U-116 - 3rd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with the help Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Lorient	27 June 1942	Lorient	23 August 1942	58

 

Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol.  You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file.  Download Google Earth here

 

Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
12 Jul 42	00.22	32°03'N, 24°38'W	CORTONA (damaged)	7,093	British	OS-33
12 Jul 42	09.45	31°33'N, 25°26'W	SHAFTESBURY	4,284	British	OS-33
			Total = 11,377
Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

---

	- 1 -
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
				of the
			Unterseebootes    "U  1  1  6  "
			-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
			Kommandant        :	Korv.Kapt.  Werner von Schmidt
			Beginning              :	9 June 1942.
			Concluding           :	23 August 1942.
			-----------
			Distribution:     Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine Copy No. 1 and 2 Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote     "      " 3 2. Admiral der Unterseeboote     "      " 4 1. Unterseebootsflottille     "      " 5
			Enclosures:       1 Track chart To     "      " 1, 3, 4, and 5. 3 Torpedo firing reports   "     "      " 3, 4, 5. 1 Excerpt of the Radio log   "     "      " 3, 4, 5. 10 Barograph strips   "     "      " 3.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB

	- 3 -
		09.06.42
		to	L o r i e n t	Overhaul of the boat.
		27.06.42	xxxxxxxxxx	Shipyard testing - Outfitting for supply - Trim test.
		27.06.42	Lorient
		20.30	NW 2, Sea 1-2, Vis. good	Put to sea for patrol.
		21.15		Taken in convoy.
		22.00		Released from convoy
				Began independent transit on Route Bogenlampe.
		28.06.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00		Transit at increased speed on Route Bogenlampe.
		04.00
		05.55		Dived to proceed submerged.
		12.00	BF 5734 lower-left	Day's run:    125.0                    Latitude      46°25'N
				13.2                    Longitude:     6°00'W
				138.2
		16.00	BF 5729 lower-left
		16.44	NE 1-2, Sea 1, clear sky, Vis. good	Surfaced to charge the battery and ventilate the boat.
		19.50		Continued submerged transit.
		20.00	BF 5747 center	Gyro-compass malfunction; azimuth off by 7°, changes continually.
		23.46		Surfaced to proceed on the surface.
		29.06.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 4968 lower-center
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, bright moonshine, greatly changing cloudiness
		04.00	BF 4974 center
		05.52		Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 27.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.06.42

	- 4 -
		continued
		29.06.42
		08.00	BF 4889 center
		12.00	BF 4888 center-left	Day's run:    119.0                    Latitude      45°38'N
				37.4                    Longitude:     9°18'W
				156.4
		16.00	BF 4879 lower-right
		20.00	BF 7222 upper-center
		23.30		Surfaced.
		30.06.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	BF 7213	Gyro-compass is unsettled.  The gyro-compass azimuth was continually checked by azimuth determination.
			N 1, Sea 0-1, overcast
		04.00	BF 7118 upper-left corner
		06.16		Dived.
		08.00	BE 9353 upper-right
		12.00	BE 9352 center	Day's run:     91.0                    Latitude      45°16'N
				37.4                    Longitude:   12°12'W
				128.4
		16.00	BE 9351 center
		20.00	BE 9346 upper-left
		23.40		Surfaced.
		01.07.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	BE 9344 center
			Wind shifting to W, overcast, flat Sea
		04.00	BE 9249
		08.00	BE 9175	Course change to 200°, headed for naval square ER.   [ER 90]
		12.00	BE 8663 upper-right corner	Day's run:    139.0                    Latitude      44°24'N
				26.6                    Longitude:   16°00'W
				165.6
		14.10		Crash dive!  Aircraft bearing 230°T.
		15.30		Surfaced.
		16.00	BE 8695 center
		20.00	BE 8961 upper-left corner

	Sun and Moon Data 29.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.06.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.07.42

	- 5 -
		02.07.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	BE 8980 center
			SW 1, Sea 1, lightly cloudy, bright moon
		04.00	CF 3251 upper-center
		08.00	CF 3275 upper-center
		08.10
		to		Test dive.
		09.05
		12.00	CF 3517 lower-left edge	Day's run:    168.5                    Latitude      41°43'N
				4.2                    Longitude:   17°29'W
				172.7
		16.00	CF 3496 center
		20.00	CF 3761 center-right
		03.07.42	North Atlantic, east of the Azores
		00.00	CF 3789 center
			Freshening SW 2, Sea 1-2, Vis. good, greatly changing cloudiness
		04.00	CF 6155 center
		08.00	CF 6421 upper-center
		12.00	CF 6446 lower-center	Day's run:    180°                  Latitude      38°49'N
				Longitude:   18°22'W
		16.00	CF 6711 center
		20.00	CF 5969 upper-left corner	Came to course 240° to head for the preliminary attack area.  [CE 98 - 99]
		04.07.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	CF 5989 center
			W 3, Sea 2-3, medium Swell, dark night
		04.00	CF 8316 center	Gyro-compass swings between 4.8° and 6°.
		08.00	CF 8265 upper-right
		12.00	CF 8282 center-left	Day's run:    172°                  Latitude       36°50'N
				Longitude:   20°33'W

	Sun and Moon Data 02.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.07.42

	- 6 -
		continued
		04.07.42
		16.00	CF 8517 upper-left
		17.45
		to		Test dive, depth control training.
		19.20
		20.00	CF 8438 lower-center
		05.07.42	Central Atlantic, south of the Azores
		00.00	CF 8481 upper-right corner
		04.00	CF 8477 upper-right edge
		08.00	CF 7934 upper-right corner
		12.00	CF 7951 upper-right corner	Day's run:    148                    Latitude      35°22'N
			W 3, Sea 2-3, lightly cloudy	2                    Longitude:   23°07'W
				150
		16.00	CF 7869 upper-right corner
		20.00	CF 7885 upper-right
		06.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	CF 7877 lower-center
		04.00	CE 9989 center	Reached the ordered preliminary attack area.  Proceeded a economical speed on changing courses.
		08.00	CE 9978 lower-right
		12.00	CE 9889 lower-right corner	Day's run:    169                    Latitude      34°50'N
				Longitude:   26°18'W
		16.00	CE 9974 upper-left corner	The gyro-compass was continually checked, for this
		17.57		dived, to determine azimuth.  Gyro-compass is unsettled.
		19.10		Surfaced.
		20.00	CE 9954 lower-left corner
		07.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	CE 9937 center
		04.00	CE 9943 upper-right corner
		08.00	CE 9863 center

	Sun and Moon Data 04.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.07.42

	- 7 -
		continued
		07.07.42
		10.24		Dived for a final check of the gyro-compass.  If an inaccurate result comes out now, the globe will be exchanged.
		12.20		Surfaced.
		12.00	CE 9853 center	Day's run:    109.0                    Latitude      35°20'N
			Nearly calm, flat Sea, overcast	4.5                    Longitude:   26°20'W
				113.5
		14.50		Dived, to have completely calm conditions to replace the gyro-compass globe.
				Results:  The globe had become leaky, some hydraulic fluid penetrated, resulting in errors.
		16.00	CE 9852 center
		20.00	CE 9861 center-left
		20.37		Surfaced:  Gyro-compass is settled and works properly.
		08.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	CE 9942 center-left
			Dark night, Vis. low
		04.00	CE 9951 center
		08.00	CE 9963 center
		08.10		"U-Schulte" in sight
		09.55		Out of sight.
		11.35	CE 9951 center	3 mastheads in sight, 340°R.
		12.00	N 1, flat sea, light Swell, Vis. good except for individual hazy places	Day's run:    121.5                    Latitude      35°20'N
				13.0                    Longitude:   25°15'W
				134.5
				Maneuvered ahead at the limit of visibility.
		15.42		Dived:  It is the Swiss motor-ship "SAENTIS" that was reported on 3 July in naval square DE.
				The B-Diesnt group on board had heard his position report the previous night on 36 meters (International Steamer Wavelength).  Markings etc. also perfect.  Therefore let it go.

	Sun and Moon Data 07.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.07.42

	- 8 -
		continued
		08.07.42
		16.00	CF 7811 lower-left	Moved off submerged.
		17.30		Surfaced.
		17.55		Steamer out of sight.
		20.00	CE 9935 center-left
		09.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	CE 9938 center-left	I do not intend to be caught directly to the north of the Group "Hai" reconnaissance line, to avoid being near land.  Therefore will run through the attack area once more to the west, to first be at the same latitude as the group on 10 July about midday.
		04.00	CE 9942 center-left
			Dark night, heavy haze, Vis. low
		08.00	CE 9865 center
		12.00	CE 9858 center-left	Day's run:    153.5                    Latitude      35°10'N
			NNW 1, flat Sea, changing cloudiness, Vis. good	2.5                    Longitude:   26°34'W
				156.0
		16.00	DG 2338 center-right
		20.00	CE 9792 upper-center
		10.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	CE 9846 upper-right corner
		04.00	CE 9837 upper-right corner	Now Group "Hai" (Schulte, Schnee, Zimmermann, Hirsacker, Schroeter) proceeds on course 185°.
			N 2, Sea 1, overcast
		08.00	CE 9912 upper-right
		12.00	CE 9686 center	Day's run:    174                    Latitude      35°50'N
				Longitude:   25°11'W
		14.00	NE 3, Sea 2-3, medium cloudiness	Came to course 185°, am now at the same latitude and in the same distance as the other boats.
		16.00	CE 9697 upper-center
		20.00	CE 9964 center
		11.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	CE 9997 center
		04.00	DG 3253 upper-right corner
		08.00	DG 3286

	Sun and Moon Data 08.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.07.42

	- 9 -
		continued
		11.07.42
		09.00
		to		Test dive.
		10.20
		12.00	DG 3525	Day's run:    156.0                    Latitude      33°41'N
			NE 1-2, light Swell, overcast, sometimes hazy, and murky	1.5                    Longitude:    25°17'W
				157.5
		14.54		Incoming Signal 1430/11/119:
				Enemy convoy in sight DG 3639.  Course 200° medium speed.    U-Schnee.
		16.00	DG 3582	Operated on the convoy at 2 x HF and GF and course 165°.
		17.15	NE 1-2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy	Report from Schnee:  (1601/11/121)
				1 steamer, 1 corvette in DG 3665, course 210°, 12 knots.  Holding contact.  Part of the convoy out of sight on general course 170°.
				At GF, the aft hatch gets so hot that the hand wheel can no longer be touched, danger for the hatch's rubber seal.
				After considering that the eastern part of the convoy reported by Schnee can only be reached with large fuel oil consumption, operated on the independent steamer with corvette on the last reported course
				At 2 x HF, course 155°, a meeting is likely shortly before twilight.
		20.00	DG 3864 center-right
		22.45		Smoke feather in sight - closed on course 90°.
		23.00		At the beginning of twilight one vessel comes in sight bearing 145°T.
		23.15		I turned away and maneuvered further ahead.  In so doing a type VII U-boat came in sight, that maneuvered ahead of the steamer.
				With that turned away on a southerly course to not hinder him (apparently Schnee).

Sun and Moon Data 11.07.42

	- 10 -
		continued
		11.07.42
		23.25		With gathering darkness and haze on the horizon the steamer as well as the U-boat are out of sight.  Therefore turned on the last bearing of 50°T.
				I am to the west.  If Schnee is at the steamer, he will certainly attack from the dark horizon - so from the east; meaning I have to wait longer than he until it is completely dark, so he will surely get there sooner.
		12.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	DG 6311 center-left	Vessel in sight again, normal steamer type, estimated 4000-5000 GRT.  Course about 200°.  Ran with on collision course to determine speed.
		00.15		Came to parallel course, then angled in and
		00.21		Turned away for a stern shot.
		00.22		Single shot from tube I.
				Range = 800 meters, enemy speed = 12 knots, target angle green 70°.
				After 45 seconds running time hit starboard forward edge of the bridge.  High gray explosion column, only relatively small, yellow-red fire glow up to about 3/4 the height of his hull.
				After the explosion column subsided, the foreship had clearly settled, steamer lay stopped and turned in position to starboard in a complete circle.
		00.23		Moved off in sight to the WNW.
		00.30		B-Dienst Group picked up on the 600-meter wavelength "SS SS "CORTONA" TORPEDOED 3257N 2432W ar sk."
		00.34		Turned towards, to sink the steamer with a coup de grâce.
		00.36		High, strong explosion with fire glow on the steamer.  Apparently a boiler explosion.
		00.38		Finally sunk.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.07.42

	- 11 -
		continued
		12.07.42
		00.38		Moved off at increased speed to the west.
		04.00	DG 6228 center
		05.00		Came to course 185° and transit speed.
		08.00	DG 6257 lower-left corner
		08.42
		to		Test dive.
		09.02
		09.10		While blowing a vessel came in sight in 20°T with target angle 0°.
		09.12	Trade Wind, Sea 1-2, overcast	Dived for submerged attack.
		09.15		Tuned to starboard, to establish abeam distance.  Steamer with 2 masts, 1 smokestack, dark gray paint, stern cannon.
		09.54  [09.45 in torpedo firing report]		Fan from tubes I and II.
				After 56 seconds and 66 seconds hit in rudder/propeller and hatch 5.
		10.13		Steamer sunk.
		10.27		Surfaced, 2 lifeboats lie in the vicinity of the sinking location.  Closed, the entire crew if saved unharmed.  Boats are well-equipped.
				Capitan of the ship, Mister E y n o n, taken on board.
				It was the "SHAFTESBURY", 4284 GRT with coal from New Port to Buenos Aires.
				The Chief Engineer off the steamer, an elderly man over 60 years old is strongly shaken - I let him into the boat.
		12.00	DG 6275 center	Day's run:    195.0                    Latitude      31°21'N
				4.0                    Longitude:   25°42'W
				199.0
				Continued to run in the old reconnaissance line at transit speed.
		16.00	DG 6469 upper-right
		20.00	DG 6733 center

Sun and Moon Data 12.07.42

	- 12 -
		continued
		12.07.42
		22.29		Incoming Radio Message:  Signal from Schroeter: (2205/12/153)
				Convoy in DH 7111, S-course, 10 knots.
		22.58		Group Hai received orders, to operate on the convoy reported above.
				For us that would be too much fuel consumption, additionally with only 1 torpedo left that is no help.
				Remained in reconnaissance line.
		13.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	DG 6766 center
			Trade Wind 2-3, Sea 2, medium Swell, overcast, dark night
		04.00	DG 6798 center-right
		08.00	DG 9162 lower-center
		08.50		Smoke feather in sight bearing 105°T.  Came to course 0° to maneuver ahead at GF.
				Large two-smokestack steamer, 1 mast.
		09.08		Water in the fuel - the diesels stop!
		09.10		Dived because the steamer zigzagged towards us at the same time.
				Steamer was type "ANDALUCIA STAR" closes to 7-8 nm, makes a zigzag away again on a northerly course.
				No shooting possibility.
		10.17		Surfaced, because the diesels are operable again.  On the horizon a smoke cloud is still seen.
		10.51		Outgoing Radio Message:  1020/13/163:
				Naval square DG 9163 type ANDALUCIA STAR sighted.  Course north, 16 knots.    Schmidt.
				Possibly another boat can knock this fat morsel off  from this report.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.07.42

	- 13 -
		continued
		13.07.42
		12.00	DG 9163 center	Day's run:    171                    Latitude      28°59'N
			Trade Wind 1-2, Sea 1, changing cloudiness	2                    Longitude:   26°08'W
				173
		16.00	DG 9189 center
		20.00	DG 9456 upper-left
		14.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	DG 9488 upper-center
		04.00	DG 9751 center-right
		08.00	DG 9787 center
		12.00	DT 1255 upper-center	Day's run:    164                    Latitude      26°17'N
				Longitude:   26°40'W
		16.00	DT 1521 center
		16.30	Trade Wind, light Swell, clear sky	Came to course 121° to proceed to the newly ordered reconnaissance line. (Radio Message 1128/14/247)
		20.00	DT 1566 center-right
		15.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	DT 1673 center-right
			Dark night, Trade Wind 1-2, Sea 1
		04.00	DT 1698 upper-right
		08.00	DT 2728 center-left
		10.20
		to		Test dive.
		11.13
		12.00	DT 2847 center-left	Day's run:    189.0                    Latitude      24°21'N
				1.5                    Longitude:   24°24'W
				190.5
		16.00	DT 2889 upper-left corner
		20.00	DT 5316 lower-left
		22.00		With Group Hai in newly ordered reconnaissance line came to course 170° and transit speed.

	Sun and Moon Data 13.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.07.42

	- 14 -
		16.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	DT 5373 center
			Dark night, overcast
		04.00	DT 5624 center
		08.00	DT 5658 center-left
		12.00	DT 5922 center-right	Day's run:    166                       Latitude       22°08'N
			NNE 3, Sea 2, medium Swell	Longitude:   23°01'W
		16.00	DT 5956 center
		20.00	DT 5997 lower-right
		17.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	DT 8362 lower-right
		04.00	DT 8396 lower-right
		08.00	DT 9417 lower-center
		10.57
		to		Test dive.
		11.34
		12.00	DT 9473 center	Day's run:    148.5                    Latitude      19°42'N
			NNE 3, Sea 2-3, fail, medium Swell	1.5                    Longitude:   22°26'W
				150.0
		16.00	DT 9719 center
		20.00	DT 9781 center
		[The entry for 17 July above is an insert which covers over the entry for 18 July]
		19.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	EJ 3796 lower-center
			NNE 1, duck pond, Vis. 2 nm, changing cloudiness
		04.00	EJ 6166 center
		07.30		Light in sight bearing 65°T.  No target angle distinguished.  Ship is fully illuminated with neutrality markings on the hull and stern.  Course 220°, speed 11-12 knots.  Due to the beginning of lightness there is no possibility of getting closer, without maneuvering ahead by day.  To save fuel did not pursue.  Assume neutral.
		08.26		Out of sight.
		11.05
		to		Test dive.
		11.35

	Sun and Moon Data 16.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.07.42

	- 15 -
		continued
		19.07.42
		12.00	EJ 6511	Day's run:    151                    Latitude      14°56'N
				1                    Longitude:   21°41'W
				152
		16.00	EJ 6547 center-left
		20.00	EJ 6815 center-left
		20.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	EJ 6857 center-left
		04.00	EJ 9222 center
			Wind calm, duck pond, overcast
		08.00	EJ 9252 center
		12.00	EJ 9286 lower-right	Day's run:    154                    Latitude      12°25'N
				Longitude:   21°06'W
		16.00	EJ 9562 lower-left
		20.00	EJ 9596 lower-center
		22.00		Came to course 208° to supply square objective.
		21.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	EJ 9865 upper-center
			Bright moonshine
		04.00	EJ 9883 center
			SW 2-3, Se 2, medium Swell, isolated rain showers, overcast
		08.00	ES 3224 upper-center
		10.00
		to		Test dive.
		10.40
		12.00	ES 3243 lower-left	Day's run:    145                    Latitude      10°06'N
				1                    Longitude:   21°30'W
				146
		16.00	ES 3274 center
		20.00	ES 3428 center

	Sun and Moon Data 19.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.07.42

	- 16 -
		22.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	ES 3467 lower-left
			Bright moonshine
		04.00	ES 3722 center
			SbyW 2, Sea 1-2, light S-Swell, overcast
		08.00	ES 3743 lower-right corner
		12.00	ES 3775 lower-left	Day's run:    142                    Latitude        7°55'N
				Longitude:   22°29'W
		16.00	ES 5339 center
		18.15		Smoke cloud in sight.  Closed, determined shift, then maneuvered ahead at the limit of visibility.
				Enemy course 300°, enemy speed = 12 knots.
				Normal freighter of about 4000 GRT.  Nothing special - 1 stern cannon.
		19.19		Dived for submerged attack.
		20.00	ES 5395 center-left	Enemy runs towards us on the same course.
		20.25		Single shot from tube II.
				Miss due to target angle and speed estimation.
		21.22		Surfaced.
			Moonshine, occasional rain shower	Pursued and with favorable situation make a surprise attack with artillery.
		23.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	ES 5346 center	All preparations for surprise attack are made.  The moon comes through the clouds frequently, then it is too bright.  I will wait until moonset.
			Moonshine, rain showers, Vis. changing
		04.00	ES 5233 center	The conditions at stations have been good for half an hour.  The target is only very faintly distinguished in the targeting scope.
				Gun leader reports target detected in the targeting optics.
		06.02		Target angle 120°, range = 500-600 meters.  Permission to fire!  The target optics are lost from the 10.5 cm after the 2nd shot; 3.7 cm is aimed over the rear sight and front sight; 4 shots 10.5 cm go too high and pass by laterally, the 3.7 cm also.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.07.42

	- 17 -
		continued
		23.07.42
		06.05		Steamer turns, showed a small silhouette.  Because the surprise attack failed and gun leader reports that the target cannot be distinguished despite the in my opinion lowest range that is in question for us, broke off combat.
		08.00	ES 2887 lower-center
		08.45		Reported delayed arrival at supply by Radio Message.
		12.00	ES 5281 lower-center	Day's run:    206.0                    Latitude        7°07'N
				6.9                    Longitude:   24°03'W
				212.9
		16.00	ES 5582 upper-left
		20.00	ES 5855	At economical speed and changing courses back and forth in supply square.
		24.07.42	Central Atlantic	Back and forth in position on changing course at economical speed.
			Bright moon, SE 3-4, Sea 2-3, medium Swell
		12.00	ES 5855	Latitude        5°33'N
				Longitude:   23°58'W
		25.07.42	Central Atlantic
		03.05		Exchanged Recognition Signals with "U-Schulte".  Until the beginning of lightness stayed in visual range back and forth in the supply square.
		09.15		Smoke feather in sight.  Schulte turned to pursue the steamer, I move off a bit.
		09.40		Schulte out of sight.
		12.00	ES 5855	Steered changing courses in supply square.
		26.07.42	Central Atlantic
		12.00	ES 5855	Tonight the boat has been in service for 1 year!
				Steered changing search courses in supply square.

	Sun and Moon Data 23.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.07.42

	- 18 -
		continued
		26.07.42
		18.30	ES 5855	"U-Schulte" in sight.
		20.30	SSE 1-2, Sea 1, medium Swell, clear sky, Vis. good	Began fuel oil and provisions offload.
				Offload:  45 cbm fuel oil, because Schulte still only had 25 cbm, and 1 weeks provisions.
		23.30		Offload was continued in moonshine until ended - released Schulte.
		27.07.42	Central Atlantic
		05.10	Bright moonlit night, it freshens	Shadow in sight in 330°R on the horizon with course 90° and high not accurately determined speed.  Apparently a large tanker.
		05.25		Out of sight.  No Radio Report sent because data is inexact and might endanger supply tomorrow.
		12.00	ES 5855	Steered changing courses in supply square.
		15.33
		to		Test dive.
		16.03
		28.07.42	Central Atlantic
		10.30		"U-Kals" in sight.
		10.43	ES 5855	"U-Schacht" in sight.
		12.30	Sea 3, Sea 2-3, medium Swell, clear horizon	Began to supply Kals.  Schacht protects at the limit of visibility.15.20 - 18.08
				Offload:  22 cbm fuel oil and 1 weeks provisions.  In this weather provisions transfer can still be carried out with the inflatable boat and is thus considerably accelerated
		14.55		Offload to Kals ended.
		15.20		Began to supply Schacht, Kals as protection at the limit of visibility.
				Offload:  28 cbm fuel oil and 3 weeks provisions.
		18.08		Offload to Schacht ended.
		20.36		Released both boats.
		to		Test dive.
		21.22

	Sun and Moon Data 26.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.07.42

	- 19 -
		29.07.42	Central Atlantic
		12.00	SbyE 2, Sea 1-2, medium Swell	At economical speed back and forth in position in supply square.
			ES 5855
		20.00	ES 4846 lower-left
		30.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	ES 5872 upper-left
		04.00	ES 8212 upper-left
		08.00	ES 5881 upper-right
		12.00	ES 5861 center	Day's run:    123.5                    Latitude         5°40'N
				Longitude:    23°45'W
		16.00	ES 5852 center	To save fuel stopped and let the boat drift.
		20.00	ES 5852 upper-right	At the beginning of darkness again got underway and moved back and forth at economical speed.
		31.07.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	ES 5855 upper-left
			S 2, Sea 1-2, medium Swell
		04.00	ES 5881 center
		08.00	ES 5882 center
		10.30
		to		Test dive - depth control training.
		11.45
		12.00	ES 5859 lower-left	Day's run:    72.5                    Latitude        5°26'N
				2.5                    Longitude:    24°05'W
		16.00	ES 5857 center	75.0
		20.00	ES 5857 center	Let the boat drift in the afternoon.
		01.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	ES 5858 lower-center	Headed for newly ordered supply square.
		04.00	ES 5897 center-right
		08.00	ES 8317 upper-left

	Sun and Moon Data 29.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 31.07.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.08.42

	- 20 -
		continued
		01.08.42
		12.00	ES 8346	Day's run:    84                         Latitude         4°37'N
			SSE 1-2, Sea 1, light Swell	Longitude:   23°18'W
		16.00	ES 8386 center-left
		20.00	ES 8386	Boat lat stopped.
				Hirsacker reports arrival for supply tomorrow at midday.
		02.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	ES 8397 center-right	Continued transit.
		04.00	ES 9177 center
		08.00	ES 9187 center
		12.00	ES 9198	Day's run:    88                         Latitude         4°15'N
				Longitude:   21°41'W
		13.45	ES 9277	Exchanged Recognition Signals with "U-Hirsacker".
		16.00	SSE 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, medium Swell	Began supply.
				Offload:  50 cbm fuel oil, 3 weeks provisions.
		19.30		Offload ended - boat released.
		20.08
		to		Test dive.
		20.40
		03.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00		Steered changing courses at low speed in the supply square.
		12.00	ES 9277
			SSE 3, Sea 2-3, medium to high Swell, overcast
		04.08.42	Central Atlantic
		12.00	ES 9277
		13.00		Exchanged Recognition Signals with "U-Schroeter".
		14.30	SSE 1-2, Sea 1, medium Swell, overcast	Began supply.
				Offload:  50 cbm fuel oil, 3 weeks provisions, 2 cbm lubricating oil.
		19.30		Offload ended.  Released the boat.  Test dive.

	Sun and Moon Data 01.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.08.42

	- 21 -
		continued
		04.08.42
		20.18
		to		Test dive.
		20.43
		20.53		Began return transit.
		05.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	ES 9159 center
		04.00	ES 9121 lower-right
		08.00	ES 6748 upper-center
		09.15		Began ordered fuel measurement.
		12.00	ES 5933 center-right	Day's run:    113.5                    Latitude      5°38'N
			SSW 2, Sea 1, overcast, rain showers	1.0                    Longitude:   22°38'W
				114.5
		16.00	ES 5664 center
		20.00	ES 5388 lower-right
		06.08.42	Central
		00.00	ES 5343
		04.00	ES 2974 center
		08.00	ES 2838 lower-right corner
		12.00	ES 2594 upper-left	Day's run:    185.1                    Latitude      8°54'N
				Longitude:   23°47'W
		16.00	ES 2528 center
		20.00	ES 2273 center
			N 1-2, Sea 1, starry clear
		07.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	ES 2214 center-right
		01.10	ES 2212	A steamer with set lights and spot lights on the over deck comes in sight in 30°T.  Course about 200-210°, speed 10-12 knots, range = 3-4 nm.
				Marked as a neutral by lighting.  Since the boat is taking fuel measurements, continued on.

	Sun and Moon Data 04.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.08.42

	- 22 -
		continued
		07.08.42
		02.50		Steamer out of sight in 155°T.
		04.00	EJ 8769 lower-left
		08.00	EJ 8734 center
		09.14	EJ 8489	Fuel measurement ended.
				Vessel in sight in 305°T (at lightness).
		09.17		Dived
				Normal type.  The top masts have been removed.  Stern cannon.  About 4500 GRT.  Apparently deck cargo aft between the wheelhouse and the mast.
				Course 80°, speed 10-12 knots.
				There are still about 15 hours until darkness. Therefore I let him go due to the bad experience of 22/23 July.
		11.07		Surfaced.
		11.20		Steamer out of sight.
		12.00	EJ 8489 center-left	Day's run:    167.5                    Latitude      11°27'N
			NW 1, clear horizon, fair, light Swell	4.0                    Longitude:   24°48'W
				171.5
		16.00	EJ 8446 upper-right
		20.00	EJ 8411 lower-left
		08.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	EJ 7365 lower-left
		04.00	EJ 7322 center
		08.00	EJ 4949 center
		12.00	EJ 4914 upper-left corner	Day's run:    174                      Latitude      13°59'N
				Longitude:   26°12'W
		16.00	EJ 4567 lower-center
		20.00	EJ 4526 center-left
		09.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	EJ 4259 center-left
		04.00	EJ 1889 lower-left
		08.00	EJ 1853 center

	Sun and Moon Data 07.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.08.42

	- 23 -
		continued
		09.08.42
		10.59
		to		Test dive.
		11.32
		12.00	EJ 1586 upper-center	Day's run:    183.5                    Latitude      17°00'N
			Trade Wind, changing cloudiness, isolated rain showers	2.5                    Longitude:   26°35'W
				186.0
		16.00	EJ 1537	On course 20° and diesel-electric HF, headed for 15°W.
		20.00	EJ 1295
		10.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	EJ 1263
		04.00	DT 7978 left lower edge
		08.00	DT 7946 center
		12.00	DT 7921 center	Day's run:    152                    Latitude      19°28'N
				Longitude:   25°52'W
		16.00	DT 7658 center
		20.00	DT 7634 lower-left corner
		11.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	DT 7369 center
		04.00	DT 8112 upper-center
		08.00	DT 5749 center
		12.00	DT 5725 lower-left corner	Day's run:    162                    Latitude      22°02'N
			Freshening NE-Trade Wind, medium Swell, overcast	1                    Longitude:   24°54'W
				163
		10.00
		to		Test dive.
		10.30
		16.00	DT 5459 lower-center
		20.00	DT 5435 upper-left corner
		12.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	DT 5169 upper-center
		04.00	DT 5212 upper-left corner
		08.00	DT 2846 center

	Sun and Moon Data 09.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.08.42

	- 24 -
		continued
		12.08.42
		12.00	DT 2588	Day's run:    184 nm              Latitude      24°52'N
			Trade Wind 5-6, high Swell, clear sky	Longitude:   23°58'W
		16.00	DT 2556 center
		20.00	DT 2531 center
		13.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	DT 2268
		04.00	DT 2236 center
		08.00	DH 7771 center
		10.01
		to		Test dive.
		10.16
		12.00	DH 7717 lower-right	Day's run:    144                    Latitude      27°20'N
			NE Trade Wind 4-5, Sea 4-5, medium Swell	1                    Longitude:   23°22'W
				145
		16.00	DH 7475 lower-right
		20.00	DH 7443 lower-right
		14.08.42	Central Atlantic
		15.08.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	DH 4544 lower-right
		04.00	DH 4515 center-right
		08.00	DN 4284 center-left
		10.01
		to		Test dive.
		10.25
		12.00	DH 4255 upper-center	Day's run:    125.8                    Latitude      31°42'N
			Abating Trade Wind, Sea 3	1.2                    Longitude:   21°44'W
				127.0
		16.00	DH 1889 upper-right
		20.00	DH 1862 upper-center
		[The entry for 15 August above is an insert which covers over the entry for 14 and part of 16 August]
		[The entries below are from 16 August]
		12.00	DH 15xx  xx	Day's run:    1xx.8                    Latitude      3x°xx'N
			Trade Wind, clear, Vis. good	Longitude:   20°36'W
		16.00	CF 8864 lower-right
		20.00	CF 8599 center-right

	Sun and Moon Data 12.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.08.42

	- 25 -
		17.08.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	CF 8642 upper-right
			Duck pond, lightly cloudy
		04.00	CF 8381 center-right
		08.00	CF 8326 lower-center
		10.00
		to		Test dive.
		10.30
		12.00	CF 5992 center	Day's run:    201.5                    Latitude      37°47'N
			N 1, duck pond, medium cloudy, partly haze	1.5                    Longitude:   18°52'W
				203.0
				To pass through the endangered area quickly went to transit speed  RPM = 300.
		15.15		Strong smoke feather in sight bearing 199°T, which slowly shifted to the east.  Range = over 12 nm.
				Ran at GF for 10 minutes.
		15.35		Out of sight in about 185°T.
		16.00	CF 6478 lower-left
		20.00	CF 6416 lower-left
		18.08.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	CF 6181 lower-left
			Duck pond, marine phosphorescence, hazy
		02.05	CF 6158	2 shadows came in sight in the haze in about 100°T at about 8000 - 10000 meters.
				Turned away hard and moved off on course 290° at GF.  It becomes a bit clearer and little by little a total of 6 vessels are distinguished that are slowly approaching.
				Turned further to 250°.  The range is now about 1000 - 1500 meters and then was slowly greater.
				With the prevailing haze  it cannot be made out what type of vessels there are.
		02.10		Convoy out of sight.
				Moved off 30 minutes to the SE, then on the old

	Sun and Moon Data 17.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.08.42

	- 26 -
		continued
		18.08.42
				course and transit speed and reported the convoy by Radio Message.
		04.00	CF 6158 center
		08.00	CF 3874 lower-center
		12.00	CF 3828 center	Day's run:    261 nm                  Latitude      40°51'N
				Longitude:   16°56'W
		16.00	CF 3675 upper-center
		20.00	CF 3637 center
			Wind shifted to S 1-2, Sea 1, medium cloudiness
		19.08.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	CG 1173 center-right
			Wind shifted to W 2
		04.00	CG 1136 center-left
		08.00	BE 9868 lower-left
		12.00	BE 9916 center-left	Day's run:    261 nm                  Latitude      43°40'N
				Longitude:   12°39'W
		13.05	BE 9687	Crash dive!  Aircraft in about 20°T.  As far as could be determined  a 2-engined land-based aircraft on opposite course.
		14.40	NW 3-4, medium cloudy, clear horizon, Sea 3, medium Swell	Surfaced to shoot the sun (midday latitude) to have an exact starting navigation fix for the submerged transit.
		15.47		Dived.  Began submerged transit at depth A -20 meters.
		16.00	BE 9686 upper-left
				At around 17.00 hours in the boat at depth A minus 20 meters, initially very distant depth charge detonations could be heard, which then became clearer, later entire depth charge series can be identified.
				At the same time the G.H.G. reports S-gear sounds of the own S-gear type, which were initially heard weakly in the K.D.B., then clearly distinguished.
				No detection, only rough bearings.
				No ship bearings of the sounds distinguished.
		20.00	BE 9692 center

	Sun and Moon Data 18.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.08.42

	- 27 -
		continued
		19.08.42
		20.27	NNW 2-3, Sea 2-3, clear horizon, medium cloudy	Surfaced to possibly determine the cause of the sounds.
				Nothing determined.
		21.50		Dived.
		20.08.42	Atlantic, exit of the Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BE 9669 center-right
		04.00	BF 7445 center
		08.00	BF 7451 center
		10.00	SSW 2, Sea 1-2	Surfaced.
		12.00	BF 7434 center-right	Day's run:    135 nm                 Latitude      44°13'N
				Longitude:   11°18'W
		12.57		2 masts and 1 smokestack in sight bearing 40°T.
				Dived.
		14.20		Surfaced to charge.
		14.43		In 50°T the same vessel in sight.
				Dived, to let the vessel run off.
		16.00	BF 7279	Twice shortly after one another 2 very distant depth charge detonations were heard.
		17.08		Surfaced. to charge.
		18.30		Ahead apparently the same steamer comes in sight again.
				On closer inspection, he turns out to be a tuna fisherman.  Avoided on the surface.
		19.29		Due to bad visibility interrupted charging and dived.
		20.00	BF 7291 lower-left
		21.55		Quite close by, the sound of 7-10 shots, a volley like our Flak 30.  Assume check fire of a boat surfacing in the vicinity.
		21.08.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 7292 center
		04.00	BF 7269 lower-center
		08.00	BF 7348 center

	Sun and Moon Data 19.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.08.42

The last page of the KTB is missing

	Enclosures to U-116's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Torpedo	Torpedo firing reports
Radio	Excerpt of the Radio Log

 

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the Kriegstagebuch "U 116" from 9.6.42 - 23.8.42.
	3rd patrol of the boat as a supply boat for a U-boat Group, on which 5 supplies were completed and 2 ships were sunk.
	Nothing to note.
		Signed in draft:    D ö  n  i  t  z  .
		For correctness:
		Leutnant M.A. and Adjutant

---

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