Radio Message Excerpt
 
     
 
10.21/57 12.Sept.42 10.44
U-181, 610, 212, 253, 620    By 5. U.-Flottille
Received from the escort, radio circuit K.O., U-181's F.K.W Transmitter T 200, F.K. 39 failed.  Urgently requests a new transformer Tel. Bv. N 4247 röm. 2 Pos. 67 at Kristiansand.
     
0x.xx/21/181 Sept.42 04.59
From "Lüth" AS 5711 to the north of Shetlands three horizontally polarized enemy radar detections, 1.70 meters.  On 18th at noon in xU 5282 aircraft bombs, afterwards distant depth charges in the evening.  Requested a spare crank bearing for the main engine coolant pump at the next opportunity. SW 1, 15 mb, overcast, Vis. good.
     
21.48 23.Sept.42 21.55
From "Lüth" TC 0124.  Position meeting point 27.Sept. 16.00 hours, NW 7, Vis. good.
     
22.10 24 Sept.42 22.41
From "Lüth" TC 3252.  Position meeting point 27.Sept. 12.00 hours.  N 7, Vis. good.
     
16.07/25/181   21.21
From "Lüth" EI 3861 Convoy, course 220, abandoned as ordered.  Request 30 cbm from Grimme.
     
Short Signal 28.09.42 09.44
Send bearing signals for meeting in accordance with orders.
     
Bearing signal 3590 29.09.42 09.50
Bearing signal 3530     -"- 10.10
Bearing signal 3230     -"- 10.51
     
20.13/4/407 Nov.42 20.36
From "Lüth":  3.November GR 7815
"EAST INDIAN" sunk, did not transmit. 
Ore from India via naval square KE to New York. 
Ordered from GR 56:  500 nm SW-course, then Trinidad.  Can hardly hear hear wave "ip" by day.  Very low frequency often heavily distorted.  270 cbm, position 8979.
     
23.34/8/467 Nov.42 00.25
From "Lüth" Just now KY 6982 6000 tonner 280° sunk with torpedo and artillery. 250 cbm.
     
21.28/8/467 Nov.42 21.35
From "Lüth" Sank on 10 November in 4681 "K.G. MELDAHL" SE course, from Capetown to Bombay, cargo aircraft fuselages.  Today "EXCELLO", formerly "EXAMINER" 235 from Suez to Cape Town, 225 cbm.  All KZ.
     
09.35/23 Nov.42 10.50
1)  Sank in KP 53:  Two thousander and CORINTHIAKOS with oil for Aden and ALCOA PATHFINDER, year of construction 42 Beira - Cape Town.  Since 20 November no more departing traffic, traffic running from from NE is difficult to catch, because north border of the operations area is too near.  Medium air. 195 cbm. Cone-shaped wall of the port negative buoyancy tank completely torn.
2)  On 15 November in KP 88 heavy depth charges.
 
     
 
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18.46/26/457 Nov.42 20.52
1)  On 15 November in 88 heavy depth charges, damage repaired.
2)  Sank:  53 two thousand tonner and "CORINTHIAKOS" with oil for Aden and "ALCOA PATHFINDER", year of construction 42 Beira - Cape Town.  Since 20 November no more departing traffic, traffic running from from NE is difficult to catch, because north border of the operations area is too near.  Two days ago 6465 "MOUNT HELMOS".  Suez - Cape Town and 6158 "DORINGTON COURT" 290°.
3)  Cone-shaped wall of the port negative buoyancy tank completely torn.  Transmitted by day in vain. Medium air.  181 cbm, 2 Etos 4 Atos.  Position 63.  All KP.
     
22.48/29/409 Nov.42 23.42
From "Lüth":  On 28 November KP 3742 by torpedo and artillery 4500 tonner, 240°.  There "INHARRINNE sighted, neither flag or national emblem illuminated.  2 Etos 3 Atos, 170 cbm, request 40 cbm supply.  Position KP 35.  
     
25.57/30/423 30 Nov.42                                           1.12.42 00.37
From "Lüth" today KP 3525 lightly armed "CLEANTHIS" sank with artillery.  Previously undershot with 2 Etos,  depth 2 meters, in ballast.
     
18.23/4/442 Dec.42 20.39
From "Lüth".    
1)  On 2 December KP 3583 "AMARYLIS" sunk, 200°.  Delayed return transit.  2 Atos, Artillery ammunition exhausted.  Altogether 12 steamers 57500 GRT.  153 cbm, position KP 91.
2)  In Sea State 4 along with swells, depth keeping poor.  Larger diving planes are necessary at least for new construction.
     
15.40 in the clear 24.Dec.42 16.30
From the South Atlantic merry Christmas greetings to all at home.  Up to now 58000 GRT sunk.  Now a Christmas party in the tropical heat with accordion and home-made fir tree at 30-meters depth.
     
17.27/8/381 Jan.43 18.15
Officer-only
     
  9.Jan.43 13.20
Short Signal:  Convoy with 5 steamers DG 9517 (Lüth)
     
  9.Jan.43 13.35
Short Signal:  3 steamers DG 9517 (Lüth)
     
  9.Jan.43 13.56
Short Signal:  Intend to attack enemy in DG 9516 (Lüth)
     
19.15/9/333 Jan.43 19.35
1)  Convoy at 15.20 hours in DG 9518, line ahead formation, 075°, 9 knots.  Flank protection.  Did not shoot with Atos.
2)  15.30 hours torpedo detonations afterwards depth charges.
3)  Return transit due to fuel.  Position DG 9542.
 
     
 
 
 
 
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23.30/9/342 10.Jan.43 00.16
From "Lüth":  Nothing found at torpedoing location with daylight.
Return transit on 70° until early morning.
Convoy:  3 tankers with an older gunboat.  SE 1, Vis. good.  Improved position of convoy at 15.20 hours id DG 9277, position 9265.
     
03.25 14.Jan.43  
Short Weather Signal:  39°N 15°W, steady, 10.20 hours, +16°, West 5-6.  Varying cloudiness after drizzle, Vis. 10 nm, low SW-swell.                                                                       From "Lüth".
     
06.03 16.Jan.43  
Short Signal:  Position 48 hours off meeting point with convoy.           From "Lüth".
     
19.59 17.Jan.43  
Short Signal:  Position 12 hours from entering port.  Request radio beacon Group 3.  ("U-181")
 
     
 
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