U-boat Archive - BDU KTB PG30315

F.d.U./B.d.U.'S War Log

1 - 15 January 1943

PG30315

1. January 1943.

I.	U 71	-	Op(AL 80)	U 177	-	FM 94	U 406	-	Op(CD 20)	U 514	-	DR 82
	86	-	BD 90	178	-	DG 65	409	-	BE 77	515	-	Op(CG 70)
	96	-	BE 82	181	-	ET 47	410	-	BE 92	516	-	DH 18
	105	-	Op(EE)	182	-	DG 30	413	-	BE 52	522	-	BF 58
	109	-	Op(EE)	185	-	BF 61	432	-	CG 16	524	-	BD 94
	117	-	BD 94	186	-	AO 70	435	-	BD 94	525	-	Op(AL 80)
	123	-	Op(CD 20)	203	-	CE 34	436	-	Op(DG 10)	D 5	-	AE 86
	124	-	Op(EE)	214	-	Op(ED 80)	438	-	BF 54	563	-	Op(AL 80)
	125	-	DS 42	217	-	Op(EO)	440	-	Op(CD 20)	571	-	Op(CE 70)
	126	-	DH 42	225	-	CF 23	441	-	OP(AL 90)	572	-	OP(AL 90)
	128	-	EH 38	226	-	AO 70	D 3	-	CF 54	575	-	Op(DG 10)
	129	-	CF 15	257	-	Op(BE 12)	442	-	Op(CE 76)	584	-	BF 48
	134	-	Op(ER)	260	-	Op(BC 90)	444	-	OP(AL 90)	591	-	BD 94
	154	-	CF 12	266	-	AL 28	445	-	CD 30	594	-	BF 81
	159	-	CF 56	303	-	AO 70	455	-	Op(CD 30)	598	-	BD 63
	161	-	DH 14	333	-	Op(AL 80)	459	-	DG 98	615	-	BD 97
	163	-	CF 13	336	-	BD 94	461	-	BF 81	618	-	Op(CG 55)
	164	-	Op(ER)	337	-	AE 85	463	-	DF 20	620	-	Op(CE 70)
	167	-	Op(AL 70)	373	-	BF 40	506	-	EJ 48	621	-	BE 92
	174	-	DG 92	381	-	Op(CE 70)	507	-	Op(FB-FC)	628	-	BD 94
	175	-	Op(ET)	384	-	Op(AL 80)	508	-	CF 19	631	-	Op(AL 48)
	176	-	OP(ER)	404	-	Op(AL 80)	509	-	DH 44	632	-	AF 76
	664	-	Op(CD 30)	706	-	Op(AL 80)	511	-	BF 58	659	-	BE 92
										662	-	Op(CD 30)

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 126 - 128 - 129 - 154 - 159 - 161 - 163 - 174 - 177 - 178 - 181 - 185 - 203 - 225 - 336 - 373 - 409 - 410 - 432 - 435 - 445 - 461 - 508 - 524 - 591 - 615 - 621 - 628 - 629 - D 3 - D 5.
	Entered Port: U 185 - Lorient.
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 164 reported: Sank Swedish vessel "Brageland" (2,608 tons) in conformity with prize regulations course 320⁰ (in FB 3815).
		2)	U 438 is returning after intake of water in air supply trunk when making a trial dive at A plus 40.
	b)	Air reconnaissance for "Rhakotis". (Trans. Blockade-runner from Japan to Europe)
	c)	Submarine sightings: None.
		Attack by submarine: EO 29 (U 217?).
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	According to their fuel reserves homeward bound boats were instructed to stalk the convoy sighted by FW 200 at 1500 in BE 5942, course 240⁰, speed 8 knots. If these boats made contact, it was intended that battle-worthy boats lying farther off should be guided in. Correction of position showed that the enemy was in BE 9218 at 1625.

- 1 -

			Thus it was very probably a Gibraltar convoy, and so the presence of cruisers was to be expected.As no operationally ready submarines were available for this area, the operation was broken off.
	b)	1)	Since the expected "ON" convoy has not yet been picked up, Group "Falke" has been given the following instructions to cover the night's run: at 1830 course to be steered 200⁰, 7 knots, from 1030 on 2 January course 20⁰, 7 knots. The convoy may have been delayed by S.W. wind.
		2)	After the operation against convoy No. 72 had been broken off temporary attack areas were allocated as follows: U 260 in BC 98, U 123 in CD 23, U 440 in CD 26, U 662 in CD 37, U 664 in CD 38. It is intended to supply these boats so that they may be detailed for operations NE of Newfoundland.
	c)	1)	U 628 refueled from U 117 in BD 9489. U 117 will supply U 524, 591, 435, 336, 225, 615 according to plan.
		2)	"Rhakotis" was in action with an English destroyer in BF 7157 and scuttled herself at 1700, her escort submarines were then detailed to search for survivors.
	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 164 - 1 ship - 2,608 GRT.

VI.	General:
	The case of "Rhakotis" has again showed that submarines are unable to protect blockade runners or carry out reconnaissance for them. Attention is again drawn to repeated situation reports on this subject.The misleading character of remote reconnaissance is shown by the fact that U 410 thought she was 40 miles off the vessel she was protecting and when she unintentionally came up with "Rhakotis", reported her as an enemy merchant ship.

Submarine situation at

1st January 1943.

In commission on 1.12.1942:		375
Commissioned during December (Including one Type II for the Black Sea)		24
		399
Lost during December		6
		393
Plus foreign submarines		7

In commission on 1.1.43.		400

- 2 -

Losses during December (those not underlined not yet announced as missing).

Type VII - C

U 408	von Hymmen	-	well-proved boat. I Northern Waters at the beginning of December.
U 254	Gilardone	-	Well-proved boat. 8.12.42. rammed and sunk by another submarine when attacking a convoy in the North Atlantic.
U 611	von Jakobs	-	First operation. I North Atlantic mid-December 1942, doubtful whether while attacking convoy.
U 626	Bade	-	First operation. In North Atlantic mid-December 1942, doubtful whether while attacking convoy.
U 356	Ruppelt	-	Second operation, new Commander. Attacked a convoy north of the Azores at the end of December.
U 357	Kellner	-	First operation, attacked a convoy near Rockall Bank at the end of December.

II.

Distribution:

	II	VIIa	VIIb/c	VIId	IXb/c	IXD1	IXD2	XB	XIV	Total

On operations	3	-	144	3	29	-	4	2	5	212
On Trials	-	-	89	-	23	2	5	2	1	119
Training	35	4	21**	-	2	-	-	-	-	62

	38*	4	254	3	54	2	9	4	6	393
Also 7 foreign boats										7
										400
* also 2 temporarily transferred to Black Sea
** 9 of them temporarily laid up

III.

During December:

Total number increased by		plus	18
Number of operational boats increased by		plus	9
Number of boats on trial increased by		plus	9
Training boats increased or decreased	minus or	plus	0

IV.

Number of operational boats at 1.1.1943:

Atlantic	164
Mediterranean	24	(including one boat now en route to the Mediterranean)
Northern Waters	21
Black Sea	3

During December following were in the Atlantic:

Daily average at sea	97.2	boats
of these, in operational area	38.6	boats
cruising	58.6	boats
of these, on homeward cruise	25.2	boats

- 3 -

VI.

During December following left port:

from Home bases		14 boats
from W. France		19 "

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2. January 1943.

I.	U 71	-	Op(BE 10)	U 178	-	DG 35	U 413	-	BD 42	U 524	-	BD 94
	86	-	BE 78	181	-	ES 39	432	-	BF 77	525	-	Op(AL 70)
	96	-	BE 84	182	-	DG 35	435	-	BD 94	563	-	Op(BD 33)
	105	-	Op(EE)	186	-	AN 35	436	-	Op(DF 30)	571	-	Op(CD 90)
	109	-	Op(EE)	203	-	CF 12	438	-	BF	572	-	Op(BE 10)
	117	-	BD 94	214	-	Op(ED 90)	440	-	Op(CD 26)	575	-	Op(CD 90)
	123	-	Op(CD 23)	217	-	Op(EO)	441	-	Op(BE 10)	584	-	BF 47
	124	-	Op(EE)	225	-	BD 94	442	-	Op(CD 90)	591	-	BD 94
	125	-	DR 60	226	-	AN 35	444	-	Op(AK 90)	594	-	BF 81
	126	-	DH 13	257	-	Op(BE 10)	445	-	BF 49	598	-	BD 37
	128	-	DS 99	260	-	OP(BC 98)	455	-	CD 32	615	-	BD 94
	129	-	CF 22	266	-	AL 51	459	-	DT 22	618	-	Op(CG 55)
	134	-	Op(ER)	303	-	AN 35	461	-	BF 50	620	-	Op(CD 90)
	154	-	BE 87	333	-	Op(BE 10)	463	-	DF 20	621	-	BF 81
	159	-	BE 98	336	-	BD 94	506	-	EJ 77	628	-	BD 96
	161	-	CF 88	337	-	AL 31	507	-	Op(FB)	631	-	Op(AK 90)
	163	-	BE 75	373	-	BF 50	508	-	CF 23	632	-	AF 71
	164	-	Op(ER)	381	-	Op(CD 90)	509	-	DH 75	659	-	BF 84
	167	-	Op(AL 70)	384	-	Op(BD 33)	511	-	BF 48	662	-	Op(CD 37)
	174	-	DG 66	404	-	Op(BE 11)	514	-	DR 78	664	-	Op(CD 38)
	175	-	Op(ET 30)	406	-	CD 32	515	-	Op(CG 70)	706	-	Op(BE 10)
	176	-	Op(ER)	409	-	BE 75	516	-	DH 48	D 3	-	CF 29
	177	-	FM 58	410	-	BF 84	522	-	BF 73	D 5	-	AE 92

	On Return Passage: 86 - 126 - 128 - 129 - 154 - 159 - 161 - 174 - 177 - 178 - 181 - 203 - 225 - 336 - 409 - 410 - 432 - 435 - 445 - 461 - 508 - 524 - 591 - 615 - 621 - 628 - 659 - D 3 - 163.
	Entered Port: U 438 Brest.
	Sailed: U 69 Lorient; U 607 St. Nazaire; U 268 Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 620 27.12 definitely established "Q" ship working with patrol vessels in CF 8325. Double miss fired.
		2)	U 124: No shipping on any steamer routes regular day reconnaissance up to 400 miles from Trinidad no location. Bombs
	b)	1)	Air reconnaissance for survivors of "RHAKOTIS".
	c)	Submarine sightings: ED 8713, ED 9946, BE 3818.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	Group "FALKE" has been given orders to cruise on a course of 200⁰, 7 knots from 1830, and 20⁰, 7 knots on 3.1.
		2)	Former reconnaissance tasking by Group "DELPHIN" of the supposed east-west shipping route south of the Azores in CD 90, has been broken off, as no success was scored.

- 4 -

			Group including U 463 has been instructed to cruise to the south at the same distance apart between longitude 35⁰ West and 42⁰ West. After being refueled later, the Group is to operate off Natal.
		3)	U 266 and U 337 have been given new approach point AJ 89. New stations for convoy group.
		4)	As U 109 is returning, U 105 is going to occupy her sector. (N.N.E. of Trinidad).
	c)	1)	U 659 and U 621 are continuing the search. U 410 has begun her homeward journey with 80 survivors.
	d)	1)	Attack is sanctioned for the whole of route "Anton" north of 5⁰ South.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

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3. January 1943.

I.	U 69	-	BF 54	U 178	-	DG 39	U 410	-	BF 70	U 524	-	BD 94
	71	-	Op(BE)	181	-	EJ 98	413	-	BD 39	525	-	Op(BE)
	86	-	BE 85	182	-	DG 35	432	-	BF 49	706	-	Op(AK)
	96	-	BE 79	186	-	AN 28	435	-	BD 94	563	-	Op(BE)
	105	-	Op(EE)	203	-	BE 88	436	-	Op(CD 80)	571	-	Op(CD 80)
	109	-	EF 17	214	-	Op(ED 75)	440	-	Op(DC 26)	572	-	Op(BE)
	117	-	BD 94	217	-	Op(EO)	441	-	AL 71	575	-	Op(CD 80)
	123	-	CD 32	225	-	BD 94	D 3	-	CF 32	584	-	BE 64
	124	-	Op(EO)	226	-	AN 28	442	-	Op(CD 80)	591	-	BD 94
	125	-	DR 82	257	-	Op(BE)	444	-	Op(AK)	594	-	BF 47
	126	-	CF 86	260	-	Op(BC 98)	445	-	BF 64	598	-	BD 27
	128	-	DT 47	266	-	AK 66	455	-	CD 32	607	-	BF 59
	129	-	BE 89	D 5	-	AN 24	459	-	DT 18	615	-	BD 94
	134	-	ER 33	268	-	AO	461	-	BF 64	618	-	CG 55
	154	-	BE 86	303	-	AN 28	463	-	DF 29	620	-	DF 31
	159	-	BF 71	333	-	Op(BE)	506	-	Op(ES 14)	621	-	BF 70
	161	-	CF 83	336	-	BE 75	507	-	Op(FB)	628	-	BE 75
	163	-	BE 79	337	-	AE 85	508	-	BE 59	631	-	Op(AK 10)
	164	-	Op(FB)	373	-	BF 68	509	-	DT 22	632	-	AE 91
	167	-	Op(AK)	381	-	CD 80	511	-	BE 96	659	-	BF 70
	174	-	DH 15	384	-	Op(AK)	514	-	EF 32	662	-	Op(AK 10)
	175	-	Op(ET)	404	-	Op(BE)	515	-	CG 51	664	-	Op(CD 38)
	176	-	Op(ER)	406	-	CD 32	516	-	DH 74
	177	-	FM 24	409	-	BE 79	522	-	BE 96

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 109 - 126 - 128 - 129 - 134 - 154 - 159 - 161 - 163 - 174 - 177 - 178 - 181 - 203 - 225 - 336 - 406 - 409 - 410 - 432 - 435 - 445 - 461 - 508 - 515 - 524 - 591 - 615 - 621 - 628 - 659 - D 3 - D 5.
	Entered Port: U 445 - 461 - St. Nazaire; U 373 - La Pallice.
	Sailed: U 201 - Brest; U 224 - St. Nazaire.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:

- 5 -

	a)	1)	U 507 reported that she had sunk "Baron Dechmont" (3,675 GRT) in FB 9141 course 120⁰, speed 9 knots. Captain taken on board.
		2)	U 105 in sector ordered since 28.12. Nothing seen except patrols in ED 9836 and destroyer in 9658, 55⁰, moderate air patrolling by day, nothing seen at night, no location.
		3)	U 176 from FK 23 to 49 and ER 97 to 63 and ES 40 nothing seen excepting land-based plane once in FK 54 and 23.12. 13 of 20 cells in the after-battery compartment faulty operationally ready.
		4)	U 175 found dogged air patrolling off Freetown. Bombs, searchlights. Kept under water 32 hours by location. Systematic air operation tried to starve boat out. Operations close inshore brought little success. Moved away because of high battery temperature and faulty Junkers compressor.
		5)	U 706 (Group "FALKE") chased independent on course 230⁰ speed 13 knots for 5 hours. Despite highest possible speed boat lost contact. Returned to station.
		6)	U 333 (Group "FALKE") reported 1427 chasing passenger steamer SW speed 13 knots. 1945 recognized as English hospital ship. Boat returned to station. (Probably the same vessel as one sighted by U 706).
		7)	U 618 reported lighted freighter without any neutrality markings proceeding from CG 5839 to 5559 going north. Boat was ordered to leave ship alone.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	U-boat sightings: ED 75, (U 214?) BF 5877.
		2)	Submarine attack: DQ 9353, sunk ship in EO 11.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 1:
			At 1624 U 514 reported convoy in DQ 9288 course 90⁰. U 125 was ordered to proceed at maximum speed. Group "DELPHIN" at high cruising speed, course 170⁰, and to attack this convoy. Convoy of some 10 ships was in DQ 9297 at 1730, course 70, speed 9 knots. Destroyers ahead and on each side. Contact was lost at 2250 in DQ 9325 after U 514 had sunk a whale factory ship, of the KOSMOS II type (16,966 GRT). Boat followed up in direction of mean course.
		2)	Convoy No. 2:
			At 2127 U 182 sighted a convoy of 11-15 steamers in DG 6225 on a westerly course, speed 8-10 knots. As conditions were more favorable, Group "DELPHIN" was instructed to attack this convoy, despite previous attack instructions (see para IVa 1). At 2345 U 182 reported enemy's course as 320⁰. After 2353 no further shadower reports were received.
	b)	1)	Group "FALKE" turned back at 1900, course 200⁰, speed 7 knots.

- 6 -

			At 1100 on 4.1 course 340⁰, speed 6 knots. Planned to transfer patrol strip for Group "Falke" to AK 30-60, in readiness for the outward bound convoy expected there on the 7th according to dead reckoning.
		2)	U 584 was given AK 66 as approach point. (Patrol strip for Group "Falke").
		3)	U 594 was given AJ 89 as new approach point (new Newfoundland group).
	c)	1)	U 225 and U 615 carried out replenishment, on return voyage.
		2)	U 406 took over a sick man from U 123 and gave fuel to U 455, on return voyage.
		3)	U 163 took over a sick man from U 96 and radar interceptor escort from U 409.
	d)	U 659 and U 621 broke off search for "Rhakotis".

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 507 - 1 ship 3,675 GRT.
	U 514 - 1 ship 17,000 GRT.

VI.	General:
	Remarks on Convoys 1 and 2:
	The convoy sighted in DQ 93 by U 514 is probably one formed of tankers proceeding from Trinidad to Gibraltar. Although Group "Delphin" was almost 900 miles from the convoy and there was little chance of maintaining contact until the Group arrived, the order was given to stalk the convoy at maximum continuous speed, because of the pressing need to attack tanker traffic to Gibraltar. After the westbound convoy had been picked up in DG 38 by U 182, the first order for Group "Delphin" was cancelled and the boats were instructed to stalk the convoy contacted by U 182. Conditions were considerably more favorable where this was concerned. The center boat of Group "Delphin" was about 360 miles away, all boats were in a westerly position, i.e. ahead of the convoy. It was calculated that the first boat would reach the convoy in about 20 hours. If the convoy sighted by U 182 could not be contacted, there was still a possibility of the boats moving away to the south to continue stalking the convoy reported by U 514.

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4. January 1943.

I.	U 69	-	BF 44	U 177	-	FE 89	U 406	-	CE 11	U 524	-	BD 94
	71	-	Op(BE)	178	-	DG 12	409	-	BE 85	525	-	Op(BD)
	86	-	BE 91	181	-	EJ 68	410	-	BF 64	563	-	Op(BD)
	96	-	BE 75	182	-	DG 62	413	-	AK 88	571	-	Op(CD 80)
	105	-	Op(ED 93)	186	-	AF 79	432	-	BF 91	572	-	Op(BE)
	109	-	EF 21	201	-	BF 57	435	-	BD 94	575	-	Op(CD 80)
	117	-	BD 94	203	-	BE 94	436	-	Op(CD 81)	584	-	BE 27
	123	-	Op(CD 23)	214	-	Op(EC 90)	440	-	Op(CD 26)	591	-	BD 94
	124	-	Op(EO)	217	-	Op(EO)	441	-	Op(AK)	594	-	BE 51
	125	-	DR 72	224	-	BF 91	442	-	Op(CD 80)	598	-	BD 15
	126	-	CF 68	225	-	BE 72	444	-	Op(AK)	607	-	BF 48
	128	-	DT 42	226	-	AF 79	455	-	CD 32	615	-	BE 74
	129	-	BE 95	257	-	Op(BE)	459	-	DT 72	618	-	CG 55


- 7 -

U 134	-	EH 96	U 260	-	Op(BC 98)	U 463	-	DF 59	U 620	-	Op(CD 80)
154	-	BE 69	266	-	Op(AL 65)	506	-	ES 19	621	-	BF 54
159	-	BF 54	668	-	AN 35	507	-	Op(FC 71)	628	-	BE 82
161	-	CF 65	303	-	AF 79	508	-	BF 49	631	-	Op(AK)
163	-	BE 85	333	-	Op(BD 33)	509	-	DT 72	632	-	AE 85
164	-	Op(FB)	336	-	BE 81	511	-	CG 11	659	-	BF 58
167	-	Op(AK)	337	-	AE 79	514	-	DQ 95	662	-	Op(CD 37)
174	-	CF 85	381	-	Op(CD 80)	515	-	CG 51	664	-	Op(CD 38)
175	-	Op(FT 13)	384	-	Op(AK)	516	-	DT 25	706	-	Op(BD 36)
176	-	Op(ES 72)	404	-	Op(BD)	522	-	CF 39	D 3	-	BE 98
									D 5	-	Bergen

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 109 - 126 - 128 - 129 - 134 - 154 - 159 - 161 - 163 - 174 - 177 - 178 - 181 - 203 - 225 - 336 - 406 - 409 - 410 - 432 - 508 - 515 - 524 - 591 - 615 - 621.
	Entered Port: U 410 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 606 - Brest.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 404 sighted destroyer in BE 1747 course S.W. Tried to catch up with her, unsuccessful, returned to station.
		2)	U 71 BE 4132 surprised by single destroyer, course N.E. depth charged.
	b)	None.
	c)	Submarine sightings: ED 94, ET 16, EC 92, EC 93, ED 99.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 1:
			U 125, 514, are still stalking convoy, but have not established contact.
		2)	Convoy No. 2:
			At 0014 on 4.1. U 182 was forced to dive after she had been fired at. She was then depth charged. On re-surfacing she was immediately picked up by radar on 141 cm and again doggedly pursued with depth charges for 7 hours. Last course observed was 320⁰. As the boat was about 110 miles behind the convoy, she was ordered to continue her cruise to Capetown. After contact had been lost Group "DELPHIN" was ordered to man the patrol strip from CE 8716 to DG 1527 by 1000 on 5.1., course 105⁰, speed 7 knots. This strip would cover enemy courses of 290 - 300⁰, speed 7 - 10 1/2 knots (The mean course of 295⁰ represents the Great Circle route to New York and the course of a Gibraltar-America convoy that was picked up earlier by special radio intelligence). At 0328 on 5.1 U 575 came upon a convoy in DG 1462: convoy's course was 250⁰, speed 11 knots: boat was depth charged. Despite this sighting report, Group "DELPHIN" was

- 8 -

ordered not to stalk this convoy for the following reasons:

I)	If it was the convoy reported by U 182, according to perfect dead reckoning her speed was 14 1/2 knots. It was useless to attack such a convoy as the submarines did not possess sufficient superiority of speed.
II)	If it was a fresh convoy proceeding at 11 knots, an operation against it offered little chance of success as according to dead reckoning the other boats were at least 30 miles behind, hence with a speed approximately 3 knots above that of the convoy, they would take some 10 hours to catch up with it. Very unfavorable weather (wind S.W. 1, calm sea) rendered location easer and in conjunction with the poor position of the boats ruled out a successful operation.

After the order not to stalk the convoy had been transmitted, U 620, 442 and later U 436 reported that they had come upon the convoy or a destroyer and had been forced to submerge at once. These reports bore out the views expressed in paragraph II).

Group "Falke" has ceased to man its patrol strip as the convoy can no longer be expected. Because of lack of fuel U 706 has been withdrawn and detailed for another operation. Fresh boats U 632 and U 584 have joined the group. Order has been given to the Group to man a patrol strip from AK 3832 to AK 6995 by 1600 on 7.1.

Their order is as follows: U 632 - 441 - 631 - 444 - 167 - 384 - 525 - 563 - 404 - 333 - 584 - 257 - 71 - 572. They are to operate against a west-bound "ONS" England-America convoy that is expected according to dead reckoning.

U 706 has been instructed to make for BD 77. After she has replenished, she is to operate with the remaining boats of former group "Spitz" N.E. of Newfoundland.

U 618 was given a radio message about the probable departure of the enemy ships "Shetland" and "Castilian" from Lisbon.

c) -

None.

Reports of Success: None.

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5. January 1943.

I.	U 69	-	BE 62	U 177	-	FE 57	U 406	-	BD 88	U 525	-	Op(BD 30)
	71	-	Op(BE 17)	178	-	CF 83	409	-	BE 94	563	-	Op(BD 33)
	86	-	BE 93	181	-	EJ 49	413	-	AK 78	584	-	BE 13)
	96	-	BD 93	182	-	DG 25	432	-	BF 68	571	-	Op(CE 70)
	105	-	Op(ED)	186	-	AF 72	435	-	BD 96	572	-	Op(BE 10)
	109	-	DQ 58	201	-	BF 48	436	-	Op(DG 14)	575	-	Op(DG 10)
	117	-	BD 94	203	-	BF 72	440	-	Op(CD 26)	591	-	BD 94
	123	-	Op(CD 23)	214	-	Op(EC 90)	441	-	Op(AK 90)	594	-	BE 17
	124	-	Op(EO)	217	-	Op(EO)	442	-	Op(DG 10)	598	-	BC 36
	125	-	DR 53	224	-	BF 81	444	-	OP(AK 90)	606	-	BF 54
	126	-	CF 39	225	-	BE 82	455	-	CE 12	607	-	BE 66


- 9 -

U 128	-	DT 21	U 226	-	AF 72	U 459	-	EH 32	U 615	-	BE 81
129	-	BF 71	257	-	Op(BE 10)	463	-	DF 50	618	-	CG 55
134	-	EJ 44	260	-	Op(BC 98)	506	-	ES	620	-	Op(DG 10)
154	-	BF 72	266	-	AK 58	507	-	Op(FC)	621	-	BF 52
159	-	BF 61	268	-	AN 38	508	-	BF 55	628	-	BE 91
161	-	CG 14	303	-	AF 72	509	-	EJ 11	631	-	Op(AK 90)
163	-	BE 94	333	-	Op(BD 30)	511	-	CF 53	662	-	Op(CD 37)
164	-	Op(FB)	336	-	BE 83	514	-	Op(DR 53)	632	-	Op(AL 31)
167	-	Op(AK 90)	337	-	AL 14	516	-	DT 54	659	-	BF 52
174	-	CF 77	381	-	Op(CE 70)	515	-	CG 21	664	-	Op(CD 38)
175	-	Op(ET)	384	-	Op(AK 90)	522	-	CF 64	706	-	Op(BD 30)
176	-	Op(ER)	404	-	Op(BD 36)	524	-	BD 94	D 3	-	BF 75
									D 5	-	Bergen

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 109 - 126 - 128 - 129 - 134 - 154 - 159 - 161 - 163 - 174 - 177 - 178 - 628 - 181 - 203 - 225 - 336 - 406 - 409 - 432 - 435 - 455 - 508 - 515 - 524 - 591 - 615 - 621 - 659 - U D 3.
	Entered Port: U 621 - 659 - Brest; U 159 - Lorient; U 432 - La Pallice.
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	Convoys No. 1 and 2 see paragraph IVa.
	b)	None.
	c)	Submarine sightings: BF 7221, EV 4947, BE 6870, FB 93.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 1: Although they still had no contact with the convoy, boats of Group "Delphin" were put on to the convoy reports by U 514 (after breaking off the operation against the convoy reported by U 182). For the present, U 514 and U 125 are to operate independently on courses of 60 - 65⁰ and 65 - 75⁰, then on 7.1 they are to man patrol strip from square DG 7635 to DS 3524, course 245⁰, speed 7 knots, in company with the "Delphin" boats. They will be stationed in the following order: U 514 - 381 - 571 - 442 - 620 - 575 - 436 - 125.
		2)	Convoy No. 2: OPeration against convoy was broken off at dusk, and the boats were put into the convoy reported by U 514.
	b)	1)	After carrying out refueling as instructed, U 123, 706, 440, 260 and 662 were instructed to make for BC 22. For operations N.E. of Newfoundland.
		2)	U 563 has been told to drop out of Group "Falke" because of lack of fuel and has been given attack area BD 30 until her fuel is exhausted. The gap thus caused in the patrol strip has been

- 10 -

			closed by the boats stationed to the south moving up.
		3)	U 607, 69, 201 have been given AK 99 as approach point. They are to operate according to the situation.
		4)	Boats arriving N.E. of Newfoundland have been allotted temporary attack areas as follows until the patrol strip planned can be arranged:
			U 598 - BC 22; U 413 - AJ 89; U 266 - BC 26.
	c)	1)	U 591 refueled from U 117.
		2)	U 664 refueled for return voyage from U 662.
	d)	1)	In order to carry out some degree of flank reconnaissance for the vessel "Spichern" that is be escorted back to Brest from El Ferrol homeward bound boats have been ordered to proceed via BF 74 - 76 or 77 - 75 - 76.
		2)	On instructions from Naval War Staff boats have been given the following order:
			"French Antilles and French Guyana are loyal to Vichy. Ships "Angaulema", "Guadaloupe", "Due Daumal", "San Domingo" and the tanker "Bourgogne" are thus again to be permitted to carry supplies to these possessions from the American area. Today or tomorrow the first vessels will leave the Antilles. Do not molest them".

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

6. January 1943.

I.	U 69	-	BE 28	U 177	-	FE 18	U 404	-	AK 96	U 524	-	BE 72
	71	-	AL 77	178	-	CF 65	406	-	BD 95	525	-	AL 71
	86	-	BF 48	181	-	EJ 18	409	-	BF 52	563	-	AL 71
	96	-	BD 67	182	-	DG 58	413	-	AJ 98	571	-	Op(CE 70)
	105	-	Op(ED)	186	-	AE 68	435	-	BE 75	572	-	AL 77
	109	-	DQ 64	201	-	BE 66	436	-	Op(DG 10)	575	-	Op(DG 10)
	117	-	BD 88	203	-	BF 54	440	-	Op(CD 26)	584	-	AL 75
	123	-	Op(BC 90)	214	-	Op(EC)	441	-	AK 69	591	-	BD 96
	124	-	Op(EO)	217	-	Op(EO)	442	-	Op(DG 10)	594	-	BD 35
	125	-	DR 36	224	-	BF 74	444	-	AK 66	598	-	BC 23
	126	-	CG 12	225	-	BE 67	455	-	CD 32	606	-	BF 40
	128	-	DH 74	226	-	AE 68	459	-	EH 65	607	-	BE 61
	129	-	BF 61	257	-	AL 74	463	-	DF 69	615	-	BE 67
	134	-	EJ 14	260	-	BC 99	506	-	Op(ES)	618	-	Op(CG 50)
	154	-	BF 40	266	-	AK 72	507	-	Op(FC)	620	-	Op(DG 10)
	161	-	BE 99	268	-	Stavanger	508	-	BF 63	628	-	BE 69
	163	-	BF 61	303	-	AE 69	509	-	EJ 41	631	-	AK 69
	164	-	Op(FB)	333	-	AL 74	511	-	CF 54	632	-	AL 16
	167	-	AK 93	336	-	BE 69	514	-	DR 39	662	-	Op(CD 37)
	174	-	CF 63	337	-	AK 36	515	-	BF 61	664	-	Op(CD 38)
	175	-	Op(EO)	381	-	Op(CE 70)	516	-	DT 76	706	-	BD 59
	176	-	Op(ES)	384	-	AK 93	522	-	CF 82	D 3	-	BF 54
										D 5	-	AN 34

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 109 - 126 - 128 - 129 - 134 - 154 - 161 - 163 - 174 - 177 - 178 - 181 - 203 - 336 - 225 - 406 - 409 - 435 - 455 - 455 - 508 - 515 - 524 - 591 - 615 - 628 - 664 - D 3 - D 5 .
	Entered Port: U 409 - Brest; U 508 - 163 - 129 - 515 - Lorient.
	Sailed: U 383 - Brest; U 66 - 160 - Lorient.

- 11 -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 2 see para. IVa.
		2)	U 214 sighted 3 tankers, 3 patrol boats, in ED (square garbled) course S.W. Forced away from convoy by strong land-based air patrols. BOmbs and flares, submarine submerged during the day.No shipping in EC 90. Very strong land-based air activity. Moved away to the north because of breakdown of gyro.
		3)	U 134 sighted a corvette in DS 6670 at 1400 on northerly course location.
		4)	U 224 reported that Warrant Quartermaster was sick. After conversation with doctor she was ordered to carry out her special task (break through at Gibraltar).
		5)	U 618 reported: Brightly illuminated steamer, similar to the English steamer announced to be leaving Lisbon. She proceeded south within territorial waters south of Lisbon. This strengthened the assumption that enemy shipping between Lisbon and Gibraltar sailed within territorial waters camouflaged as neutral.
	b)	None.
	c)	Submarine sightings: FC 8231.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 2:
		Boats belonging to Group "DELPHIN" en route to new patrol strip.
	b)	U 511 has been allotted Trinidad as approach point.
	c)	U 459 has been given FD 2555 as rendezvous to supply the Italian submarine "CAGNI" as planned.
	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

7. January 1943.

I.	U 66	-	BF 58	U 177	-	ES 99	U 384	-	Op(AK 30)	U 563	-	Op(BD 30)
	69	-	BE 16	178	-	BE 99	404	-	Op(AK 60)	571	-	Op(DG 34)
	71	-	Op(AK 60)	181	-	DT 78	406	-	BE 74	572	-	Op(AK 60)
	86	-	BF 52	182	-	DG 88	413	-	Op(AJ 89)	575	-	Op(DS 32)
	96	-	BD 54	186	-	AE 83	435	-	BE 82	584	-	Op(AK 60)
	105	-	Op(ED)	201	-	BE 29	436	-	Op(DS 32)	591	-	BE 72
	109	-	DR 17	203	-	BF 52	440	-	BD 77	594	-	BD 22
	117	-	BD 78	214	-	Op(EC)	441	-	Op(AK 30)	598	-	Op(BC 22)
	123	-	BD 77	217	-	Op(EO)	442	-	Op(DG 87)	606	-	BE 65
	124	-	Op(EO)	224	-	CG 54	444	-	Op(AK 30)	607	-	BE 28
	125	-	DR 52	225	-	BF 54	455	-	BD 77	615	-	BE 69
	126	-	BF 61	226	-	AE 86	459	-	EH 68	618	-	Op(CG 55)
	128	-	DH 48	257	-	Op(AK 60)	463	-	DG 48	620	-	Op(DG 87)


- 12 -

U 134	-	DS 63	U 260	-	BD 77	U 506	-	Op(ES)	U 628	-	BF 48
154	-	BF 61	266	-	AJ 99	507	-	Op(FB)	631	-	Op(AK 30)
160	-	BF 58	268	-	Stavanger	509	-	EJ 71	632	-	Op(AK 30)
161	-	BE 73	303	-	AE 91	511	-	CF 75	662	-	BD 77
164	-	Op(FB)	333	-	Op(AK 60)	514	-	DB 61	664	-	CE 13
167	-	Op(AK 30)	336	-	BF 54	516	-	EJ 15	706	-	BD 73
174	-	CG 12	337	-	AK 29	522	-	CF 87	D 3	-	BF 61
175	-	Op(ET)	381	-	Op(DG 84)	524	-	BE 81	D 5	-	AN 36
176	-	Op(DS)	383	-	BF 54	525	-	Op(AK 60)

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 109 - 126 - 128 - 134 - 154 - 161 - 174 - 177 - 178 - 181 - 203 - 225 - 336 - 406 - 435 - 455 - 524 - 591 - 628 - 664 - D 3 - D 5 - 615.
	Entered Port: U 203 - 86 - Brest; U 154 - 126 - D 3 - Lorient.
	Sailed: U 218 - Brest; U 521 - Lorient; U 624 - St. Nazaire; U 704 - La Pallice; U 414 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 406 reported fast independent in BF 7375, 30⁰. Pursuit was broken off after 5 hours.
		2)	U 105 No shipping off Port of Spain between 5th and 8th January.
	b)	None.
	c)	Submarine sightings: AK 6879, AK 4786.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 2:
		At 0209 U 436 fired triple and single miss in DG 8144, at 0400 fired another triple miss at a fast freighter in DG 4995. Boat suspected "Q" ship. 0430 U 381 sighted a destroyer in DG 8111. As U 436, U 381 and U 442 had been delayed, Group "DELPHIN" was ordered not to move off the patrol strip until 1400. The patrol which was running out to encounter the convoy on its supposed mean course, would cover the convoy's degree of speed 10 or 9 knots during daylight. At 2030 the patrol would proceed at a speed of 9 knots, mean course 65⁰, covering the night delay.
	b)	1)	U 175 had been ordered to operate off Freetown on the convoy routes to Trinidad, as established by Radio reconnaissance. Convoy's run at intervals of about 10 or 11 days.
		2)	AL 47 has been allotted as new approach point for U 126 - 186 - 303 - 606.
	c) -	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- 13 -

8. January 1943.

I.	U 66	-	BF 48	U 181	-	DT 48	U 406	-	BE 81	U 563	-	BE 14
	69	-	BE 12	182	-	DT 41	413	-	Op(AJ 89)	571	-	DG 80
	71	-	Op(AK 30)	186	-	AE 88	414	-	AO 48	572	-	Op(AK 30)
	96	-	BD 42	201	-	BE 24	435	-	BE 91	575	-	DG 80
	105	-	Op(ED)	214	-	Op(EC)	436	-	DG 88	584	-	Op(AK 30)
	109	-	DR 24	217	-	Op(EO)	440	-	BD 77	591	-	BE 82
	117	-	BD 77	218	-	BF 54	441	-	Op(AK 30)	594	-	BD 22
	123	-	BD 77	224	-	CG 85	442	-	DG 80	598	-	Op(BC 22)
	124	-	Op(EO)	225	-	BF 52	444	-	Op(AK 30)	606	-	BE 55
	125	-	DR 35	226	-	AE 87	455	-	BD 77	607	-	BE 16
	128	-	DH 19	257	-	Op(AK 30)	459	-	EH 99	615	-	BF 58
	134	-	DT 15	260	-	BD 77	463	-	DG 50	618	-	Op(CG 58)
	160	-	BF 73	266	-	Op(BC 26)	506	-	Op(FS)	620	-	DG 80
	161	-	BF 85	303	-	AE 88	507	-	Op(FB)	624	-	BF 83
	164	-	Op(FB)	333	-	OP(AK 30)	509	-	ES 12	628	-	BF 52
	167	-	Op(AK 30)	336	-	BF 52	511	-	CE 98	631	-	Op(AK 30)
	174	-	BF 55	337	-	AK 43	514	-	DR 62	632	-	Op(AK 30)
	175	-	Op(ET)	381	-	DG 80	516	-	EJ 45	662	-	BD 77
	176	-	Op(ES)	383	-	BF 44	521	-	BF 57	664	-	CE 34
	177	-	ES 67	384	-	Op(AK 30)	522	-	DH 17	704	-	BF 91
	178	-	BE 99	404	-	Op(AK 30)	524	-	BE 67	706	-	BD 77
		-			-		525	-	Op(AK 30)	D 5	-	AO 72

	On Return Passage: U 109 - 128 - 134 - 161 - 174 - 177 - 178 - 181 - 225 - 336 - 406 - 435 - 455 - 524 - 591 - 615 - 628 - 664 - D 5.
	Entered Port: U 628 - 225 - 336 - Brest
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 2: see para IVa.
		2)	On 8.1 U 507 reported that she had sunk "YORKWOOD" (5,401 tons) course 270⁰, speed 10 knots in FC 7416. In ballast from Durban to Trinidad. Captain taken on board. Moderate air activity during the day, location at night.
		3)	U 167 (Group "FALKE") reported Warrant Quartermaster overboard and Commander badly injured during heavy storms. Boat has been instructed to return.
	b)	None.
	c)	Submarine sightings: AF 7221.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 2:
		Group "DELPHIN" moved up towards the convoy at 1000. At 1600 U 381 sighted the convoy in DG 8495. U 511 and 522, who were outward bound, and U 181 and 134, who were homeward bound were also put onto the convoy along with Group "DELPHIN"

- 14 -

		During the night U 571, 575, 442, 436, 522 contacted the convoy.
		At 2237 U 436 torpedoed 3 large tankers in DG 8565, very heavy explosion; no further observation possible because of anti-submarine measures.
		At 0003 U 575 scored 3 hits in line abreast. 0636 one hit, 0638 3 hits on 3 tankers. No sinkings observed. U 571 was forced to submerge when she attacked, she was depth-charged. Operation continues.
	b)	1)	As 167 has returned those boats of Group "Falke" that were south of U 167 have been ordered to move up one station to the north.
		2)	In order to lengthen the patrol strip of Group "Falke" to the S.E. later on, or to pick up the "ON" convoy traffic, the boats now approaching have been given the following attack areas: U 69 - AL 7159, U 607 - AL 4514, U 201 - AL 7558, U 606 - AL 7599. To a depth of 30 miles. For the same reason boats still in Biscay have been told to make for AL 87.
		3)	U 506, which was previously waiting in ER and ES and intended for operations in Capetown, has been ordered to continue cruising to the south after U 509, 459 and 516 have closed up a little.
		4)	U 105 and U 214 have been ordered to return to their former attack ares (U 214 Curacao, U 105 Trinidad) after they have met and transferred gyro-sphere. They are to operate off these harbors according to the moon. They have been informed of convoy traffic and favorable possibilities of night attacks because of inexperienced patrolling.
	c)	U 182 is to meet U 177 on 11.1 in EJ 2225. U 177 is homeward bound and will inform U 182 of conditions in the Capetown operational area and hand over "Eisbär" order.
	d)	The escort of "Spichern" from El Ferrol to Brest is being prepared for 9.1.43 as ordered by key-word.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 507 - 1 ship 5,401 GRT
	U 436 - 3 ships torpedoed.
	U 575 - 7 hits.

VI.	General:
	At present the submarine situation in the North Atlantic is far from satisfactory. At the moment the 13 boats of Group "Falke" form the only operational group in the area. A second group ("Jaguar") consisting of 11 submarines is being built up in the area AJ, BC. However, bad weather conditions at the supply rendezvous area for 5 of these submarines has greatly delayed this building up. As there is great uncertainty about the dates of departure and routes of "ON" and "ONS" convoys at present, (lack of high priority radio intercept intelligence) it is difficult to pick up one of these convoys with only one group of submarines operating in the eastern area of the Atlantic. Since hardly any independents are to be met with in the North Atlantic now, the fact that "ON" convoy was missed (31.12 - 2.1.1943) means no successes for 8 days. 13 boats were not sufficient to track down the convoy when data was scanty. The convoy may have passed the patrol

- 15 -

	strip to the east or northwest, or it may even have sailed right through the patrol during the bad weather between 31.12.42 and 2.1.43 without being sighted.
	Since this failure to contact the convoy there is more uncertainty than ever about the route taken. This point can be cleared up only if more boats are available so that the patrol strip can be extended and the boats can be stationed closer together.Time will show whether the 13 boats will succeed in tracking down the "ONS" convoy expected between January 7th and 9th. On this occasion it is not possible for the boats to cruise to the west each night to cover the night-run as this would leave the boats insufficient space for attack in the west.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

9. January 1943.

I.	U 66	-	BE 96	U 181	-	DT 27	U 414	-	AO 30	U 571	-	Op(DG 80)
	69	-	AL 75	182	-	DS 71	435	-	BF 47	572	-	Op(AK 69)
	71	-	Op(AK 60)	186	-	AL 33	436	-	Op(DG 80)	575	-	Op(DG 80)
	96	-	BD 14	201	-	AL 87	440	-	BD 77	584	-	Op(AK 60)
	105	-	Op(ED)	214	-	Op(ED)	441	-	Op(AK 30)	591	-	BE 67
	109	-	DR 34	217	-	Op(EO)	442	-	OP(DG 80)	594	-	BD 13
	117	-	BD 77	218	-	BF 72	444	-	OP(AK 30)	598	-	Op(BC 22)
	123	-	BD 77	224	-	CG 94	455	-	BD 77	606	-	BE 24
	124	-	OP(EO)	226	-	AL 24	459	-	ES 18	607	-	AL 75
	125	-	DS 15	257	-	Op(AK 60)	463	-	DG 50	615	-	BF 68
	128	-	CF 89	260	-	BD 77	506	-	Op(ES 56)	618	-	Op(CG 58)
	134	-	Op(DG 90)	266	-	Op(BC 26)	507	-	Op(FB 93)	620	-	Op(DG 80)
	160	-	BE 96	303	-	AL 31	509	-	ES 51	624	-	BF 73
	161	-	BF 61	333	-	Op(AK 60)	511	-	DG 29	631	-	Op(AK 30)
	164	-	Op(FB)	337	-	AJ 69	514	-	DS 18	632	-	OP(AK 30)
	167	-	Op(AL 41)	381	-	Op(DG 80)	516	-	EJ 75	662	-	BD 77
	174	-	BF 61	383	-	BE 62	521	-	BF 73	664	-	BE 77
	175	-	Op(ET)	384	-	Op(AK 30)	522	-	DG 67	704	-	BF 81
	176	-	Op(ER 85)	404	-	Op(AL 60)	524	-	BF 64	706	-	BD 77
	177	-	EJ 61	406	-	BE 94	525	-	Op(AK 60)	D 5	-	AO 77
	178	-	BF 93	413	-	Op(AJ 89)	563	-	BE 27

	On Return Passage: U 109 - 128 - 134 - 161 - 167 - 174 - 177 - 178 - 181 - 406 - 435 - 455 - 524 - 563 - 591 - 615 - 664 - D 5.
	Entered Port: U 174 - 161 - 524 - Lorient; U 615 - La Pallice; U D 5 - Kiel; U 178 - Bordeaux.
	Sailed: U 87 - 438 - 558 - Lorient; U 752 - 613 - St. Nazaire; U 614 - Kiel; U 403 - Bergen.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 2 see paragraph IVa.
		2)	U 124 reported that she had contact with the convoy from 0300 to 0600, 9 ships, 4 destroyers from EO 5235 to 5269, 160⁰, 8 knots. She sank 1 tanker and 4 freighters, totaling 28,000 GRT.
		3)	U 441 - sank independent (6,000 GRT) in AL 1628 speed 13 knots.
		4)	U 384 sighted a steamer on easterly course in AL 1941.
	b)	None.
	c)	Submarine sightings: EO 53, AL 2545, GR 6747.

- 16 -

IV.

Current Operations:

Convoy No. 2:

After temporary loss of contact U 181 sighted convoy of 3 tankers in DG 9517 at 1320. Last report from U 134 at 1530 from DG 9278.

Following reports of success have been received:

U 522	sank 2 tankers		16,000 GRT
	probably sank 1 tanker		8,000 GRT
U 436	torpedoed tankers on 8.1, 3 were sunk		31,000 GRT
U 511	sank "William Wilberforce" in DG 9116 (ship was not part of convoy)		5,004 GRT
U 442	sank 1 large tanker	)
	heard to sink	)
	sank 1 large fleet tanker	)	28,000 GRT
	sank 1 abandoned tanker	)	both tankers probably torpedoes by U 575
	saw 1 tanker sink	)
U 134	sank 1 tanker with 3 hits at 1533. Tanker was in convoy.		8,000 GRT

The last convoy formation is still being stalked (it probably consists of 2 convoy formations of 3 tankers each).

At 1752 U 632 reported convoy in AK 3838, course 150. Later she was recognized as a passenger ship.When U 632 reported a convoy U 441, 631, 303, 186, 226 had been detailed to attack, but after the vessels had been recognized, they were ordered to return to their patrol strip or to continue on their course as previously ordered.

U 176 was given a free hand after she had regained her operational readiness. Supplies for her homeward voyage have been arranged.

U 217 has been ordered to search for shipping along the 200 meter line.

U 69, 607, 201, 606 have joined Group "Falke" and extended the patrol strip to the south as far as AK 9392.

Reports of Success:

U 124 - 5 ships - 28,000 GRT

U 441 - 1 ship - 6,000 GRT

U 552 - 3 ships - 24,000 GRT

U 436 - 3 ships - 31,000 GRT

U 511 - 1 ship - 5,004 GRT

U 442 - 3 ships - 28,000 GRT (tonnage assumed by B.d.U.)

U 134 - 1 ship - 8,000 GRT (tonnage assumed by B.d.U.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- 17 -

10. January 1943.

I.	U 43	-	BF 58	U 182	-	DT 88	U 414	-	AN 28	U 563	-	BE 64
	66	-	CG 15	186	-	AL 27	435	-	BF 62	571	-	Op(DG 90)
	69	-	Op(AK 60)	201	-	Op(AK 90)	436	-	Op(DG)	572	-	Op(DG)
	71	-	Op(AK 60)	214	-	Op(ED)	438	-	BF 54	575	-	Op(DG)
	87	-	BF 54	217	-	Op(EO)	440	-	BD 77	584	-	Op(AK 60)
	96	-	BC 31	218	-	BE 96	441	-	Op(AL 30)	591	-	BE 47
	105	-	OP(ED)	224	-	CG 90	442	-	Op(DG)	594	-	Op(AK 77)
	109	-	DF 93	226	-	AL 29	444	-	Op(AK 30)	598	-	Op(BC 22)
	117	-	BD 77	257	-	Op(AK 60)	455	-	BD 77	606	-	BE 22
	123	-	BD 77	260	-	BD 77	459	-	ES 48	607	-	Op(AL 74)
	124	-	EO 29	266	-	Op(BC 26)	463	-	DG 50	613	-	BF 91
	125	-	DS 21	303	-	AL 34	506	-	ES 94	614	-	AO 48
	128	-	CF 31	333	-	Op(AK 60)	507	-	Op(FB)	618	-	Op(CG 58)
	134	-	Op(GG)	337	-	AJ 94	509	-	ES 83	620	-	Op(DG)
	160	-	CG 15	381	-	Op(DG)	511	-	Op(DG)	624	-	BE 66
	164	-	Op(FB)	383	-	BE 29	514	-	DS 25	631	-	Op(AK 30)
	167	-	AL 72	384	-	Op(AL 30)	516	-	ES 24	632	-	Op(AK 30)
	175	-	Op(ET)	403	-	AF 76	521	-	BF 77	662	-	BD 77
	176	-	Op(ER)	404	-	Op(AK 60)	522	-	Op(DG)	664	-	BF 84
	177	-	EJ 34	406	-	BE 69	525	-	Op(AK 30)	704	-	BF 47
	181	-	Op(DG)	413	-	Op(AJ 89)	558	-	BF 54	706	-	BD 77
										752	-	BF 91

	On Return Passage: U 109 - 128 - 134 - 167 - 177 - 181 - 406 - 455 - 463 - 591 - 664 - 435.
	Entered Port: U 435 - Brest.
	Sailed: U 264 - St. Nazaire; U 258 - La Pallice; U 268 - Bergen.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 2 see para IVa.
		2)	U 186 reported sinking independent (6,000 GRT) in AL 2882 on easterly course.
		3)	U 632 reported hit on eastward bound 10,000 ton tanker in AL 1725. Lost contact in heavy squall of rain.
	b)	None.
	c)	Submarine sightings: DN 7647, AL 4190, AK 3832.
		Submarine attack: AL 0222 (sunk by U 186).
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 2:
		At 1254 U 620 picked up a convoy formation. During the day U 571 and U 522 also contacted the convoy. At 2015 U 620 scored 2 hits on 2 tankers in staggered formation during an underwater attack at dusk. The same boat scored one hit in DH 5119 on a damaged tanker, she then shot the boat to pieces with gunfire.

- 18 -

		U 571 fired a miss from stern tube at a patrol vessel and probably scored 2 hits on a tanker (9,000 GRT). U 522 sank a tanker (9,000 GRT) and torpedoed a large tanker. Although 2 tankers had definitely been sunk, probably even 3, U 511 reported in the morning that the remaining convoy formation consisted of 2 tankers, 2 submarines also agree with supposition that 2 convoy formations had been attacked. Two submarines continued the operation. The remaining boats had lagged behind after being depth-charged or after making attacks and they are proceeding to the supply rendezvous in DG 50.
	b)	1)	U 337, 413, 598, 594, 96 and 266 have arrived N.E. of Newfoundland. They have been gathered together as Group "Jaguar" and are manning patrol strip AJ 8799 to BC 2531.
		2)	U 521, 160, 218 to cruise along approximately longitude 25⁰, 26⁰, 27⁰ West, and have been given DG 42 as temporary approach point.
		3)	Following order was issued to Group "Falke" - At 1900 patrol to cruise in 250⁰, speed 7 knots, at 1030 on 11.1 to turn, course 70⁰, 4 knots to bridge the night relay of the expected convoy.
		4)	Group "Habicht" made up of U 226, 186, 383, 303, 624, 704 has been ordered to man patrol strip from AK 7411 to 7849. This extends the patrol strip manned by Group "Falke" to the S.E.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 620 - 2 hits
	U 620 - 1 ship 8,000 GRT (tonnage assumed by B.d.U.)
	U 632 - 1 ship 10,000 GRT torpedoed.
	U 186 - 1 ship 6,000 GRT
	U 522 - 1 ship 9,000 GRT 1 ship torpedoed.
	U 571 - 1 ship torpedoed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

11. January 1943.

I.	U 43	-	BF 45	U 186	-	AL 29	U 413	-	Op(BC 21)	U 571	-	Op(DH)
	66	-	CG 45	201	-	Op(AK 90)	414	-	AN 20	572	-	Op(AK 60)
	69	-	Op(AK 90)	217	-	Op(EO)	436	-	Op(DH)	575	-	Op(DG 90)
	71	-	Op(AK 60)	214	-	Op(ED)	438	-	BF 44	584	-	Op(AK 60)
	87	-	BF 44	218	-	CG 14	440	-	BD 77	591	-	BF 50
	96	-	Op(BC 24)	224	-	CH 70	441	-	Op(AK 30)	594	-	Op(BC 23)
	105	-	Op(ED)	226	-	AL 45	442	-	Op(DG 90)	598	-	Op(BC 21)
	109	-	DG 49	257	-	Op(AK 60)	444	-	Op(AK 30)	606	-	Op(AK 93)
	117	-	BD 77	258	-	BF 83	455	-	BD 77	607	-	Op(AK 90)
	123	-	BD 77	260	-	BD 77	459	-	ES 87	613	-	BF 81
	124	-	Op(EO)	264	-	BF 50	463	-	DG 54	614	-	AO 30
	125	-	Op(DG 80)	266	-	Op(BC 25)	506	-	FD 36	618	-	Op(CG 58)
	128	-	BE 95	268	-	AF 79	507	-	Op(FB)	620	-	Op(DH)
	134	-	DG 63	303	-	AL 28	509	-	FD 32	624	-	BE 61
	160	-	CF 38	333	-	Op(AK 66)	511	-	Op(DH)	631	-	Op(AK 30)
	164	-	Op(FB)	337	-	Op(AJ 87)	514	-	Op(DG 80)	632	-	Op(AL 60)
	167	-	BE 52	381	-	Op(DH)	516	-	ES 55	662	-	BD 77
	175	-	Op(ET)	383	-	BE 24	521	-	CG 13	664	-	BE 86
	176	-	Op(ER)	384	-	Op(AK 30)	522	-	Op(DH)	704	-	BE 62
	177	-	EJ 31	403	-	AF 71	525	-	Op(AK 30)	706	-	BD 77
	181	-	DH 21	404	-	Op(AK 60)	558	-	BF 47	752	-	BF 81
	182	-	EJ 31	406	-	BF 50	563	-	BE 66


- 19 -

	On Return Passage: U 109 - 128 - 134 - 167 - 177 - 181 - 406 - 455 - 563 - 591 - 664.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: U 518 - Lorient.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 2 see para IVa.
		2)	U 124 11.1. stalked freighter "Angle Indian" in EO 6616, course 300⁰, 10 knots. Double miss, torpedoes set too deep, observed before boat was forced to submerge by air patrol.
		3)	U 404 (Group "Falke") sighted 3 steamers on course of 200⁰ in AK 6199. Ships were later recognized as the Swedish "FALSTER BOHUES" and "TUNAHOLM" (see para IV 6.1).
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Submarine sightings: CG 5589 (U 618).
		2)	Submarine attacks: EP 7210 (U 124?) EO 66 (U 124).
		3)	Torpedoing: EK 8890 (U 175?).
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 2: U 511 was forced by a Sunderland to submerge during the morning, and at 1609 by 2 Corvettes, so that she lagged behind. As the 2 remaining tankers proceeded at a speed of about 12 to 13 knots and the submarines would have caught up with them until the next day at the earliest, when they would have reached the area of regular air patrols. The attack on the convoy was broken off.
FINAL REMARKS.
		The operation begun at 1600 on 3.1.1943 took the desired course. The Group "DELPHIN" patrol picked up the convoy on 8.1. 116 hours after U 514 sent her last shadower report. The convoy continues somewhat south of the Great Circle, without altering its mean course. The convoy escort, which consisted mainly of fairly old gun boats and Corvettes, was inexperienced and not very dogged. Despite excellent hydrophone and Asdic conditions with very calm weather and sea, it did not succeed in badly damaging a single boat, let alone sinking one. Surface location was not observed. On the whole the results can be described as very good and particularly satisfactory for Operational Control, who with great good fortune were justified in making their hard decisions on 4.1. to desert the fast convoy proceeding to America which had been contacted once in favor of a convoy which could not be picked up for over 100 hours. 15 tankers totaling about 141,000 GRT were sunk. No submarines were damaged.
	b	1)	After U 404 had made a report Group "FALKE" was instructed to remain in the position line already reached. U 404, 333, and 584 were then to stalk the ships reported until they had been clearly recognized. After they had established that the vessels were Swedish. Group "FALKE"

- 20 -

			was ordered to cruise from its position line at 1900 AK 3759 to AK 9525 in patrol strip on a course of 250⁰, speed 6 knots.At 1030 on 12.1 to proceed on a course of 70⁰, speed 4 knots.
		2)	U 438, 752, 613 have joined Group "Habicht" and have instructions to proceed at cruising speed to extend the patrol strip from AL 7885 to BE 1241.
		3)	U 558, 87 have been ordered to proceed to DG 50. It is intended to form a new group to operate against convoys from Trinidad to North Africa (see convoy No. 2).
	c)	1)	U 177 passed on her experiences to U 182 and handed over "Eisbär" order.
		2)	So far, because of bad weather, only U 662 has refueled from U 117. This rules out the possibility of detailing the remaining boats of former Group "Spitz" (U 123, 260, 440, 706, 662) and Group "Jaguar" to attack the expected northeast convoy (HX or SC) N.E. of Newfoundland.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

VI.	General:
	The setting-up of Group "Falke" was not successful, the "ONS" convoy was not contacted. The two unsuccessful operations prove the crying need for more submarines. The longer the patrol strip and the closer the boats, the greater the chance of contacting a convoy. Present lack of submarines prevents the setting-up of several patrols with sufficient boats (as already shown on 9.1. in the War Diary). As long as reinforcements from home remain as weak as during the last few months, conditions will not improve. This once again emphasizes the great draw back of our naval warfare: the lack of all air reconnaissance. The effect of our submarine warfare would be very different if the submarines did not have to seek and find the enemy for themselves; they are totally unfitted for this task, for it requires large numbers of boats, it also causes long, wasteful, fruitless waiting.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12. January 1943.

I.	U 43	-	BE 63	U 186	-	AL 48	U 413	-	Op(BC 21)	U 563	-	BF 40
	66	-	CG 76	201	-	Op(AK 90)	414	-	AN 20	571	-	Op(DH)
	69	-	Op(AK 60)	214	-	Op(ED)	436	-	DG 50	572	-	Op(AK 60)
	71	-	Op(AK 60)	217	-	Op(EO)	438	-	BE 62	575	-	DG 50
	87	-	BE 93	218	-	CF 65	440	-	BD 77	584	-	Op(AK 60)
	96	-	Op(BC 24)	224	-	CH 70	441	-	Op(AK 30)	591	-	BF 52
	105	-	Op(ED)	226	-	AL 74	442	-	DG 50	594	-	Op(BC 21)
	109	-	DG 50	257	-	Op(AK 60)	444	-	Op(AK 30)	598	-	Op(BC 21)
	117	-	BD 77	258	-	BF 43	455	-	BD 77	606	-	Op(AK 90)
	123	-	BD 77	260	-	BD 77	459	-	FD 25	607	-	Op(AK 90)
	124	-	Op(EO 65)	264	-	BF 49	463	-	DG 54	613	-	BF 47
	125	-	Op(DG 90)	266	-	Op(BC 25)	506	-	FE 45	614	-	AN 26
	128	-	BE 92	268	-	AF 71	507	-	Op(FB)	618	-	Op(CG 58)
	134	-	CF 12	303	-	AL 51	509	-	FD 36	620	-	Op(DG)
	160	-	CF 56	333	-	Op(AK 60)	511	-	DH 50	624	-	BE 62
	164	-	Op(FB)	337	-	Op(AJ 87)	514	-	Op(DG)	631	-	Op(AK 30)
	167	-	BE 68	381	-	DG 68	516	-	ES 90	632	-	Op(AK 30)
	175	-	Op(ET)	383	-	AL 87	518	-	BF 57	662	-	BC 89
	176	-	Op(ER)	384	-	Op(AK 30)	521	-	CG 17	664	-	BE 93
	177	-	EJ 31	403	-	AE 68	522	-	Op(DH)	704	-	BE 29
	181	-	CF 13	404	-	Op(AK 50)	525	-	Op(AK 30)	706	-	BD 77
	182	-	EJ 31	406	-	BF 64	558	-	BF 47	752	-	BF 47

- 21 -

	On Return Passage: U 109 - 128 - 134 - 167 - 177 - 181 - 406 - 455 - 563 - 591 - 664.
	Entered Port: U 591 - Brest; U 406 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 202 - Brest; U 187 - 707 - 466 - 358 - 223 - 267 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	Submarine sightings: EV 72 (no boat), ED 24, EO 60.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	Group "JAGUAR" was ordered to steer a course of 200⁰, speed 6 knots from 1200 in the patrol strip. At 2100 to turn and go on a course of 50⁰, speed 9 knots. At 1200 on 13.1. to turn and go on a course of 230⁰, speed 4 knots. These movements are intended to ensure that the middle boats of the patrol should contact the expected "HX" convoy, whose position on 10.1. was known from high priority Radio Intercept Intelligence, during daylight today.
		2)	Group "FALKE" was ordered to remain on the position line from AK 2898 to AK 9457 reached at 1900, and form a patrol strip there. This Group is to be detailed to attack the convoy group assigned to Group "JAGUAR" if it is contacted, or to join Group "HABICHT" to pick up a westbound convoy that is expected.
		3)	Group "DELPHIN" (U 514 - 125 - 522 - 511 - 442 - 575 - 436 - 381 - 620 - 571) have been ordered to stand-by in patrol strip from CE 8434 to DG 1961 by 0000 on 16.1. to carry out partial refueling. It is planned to operate against a convoy reported by high priority Radio Intercept intelligence to be sailing on a new convoy route (Great Circle New York-Canaries).
		4)	U 160 has replaced U 522 in Group "SEEHUND" and has been ordered to make for GG 10 (Capetown).
	c)	U 459 reported that 2 destroyers were waiting in the rendezvous square FD 25 where she was to meet the Italian submarine J 28. Rendezvous was moved to FD 34.
	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- 22 -

13. January 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CG 12	U 187	-	AO 70	U 404	-	Op(AK 50)	U 558	-	BE 69
	66	-	DJ 12	201	-	Op(AK 90)	413	-	Op(BC 21)	563	-	BF 55
	69	-	Op(AK 50)	202	-	BF 54	414	-	Stavanger	571	-	DG 65
	71	-	Op(AK 50)	214	-	Op(ED)	436	-	DG 54	572	-	Op(AK 50)
	87	-	BE 97	217	-	Op(EO)	438	-	BE 37	575	-	DG 54
	96	-	Op(BC 24)	218	-	CG 17	440	-	BD 77	584	-	Op(AK 50)
	105	-	Op(ED)	223	-	AO 70	441	-	Op(AK 20)	594	-	Op(BC 21)
	109	-	DG 50	226	-	AL 74	442	-	DG 54	598	-	Op(BC 21)
	117	-	BD 77	257	-	Op(AK 50)	444	-	Op(AK 20)	606	-	Op(AK 90)
	123	-	BD 77	258	-	BF 44	455	-	BD 77	607	-	Op(AK 90)
	124	-	Op(EO)	260	-	BD 77	459	-	FD 31	613	-	BE 65
	125	-	DG 52	264	-	BF 44	463	-	DG 54	614	-	AF 79
	128	-	BF 70	266	-	Op(BC 25)	466	-	AO 70	618	-	Op(CG 58)
	134	-	CF 85	267	-	AO 70	506	-	FE 85	620	-	DG 64
	160	-	CF 82	268	-	AE 68	507	-	Op(FB)	624	-	BE 53
	164	-	Op(FB)	303	-	AL 72	509	-	FE 45	631	-	Op(AK 20)
	167	-	BF 47	333	-	Op(AK 50)	511	-	DH 42	632	-	Op(AK 20)
	175	-	Op(ET)	337	-	Op(AJ 87)	514	-	DG 52	662	-	BC 37
	176	-	Op(ER)	358	-	AO 70	516	-	ES 90	664	-	BF 68
	177	-	DT 67	381	-	DG 54	518	-	BF 70	704	-	BE 25
	181	-	CF 86	383	-	BE 24	521	-	CF 66	706	-	BD 77
	182	-	EJ 67	384	-	Op(AK 50)	522	-	DG 39	707	-	AO 70
	186	-	Op(AL 74)	403	-	AE 83	525	-	AK 50	752	-	BE 65

	On Return Passage: U 109 - 128 - 134 - 167 - 177 - 181 - 455 - 563 - 618 - 664.
	Entered Port: U 664 - La Pallice.
	Sailed: U 456 - Bergen.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 507 reported convoy in FB 5643, course 115⁰, speed 8 knots. Boat was ordered to attack.
		2)	U 403 reported patrol formation, 4 steam trawlers making a great deal of smoke, hove to in AE 38.
		3)	U 124 reported regular naval air patrols from EO 66 to EP 47 observed from 11.1.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Submarine sightings: FB 55 (U 507?), EP 47, ER 58.
		2)	According to a radio broadcast, an American bomber has sunk a German submarine in the Bay of Biscay. There is no evidence that it was one of our boats.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	U 662 joined Group "Jaguar" and was ordered to extend the patrol strip to the southeast by one station.

- 23 -

Group "Jaguar" was ordered to halt at 2030 and move its position in the direction of the patrol strip by 30 miles to the N.W. and man the newly reached position line from AJ 8829 to BC 2531 as a patrol strip. If they do not establish any contact during the night, they are to proceed in the patrol strip on a course of 230⁰, speed 4 knots at 1200 on 14.1. The patrol strip has been shifted so that according to previously ascertained passage points the boats shall be more favorably placed to intercept the slow "SC" convoy as well.

Approach points:

a)	U 264, 202, 258 = DG 25. Now disposition of a group S. of the Azores.
b)	U 268 and U 403 to AL 16 as reinforcements for previous Group "Falke" - "Habicht", or for a new disposition.

After U 66 has carried out her special task (landing an agent in Morocco), she is to operate in DT 40 if situation permits.

U 459 and J 28 carried out refueling.

None.

Reports of Success: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

14. January 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CG 21	U 187	-	AN 30	U 404	-	Op(AK 60)	U 525	-	Op(AK 60)
	66	-	DJ	201	-	Op(AK 90)	413	-	Op(AJ 80)	558	-	BE 95
	69	-	Op(AK 90)	202	-	BF 40	414	-	Stavanger	563	-	BF 52
	71	-	Op(AK 60)	214	-	Op(EC)	436	-	DG 54	571	-	DG 54
	87	-	CF 35	217	-	Op(EO)	438	-	BE 25	572	-	Op(AK 90)
	96	-	Op(BC 20)	218	-	CF 68	440	-	BD 77	575	-	DG 54
	105	-	Op(ED)	223	-	AN 30	441	-	Op(AK 20)	584	-	Op(AK 60)
	109	-	DG 55	226	-	AL 74	442	-	DG 54	594	-	Op(BC 20)
	117	-	BD 77	257	-	Op(AK 60)	444	-	Op(AK 20)	598	-	Op(BC 20)
	123	-	BC 65	258	-	BE 93	455	-	BD 77	606	-	Op(AK 90)
	125	-	EP 41	260	-	BD 70	456	-	AF 79	607	-	Op(AK 90)
	124	-	DG 24	264	-	BE 93	459	-	FD 34	613	-	BE 53
	128	-	BF 58	266	-	Op(BC 20)	463	-	DG 54	614	-	AF 72
	134	-	CF 67	267	-	AN 30	466	-	AN 30	618	-	BF 77
	160	-	DH 11	268	-	AE 83	506	-	FM 16	620	-	DG 54
	164	-	Op(FB)	303	-	Op(AL 74)	507	-	Op(FB 56)	624	-	BE 59
	167	-	BF 40	333	-	OP(AK 60)	509	-	FE 73	631	-	Op(AK 20)
	175	-	Op(ET)	337	-	Op(AJ 80)	511	-	DG 35	632	-	Op(AK 20)
	176	-	Op(ER)	358	-	AN 30	514	-	DG 22	662	-	Op(BC 20)
	177	-	DT 37	381	-	DG 54	516	-	FD 33	704	-	BE 13
	181	-	CG 41	383	-	AL 87	518	-	BF 40	706	-	BD 77
	182	-	EJ 92	384	-	AK 60	521	-	CF 31	707	-	AN 30
	186	-	Op(AL 74)	403	-	AE 88	522	-	DG 34	752	-	BE 53

	On Return Passage: U 109 - 124 - 128 - 134 - 167 - 177 - 181 - 455 - 563 - 618.
	Entered Port: U 563 - Brest.
	Sailed: U 402 - La Pallice.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

- 24 -

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 217 reported: No shipping yet met with in EO.
		2)	U 618 reported: On 11.1. depth charged by destroyer in CG 5831. Otherwise only neutral shipping.
		3)	U 134 sighted a convoy at 2300 in CF 3545 on a southerly course, no contact established. As the boats proceeding south were far behind the convoy, it was useless to try to launch an attack.
		4)	U 444 sighted a seaplane in AK 6114.
		5)	U 441 reported moderate air patrolling in AK 37 - 38.
		6)	U 333 reported land-based plane in AK 6.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Submarine sightings: BF 4735.
		2)	Submarine attack: CA 50 (none of our boats there).
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	U 403 has joined Group "Falke" in place of U 441.U 441 is returning.
		2)	Group "Falke" was ordered to man a new patrol strip from AL 1367 to 4732 by 0800 on 16.1.
		3)	Group "Habicht" was ordered to take up new positions from AL 4841 to 8489. This patrol strip joins that of Group "Falke". An outbound "ONS" convoy is expected from 16.1. in the area covered by paragraphs 2 and 3.
		4)	U 123 has joined Group "Jaguar" and extended the patrol strip by one position to the southeast.
		5)	Group "Jaguar" was ordered to man the position line reached at 2030 as a patrol strip.
	c)	Boats of Group "Delphin" (U 442, 436, 575, 571, 620) have refueled and replenished torpedoes from U 463 and U 109; they are now proceeding according to instructions to the new patrol strip.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- 25 -

15. January 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CG 17	U 187	-	AN 20	U 403	-	AL 24	U 522	-	CE 88
	66	-	DJ	201	-	Op(AK 90)	404	-	Op(AK 60)	525	-	Op(AK 60)
	69	-	Op(AK 90)	202	-	BF 70	413	-	Op(AJ 80)	558	-	BE 97
	71	-	Op(AK 60)	214	-	Op(EC)	414	-	AE 85	571	-	DG 54
	87	-	CF 23	217	-	Op(EO)	436	-	DG 54	572	-	Op(AK 90)
	96	-	Op(BC 20)	218	-	CF 94	438	-	BE 21	575	-	DG 54
	105	-	Op(ED)	223	-	AN 20	440	-	BD 77	584	-	OP(AK 60)
	109	-	DG 54	226	-	Op(AL 74)	441	-	AK 62	594	-	BC 20
	117	-	BD 77	257	-	Op(AK 60)	442	-	DG 54	598	-	Op(AJ 80)
	123	-	Op(BC 25)	258	-	BE 96	444	-	Op(AK 30)	606	-	Op(AK 90)
	124	-	EP 15	260	-	BD 77	455	-	BD 77	607	-	Op(AK 90)
	125	-	CE 84	264	-	BE 98	456	-	AF 56	613	-	BE 64
	128	-	BF 61	266	-	Op(BC 20)	459	-	FE 47	614	-	AE 68
	134	-	CF 33	267	-	AN 20	463	-	DG 53	618	-	BF 74
	160	-	DH 41	268	-	AE 87	466	-	AN 20	620	-	DG 54
	164	-	Op(FB)	303	-	Op(AL 74)	506	-	FM 51	624	-	BE 54
	167	-	BF 55	333	-	Op(AK 60)	507	-	Op(FB)	631	-	Op(AK 30)
	175	-	Op(ET)	337	-	Op(AJ 80)	509	-	FM 12	632	-	Op(AK 30)
	176	-	Op(ER)	358	-	AN 20	511	-	DG 22	662	-	Op(BC 20)
	177	-	DH 78	381	-	DG 54	514	-	CE 84	704	-	AL 87
	181	-	CG 12	383	-	AL 74	516	-	FE 41	706	-	BD 77
	182	-	ES 37	384	-	Op(AK 60)	518	-	BE 70	707	-	AN 20
	186	-	Op(AL 74)	402	-	BF 91	521	-	CF 88	752	-	BE 64

	On Return Passage: U 109 - 124 - 128 - 134 - 167 - 177 - 181 - 441 - 455 - 463 - 618.
	Entered Port: U 128 - Lorient.
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	Submarine sightings: BF 6817, AK 3847, AL 3726, AK 66.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	After they had carried out refueling the order of Group "Delphin" from north to south was as follows: U 514, 125, 522, 511, 442, 436, 575, 381, 571, 620. The Group has been ordered to cruise on a course of 285⁰, speed 6 knots in the patrol strip from 1100 on 16.1, in order to gain more space to the west for fighting.
		2)	After reception of position reports from Group "Habicht" the order of the patrol strip from N.W. to S.E. has been altered as follows: U 226, 186, 383, 303, 704, 438, 624, 613, 752.
		3)	U 268 and U 414 have joined Group "Falke" and lengthened the patrol strip to the north.

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		4)	Temporary attack areas have been allocated as follows: U 521 - DG 65 and 68; UU 218 - DG 69 and 93. U 43 and U 518 have been given DG 92 as approach point. It is intended at a later date to rake to the south with these boats and attack convoy traffic from Trinidad to Freetown or the coast of Brazil.
		5)	U 175 has been given a free hand to the west as far as off Freetown in the S.E.
		6)	U 105, 214, 217 have been given freedom of maneuver until they begin their return voyage.
	c) -	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

VI.	General:
	Neither the "SC" nor the "HX" convoy (Group "Jaguar") were contacted. Unfortunately delays in refueling reduced Group "Jaguar" to 6 boats. Probably "SC" and "HX" passed to the north of the submarine disposition.
	These two convoys bring the total up to four that have been missed since 31.12. It must be assumed that the enemy has left the convoy routes that he has been sailing for nearly 5 months and is again scattering his convoy routes.This development is a great drawback to attacks by our boat, but was only to be expected. As has already been emphasized in this War Diary, it was quite inexplicable why the English stuck so stubbornly to almost the same convoy routes for six months, which greatly simplified finding the convoys.
	Probably the convoy routes to the north have been moved into the patrol areas of the Greenland and Iceland units. The next step for us to take is to make long dispositions with numerous boats so as to find out exactly what detours the enemy is making. Groups "Falke" and "Habicht" have been given a disposition for 16.1 against the "ONS" convoy with this end in view. If this operation is again unsuccessful, it will be necessary to patrol farther to the north, preferably in the area S.E. of Greenland.


			(Signed): DÖNITZ







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