[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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

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Saturday, 27 February 1943 - Danzig

At Danziger Werft AG, for Repairs and Overhaul.

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Bletchley Park Scientist, Alfred Dillwyn "Dilly" Knox, passes away from lymphoma.

U 607 (Kptlt. Ernst Mengersen) reported at 1414, 3 destroyers in BD 4533, 2250 speed slow. At 2100 boat lost contact in BD 4525.

U 182 (IXD2; Kptlt. Asmus Nicolai Clausen) reported: for 3 days in KP 53 at night off harbor entrances 5 Portuguese vessels bound to and from the north. Boat operating up to 35 and 38.

U 156 (KrvKpt. Werner Hartenstein) did not encounter any traffic. Moving operational area to ED.

Convoy No. 13 (HX.227; Group "Neptun"):
Information was only received by Control at 1700, owing to radio interference in the Greenland area, through a radio repeat by U 405 (KrvKpt. Rolf-Heinrich Hopman), that U 759 (Kptlt. Rudolf Friedrich) had detected a convoy at 0300, and lost it at 1100 in AJ 2839, 30°, 7 knots. Boats were on the group frequency provided for this contingency, communications within the Group at least being guaranteed by this. In order to clarify the situation, the boats were radioed that Control was assuming that all "Neptun" boats would operate against this convoy. U 529 (Kptlt. Georg-Werner Fraatz) and U 664 (Oblt. Adolf Graef) were detailed to repeat radio messages so that Control might receive information on the course of the operation even, if possible, during combat. At 1740 U 405 reported destroyers in AJ 2650. According to a delayed message from U 759 the convoy consisted of numerous steamers in three wide columns. "Neptun" later received orders that only boats in a favorable position as regards distance were to continue the operation, and were to report on this, giving position. The following will definitely be operating at present: U 759 - 405 - 376 - 608. Probably U 448 - 359 and 135. Owing to unfavorable position, U 638 (Kptlt. Hinrich-Oscar Bernbeck) received orders to break off operations. Last report at 0618 from U 405: 1 steamer, 3 destroyers course 60° in AJ 2057 (?) weather, wind S.E. 5, sea 4, snow showers.

After refueling from "Milkcow" U 461 (Kptlt. Wolf-Harro Stiebler) operations are intended, with Group "Rochen" on the convoy detected by special intercept message.

U 513 (KrvKpt. Rolf Rüggeberg) rendezvous with "Milkcow" U 459 (KrvKpt. Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf) carried out.

U 508 (Kptlt. Georg Staats) will be in BD 9595 with U 172 (Kptlt. Carl Emmermann), as from 1200 on the 28th for rendezvous with U 590 (Kptlt. Heinrich Müller-Edzards). All remaining boats operating under U 508 will be ordered to continue outward passage also U 172 after rendezvous with U 590.

General:
The importance of the Tunisian campaign makes it imperative to do everything possible to interrupt enemy supplies to North Africa. Operations up to now in the Atlantic to this end have only led initially to satisfactory results. Later operations off Gibraltar west of the Iberian Peninsular and further north and south of the Azores have led only to slight successes. Reasons for this have been set out earlier.
On the orders of the Naval High Command attempts are now to be made with large boats to intercept supplies off American harbors i.e. off New York primarily. Prospects of success for this are not particularly favorable in view of the scarcity of the traffic and the vastness of the area not covered by air escort and reconnaissance. In spite of this it also must be attempted.
U 106 (Kptlt. Hermann Rasch; ex Oesten) - U 172 (Kptlt. Carl Emmermann) and U 513 (KrvKpt. Rolf Rüggeberg) will proceed to the area off New York as the first boats on these operations.

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) transits the K.W.K. to Hamburg.

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RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115