Excerpt of the Radio Log of U-180
 
                         Patrol from 9 February to 2 July 1943
 
 
22.02.43 Ireland
  Ran at turns for 8 knots with 20% loss 6.4 knots over ground.  Route to presumed meeting point naval square JB 21000 nm [figure for nm is incorrect - more like 1200 nm] equals 135 pure transit days equals 385 cbm based on naval square AL 2261, 20 February, 400 cbm.  For 5 days 4 knots over ground.  Weather.
   
23.02.43 Ireland
1045/23/136 Musenberg transit via BD 80.  Take over of cases and 60 cbm fuel from U-462 anticipated there.
   
26.02.43 Hubertus
1224/26/854 From Vowe in square BD 8111 supply in arrival order: Musenberg 60 cbm, Schamong 75, Feiler 65, Walkerling 35, Zürmühlen 45, Bertelsmann 50, Hüttemenn 55, Mannstein 65, Kruschka 75 cbm.
  2)  For return transit Mengersen, Borchers, Kremser, Heine, Manke, Hackländer, Gretschel at most fill to 27 cbm each.
  3)  Return transiters in order according to the situation.  Transmit only in urgent cases, waiting boats set off as far as possible within visibility range, sharpest lookout.  Vowe have about every third boat report progress of supply after setting off.  Vowe after completion final report with order of setting off and return transit.
  4)  For all boats from today at 20.00 hours switch to Diana Circuit.
  5)  Boats which continue to operate head for square KP 81 after supply.
   
05.03.43 Diana
1410/5/720 1)  For ordered meeting with U-boat orders in B.d.U. Gkdos 847 a4 of 17 February apply.
  2)  Other boat desires for meeting optical signal traffic with flags or Morse lamp by International Signal Book.  Prepare accordingly.
   
06.03.43 Diana
  Cited Gkdos from 17 February not here put to sea 9 February.  Standing Orders 28. 29, 30 not held.  Square WK 3316.
                                                                                             Musenberg.
   
10.03.43 America
1412/10/358 Only for Musenberg.
  Report immediately, when at economical transit speed and in view of the Trade Winds naval square 24 can be reached and what day's run is expected.  The named naval square lies in the large square whose center point lies about 1250 nm east of naval square 59.  In all other naval messages the given square shall be referred to with the letter "Beta".
   
10.03.43 America
2015/10/361 Days run average 140 nm and 45 days to named square.  Question: on the outbound journey is the boat is subject to any attack restrictions.  Square NO 8915.  390 cbm.
                                                                                              "Musenberg"
   
10.03.43 America
2245/10/364 Musenberg
  Attack free only on unescorted independents outside Route Anton.
 
                                               
 
 
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
     
 
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11.03.43 America
  Orders require fast travel at turns for 8 sm 44 days.  For 10 knots 33 days, for 12 knots 26 days to meeting point.  At 10 knots return without any reserve for operations just possible, at 12 knots without reserve supply about 20°N necessary with economical return transit.  Based on naval square DS 2450.
   
12.03.43 America
  Only for Musenberg
  Operate so as to ensure meeting on 23 April.  Further instructions to follow.
   
13.03.43 America
2350/13/325 Radio messages with keyword Nelke are only for Musenberg, other boats are not to decode.
   
14.03.43 America
1003/14/333 First Nelke for meeting with other boat is ordered!
  A)  Recognition Signal exchange only with letter table Recognition Signals for Merchant Ships.  Boat sighting first gives call letter.  If both start at the same time, Musenberg gives three times.  Letter "Gamma" and repeat call, other boat gives the answer.  After Recognition Signal exchange both show as soon as possible their largest war ensign.  Regarding changing Recognition Signals observe extract from the ES Regulations page 7 Paragraph 110 Anton and Bruno.
   
14.03.43 America
1017/14/334 Second Nelke
  B)  Procedure for sending bearing signals.
  (Conditions are:  Ordered meeting point soon after lightness)
  1)  Bearing frequency 407 KHz
  2)  If meeting is not successful at the ordered time, Musenberg transmits from the first to the third minute  meeting hour identification letter Gustav.  From the eleventh to the 20th minute Musenberg stands by to receive.  Other boat transmits in this period bearing results on bearing wavelength consisting of the letter Jota three times and the degrees of the true bearing in Morse numbers.
   
14.03.43 America
1025/14/336 Third Nelke
  Example:  Jota, Jota, Jota 127 means:  I have you in 127°T.  This signal is given three times.
  3)  Other boat sends from the 21st to 23rd minute bearing signal letters Jota.  Musenberg transmits bearing results in the same form between the 31st and 40th minute as in Paragraph B2 initiated with Gustav three times.
   
14.03.43 America
1100/14/337 Fourth and last Nelke
  4)  Without regard if bearing signals are heard or not, bearing signals are continued up to the meeting in the same way as in Paragraphs Bruno 2 and 3 in the second, third and fourth hour and, after 2 hours break, in the sixth to tenth hour.  If the meeting is still not successful perform the same Program from the beginning the next day starting at the meeting time.  If the meeting is still not successful report to the homeland.
  C)  Direct radio traffic between the boats is not intended.
  D)  Optical signal traffic see Radio Message of 5 March.
   
18.03.43 America
1059/18/469 Musenberg at steady transit speed head for naval square FD 27 for Doctor assistance to an Italian.
 
                    
 
 
 
     
 
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18.03.43 Africa
1619/18/472 Meeting point Musenberg with Italian on 20 March from lightness in naval square FD 3155.  From 12.00 hours stand by for bearing signals from Italian on 852 meters 352 KHz.  After patient treatment continue transit and report.
   
19.03.43 Africa
1302/19/482 Musenberg:
  Bearing signals half-hourly, beginning at 12.00 hours 3 minutes long.  Send letter: P O.
   
20.03.43 America
1801/20/355 Since 07.00 hours at meeting point.  Bearing signals heard only at 14.00 hours and 15.00 hours.  Ran 27 nm in the direction of the bearing with no success, overcast, visibility good.
                                                                                              Musenberg
20.03.43 Africa
2114/20/494 Musenberg:
  1)  Check if the bearing may be false and so you ran aways from the other boat.
  2)  Repeat the same meeting Program tomorrow.
   
21.03.43 America
1457/21/369 Searched 2 times 18 nm around square FD 3155.  4 perfect navigation fixes up to no no bearing signals heard.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
21.03.43 Africa
1655/21/401 Musenberg:
  From 18.00 hours send own bearing signals, if no bearing signals are heard, if by 22 March at 04.00 hours there is no meeting continue southerly transit.
   
22.03.43 Africa
0334/22/406 Up to 03.30 hours bearing signals sent half-hourly.  04.00 hours continue transit.  No meeting.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
20.03.43 Africa
0545/20/487 (4th Nelke)
  1.  Appearance of Japanese U-boat:  length 108 meters, Maier bow, with long stretched forecastle, topped by a catapult, before the conning tower aircraft hanger merged into the conning tower.  On the after deck 14 cm cannon.  Boat is equipped with a rubber boat.
  2. On board are:  Flottillenchef Kapt.z.S. Haro-Katsuda, as Kommandant Freg.Kapt. Työti Itu.
   
20.03.43 Africa
08.26/20/488 (5th Nelke)
  3.  To be taken over:  Freg.Kapt. Tetsusiro Emi, Senior U-boat Kommandant and Korv.Kpt.(Ing) Hideo Toponaga, former U-boat Kommandant.
  4.  Named officers have full access on board except for encoding material.
   
23.03.43 Africa
2301/23/431 Additional items to take over:
  a) 3 units air torpedo No. 2 55.3 cm, for safety reasons, at least 1 torpedo must be stored inside the boat.  If three of your own torpedoes have not yest been fired, then there hand over an appropriate number to the Japanese boat.
  b)  2 tons gold in small cases.
  c)  1.3 tons Japanese inventions, apparatus etc.
  d)  0.6 tons German cargo.  Drawings, mail etc,
                                                                                      (continued on Page 4)
 
                    
 
 
 
     
 
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  e)  Some cases of quinine each 60 kg.  Weigh of the entire cargo aside from the torpedoes about 5 tons.  Probably the Japanese boat will bring towing means.
   
02.04.43 Africa
1829/2/495 Outgoing.
  1)  Mail for Ship 28 to U-boat or meeting suggested.
  2)  If offload is necessary:  E-torpedo or A-torpedo with or without pistol.
   
04.03.43 Africa
1600/4/409 Musenberg:
  3 Atos with Pi G 7 H and mail for Ship 28 give to U-boat
   
15.04.43 Africa
2015/15/ Final square, date, time requested.  15 Etos, 9 Atos.  KZ 75.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
17.04.43 Africa
1403/17/428 1)  Musenberg on 23 April 06.00 hours be at meeting point naval square Beta 2432.  Additionally for meeting see "Nelke radio message".  If no meeting takes place before, on 26 April after lightness set off to 2nd meeting point naval square 9694 in the large square north of square Beta and be there early on 28 April.  If also missing there, on 1 March early report and await orders.
  2)  After completion report accordingly.  Afterwards free to maneuver in KP and KQ upper third and KZ and JA lower third, focal point off KP 84.  East -west traffic suspected at the level of this harbor.
   
20.04.43 Africa
1742/20/458 Tanker "CORBIS" for Cape Town course 200° sunk naval square KZ 6568.  20 April steamer KQ 7764 course 280°, before attack broached due to swells.  Maneuver ahead broken off because the steamer was faster.  Boat smokes like an old coal steamer.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
24.04.43 Africa
1737/24/492 Met on 23 April 06.20 hours.  Exchange not possible up to now due to weather.  No improvement for now, am running with.  From 30 April return transit without supply is possible.  Transfer by on board means only in good weather, sensitive items, heavy weights, fuel tank endangerment.  Plant allows running without stopping if necessary.  KQ 99.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
25.04.43 Africa
2047/25/62/499 After consultation suggest running with until good weather and if necessary have been offered fuel oil take over from the other boat.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
25.04.43 Africa
1234/25/494 To Musenberg:
  To ensure the ordered transfer as far as possible, proceed according to the situation. Requested supply anticipated about naval square DG provided, but possibly as soon as the first half of May. Supply in the local area.
   
27.04.43

Africa
1500/27/410 Report completion of seamanship feat 27 April naval square KR 5276.  210 cbm.  1000 nm at turns for 8 knots consumed 21.8 cbm = 30% more than IX D 2.
                                                                                              Musenberg.
 
                    
 
 
 
     
 
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29.04.43 Africa
2134/29/430 11 Etos, 9 Atos, naval square KR 75.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
01.05.43 Africa
1652/1/442 1)  Italian sank:  17 April on KZ 3460, course 320° 11 knots, steamer.  18 April in KZ 2330, course 320°, 12 knots steamer, both for Durban.  21 April in KZ 3740, course 220°, 12 knots steamer.  25 April in KY 6760, course 120°, 10 knots tanker, all known by name.
  2)  Musenberg operate on this traffic route.
   
01.05.43 Africa
1934/1/445 On return transit over ordered traffic route if there are no further shooting opportunities regulating [regulating tank pumping capability will be acceptable] from 1 June by adoption of all possibilities except for jettisoning ammunition.  About 10 June naval square DG  for supply.  Position JA 38.  Nothing seen since 20 April.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
13.05.43 Africa
1834/13/            2157/13/422
  4-7 May ordered traffic route nothing.  Legs to KP 59 nothing.  8 May KP 9123 a destroyer and a corvette, crow's nests on both masts.  Course 220°.  12 May KZ 4155 "Handley Page".  Shoot down very likely, after defense while crash diving just 10 meters high.  Cape St. Lucia coastal traffic.  First 22 June supply square because there is still a possibility of lightening the boat.  KY 95.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
17.05.43 Africa
2133/17/468 Brine pump 1 failed on 23 March, replacement requested from the supplier, because for three weeks many cylinder cooling jackets leak.  To find and solder there is significant loss of fresh water, as a result at the moment two engines out of service.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
03.06.43 Africa
2041/3/450 (1752/3 A)
  Garbled "Musenberg radio message" on 24 meters with Volume 2 received:  FL 37 steamer. easterly course, question:  attacking.
   
03.06.43 Africa
2100/3/451 Sink if not neutral.
   
04.06.43 Africa
2025/4/464 Crash dive for aircraft:  1 June FM 73, course 230°, 11.50 hours,
                                      3 June FL 62, course 150°, 1015 hours and FL 37 course 110°, 14.50 hours, apparently regular reconnaissance from Ascension for east-west traffic, no detections, aircraft very high.  3 June FL 3816 23.40 hours sank "BORIS" from Santos to Freetown with wood, minerals and piece goods course 90°, evening zigzag to 40°.
                                                                                              Musenberg
   
08.06.43 America 2
1145/8/382  
  1)  Busch . . . . . . . .
  2)  Musenberg report how much fuel is required from the tanker for direct via economical return transit.
   
08.06.43 America 2
2213/8/395 Arrival naval square DG center with 8 cbm;  44 cbm requested.  8 June ES 7545 16.40 hours Spaniard course 200°.
                                                                                              Musenberg.
   
09.06.43 America 2
  On page 6.
 
                    
 
 
 
     
 
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09.06.43 America 2
1235/9/302  
  1)  Stock . . . . . . . .
  2)  Musenberg head for square DO 74, more to follow.
  3)  Wintermeyer . . . . . . . .
   
14.06.43 America 2
2229/14/368  
  Current . . . . . . . .
  Musenberg and Friedrich about 18 June 45 cbm and 30 cbm.  Later 14 day's provisions.  Achilles and Lange report execution and together return transit with Musenberg.  Remaining . . . . . . . .
   
15.06.43 America 2
2228/15/375  
  Position 19 June 14.00 hours at meeting point.
                                                                                              Musenberg.
   
21.06.43 America 2
2015/21/351  
  Return harbors Kietz!!! . . . . . . . .
                         Musenberg  "Bordeaux".                              F.d.U. West.
   
24.06.43 America 2
1255/24/399  
  1)  Elrlich . . . . . . . .
  2)  Musenberg, Lange today 20.00 hours switch Ireland.
   
26.06.43 Ireland
2151/26/117  
  1)  Boren . . . . . . . . report.
  2)  Lange and Musenberg switch to Coastal Circuit at 27 June 08.00 hours.  Buchholz America 2.
  3)  Musenberg 24 hours before passing the longitude of naval square BF 4943 report position by Short Signal.  If  possible in terms of air strength, air escort by JU 88 is possible.
   
27.06.43 Coastal
1332/27/31  
  Musenberg, Kietz, Kusch, U-530:
 

To attempt bearings transmitter Sonne 6, Sonne 15, Severac run from 27 June - 29 June daily 10.00 - 12.00, 14.00 - 16.00, 18.00 - 20.00 hours second and fourth quarter hour.  Report quality, navigation comparison, opinion after returning to port.  Ranges over 500 nm, Sonne 6 position 48° 8' 56"N, 4° 13' 21"W   Identifier:  1 minute dot and dash.
1337/27/33 Coastal
  1 minute steady dash.  At steady tone take bearing.  Frequency 316 KHz, Severac position:  47° 32' 30"N, 2° 6'W,  Identifier:  XG frequency 156 KHz,  Sonne 15 in accordance with Radio Message 1155/27.                         F.d.U. West.
   
28.06.43 Coastal
  2323/28/66
  1)  To Musenberg and U-530:
  Intake and afterwards homeward escort by 2 destroyers from 1 July 06.00 hours in naval square 8442 intended.  Immediately confirm timely arrival by Short Signal or late arrival.
  2)  Proceeding together and close escort by JU 88 intended.
 
                    
 
 
 
     
 
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29.06.43 Coastal
ßß 1055 Will be at meeting point BF 8442 at 10.00 hours.        cs
   
29.06.43 Coastal
2004/29/81 To Musenberg and Lange:
  1) New meeting point naval square BF 7643, 1 July 06.00 hours.
  2)  Meeting point one hour earlier head 90°.
  3)  On not meeting destroyer continue on course 90° at 8 knots.
  4)  Destroyers steer from Point Hand coming from BF 7661 on course 270° to the meeting point.
  5)  Arrival of JU 88 from about 09.00 hours
  6)  Arrival harbor both boats Bordeaux.
   
30.06.43 Coastal
Kr Kr  0741 Aircraft attacks from high altitude.        U-180
   
01.07.43 Coastal
0021/1/8  ßß Was attacked without success.  Am at meeting point square BF 7643 07.00 hours.  Strong air surveillance BF 7564.        U-180