1/10/1940 South Atlantic 35° 26’S, 12° 34’E 139th day at sea
Ship 15 has been patrolling without success since the last report only 3 neutral freighters were sighted, stopped, searched, and released. Seeing no success FKpt.z.S Brinkmann decides to move south on December 22nd 1939 at 14:00 hrs. Ship 15 crossed the equator. For crossing ceremony lasted all afternoon. From there Ship 15 briefly patrolled the South American routes without success and Brinkmann continued the voyage south Brinkmann began to plan the minelaying operation off Cape Town. Along with the I. Officer, Navigator, and Mine Officer Brinkmann planned to lay 220 EMC mines on the approaches to Cape Town and a smaller minefield off the Cape of Good Hope.
This will be accomplished during one night while Ship 15 moves at full speed. The mine officer and the specialists begin to prepare mines for the operation. Afterwards we will make for the Indian Ocean to resume commerce raiding along the Cape-Indi-Australia routes and the Mozambique Channel. We will retain the disguise of the Greek freighter for now and will change after the minelaying operation.
