[Leandros]

U-65 - IXB - Kaleu Hansen - April 291452 1943 - BE62 - Patrol 19

Departed Lorient April 051012. Back on the surface again after some hair-raising recent experiences. One diesel engine and one battery pack is out but thanks to the radar-signals from its escorts we still have track on the convoy we were just chased away from. Our radar is destroyed but that is not very important as its signals only show our position to the enemy in this situation. Still half the torpedo complement intact. Working to get ahead of it again which isn't very difficult using their radar-emitting signals as a quidance.

Things have really changed since our last patrol in these parts of the Atlantic. We have experienced our first hedgehog attacks, seemingly improved enemy sonar and radar-equipped air patrols all over the place. Our new radar warning receiver which actually makes it easier to find enemy convoys and approaching sub-hunting air patrols has saved us on several occasions. Reports on sunk U-boats are received regularly from the BDU. Not very good for morale but keeps us on our toes.

The last 5 patrols were spent on the Amerian East Coast - one long patrol actually, as we called on U-461 for resupply and repairs four times in the period lasting from June 5th '42 to Feb 7th '43. The combat results were not very impressive - 25 ships sunk, 16 of them naval. We had to call on U-461 three times for major repairs, twice both our scopes were destroyed. On Patrol 17 hull integrity was down to 46%. We sorely missed an RWR. Conditions worsened by time, on the three last patrols we sunk only 8 ships. B-24's, PBY's and TBM Avengers patrolled the area constantly. There was one positive event, though, on Patrol 17 we sunk the carrier HMS Searcher with all its 4 escorts.

Patrol 19 started relatively good with hitting a large convoy straight out from Lorient - sunk 7 ships. However, much of our resources were used for self-defense as 5 of these were escorts. The last one was particularly tiresome, a small Isles Patrol Boat. As soon as we were pushed under we were unable to sink it as we never got it outside the 400 meter arming zone of our torpedoes, it turned too narrowly. However, during this constant roundabout we were able approach an already slowed-down Granville merchant and give it a grazing shot.

Finally, we decided to make an effort to "lose" the Isles, and made it. As it retreated after having lost us we surfaced approx. 5 km. behind it and took up pursuit. It turned towards us and started fire on 4.000 meters, we reciprocated from 3.500 meters. In a running battle we were able to destroy it with only minimal damage to our own boat. Probably not a very wise decision but it was the only way to get past it to take on the rest of the convoy. As it turned out it was to little use as we soon were pushed under by constant air patrols. We lost the convoy.

After a long detour to North of the Rockalls with no results we are no back in the area we found the first convoy. Still 35% diesel left. The weather is lousy, 300-500 meters visibility - horizontal rain. Shall try to keep ahead of the convoy till we get som better weather. To easy to be jumped as it is now.

Fred