U-140 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
Kiel
20 November 1940
Bergen
17 December 1940
28

 

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
3 Dec 40
21.42
55°28.5'N, 8°50'W
VICTORIA CITY
4,739
American
HK-90
8 Dec 40
12.26
55°57'N, 10°28.5'W
PENANG
2,019
American
 
8 Dec 40
20.25
55°57'N, 18°55'W
ASHCREST
5,652
American
SC-13
     
 Total = 12,410
   
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.


 
 
           
           
           
           
           
                                  
           
           
     
 
 
 
 
 
                                        Kriegstagebuch
 
                                           "  U  140  "
 
           
                                Kommandant:  Oblt. z.S. Hinsch.  
                            =0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
      Beginning:  18.11.40    
      Ended:       22.12.40    
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
    18. - 19.11.40 Kiel, Tirpitz Mole Outfitted the boat.  
           
    20.11.40      
    08.15   Ready for sea.  Put to sea from Kiel.  
    10.02   Kiel Lightship.  Began transit in convoy through the Great Belt.  
    12.00 SbyW 2-3, Sea 2, 1010 mb, Vis. medium, As above.  
      Level of Fehmarn    
    16.00 Omø Lighthouse As above.  
      SSE 2, Sea 2, hazy, Vis. medium    
    18.10   Anchored 8 northwest of Korsør.  20 meters water, 80 meters chain.  
                                           
    21.11.40    
    09.50   Ready for sea.  Continued transit with escort through the Great Belt.  
    12.00 Samsø Belt, level of [illegible location] Transit in convoy.  
      Day's run:  70 nm  
      SW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, hazy, Vis. medium    
    16.00 Central Kattegat, level of Lyse Grund As above.  
      SW 4-5, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. medium    
    20.00 Central Kattegat, [illegible place] - Anholt As above.  
      SW 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium                                    
    22.11.40      
    00.00 Northern Kattegat, level of Læsø As above.  
      WSW 6, Sea 4, clear, Vis. good    
    04.00 10 nm southeast of Skagen As above.  
      WSW 3-4, Sea 3, Vis. good    
    08.00 Skagerrak AO 4428 As above.  
      WSW 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. moderate    
    12.00 AN 3637    
      SW-WSW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. very good As above.   Day's run:  225 nm  
    15.30 Barrier gap Kristiansand Through the barrier with new escort.  
      SW 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. very good    
    16.04 AN 3539 lower-left corner Released escort.  Transit to Bergen, course 248°, 10 knots.  
    18.04   Course 270°, 10 knots.  
           
       
20.00 hours
 
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 20.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 21.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 22.11.40
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    22.11.40      
    20.00 AN 3532 center Course 270°, 10 knots.  
      NW 2, Sea 1, few clouds, Vis. very good                                    
    23.11.40      
    00.00 Northern North Sea     
      AN 3463 center-left edge    
      SSW 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good    
    00.44   Course 320°, 10 knots.  
    04.00 AN 3184 lower-right corner As above.  
      SW 2-3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, Vis. good    
    07.34   Course 270°, 10 knots.  Set off from the coast, because there is a U-boat hunt in a 30 nm wide strip along the coast.  
    08.00 AN 3144 lower-left center As above.  
      SW 5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. good    
    08.14   Course 0°, 10 knots.  
    09.00   Dived.  Speed 2 knots.  
    12.00 AN 3117 center-left edge As above.   Day's run:  194 nm  
    16.00 AN 3114 center-left edge As above.  
    18.12   Surfaced.  Course 22°, 7 nm.  
    20.00 AN 2974 upper-right center As above.  
      SW 4, Sea 3, rain, Vis. medium                                    
    24.11.40      
    00.00 AN 2943 center-left Course 22°, 10 knots.  
      SW 3-4, Sea 3, rain, Vis. medium    
    02.30 6 nm west of Marstein.    
    03.38 Marstein abeam Course 96°, 7 knots.  
    04.20 Börnestangen    
      SW 4, Sea 1, cloudy, Vis. good    
    04.30   Ran into Bergen with escort.  
    07.04 Bergen Made fast.  
        Fuel and lubricating oil supply.  Echolot sounder repaired.  First Watch Officer admitted to the the hospital.  
           
    25.11.40 Bergen    
    19.00   Departed with escort.  
        Course 294°, 10 knots.  
    23.30 Marstein abeam    
      WSW 5, Sea 4-5, rain                                    
    26.11.40 Northern North Sea    
    04.00 AN 2365 lower-right No events.  
      WSW 5, Sea 4, overcast, rain    
    08.00 AN 2319 lower-right As above.  
      W 5, Sea 3-4, overcast, hazy    
           
       
12.00 hours
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 22.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 23.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 24.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 25.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 26.11.40
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    26.11.40      
    12.00 AN 2231 center-right As above.  
      W 4, Sea 3, cloudy, Vis. good    
    16.00 AF 7971 lower-right corner As above.  
      WNW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, at times rain, Vis. moderate    
    20.00 AF 7856 center-right edge As above.  
      WNW 3, Sea 2, rain, overcast, Vis. medium                                    
    27.11.40 Sea area north of Scotland Course 237°, 10 knots.  No events.  
      AF 7843 upper-center    
      NNE 4, Sea 3, overcast, rain    
    04.00 AF 7769 center-right As above.  
      NbyE 3, Sea 2, few clouds, Vis. good    
    08.00 AF 7788 upper-right center As above.  
      NW 4, Sea 3, few clouds, Vis. good    
    12.00 AN 1129 lower-left center As above.   Day's run:  191 nm  
      NNW 5, Sea 4, rain in places, Vis. good    
    16.00 AN 1147 lower-right center No events.  
      NNW 7, Sea 5, Vis. good    
    20.00 AM 3288 lower-right corner As above.  
      NNW 7, Sea 5, rain in places, Vis. good                                    
    28.11.40      
    00.00 AM 3441 upper-left center As above.  
      NNW 6-7, Sea 5, Vis. good, overcast    
    04.00 AM 3382 upper-center As above.  
      N 5, Sea 4, overcast, rain in places    
    08.00 AM 2633 upper-right center As above.  
      NbyW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good    
    09.17   Crash dive for patrol vessel.  At periscope depth nothing seen due to twilight.  
    10.21   Surfaced, patrol vessel ran off to the NE.  
           
       
10.31 hours
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 26.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 27.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 28.11.40
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    28.11.40      
    10.51   Radio message:  U-140 occupy east-west line at the level of square AM 18 to 01, western limit 14°W.  
    11.00   Course 237°, 10 knots.  
    11.29   Crash dive for aircraft.  
    12.12 AM 2626 center-right edge Surfaced. course 237, Day's run:  194 nm  
      NNW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. good    
    16.00 AM 2647 center No events.  
      NW 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good    
    18.49   First navigation fix since departing Bergen.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position:  28 nm, in 69°T.  
    20.00 AM 2671 left edge lower No events.  
      NW 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good                                    
    29.11.40 North Atlantic east of "Rockall" Reached operations area.  
    00.00 AM 2722 right edge lower    
      SW 2-3, medium-high Swell, overcast, Vis. good    
    04.00 AM 2741 lower-left center No events.  
      WSW 3-4, medium-high Swell, overcast, rain in places    
    08.00 AM 1891 center-left As above.  Went to LF.  
      WSW 3-4, medium-high Swell, overcast, rain in places    
    12.00 AM 1885 lower-left center Day's run:  170 nm  As above.  
      SSW 4, medium-high Swell, Vis. good    
    14.00   Course 90°.  
    16.00 AM 1889 upper-left center As above.  
      SSW 4, medium-high Swell, Vis. good    
    18.00   Course 178°.  Attempted to meet the convoy reported by aircraft in square AL 6389 steering 60°.  Will be 40 nm ahead of the convoy at 00.30 hours.  
    20.00 AM 0131 lower-right corner No events.  
      SSW 5, medium-high Swell, overcast, Vis. medium                                    
    30.11.40      
    00.30 AM 0165 lower-left center Came to course 240° at LF (opposite course of the convoy reported by aircraft)  
      SSW 4, medium-high Swell, few clouds, Vis. medium  
           
       
08.00 hours
 
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 28.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 29.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 30.11.40
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.11.40      
    08.00 AM 0176 lower-left center Convoy not met.  Came to course 90°.  
      SSW 3, low Swell, few clouds, Vis. good    
    12.00 AM 0189 lower-right center No events.  Day's run: 119 nm  
      SSW 3, low Swell, at times rain in places, Vis. medium    
    16.00 AM 2977 lower-left center No events.  
      SSW 2-3, low Swell, overcast, Vis. medium    
    20.00 AM 2987 right edge lower As above.  
      SSW 3, low Swell, overcast, Vis. medium    
           
    01.12.40      
    00.00 AM 2997 lower-right corner Came  to course 0°.  As above.  
      SSW 3-4, medium-high Swell, overcast, Vis. medium    
    04.00 AM 2967 upper-right center As above.  
      SSW 4, medium Swell, overcast, Vis. medium    
    08.00 AM 2934 upper-right center Came to course 270°.  As above.  
      SSW 4, medium Swell, Vis. moderate, rain in places    
    12.00 AM 2924 upper-left center Day's run: 175 nm  As above.  
      SW 4, medium Swell, overcast, Vis. medium    
    16.00 AM 2917 upper-left center As above.  
      WbyS 3, medium Swell, overcast, Vis. medium    
    20.00 AM 0129 right edge upper As above.  
      WbyS 3, low Swell, continual rain, Vis. bad    
    22.20   On Radio Message:  Occupy the northern half of square AM 54, 55 came to course 150°, 10 knots.  
                                           
    02.12.40    
    00.00 AM 0156 upper-left center As above.  
      W 3, lightly cloudy, Vis. good    
    04.00 AM 4321 center-right edge As above.  
      WbyS 3, light Swell, Vis. good    
    08.00 AM 4368 lower-right center As above.  
      W 2-3, light Swell, Vis. good    
           
       
09.30 hours
 
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.11.40
Sun and Moon Data 01.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 02.12.40
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    02.12.40      
    09.30   Inbound convoy in sight, course 50°, 10 steamers, 4 destroyers, 2 aircraft.  True bearing of the final ship on sighting 170°.  Maneuver ahead is no longer possible.  Dived, because it is too bright for a night attack.  Could  no longer close because range is too great and the enemy had changed course to 70°.  
    11.00 North Atlantic, west of Ireland No further attack possibilities.  Surfacing earlier was not possible because aircraft are continually in the vicinity.  
    12.00 AM 5411 upper-center edge Day's run: 163 nm  
    13.12   Surfaced.  
    15.43 AM 5176 center Several smoke clouds in sight bearing 30°T.  Convoy with approximate course 220°T.  At the beginning of twilight the convoy came to course 160°.  Was forced off by aircraft and escort vessels.  Held contact on an escort vessel.  Closed at darkness.  Escort vessel is alone.  Convoy is no longer there.  Suspect that the convoy has passed me.  Came to course 220° at AK, to gain contact again.  Sent no Radio Message because the outbound course of the convoy is not known.  
      W 1-2, low Swell, few clouds, Vis. very good  
         
    19.48 AM 5414 lower-center  
      W 1-2, low Swell, overcast, Vis. medium  
         
    22.00   Convoy not found.  Came to course 40°, 10 knots.  
                                           
    03.12.40    
    00.00 AM 5417 lower-right center    
      SSE 3-4, overcast, heavy rain, Vis. bad    
    03.00 AM 5421 center Came to course 90°, LF.  
      SbyW 3, overcast, heavy rain, Vis. bad As above.  
    08.00 AM 5432 center-left As above.  
      SbyW 3, medium Swell, overcast, Vis. medium    
    12.00 AM 5513 lower-left center Crash dive for aircraft.  Day's run: 173 nm  Course 270°.  
      SW 2-3, light Swell, overcast, Vis. medium    
    13.43   Crash dive for aircraft.  
    14.15   Surfaced, course 270°.  
    16.00 AM 5279 right edge lower On Radio Message 153/3/131 course 307°, 2 x GF.  Should meet the convoy about 20.00 hours.  
      WbyS 2, low Swell, clear, Vis. very good  
    16.45   By the corrected by Radio Message position of the convoy, meeting is unlikely.  
    17.41   A single steamer bearing 230°T.  
    18.17   Course 79°, GF.  
        Course 152°.  
    1853   Course 86°.  
    19.29   Course 147°, AK  
    19.50   Course 78°.  
           
       
20.25 hours
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 03.12.40
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    03.12.40      
    20.25 AM 5288 upper-left center Course 108°, AK.  
      SW 1, light Swell, lightly cloudy, Vis. medium Steamer course 120°.  
    21.42 AM 5532 left edge upper Attacked.  Enemy speed 40°, target angle 90°, bow left.  Enemy speed 10 knots, range 1000 meters (50 seconds running time).  Hit at the bridge.  Sank within 15 seconds.  5 hatch steamer of 5200 tons.  
    21.45   Course 270°, 2 x GF.  
    23.15         "       "             LF.  
                                           
    04.12.40 AM 5521 upper-center  
    00.00 SW 3-4, long low Swell, Vis. medium, overcast As above.  
    04.00 AM 5511 upper-center As above.  
      SSW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. medium    
    08.00 AM 5431 upper-center Weapons use is no longer possible.  
      SW 5, Sea 5, overcast, rain, Vis. moderate    
    12.00 AM 5421 upper-right center Day's run: 141 nm   
      W 6, Sea 5-6, overcast, heavy rain, Vis. bad As above.  Course 227°.  
    16.57 AM 4632 upper-center Large navigation offset.  No weapons use possible.  
      WbyN 7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. medium, heavy hail storms in places    
    19.15   Course 139°.  As above.  
    20.00 AM 4634 upper-center As above.  No weapons use possible.  
      W 7-8, Sea 6, overcast, hail showers, Vis. bad                                    
         
    05.12.40      
    00.00 AM 4666 upper-right corner As above.  
      WbyS 7, Sea 6, overcast, hail showers, Vis. bad    
    00.30   Course 70°.  
    04.00 AM 5451 upper-left corner As above.  
      WbyS 6, Sea 5-6, overcast, rain showers, Vis. bad    
    08.00 AM 5434 lower-right corner As above.  
      WbyN 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, rain showers, Vis. bad    
    12.00 AM 5511 lower-center Course 0°.  Day's run: 107 nm   
      NbyW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, heavy rain, Vis. bad    
    14.35   Course 270°.  
           
       
16.00 hours
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 03.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 04.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 05.12.40
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.12.40      
    16.00 AM 5512 lower-right center As above.  
      SW 9, Sea 6-7, full storm, heavy hail squalls    
    20.00 AM 3511 lower-left center As above.  
      WbyN 8-9, Sea 7, heavy hail showers, Vis. bad                                    
    06.12.40      
    00.00 AM 5433 lower-center Boat was held into the seas at KF.  
      WbyN 8-9, Sea 7, strong hail showers, overcast, Vis. bad    
    04.00 AM 5432 lower-right center No events.  
      Weather as above    
    08.00 AM 5432 lower-left center As above.  
      WNW 9, Sea 7-8, hail, rain, Vis. very bad    
    12.00 AM 5431 lower-right center Day's run: 37 nm   
      Weather as above For days no possibility for a navigation fix.  
    16.00 AM 5431 lower-left center No events.  
      Weather as above    
    20.00 AM 5423 center As above.  
      Weather:  As above                                    
    07.12.40      
    00.00 AM 5423 center-left As above.  
      NW 6-7, Sea 6    
      Weather: As above    
    04.00 AM 5422 lower-right center As above.  
      NW 4-5, Sea 6, rain and hail in places, Vis. medium    
    08.00 AM 5422 left lower edge No events.  
      NNW 5-6, Sea 5-6    
      Weather:  As above    
    12.00 AM 5422 left lower edge Day's run: 15 nm   
      N 8, Sea 7    
      Weather:  As above    
    16.00 AM 5413 upper-left center No events.  
      N 6, Sea 5-6, cloudy, rain in places, Vis. bad    
    20.00 AM 4649 lower-left center Ship's location by navigation fix.  
      NNW 4-5, Sea 4    
      Weather:  As above                                    
           
       
8.12.40
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 06.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 07.12.40
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
           
    08.12.40      
    00.00 AM 4656 lower-left center No events.  
      NNW 3, Sea 3, cloudy, Vis. medium    
    04.00 AM 4663 upper-right corner        "  
      NNW 3, Sea 2-3, cloudy, Vis. medium    
    08.00 AM 5424 upper-right center        "  
      NNW 3, Sea 2-3, cloudy, Vis. medium    
    09.52   Vessel astern to starboard.  Type not recognized.  
    10.05   Dived.  Vessel did not come closer, ran to meet.  At lightness recognized as a bark on course 65°.  
        Attacked.  
    12.26 AM 5431 center-left Enemy speed 4.5 knots, bow right, range 1080 meters, hit aft 20 meters.  Ship lay over and capsized.  Remained for a time on the water's surface.  It turned out to be the bark "LAWHILL" 2816 tons.  
    13.55   Day's run: 99 nm   
        Surfaced.  Reloaded the torpedo.  
        Course 90°, LF.  
    16.00 AM 5433 upper-left center    
      SW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, drizzle, Vis. 3 nm    
    18.00   In accordance with incoming Radio Message: "Steamer ASHCREST square AM 5439 in sea emergency", course 215° GF.  Higher speed not possible in the increasing Sea State.  Visibility is deteriorating.  Am 16 nm away.  
    19.00 No further rain, Vis. is good Star signal to starboard.  Closed.  Recognized as the steamer with the sea emergency.  Lies stopped athwart the seas.  
    20.30   1 torpedo shot with target angle 0°.  Ran across the seas.  Torpedo broached.  Hit the water heading to starboard.  Miss.  Steamer had seen us, extinguished lights and turned quickly towards the boat.  The moon is shining through completely.  
    20.25 AM 5511 center 2nd torpedo.  Hit at the bridge after 41 seconds.  Range 600 meters.  Steamer broke apart and sank quickly.  
      SW 4, Sea 3-4, lightly cloudy, bright moonshine  
      Steamer "ASHCREST", 7726 tons.  
    22.00   Came to course 270°, GF.  
                                           
           
       
09.12.40
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 08.12.40
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
           
    09.12.40   LF.  
    00.00 AM 5431 center No events.  
      SW 4, Sea 3, few clouds, bright moonshine, Vis. good    
    04.00 AM 5421 center As above.  
      WbyS 3, Sea 3, overcast, rain, Vis. moderate    
    08.00 AM 5411 center Course 270°.  No events.  
      W 5, Sea 3-4, overcast, at times rain, Vis. moderate    
    09.00   Course 135°.  No events.  
    12.00 AM 5446 upper-left Course 90.  Day's run: 114 nm   
      W 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. medium No events.  
    16.00 AM 5461 lower-left corner As above.  
      W 5, Sea 5, as above    
    18.00   Course 45°.  
    20.00 AM 5518 center As above.  
      W 3-4, Sea 4, rain showers, Vis. bad    
    22.00   Course 270°.  
                                           
    10.12.40    
    00.00 AM 5512 lower-center edge As above.  
      W 5, Sea 4, overcast, hail, Vis. bad    
    04.00 AM 5432 lower edge left     "  
      WNW 5, Sea 4, as above    
    08.00 AM 5421 lower-left corner    
      WNW 7, Sea 4-5, as above    
    12.00 AM 5412 lower-left corner Course 0°.  Day's run: 120 nm   Steamer in sight bearing 0°T, course 70°.  Came to AK began to maneuver ahead.  
      WNW 7m Sea 5, as above  
    12.05   Course 90°, AK.  
    12.46         "    70°      "  
    14.20         "   125°     "  
    14.38         "    90°      "  
    15.25        "     70°      "  
    16.00 AM 5198 lower-right corner As above.  
      WNW 6-7, Sea 5-6, cloudy, strong rain showers in places    
           
       
17.16 hours
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 09.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 10.12.40
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    10.12.40      
    17.16   Despite AK the steamer got away.  
        Came to course 250°, LF.  
    20.00 AM 5199 lower-right    
      WNW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, rain and hail, Vis. moderate    
    22.00   KF.  
                                           
    11.12.40    
    00.00 AM 5431 center No events.  
      As above    
    04.00 AM 5425 upper-right corner    
      WNW 6, Sea 5, as above    
    08.00 AM 5424 center-right edge As above.  
      As above    
    12.00 AM 5416 center Day's run: 100 nm   As above.  
      NNW 5, Sea 4-5, cloudy, Vis. good    
    16.00 AM 5445 upper-center Course 0°, as above.  
      As above    
    20.00 AM 5415 lower-center No events.  
      NNW 3-4, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good    
    22.00   Course 90°.  
                                           
    12.12.40    
    00.00 AM 5421 center-right    
      NNW 3, Sea 2, clear, bright moonshine, Vis. very good    
    02.06   Steamer directly astern on zigzag course.  
    02.36   Dived.  Got to within only 3000-4000 meters.  Target angle 90°, because the steamer zigzagged from 70° to 110°.  
        Did not shoot, because it was too far off.  
    03.27   Surfaced, came to course 40° at AK.  Moved off a bit from the steamer.  
    03.40   Course 90°, AK.  
    03.47   Course 60°.  
    04.00 AM 5198 lower-right corner    
      W 1-2, Sea 2, increasing cloudiness, hazy, Vis. moderate    
    04.10   Course 90°.  
    06.37   Course 100°.  
    07.05   Course 110°.  
    07.50   Course 150°.  
    08.00 AM 5523 center-right    
      SW 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good    
    08.25   Shot, course 111°, enemy speed 9 knots, target angle 90°, miss. Torpedo detonated at the end of the  
           
       
running track
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 11.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 12.12.40
 
- 12 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    12.12.40      
        running track because of an error on the lead angle calculator, a lead angle of 24° was set, which the actual value was 16°.  
        Course 270°, 2 x GF.  Began return transit via Bergen.  
    11.00   Course 310°.  
    12.00 AM 5433 upper-right corner Day's run: 152 nm  GF.  
      SSE 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good    
    16.14 AM 5157 right edge upper Course 0°, GF.  
      SSE 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good    
    20.00 AM 2989 upper-right corner No events.  
      SSE 5, Sea 4, overcast, light rain, Vis. moderate                                    
    13.12.40 Sea area north of Scotland    
    00.00 AM 2926 right edge lower        "  
      SSE 5, Sea 4, as above    
    04.00 AM 2736 right edge        "  
      SSW 5-6, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium    
    08.21 AM 2583 upper-right corner Course 59°.  
      S 5-6, Sea 4, overcast, light rain, Vis. medium    
    12.00 AM 2652 lower-right center Day's run: 224 nm   
      SSE 6, Sea 5, as above    
    16.00 AM 2631 lower-right center No events.  
      SbyW 6, as above    
    20.00 AM 3373 lower-right center    
      As above                                    
    14.12.40      
    00.00 AM 3363 upper-right center        "  
      SbyW 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. moderate    
    04.30 AM 3427 lower-center Course 54°.  
      SbyW 4, Sea 3, as above, heavy rain in places No events.  
    08.00 AM 3299 upper-right center        "  
      SSW 3, as above    
    12.00 AN 1156 upper-left center Day's run: 189 nm   
      SSW 6, Sea 5, as above    
    16.00 AF 7789 left corner No events.  
      SSW 8, Sea 6-7, overcast, Vis. moderate    
           
       
20.00 hours
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 12.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 13.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 14.12.40
 
- 13 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    14.12.40      
    20.00 AF 7844 lower-center No events.  
      SSW 8, Sea 7, as above.    
    22.00   Course 116°.  
                                           
    15.12.40 Northern North Sea, level of Scotland    
    00.00 AF 7835 upper-center No events.  
      SSW 8, Sea 7, as above    
    04.00 AF 7943 upper-center        "  
      SSW 8-9, Sea 7-8, overcast, heavy rain squalls, Vis. bad    
    08.00 AF 7959 lower-right corner        "  
      SSW 8, as above    
    12.00 AF 8774 lower-right center Day's run: 225 nm  Course 131°.  
      SSW 8, as above    
    16.00 AN 2334 lower-center No events.  
      SSW 7-8, as above    
    20.00 AN 2443 lower-left center       "  
      SSW 8-9, as above    
    22.00   In high wind strength 10-11, hail and rain, Vis. 100-200 meters, under these conditions gave up heading for Marstein.   
        Course 180°, LF.  
                                           
    16.12.40      
    00.00 AN 2476 upper-right corner Course 270°.  
      S 9, Sea 8-9, Vis. very bad    
    03.00   Course 90°.  
    04.00 AN 2475 lower-center    
      As before    
    06.00   Course 270°.  
    08.00 AN 2478 upper-center    
      As before    
    09.00   Course 90°.  
        Asked for Radio Beacons.  Bearings showed a navigation offset of 41 nm to the north.  
    10.00   Course 270°.  
    12.00 AN 2415 center-right Day's run: 152 nm   
      SSE 8-9, Sea 8, Vis. bad, rain Course 180°, HF.  
    16.00 AN 2442 lower edge right    
      SSE 7-8, as above GF.  
    19.15   Course 120°.  
           
       
20.00 hours
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 14.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 15.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 16.12.40
 
- 14 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    16.12.40      
    20.00 AN 2473 upper-left center    
      SSE 7-8, Vis. clearing    
    23.04   Passed Marstein.  
                                           
    17.12.40      
    00.00   Ran in to Bergen with escort.  
    03.00   Made fast to Bergen.  
                                           
    18.12.40      
    14.00   Put to sea from Bergen with escort.  Echolot out of service.  
    16.15 SW 5, Sea 3-4, misty, rain, Vis. bad Børnestangen, released escort.  
    17.12   Marstein abeam.  
    17.40   Course 95°, GF.  
    20.00 North Sea    
      AN 2487 center-right As above.  
      SbyW 6, Sea 5, rain, Vis. bad                                    
    19.12.40      
    00.00 AN 2946 upper-left center As above.  
      Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. medium    
    04.00 AN 3111 lower-right corner       "  
      NE 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good    
    08.04 AN 4395 lower-right edge       "  
      NE 2, Sea 1, cloudy, Vis. good    
    09.50   Dived, course 105°, LF.  
    11.00   Course 142°.  
    12.00 AN 3149 center-left Day's run: 148 nm  
    16.00 AN 3185 lower-left corner    
    18.00   Surfaced, course 142°, GF.  
    19.02   Requested by Radio Message measures [navigation aids] to head for for Kristiansand.  
    20.00 AN 3429 center-right edge    
      NE 2, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. very good    
    21.19   Course 90°.  
                                           
    20.12.40 Skagerrak    
    00.00 AN 3542 lower-center    
      ENE 3, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. very good    
           
       
04.00 hours
 
           
Sun and Moon Data 16.12.40
Sun and Moon Data 17.12.40

Page 15 is missing

 
- 16 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    22.12.40      
    15.15   Exchanged escort at Kjels Nor.  
    16.00 Baltic, south of Lang Land With new escort to Kiel.  
      NE 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. good    
    18.00   Kiel Lightship.  
        Released escort.  
    19.30   Made fast Tirpitz Mole.  
           
                                           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
 

 

Enclosures to U-140's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Charts Track charts
Radio Excerpt of the Radio Log
   
Torpedo Torpedo firing reports

 

     
     
 

Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote.

 
     
     
 

Successful patrol, nothing to note on execution.

 
 
 
     
     
                      Signed in draft:  Dönitz  
       
   

For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

 
   
The Chief of the Operations Department.
 
 

                            

 
     
 


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