U-65 - IXB - Kaleu Hansen - Jan. 100910 1944 - AK18 - Patrol 23
Found a medium-sized westbound convoy. Used its radar-emissions to work up ahead of it but let it too close before diving so was discovered. 4 escorts converged on us. Decided to fight it out on periscope depth as very bad experience from the recent lucky deep escapes.
The three first ones approached us in nice order and we hit them one by one with forward deflection shots on 4-500 meter range using TIII II's on magnetic. Side-stepped the fourth one with a decoy and gave it a TI aft shot on magnetic. It stopped after being decoyed and let us get out beyond 400 meters - and a nice firing opportunity.
Have got the first merchant in sight now but also an escort on the convoy's port side. 4 torps left.
Fred
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