Herbert Juli) owing to heavy damage from depth-charges. U 202 (Kptlt. Günter Poser), U 43 (Oblt. Hans-Joachim Schwantke) owing to fuel shortage.
The question of approach is becoming increasingly difficult in view of very watchful, numerous and scattered escorts.

U 522 (Kptlt. Herbert Schneider) was operating against Convoy No. 12 and reported it last at 1536 on the 23rd February as being in DG 6158. The boat then dived for daylight attack. She has not reported again although repeatedly ordered to do so. Loss is probable.

U 68 (Oblt. Albert Lauzemis; ex Merten) was withdrawn, in view of faulty radar intercept gear, from the Windward Passage area where the air cover is very strong, and will proceed to DN 30 and DO, upper third, as a temporary operational area. Later operations with additional boats in the outer area of the American coast are intended. U 185 (Kptlt. August Maus), which was originally to have operated off Hatteras, will be ordered to the Windward Passage in place of U 68 in order to keep the former operational area clear before the arrival of a group of U-boats.

U 119 (XB; Kptlt. Alois Zech) carried out special task of laying a minefield off Reykjavik and will now proceed to BD 42 to give up her remaining fuel.

"Milkcow" U 460 (Kptlt. Ebe Schnoor) has supplied U 223 (Oblt. Karl-Jürgen Wächter) and U 186 (Kptlt. Siegfried Hesemann) the last boats, and will now return. The whole conduct of supply operations by U 460 was excellent.

In view of strong pressure by the Americans on the commander of the Vichy-controlled Islands in the Caribbean, boats are instructed not to approach these in cases of emergency owing to danger of internment.

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) is on transit to Kiel.

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RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

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Friday, 26 February 1943 - Danzig

At Danziger Werft AG, for Repairs and Overhaul.

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USAAF heavy bombers make a daylight attack on Wilhelmshaven.

The British government authorizes the use of the new water-skipping "Upkeep" bomb against dams.

Final Review on Convoy No. 10 (ON.166):
The convoy operation lasted from the 20 - 26 February 1943 over 1,100 miles from AK 96 up to the 100 m. line of the Newfoundland Bank. 19 boats in all were in operation, of which over half only took part in the operation for about 3 days, since part of them had first to come up from the north at the beginning of the operation, and another part only arrived from the west later, coming from supply rendezvous.
The boats succeeded in maintaining contact with the convoy from the 20th onwards, in spite of a comparatively high average speed on a mean course of 8.2 knots. The operation was made difficult in the last two days by very poor visibility, with partial fog. During the whole operation the weather was comparatively calm, so that the convoy on one occasion was able to get away and, also, conditions were favorable for locations by the escort. Nothing definite can be stated regarding the size of the convoy. There seems, according to various reports from the boats and also according to various locations at the end of the operation, to have definitely been 2 convoys. The convoy attacked, which must have comprised about 25 - 30 ships, was reported at the end only to consist of 4 steamers. It is particularly pleasing in connection with this convoy operation that 13 of the 19 boats operating fired successfully.
Therefore, over half of the boats participated equally in the sinkings. 23 ships in all were sunk, with 132,171 GRT, and a further 7 ships were torpedoed.
One boat, the U 606 (Oblt. Hans-Heinrich Döhler) was lost in the operation. At 2000 on the 22nd the boat reported for the last time in BD 5441, no further reports being received. It is to be assumed that the boat attacked and made hits since U 303 (Kptlt. Karl-Franz Heine) reported having sighted a tanker and a freighter, both probably having been fired on, on the morning of the 23rd. Since no other boats had fired or none can have scored hits at this time they must have been steamers fired on by U 606. 10 boats were depth-charged by escorts 4 boats of which had to break off operations on the convoy on account of repairs.
Summarizing, it may be said that this convoy operation was particularly successful in view of the participation of 13 boats in the direct success. In spite of normally strong escort and unfavorable conditions for the boats, success was made possible by stubborn shadowing and continued pursuit of the convoy. Demands made on the boats were particularly high. However, the Commanding Officers were for the most part experienced older men.

The boats received the following orders upon conclusion of operations against Convoy No. 10: U 468 - 653 - 91 - 600 - 603 - 332 - 753 - 621 - will refuel from "Milkcow" U 461 (Kptlt. Wolf-Harro Stiebler) and then go into operation again. U 607 - 226 - 382 - 87 - 383 - 358 - 454 and 707 will refuel for economical return speed.

U 604 (Kptlt. Horst Höltring) and U 753 (Korvkpt. Alfred Manhardt von Mannstein) will also have to return owing to extensive damage.

Group "Sturmbock" has waited in vain for Convoy No. 11 (ON.167) in patrol line. The boats needing fuel will proceed via "Milkcow" U 462 (Oblt. Bruno Vowe) home, U 432 - 758 - 664 - 84 - 409 and 591 will form Group "Wildfang" and, at economical cruising speed, take up patrol line from AJ 9856 to BC 3562.

Convoy No. 12 (UC.1; aka 'Greyhound' convoys):
At 1350 U 504 (Kptlt. Wilhelm Luis) reported in DF 8354 contacting an escort far ahead. At 1625 U 569 (Oblt.z.S.d.R.) Hans Johannsen was driven off by starboard remote escorts and at 1755 reported last enemy position as in DF 8292.
U 504 diving for underwater attack, reported at 2032 no intercept.
Contact was therefore broken off and not found again.
U 569 damaged by depth-charges, broke off operations owing to fuel shortage.
The following are now operating: U 66 (Kptlt. Friedrich Markworth; ex.Zapp), U 504, U 521 (Kptlt. Klaus Heinrich Bargsten). At 1731 on the 27th February U 66 reported sinking a single vessel on south-westerly course, in DF 7587. This vessel was apparently separated from the convoy. U 504 reported a destroyer in DR 1111, course 250 at 2028, and at 2121 she was driven off after several hours' pursuit with hydrophone contact. U 66 withdrew to take on torpedoes and for repairs.
U 521 reported faulty port Diesel maximum speed 11 knots, U 504 fuel 19 cbm. Convoy operation broken off owing to poor prospects of success.
The strong and efficient remote escort of the convoy made operations by the boats difficult. On account of particularly good radar location by destroyers, conditions were most unfavorable. The following report was made by radio "Group Rochen". 1 destroyer and 8 steamers of the convoy were sunk and further hits made on the units in tenacious and difficult attacks - escorts were strong and efficient, stormy conditions favored defense. This success proves that the U-boat can win against all odds when commanded by an efficient officer and a good crew. The fight was hard.
This convoy operation is concluded with the order to boats to refuel from "Milkcow" U 461 (Kptlt. Wolf-Harro Stiebler).

U 513 (KrvKpt. Rolf Rüggeberg) will proceed to CA 50 after rendezvous with "Milkcow" U 459 (KrvKpt. Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf).

Blockade runner "Hohenfriedberg" which was escorted by 3 U-boats was detected by a British aircraft at 0945 in CF 2467, and according to report by U 264 (Oblt. Hartwig Looks), sunk by a heavy cruiser of the "London" class at 1750 in 2433. U 264 had before this attacked the cruiser with a 4-fan torpedo but without success. The boat took on all the crew and is returning. U 258 and 437 will remain in the vicinity on return in order to be able to give help in an emergency. Boats U 172 - 515 and 508, which comprised a wing protection, are now free and will proceed to CA 50.

U 508 (Kptlt. Georg Staats) reported towards 1800 having been bombed by a British aircraft and being unable to dive though able to remain afloat. Pressure hull has 3 cracks, apart from much other damage. Boat is proceeding a maximum speed to the west. I 525 - 172 - 406 and 590, as medical boat, have been ordered to go to U 508 to render assistance or to take over the crew.

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) arrives in Kiel, after transit from the 25th Flotilla Danzig and Agru.-Front Hela.

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RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115