U-1163 - 3rd and 4th War Patrols

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Bogenbucht	9 November 1944	Kilbotn	12 November 1944	4
Tromsø	14 November 1944	Kilbotn	22 November 1944	9

 

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Ships Hit

None

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.

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			G  e  h  e  i  m  e  -  K  o  m  m  a  n  d  o  s  a  c  h  e
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			"U  1163"
			Kommandant  :	Oblt. z.See  B  a  l  d  u  h  n
			Beginning  :	1. 11. 1944
			Ending  :	22. 11. 1944
			3rd Patrol.                                  D  i  s  t  r  i  b  u  t  i  o  n:
			1. Copy B.d.U. for O.K.M. Copy No. 1 2. - / / - B.d.U. for O.K.M.     - / / - 2 3. - / / - B.d.U.     - / / - 3 4. - / / - Kom.Adm. U.-Boote     - / / - 4 5. - / / - F.d.U. Nordmeer     - / / - 5 6. - / / - F.d.U. Ausbildung     - / / - 6 7. - / / - 27. U.-Flottille     - / / - 7 8. - / / - 13. U.-Flottille     - / / - 8
				_______  Enclosures.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		01.11.44	Hammerfest	Waited on "U-313" in accordance with orders.
		02.11.44	Hammerfest	Cast off with "U-313" in convoy for Tromsø.
		11.00
		03.11.44
		02.00	Tromsø	Made fast.
		04.15	Tromsø	Cast off.
		11.10	Harstad	Made fast.
		13.20	Harstad	Cast off.
		18.10	Ramsund	Made fast.  Gave over T V.
		21.30	Ramsund	Cast off.
		04.11.44
		01.00	Narvik	Made fast.
		05. - 07.11.44	Narvik	Alongside "HUASCARAN" shipyard assistance.
		08.11.44	Narvik	Cast off.
		08.30
		10.00	Bogen	Made fast "KÄRNTEN".  Fuel and Provisions loading.
				Took weather station on board.
		09.11.44
		09.00	Bogen	Cast off.
		10.30	Ramsund	Made fast.  Torpedo loading.
		19.10	Ramsund	Cast off.
		19.57	Ofotenfjord	Dived.  Final trim test.
		21.44		Surfaced.
		22.30	Loedingen	Passed, pilot embarked.
				Departed in accordance with outbound orders to Andfjord.  Transit at 50 nm coastal distance to North Cape.  Deploy the weather station.
		10.11.44
		01.00	Harstad	Passed.  Disembarked pilot.
		04.00	AB 9844
			WSW 1, Sea 1, 2/10, 1002 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 09.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 10.11.44

	- 2 -
		continued
		10.11.44
		06.39		Dived to proceed submerged.
		08.00
		12.00	AB 9595	Day's run:    Surfaced:       98.6 nm
				Submerged:    26.0 nm
				124.0 nm
		16.00	AB 9593
		17.05		Surfaced.
		20.00	AB 9628
			WSW 1, Sea 2, 10/10, 1002 mb, Vis. 7 nm
		24.00	AC 7181
		11.11.44
		04.00	AC 7254
			WSW 2-3, Sea 1-2, 8/10, 1009 mb, Vis. 5 nm
		08.00	AC 7269
			WSW 2, Sea 1-2, 8/10, 1008 mb, light rain, squalls up to WSW 3-4	Initially tried to reach land on the east side off Knivskjelodden.
		08.15	AC 7269	Aircraft.
				Bearing 160°R (20°T).
				Boston, altitude = 800 meters, range = 4000 meters, from right to left.  Remained unnoticed.
				Because this area is too exposed proceeded to the southern tip of Knivsjebukta.
			Sandfjorden	Approached to within 80 meters of land.  Because of rocky ground no secure landing site.
		08.36		Aircraft bearing 180°R (10°T), range = 7000 meters, altitude = 800 meters, from left to right (Boston, was unnoticed).
		09.05		Began unloading the station.
		10.31		Unloading ended.  9 soldiers and 2 meteorologists put ashore for construction.
		10.55	Sandfjorden	Boat put on the bottom in "Knivsjebukta" depth 31 meters.
		12.00	AC 7269
			Sandfjorden
		15.30		Surfaced.
		19.35		Return of the work party on board.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.44

	- 3 -
		continued
		11.11.44
				The station is located 71° 8.8'N
				25° 41.6E at the end of Sandfjorden about 40 meters above the water.
		20.04	AC 7269
			NNW 3, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. 6 nm	Began return transit.
		23.16		Outgoing Radio Message 2316/11/736 ßß:
				Position 10 hours off objective point.
				- U-1163 -
		24.00	AC 7244
			NW 3, Sea 2, 8/10, 1026 mb, Vis. 4-6 nm
		12.11.44
		04.00	AC 7175
			NW 2, Sea 1-2, 8/10, 1029 mb, Vis. 5 nm
		05.50		Dived.
		08.00	AB 9635
		12.00		Day's run:    Surfaced:       134.0 nm
				Submerged:    10.0 nm
				144.0 nm
		15.54		Surfaced.
		16.00	AB 9665
		16.01		Crash dive for aircraft (single engine).  Bearing = 40°R (220°T), range = 7000 meters, altitude = 400 meters, from left to right.
		16.34		Surfaced.
		18.00		Passed point Hans.
		18.05		Outgoing Radio Message ßß:
				Have passed Point Hans.
				- U-1163 -
				Not heard on A I and U I.
		18.20		Incoming Radio Message 1445/12/757:
				Balduhn from F.d.U. Nordmeer.
				Escort first 19.00 hours at Point Hans.  Transmits from this time point as specified.   Do not enter before.  You are reminded of U-boat danger.
		18.45	Hamrefjorden	Taken in convoy.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.44

	- 4 -
		continued
		12.11.44
		20.00	AB 9696
			NE 1, Sea 1, 6/10, 1028 mb, Vis. 6 nm
		20.48		Outgoing Radio Message 2015/12/760:
				Passed Point Hans 18.00 hours.
				- U-1163 -
		23.23	Tromsø	Made fast.
		13.11.44
		00.08		Outgoing Radio Message 2345/12/763:
				F.d.U. Nordmeer from U-Balduhn.
				23.30 hours made fast Tromsø.  Ulli manned.  Anton no communications.  Request a Gw.-cylinder head U-boat Base Harstad.
		03.30		Shifted to sea plane base.
		06.00		Incoming Radio Message 0137/636 - 0156/637.  Balduhn.
				1)  Transmit 5 minutes each hour: Lingøy from 13.00 18.05 hours 792 kHz.  Tugøy from 13.05 to 18.10 hours FY 312.5 kHz.
				2)  Measure NP 9 in accordance with SB-Plan illuminated from 16.00 - 17.30 hours.  Transmit from Point Hans from 14.00 hours half-hourly, from 16.00 hours quarter-hourly each 5 minutes.  470 kHz "Jota".
				1429/12/648:  Balduhn.
				12 November 10.40 hours English "Tonie" suspected carrier traffic on 5400 kHz.
				- F.d.U. -
				Radio Messages were not heard on Anton I and not sent on very low frequency.
				Was obtained from U-Schendel in Tromsø.
				2 T I offloaded at seaplane base Tromsø.
				Weather troop "Taaget" embarked.
		14.11.44
		10.20		Incoming Radio Message 1004/771:
				Balduhn from F.d.U.
				Report departure time as soon as possible.
		15.00		Incoming Radio Message 1339/774:
				Balduhn from F.d.U.
				In Green square 78, 88, 08 in the night of 14 to 15 November expect own destroyers.
		15.30		Outgoing Radio Message 1430/775
				F.d.U. Nordmeer from U-Balduhn.
				Departure Tromsø 18.00 hours in convoy to Point Hans.
		16.00	Tromsø	Cast off for trim test.
		18.45		Taken in convoy.
		18.46		Outgoing Radio Message 1846/14/780 ßß:
				Departed Tromsø.
				- U-1163 -
		20.00	AB 9934
			NW 1, Sea 1, 2/10, 1040 mb, Vis. 4-6 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 13.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.44

	- 5 -
		continued
		14.11.44
		22.55		Incoming Radio Message 2120/14/785:
				Balduhn from F.d.U.
				In cited Serial No. strike square number, replace with square 73.
		24.00	AB 9665
			NW 1, Sea 1, 1/10, Vis. 6 nm, 1040 mb
		15.11.44
		04.00	AB 9392
			NE 1, Sea 1, 4/10, 1041 mb, Vis. 5 nm
		06.17		Dived.
		08.00	AB 9338
		12.00	AB 9332	Day's run:    Surfaced:       109.0 nm
				Submerged:     10.0 nm
				119.0 nm
		15.26		Surfaced.
		16.00	AB 6992
			NE 1-2, Sea 1-2, 5/10, 1041 mb, Vis. 4 nm
		24.00	AB 6635
			NW 1, Sea 1-2, 8/10, 1041 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		16.11.44
		03.30		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix by sounding series 248°T, 5 nm.
		04.00	AB 6337
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, 6/10, 1041 mb, Vis. 5 nm
		06.27	AB 6323	Went to the west side of Bjørnøya, because Cape Harry the specified landing site cannot be distinguished in darkness.
		09.04	NW 3, Sea 2-3, 8/10, 1041 mb, Vis. 5 nm	Headed for the east side of Cape Harry on course 30°.  Too high Swell.  Touched bottom 800 meters from land, rocks, moved off.
		09.34	Dived to await weather improvement
		12.00		Day's run:    Surfaced:       180.6 nm
				Submerged:        8.0 nm
				188.6 nm
		14.33		Surfaced.
				Second attempt at Cape Harry approached to within 700-800 meters.  Swell is too high.  Boat could not be unloaded.  Weather improvement not expected, therefore proceeded to the east side of the island.
		16.23	AB 6331	Ran in to Sørhamna.
			NW 3, Sea 2, 7/10, 1040 mb, Vis. 7 nm
		15.30		Incoming Radio Message 1025/16/793:
				U-1163 (Balduhn) for Reg.Rat Wilhelm Hoch, local forecast, Norwegian Sea running from north, shifts to the north-west. Complicates landing from morning 17 November.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 15.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 16.11.44

	- 6 -
		continued
		16.11.44
		16.50		Boats launched, sand bottom.
				Line connection established from land.
		17.00		Began offloading.
		21.00		Offloading ended.  Loads had to be taken up an 80 meter high steep slope.
		21.30		Work party put ashore
		17.11.44
		04.00		Work party embarked.
		04.31	Bjørnøya - Sørhamna	Put the boat on the bottom.
		09.00		Work party disembarked.
		09.35		Boat put on the bottom.
		12.00	AB 6331
		15.45		Surfaced.
		17.00		Boats launched.
				Work party embarked.
		20.00		Work party put ashore.
		18.11.44
		02.00		Work party embarked because no work could be done due to darkness
		02.40		Dived.
		07.40		Surfaced.
		07.50		Work party put ashore.
		09.09		Dived.
		17.04	NNE 1, Sea 1-2, 5/10, 1038 mb, Vis. 4-6 nm
		17.30		Work party embarked.
		19.11.44
		05.00		Work party disembarked.
		06.44		Dived.
		16.00	NW 1, Sea 1, 2/10, 1008 mb, Vis. 4 nm, snow showers	Surfaced.
		20.11.44
		06.44		Dived.
		14.39	NW 1, Sea 1, 8/10, 996 mb, Vis. 6 nm	Surfaced.
		15.00		Work party embarked.
				In the period 17 November to 20 November a house was constructed, the loads put there and the radio station set up.
		16.27	Bjørnøya	Began return transit.
		20.00	AB 6386
			NW 2, Sea 1-2, 10/10, 995 mb, Vis. 4 nm
		24.00	AB 6682
			NNW 2, Sea 2, 4/10, 995 mb, Vis. 4 nm, intermittent fog

	Sun and Moon Data 16.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 17.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 18.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 19.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 20.11.44

	- 7 -
		21.11.44
		04.00	AB 6957
		04.08	NW 1, Sea 2, 6/10, 994 mb, Vis. 4 nm	Outgoing Radio Message 0408/63 ßß:
				Position 24 hours off objective point.
				- U-1163 -
		06.11		Dived.
		08.00	AB 9316
		12.00	AB 9319	Day's run:    Surfaced:       164.0 nm
				Submerged:       13.0 nm
				177.0 nm
		16.00	AB 9346
		17.00		Surfaced.
		20.00	AB 9642
			NW 1, Sea 2, 9/10, 992 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		21.30		Incoming Radio Message 1842/699:
				Balduhn from U-boat Base Harstad. Lingøy transmits on 446 kHz, Eddøy instead on 320 kHz, correct Serial No. 690.
				0906/690:
				Balduhn from U-boat Base Harstad.
				1)  Transmitting hourly each 5 minutes Lingøy  from 23.10-05.15 hours fofk 446 kHz. Eddøy from 13.15 - 05.20 hours fofm 320 kHz.
				2)  Beacon NP 6 lighted according to SB-Plan from 03.00-04.30 hours.
				3)  Off and in Andfjord expect increased U-boat and air danger.
				4)  Observe mine warning area off Topsund.
				5)  On passing Signal Station Harstad give Morse name enter U-boat Base.
				6)  Observe Nordmeer Order No. 4.
		24.00	AB 9823
			NW 1, Sea 2, 8/10, 992 mb, Vis. 4 nm
		22.11.44
		01.51		Dived.
		04.00	AB 9892
		05.44		Surfaced.
		06.06		Dived.
		07.56		Surfaced.
		08.00	AB 9894
			NW 1, Sea 1-2, 10/10, 992 mb, snow shower, Vis. 500 meters
		10.20	U-boat Base Harstad - Kilbotn	Made fast
				Day's run:    Surfaced:       142.5 nm
				Submerged:       27.3 nm
				169.8 nm
				Total distance covered:   Surfaced:        1009.3 nm
				Submerged:       102.3 nm
				Total:               1111.6 nm
			Oblt. z.See and Kommandant

	Sun and Moon Data 21.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 22.11.44

	Führer der Unterseeboote
	N  o  r  d  m  e  e  r                                                      on board 17 January 1945
	Order No. Gkdos - 10 -                                                                   6 Copies
	1st Copy
	To     Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine - 1.Skl. -,   Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine - 2.Skl. B.d.U. -Op.-,   Kommandierenden Admiral der Unterseeboote,   Kommando Führer der Unterseebootesausbildung,   Kommando 27. Unterseebootsflottille,   Kommando 13. Unterseebootsflottille,
	Regards:  Reporting "U-1163". 2 + 5 Enclosures.                 Attached is the K.T.B. of "U-1163" from 1.11. to 22.11.44 Copy No. - 1+2 - with the Enclosures in accordance with Standing War Order 501 and the comments of the "F.d.U. Nordmeer" submitted and sent.

	Enclosure 1 to F.d.U. Nordm. Gkdos. - 10 -
	Comments of the F.d.U. Nordmeer
	on the K.T.B. of "U 1163" from 1.11. to 22.11.1944
	2 well executed landings (Weather radio gear and Weather troop) without enemy contact.

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