U-124 - 2nd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Lorient	5 October 1940	Lorient	13 November 1940	40

 

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
16 Oct 40	03.50	57°33'N, 20°36'W	TREVISA	1,813	Canadian	SC-7
20 Oct 40	01.43	57°45'N, 24°48'W	CUBANO	5,810	Norwegian	OB-229
20 Oct 40	02.29	57°51'N, 24°48'W	SULACI	5,389	British	OB-229
31Oct 40	21.58	58°45'N, 16°00'W	RUTLAND	1,437	British	HX-82
1 Nov 40	07.06	59°33'N, 15°48'W	EMPIRE BISON	5,612	British	HX-82
			Total = 20,061
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.

---

				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h    "U  124"
				Kommandant:  Kapitänleutnant    S  c  h  u  l  z  .
				Beginning:    17.9.   1940.
				Ending    :    13.11. 1940.
				© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
				2nd War Patrol    "U  124".
				===================
		17.09. - 05.10.40		Boat lies Lorient harbor for repairs and outfitting for the 2nd war patrol.
		05.10.40	South 1-2, starry clear, light SW-Swell	Ready for sea.  Departed in convoy with "U-28", "U-48" and "U-101".
		18.30
		21.10		Detached and continued alone.  Up to midnight occasionally sighted fishing cutters with set lights.
		06.10.40	Bay of Biscay,  Sunday
		02.00	BF 5596	Course 240°.
		06.30	BF 5841	Course 270°.
		08.00	BF 5762
			SW 4, moderate SW-Swell, overcast
		08.05		Dived, examined the starboard diesel.  Bearing was warm.
		12.00	BF 5753	Distance 5./6.10  Surfaced      150 nm
				Submerged     10 nm
		13.00		Surfaced.
		16.00	BF 5743
			SSW 6, completely overcast, large W-Swell
		20.00	BF 4963
		21.30	BF 4962	Dimmed steamer course 70°, 700 nm away.  Suspect a prize or reported tanker "REKUM".
		24.00	BF 4929

	Sun and Moon Data 05.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 06.10.40

	- 2 -
		07.10.40	Monday, Bay of Biscay
		02.30	BF 4927	2 fishermen with set lights.
		04.00	BF 4915
		08.00	BF 4835
			W 4-3, abating W-Swell
		10.07 - 11.45		Dived.  Crash dive for training.
		12.00	BF 4823	Distance carried over    Surfaced 158 nm        10 nm
				6./7.10                  "      131.5 "        8.5 nm
				289.5 nm    18.5 nm
		14.30	BF 4579	An aircraft.
		16.00	BF 4574	Dived, Crash dive for aircraft.
			W 2-3, W-Swell, lightly cloudy
		17.10		Surfaced.
		17.36		Radio Message sent passing 10°W.
		20.00	BF 4475
		20.08		Radio Message sent a 2nd time, because it was not confirmed.
		24.00	BE 6682
			Medium-bright moonlit night, SW 2-3, squalls
		08.10.40	Tuesday,  300 nm west of Ireland
		04.00	BE 6565
		08.00	BE 6541
			W 3, NW-Swell	Course 340°.
		10.18 - 11.38		Dived, depth control training.
		12.00	BE 6432	Distance carried over            18.5  nm      289.5 nm
				7./8.10.                        6.5   "           224.0 nm
				Up to 8.10.                 25.0 nm         513.5 nm
		16.00	BE 6143
			WSW 4-5, wind freshening, quite high NW-Swell, squalls

	Sun and Moon Data 07.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 08.10.40

	- 3 -
		continued
		08.10.40
		20.00	BE 3775
		24.00	BE 2939
			NW 6, very squally, Summer lightening
		09.10.40	Wednesday, 300 nm west of Ireland
		04.00	BE 2696
		08.00	BE 2663
			NW 6-7, squalls, freshening, NW-Swell
		11.37		Dived, torpedo maintenance.
		12.00	BE 3177	Distance carried over            25.0 nm      513.5 nm
				8./9.10.                        1.5 nm         186.0 nm
				Up to 9.10.                 26.5 nm         699.5 nm
		16.00	BE 2393
		19.04		Surfaced.
		20.00	BE 2368
			Stiff NW 8, large NW-Swell
		24.00	BE 2335
		10.10.40	Thursday, 300 nm west of Ireland
		04.00	AL 9995
		08.00	AL 9965
			NNW 6-7, squalls, high NW-Swell
		12.00	AL 9932	Distance carried over             26.5 nm      699.5 nm
				9./10.10.                    18.5 nm           91.0 nm
				Up to 10.10.              45.0 nm         790.5 nm
		16.00	AL 9664
			Wind and sea abating, NW 4-5
		20.00	AL 9397

	Sun and Moon Data 08.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 09.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 10.10.40

	- 4 -
		continued
		10.10.40
		22.00		Radio Message orders take up position AL 29 and 52.  Course 320°.
		24.00	AL 9356
		11.10.40	AL 9312
		04.00
		08.00	AL 6868
			NW 3, medium-high NW-Swell, overcast
		08.46		Dived.  Compressed air valves in the high pressure distributor and blowing for the negative buoyancy tank are leaking.
		11.08		Surfaced.
		12.00	AL 6853	Distance carried over            45.0  nm      790.5 nm
			S 4	10./11.10.                  10.0 nm         156.0 nm
				Up to 11.10.               55.0 nm        946.5 nm
		13.23	AL 6827	Course 35° on convoy reported by "U-48".
		16.00	AL 6592
			S 6, freshening, S-Swell
		20.00	AL 6347
			S 7, high S-Swell
		20.15		Bearing signals were not heard from "U-48", bearing finder remained manned.
		22.00	S 8, Vis. changing between 2000 and 200 meters	Speed must be reduced to HF = 12 knots because the sea runs to heavy from astern.
		24.00	AL 0388	From reports from "U-48" this is the intercept point for the convoy.  Nothing seen.
			S 9, heavy squalls, rain, Vis. 500 meters
		12.10.40	Saturday,  300 nm west of Ireland
		01.00		While attempting to run to the north before the seas waves struck the bridge several times.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 11.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 12.10.40

	- 5 -
		continued
		12.10.40		Boat came to course 60°, cruised before the seas.
		03.00	AL 0392	From now came to course 90° to intercept the convoy in the morning gray based on the B-Dienst report.
		04.00	AL 0393
		08.00	AM 1982
			S 6-7, large S-Swell, persistent rain, Vis. between 2000 and 500 meters
		09.00	AM 1983	Independent steamer course 120° about 2500 meters away.  In the twilight closed to 1800 meters.
		09.05		1 torpedo shot at target angle 90°.
				Miss.
				Turned away to the south.  Attempted to maneuver ahead.  With the persistent rain and the great visibility changes the steamer was lost from sight twice.
		11.32	AM 1998	Crash dive.  Dived.  An aircraft on course 270°.  Abeam distance 1000 meters, altitude 50 meters.
				Believe that continuing on the surface is incorrect due to the weather conditions.  Boat remained submerged.  Torpedo was reloaded.
		12.00	AM 1999	Distance carried over:          =    55.0  nm      946.5 nm
				11./12.10.             =       1.5 nm       247.0 nm
				Up to 12.10.          =     56.5 nm    1193.5 nm
				==================
		16.00	AM 0177
		19.52		Surfaced, course 270°, began transit to square 02.
		20.00	AM 0178	[AL 02 just to the east of U-124's weathere reporting area]
			NW 5, abating, confused Swell
		24.00	AM 1997
		13.10.40	40 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AM 1979
		08.00	AL 0398
			NW 3, beautiful weather, Swell decreasing, Vis. very good

	Sun and Moon Data 12.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 13.10.40

	- 6 -
		continued
		13.10.40
		12.00	AL 6233	Distance carried over            56.5  nm      1193.5 nm
				12./13.10.                 22.0 nm           127.0 nm
				78.5nm          1320.5 nm
		16.00	AL 6221
			NW 1, beautiful weather, Vis. very good
		20.00	AL 6131
		24.00	AL 6111
			Bright moonlit night, Vis. very good
		14.10.40	Monday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 5222
		08.00	AL 2994
			WNW 4, moderate NW-Swell, Vis. very good
		11.40 - 12.08		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 2959	Distance carried over            78.5  nm      1193.5 nm
				13./14.10.                    1.0 nm           156.5 nm
				Up to 14.10.               79.5 nm          1477.0 nm
		16.00	AL 2982
		20.00	AL 5214
			NW 4, moderate NW-Swell, bright moonlit night
		24.00	AL 5245
		15.10.40	Tuesday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 5136
		08.00	AL 2984
			S, light NW-Swell, Vis. very good
		12.00	AL 2942	Distance carried over            79.5  nm      1477.0 nm
				14./15.10.                    0.5 nm           129.0 nm
				Up to 15.10.               80.0 nm          1606.0 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 13.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 14.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 15.10.40

	- 7 -
		continued
		15.10.40
		16.00	AL 2912	A smoke clouds bearing 260°T.  Soon thereafter a steamer in sight course 65°.  Square 2911.
		17.34		Dived.
		19.29		Shot target angle 95°, range 800, lead angle 20°, target speed 11 knots
				Miss.  Speed was estimated too high.
		19.35		Surfaced.  Began to maneuver ahead.
		23.26	AL 2794	Dived, because the moonlight it so bright.  At times squalls, so lost the steamer.
		16.10.40	Wednesday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		00.06	AL 2794	Surfaced, maneuvered ahead again.
		03.00	AL 2873	Dived.
		03.50	AL 2873	Shot target angle 85°, range 900, target speed 8 knots.
			Bright moonlit night	Hit aft.
		03.54		Surfaced.  Determined the name of the steamer on the 600-meter wavelength, "TREISA" 1800 GRT.  Ship lay deeply with the stern in the water and sank.  Ran off to the south.
		06.26	AL 0221	3 destroyers in sight course 70°, shortly after coming in sight turned away to the north.  Apparently searching for the sunken steamer.
				Shifted the position of the boat 60 nm to the south.
		08.00	AL 0228
			SE 2-3, moderate SW-Swell
		12.00	AL 0275	Distance carried over            80.0  nm      1606.0 nm
				15./16.10.                 13.5 nm            200.5 nm
				93.5 nm          1806.5 nm
		16.00	AL 2998
			SSE 2-3, SW-Swell, Vis. clear
		20.00	AL 2988
		24.00	AL 5215
			Bright moonlit night, at times squalls

	Sun and Moon Data 15.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 16.10.40

	- 8 -
		17.10.40	Thursday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 5293
		04.25		Course 310°.
		08.00	AL 2994
			S 3-4, rain showers
		08.55	AL 2983	Dived.  Crash dive.  A destroyer target angle 0°, course 220°, came out of a squall.  Range = 1800 meters.  Had noticed the boat.  Propellers and locating sounds were perceived.
		11.30		Last locating sound.
		12.00	AL 2967	Distance carried over            93.5  nm      1806.5 nm
				16./17.10.                    8.0 nm            127.0 nm
				101.5 nm          1933.5 nm
		12.42		Surfaced.  Nothing seen.
		16.00	AL 2988	Kommandant intended to go to the north limit of the square, traffic is suspected there.
			S 5, Wind increasing, SW-Swell, rain squalls
		20.00	AL 2977
		24.00	AL 2947
			Drizzle, SSW 5
		18.10.40	Friday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 2914
		08.00	AL 1893
			SSW 2, abating, clearing
		12.00	AL 2772	Distance carried over            101.5  nm      1933.5 nm
				17./18.10.                      2.0 nm            138.0 nm
				Up to 18.10.              103.5 nm          2071.5 nm
		13.30 - 14.39		Test dive.
		14.40	AL 2749	"U-93"-convoy comes in range.  Course 30°.  Report to B.d.U. concerning intention to attack.
		16.00	AL 2751
		18.47	AL 2584
			SSW 3-4

	Sun and Moon Data 17.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 18.10.40

	- 9 -
		continued
		18.10.40
			Long W-Swell, Vis. clear	Convoy in sight square AL 2572, course 200°, 9 knots.  Began to maneuver ahead.  Boat is positioned unfavorably.  About 22.00 hours the moon rose.  Must move to the north side to attack.
		22.30	AL 2517	Convoy zigzagged to the west on the dark horizon.  Contact lost, despite high speed.
		24.00	AL 1862
		19.10.40	Saturday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		00.40	AL 1861	Course 200° on the general course of the convoy.
		04.00	AL 1859
		08.00	AL 1887	Nothing seen of the convoy.
			Squalls, otherwise Vis. clear, SSW 3, long W-Swell
		12.00	AL 0110	Distance carried over          103.5  nm      2071.5 nm
				18./19.10.                    3.0 nm           180.0 nm
				Up to 19.10.           106.5 nm         2251.5 nm
		13.00		Radio Message orders to go to square 25/28.  Course 30°.
		16.00	AL 1879
		18.42		Dived,  Blew main ballast tank III several times.
		19.42		Surfaced.
		20.00	AL 1876
			ENE 2-3, long W-Swell, bright moonlit night, Northern Lights
		23.04	AL 1858	2 vessels in sight, one a gunboat square 1859, course 270°.  Boat is in the center of a widely separated convoy.
		23.47		On course 290° 3 vessels come in sight.  Freighters.  Speed 12 knots.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 19.10.40

	- 10 -
		20.10.40	Sunday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		01.43	AL 1766	Shot on a loaded 8000-ton steamer.
				Target speed 12 knots, target angle 80°, range = 1800 meters.  Hit aft.  Ship sank very quickly.  It still shot a rocket from the bridge.
				Moved off to the north.  2 further steamers in sight.
		02.29	AL 1763	Shot on a 5000 ton sized steamer in ballast.
				Hit center.  Target speed 10 knots, target angle 80°, range = 1500 meters.
				Moved off to the west and operated on a 3rd steamer in the vicinity.
		02.54	AL 1738	Shot on an 8000 ton sized freighter.
				Miss.
				Target speed 12 knots, target angle 90°, range = 1800 meters.
				The night is very bright. Suspect I was seen. Steamer changed speed.  2 gun boats were seen astern.
		03.08	AL 1738	A 2nd shot on the same steamer.  Again missed.  Steamer must have noticed somehow.  Maneuvered ahead once more.
		05.15	AL 1724	A 3rd shot on the same steamer.  Steamer turn shortly thereafter.  Locating sounds were heard.  It was suspected that the steamer had good listening gear and Asdic.  Attack broken off.
				Moved off on course 40°.
		08.00	AL 1594	Dived and reloaded the tubes again.
			NE 5, freshening
		12.00	AL 1596	Distance carried over         106.5  nm      2251.5 nm
				19./20.10.                15.0 nm            160.0 nm
				Up to 20.10.          121.5 nm         2411.5 nm
		13.32	Stiff NE wind, Vis. bad, rain squalls	Surfaced for weather report.
		14.15		Dived, remained submerged until darkness.

Sun and Moon Data 20.10.40

	- 11 -
		continued
		20.10.40
		16.00	AL 1675
		20.00	AL 1684	Surfaced.  Radio Message orders to go to square 23-26.
			NE 6, high NE-Swell
		24.00	AL 1686
		21.10.40	Monday, 40 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 1696
		08.00	AL 2575
			E 2, drizzle, light E-Swell
		09.00		Course 20°.
		09.22 - 11.05		Dived.
		12.00	AL 2521	Distance carried over         121.5  nm      2411.5 nm
				20./21.10                  26.0 nm             58.5 nm
				Up to 21.10.            147.5 nm        2470.0 nm
		16.00	AL 2385
			E 5-6, squalls, Vis. between 2-7 nm, long E-Swell
		20.00	AL 2359
		24.00	AL 2335
		22.10.40	Tuesday, 400 nm west of Ireland
		04.00	AL 2193
		08.00	AL 2241
			E 5-6, large E-Swell, Vis. greatly changing
		09.00		Course 160°.
		09.20 - 11.05		Dived.
		12.00	AL 2245	Distance carried over         147.5  nm      2470.0 nm
				21./22.10.                   5.0 nm           144.0 nm
				Up to 22.10.          152.5 nm         2614.0 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 20.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 21.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 22.10.40

	- 12 -
		continued
		22.10.40
		16.00	AL 2276
			E 5, completely overcast, Vis. between 2 and 6 nm, large swell
		20.00	AL 2425
		24.00	AL 2459
		23.10.40	Wednesday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 2494
		07.35	AL 2638	A steamer bearing 170°T, course 80°, 5000 meters away.  Attempt to maneuver ahead fails because of the high speed of the steamer, about 14 knots.  Boat cannot go against the high E-Swell.
			E 5-6, moonshine, partly cloudy, E-Swell
		12.00	AL 2651	Distance carried over            152.5  nm      2614.0 nm
				22./23.10.                     3.0 nm           137.5 nm
				Up to 23.10.             155.5 nm          2751.5 nm
		16.00	AL 2613	Course 0°, from 12.58 hours.
		20.00	AL 2449
		24.00	AL 2419	Course 245°.
		24.10.40	Thursday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 2363
		08.00	AL 2358
			E 4, NE-Swell, cloudy
		09.18 - 10.55		Dived  .
		12.00	AL 2373	Distance carried over            155.5  nm      2751.5 nm
				23./24.10.                      3.5 nm           125.0 nm
				Up to 24.10.             159.0 nm          2876.5 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 22.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 23.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 24.10.40

	- 13 -
		continued
		24.10.40
		16.00	AL 2521
		20.00	AL 2537
			Overcast, E 5, short E-Swell, strong squalls
		24.00	AL 2563
		25.10.40	Friday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 2619
		08.00	AL 2624
			E 4-5, cloudy, E-Swell
		09.30 - 10.53		Dived.
		12.00	AL 2623	Distance carried over         159.0  nm      2876.5 nm
				24./25.10.                   4.5 nm           104.5 nm
				Up to 25.10.           163.5 nm        2980.0 nm
		16.00	AL 2496
			SE 4, clearing, Vis. good
		20.00	AL 2486
		24.00	AL 2476
		26.10.40	Saturday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 2396
		08.00	AL 2385
			SE 2-3, E-Swell, squalls, otherwise Vis. good
		09.30 - 10.53		Dived.
		12.00	AL 2374	Distance carried over         163.5  nm      2980.0 nm
				25./26.10.                  4.5 nm            122.0 nm
				Up to 26.10.           168.0 nm        3102.0 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 24.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 25.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 26.10.40

	- 14 -
		continued
		26.10.40
		16.00	AL 2354	Course 45°.
			SE 2-3, SE-Swell, cloudy, squalls
		20.00	AL 2331
		24.00	AL 2274
		27.10.40	Sunday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 2186
		08.00	AL 2178
			SE 4, mostly overcast, Vis. good
		09.48 - 10.52		Dived.
		12.00	AL 1298	Distance carried over           168.0  nm      3102.0 nm
				26./27.10.                    4.5 nm            156.5 nm
				Up to 27.10.           172.5 nm          3258.5 nm
		16.35	AL 2315	Course 170° to search for contact on "U-31"-convoy.
		17.57	AL 2318	Dived.  A steamer in sight, course 90°.
		18.52	AL 2318	Shot on 5000 ton sized steamer with wood cargo, target angle 70°, target speed 12 knots, range = 400 meters.  Miss.  Torpedo was heard for 15 seconds, then was suddenly silent.  Apparently a torpedo failure.
		19.48	AL 2343	Surfaced.  Steamer is still in sight.  Attempted to close at highest speed.  In the night the steamer was not found again.
			SE 4-5, freshening, rain squalls, Vis. changing
		24.00	AL 2418
		28.10.40	Monday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		00.16		Broke off the search for the steamer.  Course 260°.
		04.00	AL 2350
		08.00	AL 1468
			SE 5-6, stiff wind, squalls
		09.00		Course 70°.

	Sun and Moon Data 26.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 27.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 28.10.40

	- 15 -
		continued
		28.10.40
		09.28		Dived, filled the battery with water.
		12.00	AL 1465	Distance carried over            172.5  nm      3258.5 nm
				27./28.10.                   19.5 nm            186.0 nm
				Up to 28.10.             192.0 nm          3444.5 nm
		12.54		Surfaced.
		16.00	AL 2342
		20.00	AL 2327
		24.00	AL 2334
			SE 6-7, completely overcast, rain showers
		29.10.40	Tuesday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 2411
		08.00	AL 2413
			SE 7-8, high long S-Swell, drizzle
		09.40 - 11.40		Dived.
		12.00		Distance carried over            192.0  nm      3444.5 nm
				28./29.10.                     9.0 nm              97.0 nm
				Up to 29.10.            201.0 nm          3541.5 nm
		16.00	AL 2368
		17.30 - 19.40		Dived due to weather conditions, Vis. 300 meters.
		20.00	AL 2383
			NE 5, confused high Swell, Vis. 1 nm
		24.00	AL 2521
		30.10.40	Wednesday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 1633

	Sun and Moon Data 28.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 29.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 30.10.40

	- 16 -
		continued
		30.10.40
		08.00	AL 2521
			SE 4-5, long W-Swell
		09.20 - 11.12		Dived, from 11.12 hours steered course 150°.
		12.00	AL 2526	Distance carried over            201.0  nm      3541.5 nm
			Murky weather, SW 7-8, Vis. up to 1 nm	29./30.10.                    12.5 nm            105.0 nm
				Up to 30.10.             213.5 nm          3646.5 nm
		16.00	AL 2565	Radio Message orders extending operations area up to 16°W.
		18.00		Course 100°.
		20.00	AL 2646
			W 4, long SW-Swell, Vis. good
		24.00	AL 2664
		31.10.40	Thursday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 3548
		08.00	AL 3583
			W 3-4, long W-Swell
		09.45 - 11.15		Dived, 09.48 hours course 0°.
		12.00	AL 3645	Distance carried over          213.5  nm      3646.5 nm
			W 6, large seas	30./31.10.                    4.5 nm            144.0 nm
				Up to 31.10.            218.0 nm          3790.5 nm
		15.58	AL 3475	A steamer in sight square 3472, course 150°, 11 knots.  Due to weather conditions tried for a night attack.
				Size about 6000 tons.
		20.00	AL 3653
			W 6-7, squalls, large seas
		21.58	AL 3662	Surface shot.  Target speed 11 knots, target angle = 60°, range = 660 meters.  Hit forward 10 meters.  Steamer sank quickly in about 30 seconds.  Very heavy detonation.
			W 5, abating
				Course 340°.

	Sun and Moon Data 30.10.40
	Sun and Moon Data 31.10.40

	- 17 -
		01.11.40	Friday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 3458
		04.28	AL 3454	A steamer in sight.  Course 100°, target angle 90°, maneuvered ahead.  Steamer zigzags heavily.  Apparently the boat was seen in the changing visibility.
		06.18	AL 3464	Stern shot  Target speed = 11 knots, target angle 90°, range = 2500 meters.  Miss.  Maneuvered ahead again.
		07.06	AL 3466	Bow shot  Target speed 11 knots, target angle 70°, range = 1200 meters.
				Hit forward 40 meters.  Still transmitted its position.  Name garbled.  Suspect "PORT DENISON" 8043 tons.  Steamer sank within 1 minute.
		08.00	AL 3461	Course 320°.
			WSW 6, large Swell, squalls
		12.00	AL 3422	Distance carried over            218.0  nm      3790.5 nm
				31.10./1.11.40               6.0 nm            207.5 nm
				Up to 1.11.               224.0 nm          3998.0 nm
				=====================
		16.00	AL 3363	A smoke cloud in sight.
			WSW 6-5, quite high sea, Vis. 15 nm, abating
		16.37		Steamer in sight bearing 185°T in square AL 3369.  Course 110°, 10 knots, maneuvered ahead.  Steamer turned slowly to starboard via 150 - 170 - to 200°.
		20.00	AL 3616	It is twilight.  Steamer came to course 150°.  Boat lies at low speed ahead of the steamer on the dark horizon.  Rain squalls.  Steamer came closer at a sharp target angle.  But then apparently stopped then turned to the opposite course.
			Wind calm, in the west to south low black squalls on the horizon
		21.50		Contact lost.
		21.55		Course 180°.
		23.10		Course 270°.
		24.00	AL 3645
		02.11.40	Saturday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides

	Sun and Moon Data 01.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 02.11.40

	- 18 -
		continued
		02.011.40
		04.00	AL 3558
		08.00	AL 3518	Course 0°.
		09.19 - 10.55		Dived.
		12.00	AL 3378	Distance carried over            224.0  nm      3998.0 nm
			NE 2, good weather, Vis. good	1./2.11.                     5.0 nm           210.0 nm
				Up to 2.11.               229.0 nm          4208.0 nm
		16.00	AL 3319
		20.00	AL 3176	Course 120°.
			WNW 5, cloudy, moderate NW-Swell
		24.00	AL 3323
		03.11.40	Sunday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 3442
		08.00	AL 3459
			WNW 2-3, light NW-Swell, Vis. good
		09.18 - 10.55		Dived.  Course 290°.
		12.00	AL 3491	Distance carried over            229.0  nm      4208.0 nm
				2./3.11.                        6.0 nm           159.5 nm
				Up to 3.11.              235.0 nm         4367.5 nm
		16.00	AL 3446
			WSW 3, W-Swell, lightly cloudy
		20.00	AL 3362
		24.00	AL 3324
		04.11.40	Monday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		00.50		Course 230°.
		04.00	AL 3341	Course 270°.
		08.00	AL 2461
			NW 3, rain showers, Vis. moderate

	Sun and Moon Data 02.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 03.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 04.11.40

	- 19 -
		continued
		04.11.40
		09.27 - 10.56		Dived.  Course 210°.
		12.00	AL 2454	Distance carried over            235.0 nm      4367.5 nm
				3./4.11.                       4.5 nm           133.0 nm
				Up to 4.11.              239.5 nm         4500.5 nm
		16.00	AL 2477
			NW 5, rain showers, Vis. moderate
		20.00	AL 2566
		24.00	AL 2594	Course 270°.
		05.11.40	Friday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 2576	Course 80°.
		08.00	AL 2591
			N 3-4, changing cloudiness, rain showers
		09.20 - 10.52		Dived.
		12.00	AL 2671	Distance carried over            239.5 nm      4500.5 nm
				4./5.11.                      4.5 nm            143.0 nm
				Up to 5.11.              244.0 nm         4643.5 nm
		16.00	AL 2649
		20.00	AL 2659
			NNE 5-6, rain showers, cloudy
		24.00	AL 2666
		06.11.40	Wednesday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 3543
		08.00	AL 3561
			NNW 3-4, Vis. good, lightly cloudy
		09.42 - 10.50		Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 04.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 05.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 06.11.40

	- 20 -
		continued
		06.11.40
		11.25	AL 3563	A tug moving back and forth bearing 330°T, 8 nm away yellow smokestack only one mast.  Course 120°.  Maneuvered ahead.
		12.00	AL 3617	Distance carried over            244.0  nm      4643.5nm
				5./6.11.                    4.5 nm          117.0 nm
				Up to 6.11.               248.5 nm         4760.5 nm
				Tug passed out of sight briefly.  Closed on the opposite course.
		13.34	AL 3617	Tug in sight again.  Had only changed his position a little.  Now lies on course 180°.  Attempted to maneuver ahead again.
		14.57		Course 250°.  Tug now lies on about course 270°.  Because there is the suspicion that the boat was seen and the vessel cannot be dealt with submerged, an attack was not attempted.
				13.30 hours on the 600-meter wavelength a Radio Message was received:  "submarine appeared again".
				51°N 17°30'W the longitude matches "U-124".
		15.27		Course 270°.
		16.00	AL 3565
			NW 3, NW-Swell, Vis. good, squalls
		17.00		Course 320°.
		20.00	AL 3513
		24.00	AL 3371
		07.11.40	Thursday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		04.00	AL 2461
		08.00	AL 2421	Course 90°.
			NW 2, lightly cloudy, Vis. good
		09.30 - 10.55		Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 06.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 07.11.40

	- 21 -
		continued
		07.11.40
		12.00	AL 2431	Distance carried over            248.5  nm      4760.5 nm
				6./7.11.                    4.0 nm           140.5 nm
				Up to 7.11.                252.5 nm         4901.0 nm
		16.00	AL 3174	Course 140°.
			ENE 1, Vis. good
		17.20 - 19.20		Crash dive for training.
		20.00	AL 3316
		24.00	AL 3350	Course 215°.
		08.11.40	Friday, 400 nm west of the Hebrides
		03.07		Weather report from U-29 - boat began return transit.
		04.00	AL 3379
		08.00	AL 2663	Course 190°.
			E 4, rain, Vis. bad
		09.58 - 10.58		Dived.
		12.00	AL 2832	Distance carried over            252.5  nm      4901.0 nm
				7./8.11.                    5.5 nm           150.5 nm
				Up to 8.11.                258.0 nm         5051.5 nm
		14.40		Course 180°.
		16.00	AL 2859
			W 3, clearing, Vis. good
		20.00	AL 0256
		24.00	AL 6154
		09.11.40	Saturday, 400 nm west of Ireland
		04.00	AL 6451
		08.00	AL 6723
			W 2-3, cloudy, Vis. moderate
		12.00	AL 6758
			NW 6,

	Sun and Moon Data 07.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 08.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 09.11.40

	- 22 -
		continued
		09.11.40
			stiff wind, squalls	Distance carried over            258.0  nm      5051.3 nm
				8./9.11.                   3.0 nm           243.0 nm
				Up to 9.11.               261.0 nm          5294.5 nm
		16.00	AL 9155
			NNW 7-8, squalls, large seas and Swell
		20.00	AL 9428
			Bright moonlit night
		20.45		Course 150°.
		24.00	AL 9735
		10.11.40	Sunday, 300 nm west of the Hebrides [typo Ireland]
		04.00	AL 9879
		08.00	BE 2291
			NNW 2-3, abating, N-Swell, overcast
		09.48 - 10.58		Dived.
		12.00	BE 2644	Distance carried over            261.0  nm      5294.5 nm
				9./10.11.                     3  nm           279.0 nm
				Up to 10.11.                264 nm         5573.5 nm
		16.00	BE 2927
			WSW 2-3, overcast, Vis. good
		20.00	BE 5332
		24.00	BE 6176
		11.11.40	Monday, Bay of Biscay
		04.00	BE 6461	Course 105°.
		08.00	BE 6558
			SW 6, overcast, W-Swell
		09.43		Dived, course 130° replaced a bearing in the cooling water pump.
		12.00	BE 6595	Distance carried over            264.0  nm      5573.6 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 09.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 10.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.40

	- 23 -
		continued
		11.11.40
				10./11.11.                   7  nm          258.5 nm
				Up to 11.11.                271 nm         5832.0 nm
		13.12		Surfaced.
		14.26	BE 6911	Course 105°.
		16.00	BE 6924
			WSW 7-8, larges seas and Swell
		20.00	BF 4742
		24.00	BF 4769	Course 90°.
		12.11.40	Tuesday, Bay of Biscay
		04.00	BF 4858
		08.00	BF 4957
			WNW 7-8, large W-Swell, squalls
		12.00	BF 5744	Distance carried over            271.0  nm      5832.0 nm
				11./12.11.                3.5  nm           267.5 nm
				Up to 12.11.              274.5 nm       6099.5 nm
		14.37	BF 5758	Dived.
		16.00	BF 5759
		18.54	BF 5768	Surfaced.
			W 7-6, abating, large long W-Swell
		20.00	BF 5766	Course 50°.
		24.00	BF 5588
		13.11.40	Wednesday, Bay of Biscay
		04.00	BF 6441
		07.30	BF 6416	Course 10°, dived.
		12.00	BF 6184	Distance carried over         274.5  nm      6099.5 nm
				11./12.11.            28.0  nm           173.0 nm
				Total distance                          302.5 nm        6272.5 nm
				===================
		13.15	BF 6184	Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 13.11.40

	- 24 -
		continued
		13.11.40
		14.45		Taken in convoy by 2 U-Jägern.
				Point 2.
		16.30		Made fast in Lorient.

Sun and Moon Data 13.11.40

 

	Enclosures to U-124's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
ChartA	Track chart of transit to and from the operations area
ChartB	Track chart of the period in the operations area

 

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote.
	1.)  A successful, well executed patrol.
	2.)  Holding contact in the twilight and night is still in need of improvement
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

---

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