I  n  c  o  m  i  n  g  -    and    O  u  t  g  o  i  n  g    Radio Messages from U-217
	25.11.42 0432 "Poel, "Schacht", "Reichenbach" report position immediately.   1842         25.11.42 1955 My position is BF 54                                                 U-217       25.11.42 2012 "Reichenbach" reports position from naval square BF 54 with Volume 5.   2032       28.11.42 2202 From "Reichenbach"   2255 1.)  In convoy continuous 163 and 159 cm.  Then 21.00, 22.00, 24.00, 01.00, 03.00 hours 168 cm on Kernbeisser, same steady tone, 5th detection aircraft bombs.     2.)  25 November 22.00 hours 170 cm, 00.00 and 04.00 hours 138 cm.  All BF 54     3.)  Position BE 59.       30.11.42 02.08 Have passed 20°W to the west.                                                 U-217       30.11.42 0212 "Reichenbach" has passed 20°W outbound at 02.00 hours.  Signal Volume 5.   0240       01.12.42 0158 My position is BD 90.                                                 U-217       01.12.42 0348 My position is BD 90                                                 U-217       01.12.42 0246 "Reichenbach" reported position from naval square BD 90.   0628         01.12.42 0405 "Reichenbach" giving position report twice was superfluous.  Confirmed by Serial No. 153.   0440       01.12.42 0746 1.)  Objective for "Reichenbach" is naval square ED 99.   09.18 2.)  . . . . . . . .       03.12.42 1829 1.)  . . .   1930 2.)  Switch from 4 December at 08.00 hours "Reichenbach" America II Circuit, . . . . .       04.12.42 2248 "Reichenbach" on passing present and earlier Spanish routes expect east and west steering neutrals.   0048

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	09.12.42 1741 1.)  "Nissen", "Mohr" and "Bleichrodt" in full moon period operate initially on traffic in accordance with Officer-Only in line south of the upper edge from EE 90 and EF 70 to the coast.  With decreasing moon closer to ED 99.   18.49     2.)  "Staats" tonight report detailed situation concerning traffic- and defense conditions in sea area around ED 99 for outbound boats       10.12.42 0002 1.) Sank:  3 December in 5225 "SOLON 2" course 300° with ore from Turkey.  9 December "NIGERIAN" with palm oil and husks from "Lagos" course 310°.  3 English soldiers, 1 Air Force Officer captured.   0135     2.)  Sighted:  2 December in 1694 Argentinian tanker course 260°, 3 December in 2888 "CABOHUERTAS" course 290°.  All naval square EO.     3.)  Situation:  Heavy shuttle, independent traffic to main harbor goes from EO 5520 with general course 310° so that about 12 hours in ED 9950.  Nights straight course.     4.)  Defenses:  No sea, medium air with "Consolidated", no day, seldom night detection.     5.)  Out of torpedoes, return transit.  NE Trade Wind 5, 41 cbm, EE 8494, all naval square.                                                 from "Staats"       10.12.42 0956 1)  For "Reeder" and "Reichenbach" same attack area as for "Nissen", "Mohr" and "Bleichrodt".   1027     2)  For these 5 boats extension of the operations area to the west in accordance with "Staats" situation report.       11.12.42 1616 "Lassen" experiences concerning operations area ED 99.   1736 Traffic observed outbound main harbor 2 times weekly.  Convoys course east and 310° simultaneously.  Each Friday favorable attack positions:  operate on 200-meter line on course 310°.  Square ED 9498.  Furthermore center Tobago Passage square ED 9954.  Traffic inbound.  Widely scattered independents with changing focal points increasing during full moon period.  Straight line of the independent course 270°, eastward Passage not observed.  Dead sector.  Stoppage close off ED 99 only possible to the new moon period.     Defenses:  Strong partly fast land-based air therefore remain submerged by day.  Nights off square 99 no air detection observed.  Further to sea isolated air detection.  Light untrained sea surveillance, untrained convoy screen.  Strong water layers, therefore favorable conditions during listening and depth charge pursuits.  During day attack on convoy very favorable conditions.  Off main harbor minimum 3 times an hours at periscope depth, because otherwise favorable success opportunities were missed.

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	11.12.42 1945 Enemy convoy in sight in square ER 2422, enemy steers westerly course, enemy runs at 10 knots.   2345                                                 U-172       12.12.42 0021 From "Emmermann".   0145 1.)  Twilight submerged 2 hits on 2 steamers 8000 and 4000 GRT. By sound sinking likely.     2.)  Depth charges, no contact, no damage, last position 2421, course 273°, 10 knots.     3.)  Out of torpedoes, return transit.  E 4, rain, Vis. at times below 1 nm.       15.12.42 2300 Convoy naval square EP 2243, course West, 9.5 knots.   0039                                             from "Mohr"             16.12.42 0100 Convoy naval square EP 2163, course west, 9 knots.   0131                                             from "Mohr"       16.12.42 0330 Convoy zigzagged to the SW, convoy 2186, course west, 10 knots.   0530                                             from "Mohr"       16.12.42 0500 Convoy naval square EP 2187, course 250°, 10 knots.   0655                                             from "Mohr"       16.12.42 0743 Have contact on convoy.                                                 U-217       16.12.42 0930 Enemy convoy in sight naval square EP 1359, enemy steers northwesterly course.  Have lost contact.   1205                                                 U-217       18.12.42 2358 From "Reichenbach"   0442 1)  14 December "ETNA" sunk after abandonment square EP 35, course 145, New York - Montevideo.     2)  Since 16 December strong locating by day and night on 250, 136, 125 cm vertical, 136 cm horizontal square EP 16, 13, 21, EF 87.     3)  Moving off to the NE.  Question observations of the other boats.  105 cbm, 11 plus 2 torpedoes.       19.12.42 1004 To "Reichenbach"   1732 Operate in accordance with Serial No. 366  of 9 December.  Observe "Staats" situation report and "Lassen" experiences, further steamer movements conveyed in Officer-Only Radio Message.

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	19.12.42 1338 "Reichenbach" reported detections in this area, number and frequency unlikely, suspect interference frequency from dryer, fans, shavers and hair cutter and harmonics of radiating all around radio receiver.  Check.   2154       23.12.42 1732 To "Trinidad" boats   1800 1)  With decreasing moon carry out advance to the coast as soon as possible.     2)  "Achilles" convoy probably goes to Trinidad.       26.12.42 1305 To boats in EE.   0233 1)  In sector between the lines KT 4855 to naval square DP 9855 and KT 4955 to naval square EP 1755 "Nissen" occupies the northern part, "Reeder" the southern part.  Sector northwest of the first named line is occupied by "Bleichrodt", sector to the south of the second named line is occupied by "Mohr".  Advance in the ordered sector as close as possible to the center point of the sector. Immediately report when traffic is observed.     2) "Reichenbach" free to maneuver in area around DJ 40       28.12.42 1400 From "Reichenbach"   0311 20 December in EF 89 sank six thousand tonner, course 350°.  Just now in EO 52 hit on type "MATAROA", course 330°, 15 knots, 3 plus 2, 80 cbm.  Fu.M.B. out of service in range 135-190 cm question measures.       29.12.42 1111 To "Reichenbach"   0015 1)  Exchange oscillator tube 4671 with a spare or the same tube from diode system     2.)  Check rotary condenser oscillator over the entire turning range for plate short.       31.12.42 0018 From "Reichenbach"   0125 Dead sector briefly in operation by changing acorn tube.  Acorn tubes used up.  In addition, after slight heating over the entire scale the slightest turning of the condenser causes loud cracking.  While turning nothing can be detected.  No spares for tube EF 14.  Replacing unsuccessful.  Gear is unusable.  Request spares and operations area EO 30, EE 90 until it is operable.  Am missing Serial No. 395.

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	31.12.42 0950 1.)  "Reeder", "Mohr", "Reichenbach", "Nissen" Move off order at inventory 40 cbm.  Supply anticipated in CD 90.  "Bleichrodt" no supply.   1404     2.)  "Reeder" takes over Reichenbach operations area.     3.)  "Reichenbach" operations area as requested.  As soon as Fu.M.B. is in operations go to ED 99.     4.)  "Mohr" area from "Reeder" optional.       02.01.43 1034 1.)  . . . . .   1127 2.)  . . . . .     3.)  "Auffermann" and "Folkers" report by Short Signal if spare tube EF 14 on board.  Giving to "Reichenbach" intended.         1345 "Folkers" loud Short Signal 13332 has no spare tube EF 14 on board.   1545           2019 Acorn tubes needed to be operable.   2046                                             from "Reichenbach"       03.01.43 2358 "Auffermann" reports:  no spare tubes on board.   0025         06.01.43 1834 1.)  . . . . .   2129 2.)  "Reichenbach" report situation.       07.01.43 0058 No traffic, have been noticed.                                                 U-217         0334 No traffic, have been noticed.                                                 U-217         2319 No traffic, have been noticed.                                                 U-217       08.01.43 2326 "Reichenbach" reports: Have been noticed, no traffic.   0015

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	13.01.43 1836 1.)  . . . . .   0233 2.)  . . . . .     3.)  "Reichenbach" give situation report.         05.57 Up to now nothing met.  My position is naval square EO 66.                                                 U-217         0707 1.)  Short Signal received on 54 meters at 05.57 hours was distorted, send again.   0748       14.01.43 0417 Up to now nothing met.  My position is naval square EO 33.                                                 U-217         09.11 Up to now nothing met.  My position is naval square EO 32.                                                 U-217         0929 "Reichenbach" position naval square EO 52, up to now nothing met.   0945         15.01.43 1143 Supply for anticipated boats in CD 90 earliest from 3 February.  Accordingly economical fuel consumption.   0103     2)  "Nissen", "Reeder", "Reichenbach" free to maneuver until the beginning of return transit.       23.01.43 1855 1.)  . . . . .   03.35 2.)  . . . . .     "Reichenbach" report position and fuel.  . . . . .         09.35 My position is naval square DF 46.  Have begun return transit due to fuel.                                                 U-217         1009 "Reichenbach" has begun return transit from naval square EP 46 due to fuel inventory.   0147

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	24.01.43 2256 From "Reichenbach"   0146 1)  From 26-29 December, 10-23 January traffic on 200-meter line from square Otto 52 - Paula 48 only reported torpedoed passenger steamer in 5258, course 330° and a sound contact in 5232 Otto, southerly course.     2)  With limitedly operable gear no detections.  Systematic day air up to 200 meters from Guyana coast by Consolidated. 1 time night in square 42 Paula.  Consolidated fended off in 97 Emil.     3)  Request spare all Fu.M.B. tubes and 6 meter horizontal cable.  Question reception with cable soldering and poor cable connection.  High frequency part taken apart repeatedly, if necessary, new gear.     4)  3 plus 1 torpedoes, 37 cbm, square 13 Paula.       25.01.43 13.01 1.)  Due to temporary failure of a tanker supply of "Mohr", "Nissen" and probably "Reichenbach" from "Luis" in naval square 3755 of the large square west of UJ is anticipated.   1545     2.)  "Luis" report arrival, time for supply to begin.  All boats supply for economical return transit.  Boats report completion individually by Short Signal "Yes".     3.)  . . . . .     4.)  . . . . .       26.01.43 0712 "Luis" anticipates being at supply point on 2 February.  Signal Volume 5.   0740       27.01.43 0927 Return harbors are:  Nazaire for "Purkhold", Brest for "Reichenbach".   1026         30.01.43 1555 1.)  Supply from Luis begins on 2 February at 12.00 hours in naval square 3755 of the large square west of XF.  "Mohr", "Nissen" and "Reichenbach" take over only as much fuel as is required for economical return transit.  At the moment supply situation is tense.   1716     2)  "Reichenbach" report arrival time.  . . . . .

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	31.01.43 0123 At the beginning of lightness on the 10th day of the following month.                                                 U-217         0432 1.)  At 01.25 hours on Circuit C acknowledged Short Signal not solved.   0533 2.)  . . . . .         0702 At the beginning of lightness on the 10th day of the following month.                                                 U-217         0741 "Reichenbach" reports arrival time:  10 February at the beginning of lightness.  Signal Volume 2.   0812         1004 "Reichenbach" report position immediately.   1011           1100 My position is naval square DQ 89, day's run is 100 nm.                                                 U-217         1110 "Reichenbach" reports:  Position is naval square DQ 89, day's run 100 nm.   1133       01.02.43 1026 "Luis" contrary to previous orders after supply "Nissen" and "Mohr" run to meet "Reichenbach" at low speed and suggest meeting point.  Thereafter report and go to ordered objective.   1130       03.02.43 2145 Request position, course and day's run from "Reichenbach".   2330                                             from "Luis"       04.02.43 0112 My position is naval square DR 12, day's run is 130 nm.                                                 U-217         0138 To U-504.   0202 Position "Reichenbach" is naval square DR 12, day's run 130 nm.

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	04.02.43 0331 To "Reichenbach"   0356 Meeting point naval square DF 8160 on 5 February 16.00 hours.                                                 from "Luis"         0543 Torpedoing report from naval square DR 1713 is at hand.  Boat which attacked report.   0615         0752 From "Reichenbach"   0933 3 February sank "RHEXENOR" in 14 from Freetown for St. Johns, coca beans.  Course 320°.  4th Officer on board.  1 plus 1 torpedoes, 15 cbm.  Abating Trade Winds.  Position 1231.  All naval square DR.       06.02.43 2045 1.)  "Reichenbach" Metox and antenna from out-bounder.   2144 2.)  . . . . .       08.02.43 1357 From "Luis"   1614 Supply "Reichenbach" broken off twice due to weather.  Up to now nothing give.  Position naval square DF 6456, going on course 65°, 88 cbm.       10.02.43 0049 From "Luis"   0227 Supplied for economical return transit "Mohr" 41, "Nissen" 40, "Reichenbach" 45, self 40 cbm.  Naval square DF 6325.  ESE 5, Sea 4, 1029 mb, 5/10, Vis. good.  "Reichenbach" going on course 60°, day's run 150 nm.         0911 Request new meeting point with "Luis" in Gustav 1785 for today 16.00 hours, because am 12 cbm short here.   0945                                                 from "Reichenbach"         1026 To "Luis"   1055 Give fuel as requested by "Reichenbach" afterwards go to "Czygan".       11.02.43 0107 To "Reichenbach" another 10 cbm.  Self 28 cbm.  Naval square DG 1752.   0155                                                 from "Luis"

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	11.02.43 1127 "Reichenbach" return transit via YB 00 to take over Fu.M.B. from "Stiebler".   1201       14.02.43 1044 1)  Giving Metox gear from Piening to Reichenbach anticipated in CF 4685.  "Schneewind" and "Wolfram" meet meet in QF 5295 to take over fuel.   1234 2)  Reichenbach report arrival time at the meeting, as well as completion later.     3)  Reichenbach on 14 February at 12.00 hours switch to Ireland Circuit.         1808 Will be at meeting point on 15th day of the current month at 12.00 hours.                                                 U-217         1816 "Reichenbach" will be at meeting point to take over Metox from "Piening" on 15 February at 12.00 hours.   1834       15.02.43 1406 Take over completed.                                                 U-217         1413 "Reichenbach" has taken over Metox gear from "Piening".  Signal Volume 2 to 4.   1430       16.02.43 2051 1.)  . . . . .   2143 2.)  . . . . .     3.)  . . . .     4.)  "Reichenbach" and "Reeder" from 13 February at 08.00 hours switch to Coastal Circuit.  [typo 17 February]       21.02.43 0009 Will be at meeting point on the 22nd day of the current month at 07.30 hours.                                                 U-217

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	21.02.43 2214 Late arrival at meeting point 1 day.                                                 U-217       21.02.43 0051 "Reichenbach" will be at escort meeting point 22 February 07.30 hours off Brest.   2242         2226 "Reichenbach" will be one day later at meeting point.   2246         22.02.43 1147 "Reichenbach" from 9.U-Flottille.   0041 Escort position 22 February at 07.30 hours Point 346.         0209 9.U-Flottille to "Reeder", "Reichenbach"   0628 Escort position 23 February 08.50 hours at Point 346 for both boats.         0718 19.30 hours request Radio Beacon Group 1 and radio Beacon     Group 2.                                                 U-217         0727 "Reichenbach" requests Radio Beacon Groups 1 and 2 from 19.30 hours.   1936         2125 "Reichenbach" from 9.U-Flottille.   2205 Radio Beacon Group 1 runs from 2300 to 08.00 hours     Radio Beacon Group 2 from 23.00 to 04.00 hours.