Wednesday,
30 June 1943 - South of Durban -
0310 - Qu.8187KZ -
1110 -
F.T. from O.K.M.:
a) C-in-C has ordered the fragmentation of the Uboats force, in order to force dissipation of the enemy ASW forces. Re-fueling to be done in the South-Atlantic.
b) Because of the loss of U 194 (Kptlt. Hermann Hesse) and U 200 (IXD2; KrvKpt. Heinrich Schonder) and previous experiences,
C-in-C has ordered with immediate effect, that no boat is to put out without quadruple mounted guns. A temporary postponement of operational orders for 3 to 4 weeks and a hold up in German shipyards must be taken into account.
The intention of sending several boats through the Channel, i.e. under strong escort at night and lying on the bottom during the day, is postponed for the time being as:
1) The prevailing moon quarter is unsuitable for such an undertaking.
2) The necessary forces are not available for the escort groups at such short notice. Further, the first attempt should not be made with a IXd2 (U 847; Kptlt. Herbert Kuppisch). The first breakthrough will probably take place during the next new moon period.
3) C-in-C has also ordered that the 4 boats, U 387, 277, 307 and 713 at present outward bound in the North Sea are to be temporarily placed at the disposal of S.O. U-boats Norway. S.O. U-boats Norway is planning the execution of several minelaying operations in the Kara Sea.
1145 - Early Morning Dawn -
1200 - Qu.8226KZ -
Days Run: 193.6nm - ↗ (24h)
Total: 10077.7nm (56tg 22h) - ↗ 9672.9nm (50tg 13h 25') - ↘ 404.8nm (6tg 08h 35')
Course 87°; 444.5cbm (2.5cbm in 24h); Battery 100%; 2xEtoFat; 8xBold.
SSE4/3, clear, visibility 4.5nm, >1000mb (Weather & Sea unchanged in 6d 13h)
1247 - Sunrise. Weather and Sea unchanged.
1300 - Qu.8234KZ - Diving for torpedo maintenance and trial dive.
1305 - T=49. Beginning torpedo maintenance.
1400 - Tube V serviced (EtoFat/Pi39H). - Break until 1409 -
1500 - Tube VI serviced (EtoFat/Pi39H).
1505 - Beginning of Trial Dive acc.
B.d.U. Standing Orders No.507 and No.308. 145rpm.
1547 - Boat is safe and secure at 2A-Meter.
1550 - Setting for T=20 with 96rpm.
1606 - Reception Depth.
Battery 91.4%, Compressed Air Supply 300Atü(!), CO₂ 1.5%.
Cmdr.:
L.I. reports that the Compressed Air Supply Gauge is faulty. Seems to be stuck at full. Repair is ongoing.
1610 - Qu.8235KZ - Surfaced from S-Tiefe after 3h 10' and 9.0nm. Weather and Sea unchanged.
- to be continued -