As our forces in
Stalingrad are now divided into three pockets,
Hermann Göring messages Friedrich Paulus, noting that Paulus' stubborn defense, even if it leads to self sacrifice, will go down in German history as one of the most heroic tales.
U 442 (Korvkpt. Hans-Joachim Hesse)
sank the ship reported on 27.1 in CE 8763. Confirmed as American ship "J. W. Gaves"
carrying 36 tanks, 6 railway tank cars and 15 lorries.
As the expected
ON convoy was also not intercepted this time, Command has decided to
dispose the boats with a plentiful supply of fuel and several boats recently arrived, E. of Newfoundland.
Group "Landsknecht" is disbanded. U 187, 267, 456, 553, 609, 262, 614, 402, 465 and 454 are to proceed at economical cruising speed to BC 21.
The boats with less fuel are to be disposed in the present area and receive the following grids as operations area. U 632 = AL 47, U 257 = AL 71, U 71 = AL 75, U 572 = AL 87.
U 631 and U 333 are to return.
U 404 (Kptlt. Otto von Bülow)
and U 584 (Kptlt. Kurt Nölke) are to undertake special duties.
They are to make a surprise appearance off the coast near the Scilly Islands - U 404 in BF 7510 and 584 in BF 2190. There, they are to carry out short, sudden attacks on the convoy traffic (every two days)
(see operations order Lands End*).
The impression is gained from U-boat situation reports received, that
the enemy is aware of the disposition of the Group "Delphin".
It appears from a Special Radio Intelligence Report that the anticipated convoy went around the lines to the N. and a new disposition is therefore necessary. The group is to occupy a patrol line from CF 7397 to DH 5879 at economical cruising speed in the following order: U 125 - 522 - 511 - 442 - 436 - 575 - 381 - 571 - 620 - 87 - 202 - 264 - 558 and 258.
In conjunction with
Group "Rochen" therefore,
the entire area between the Azores, the Canaries and the African Mainland will be to some extent patrolled.
Normally, apart from North American supplies, also those from Trinidad and West Africa to Gibraltar are expected in this area.
U 156 (KrvKpt. Werner Hartenstein) and
U 510 (Korvkpt. Karl Neitzel) continue the uninterrupted southward passage to EJ 70.
U 108 (Kptlt. Ralf-Reimar Wolfram)
joins Group "Rochen" and occupies U 518's (Kptlt. Friedrich-Wilhelm Wissmann)
position.
The latter (having more fuel than U 108) is also proceeding southwards to position EJ 70).
We finally
mobilized our work force for total war, requiring registration of men aged 16 to 65 and women aged 17 to 50.
U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts
Torpedo Firing Training with the 25th Flotilla Danzig.
+++++++
26. January 1943.
F.O. U-boats
Most Secret !
(*) Additional Order "Lands End" for U 404 and U 584
1) The traffic between the Bristol Channel and the Channel is to be attacked in the area round Lands End during the new moon period. There have been no U-boat operations here since June 1941, so that a surprise appearance should have good results; for this reason, the boat must at all costs remain unobserved until the initial attack. Withdrawal to open sea in between each attack according to existing circumstances.
2) Passage report to be sent after putting out and after execution of deep diving trial. A situation report should be sent as soon as observed (by the enemy).
3) Mining situation:
a) There is a mine-field between Lands End (via the Scillys) and the Bishop's Rock, according to old reports. If mines are actually in this position there is a gap on the line 50 47' W. through which enemy traffic sails.
b) For information on the declared area St. Georges Channel and barrier gaps see Standing Operational Orders No. 481 C II.
c) Our own mines in the waters round Cornwall are only on the south coast, east of Lizard Head (see Standing Operational Order No. 461 B 5).
4) There is no information of a shipping route free of mines or marked by buoys in the waters round Lands End.
5) Traffic: Convoys proceeding from Milford Haven to Portsmouth and from Portsmouth to Milford Haven may be expected to sail in a two day cycle. The convoys putting out of Milford Haven on even days will be in the area Hartland Point at 2000 on the same day and pass Lands End towards 0600 on the following day. Convoys sailing from Portsmouth on uneven days are near St. Albans Head at 2000 on the same day, and pass the Lands End area at 2000 on the following day. According to this, there is an east-bound convoy at 0600 on every uneven day and a west-bound convoy at 2000 on every even day, in the Lands End area.
For F.O. U-boats
- Head of Ops. Section -
GODT
Distribution:
Copy No.:
1. U 404 and U 584
2. 1st and 6th U-Flotilla
3-6. F.O. U-boats
7-8. Reserve copies.
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115