[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

+++++

Thursday, 2 October 1941 - 2nd U.-Flotilla (Korvkpt. Heinz Fischer, 08.41 - 01.43) - Lorient (Qu.6157BF)

Taking on of fresh food provisions and potable water.

Received Intel.Briefing:
Air reconnaissance found a convoy steering 270° at 1240h in AL 6262. The aircraft reported about 20 steamers from 10,000 to 20,000 GRT, 6 patrol boats, 4 destroyers. It appeared at first as if this convoy is going to America and not Gibraltar, on account of the size of the ships and the courses observed. On its return flight a second aircraft picked up the convoy again at 1500h and reported it in AL 6283 with course 200°. Both positions have been given to the boats, which received orders to operate on this convoy. Air reconnaissance has been detailed for tomorrow in the area concerned.

Received Op.-Orders:
1. Outbound transfer on Path "Kernleder" until Point "Kern" (200m-Line).
2. Deep Dive Trial on Point "Kern" to 2A-Meter.
3. After successful deep dive trial, first status report from Qu.18BF.
4. Second status report when crossing 15°W and switching to Atlantic-Frequency.
5. Occupy Marqu.39AL for 24h.

2210 - N2/2, clear, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb, 3/4-Moon in the South.
Casting off from bunker. Left for 2nd War Patrol with U 113 and 14th War Patrol overall.

2215 - Taking on escort (Minesweeper "Rostock"), distance 300m.
Burning ships in Lorient. Two Me110 are patrolling the harbor and roadstead.

2235 - Port-Louis to our port beam and Kernével to our stbd. beam.

Testing Diesel Engines:
K.F.-7kn; 1/3-10kn; 2xH.F.-14kn; G.F.-17kn; A.K.-18kn.

2300 - Incoming VIIC boat to our stbd. beam.
(U 572, Kptlt. Heinz Hirsacker, arriving in Lorient after its first war patrol from home)

2305 - Point "Luci-1" - Releasing escort. 2xH.F. on course 180°.

2317 - New course 225°.

2400 - New course 270°.

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.

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

+++++

Friday, 3 October 1941 - Bay of Biscay -

0353 - South of Pen March - 3/4-Moon setting in the West.
Fishing vessel bearing 76°, E=10000, on course ESE. Evaded on surface.

0500 - Morning Dawn.

0615 - Sunrise.

0845 - Wind and Sea increasing, shifting to East.

1200 - Qu.5197BF - Days Run: 182.5sm - (↗ 24h) - since Lorient.
233.9cbm (6.1cbm/14h). SSE6/5, clear, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb.

1437 - Three Fishing Vessels ahead stbd.12, E=16000, on course ESE, heading straight for Point "Kern".

1450 - Diving at E=10000. At S-Tiefe, sound contact with warship bearing 61°, E=17000, on course ESE - cannot make out in A-Periscope.

1456 - Diving to T=20.

1508 - The three fishing vessels are turning North. E=7000.

1555 - Point "Kern" - The three Fishing vessels now bearing 56°, E=10000, on northerly heading. Commencing Deep Dive Trial acc. Standing Order 507, 135rpm.

1617 - Boat is safe and secure at 2A-Meter.

1619 - 185rpm. Setting reception depth.

1629 - At reception depth.

B.d.U.-Report:
The convoy from the previous day was picked up again by air reconnaissance towards midday. D/F bearings were reported from 7 boats, which gave a fairly exact position for the convoy in AL 8240 at 1200h. Mean course since yesterday is SW. U 83 (VIIB, Ob.Ltnt.z.S. Hans-Werner Kraus) is fairly close to the convoy position and can still keep contact today.

According to an aircraft report, the convoy consists of 25 merchant ships, 4 patrol boats, 4 destroyers, 1 cruiser and 1 aircraft carrier. Air reconnaissance is again detailed for October, 4th.

1635 - Surfaced after 45min. and 4.6sm. 9500Ah.
Weather unchanged since Etmal.

The three fishing vessels can be seen bearing 71°, E=15000, on a northerly heading.

1748 - Sundown.3/4-Moon rising in the East.

Boat continuing on outbound transfer.

Cmdr.: Three fishing vessels loitering around Point "Kern", at the precise time that we are supposed to arrive, is very concerning!

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.