U-boat Archive - U-boat KTB - U-230 2nd War Patrol

Enclosure to the Kriegstagebuch of " U-230 "

for the period from 1.4.1943 to 24.5.1943

Excerpt of the Radio Log.

Serial No.
1.	Radio Message 1237/25/55	1.) . . . . . . . .
	13.00	2.) Occupy as temporary attack area:
	[44= 94, KR = BE]	. . . . . . . . "Siegmann" 44 . . . . . . . .All naval square KR. From about 30 April operation intended with additional outbound boats on southbound convoy. Remain undetected. Passing report only by request.

2.	Radio Message 0510/26/79	Paragraph 2 of Serial Number 55 of 24.4 pertains to "Siegmann".
	16.00

3.	Officer only Radio Message 2228/27/11 [BE 8615 to 9536]	1.) To detect a southbound convoy Group "Drossel" patrol line is established on 30 April 08.00 hours from MJ 3615 to 4536. In named order "Jeschonnek", "Teichert", "Siegmann", "Stock", "Dietrichs", "Zurmühlen", "Lohmann" "Lamby", "Hüttemann".
		2.) Boat arriving early are free to maneuver west, north and to the south of the line. Remain unsighted and unlocated, so that line is not recognized ahead of time. Remain submerged, in the surfaced condition steer short east-west, west-courses if possible. No prior passing reports.
		3.) . . . . . . . .
	[in BE]	4.) Favorable attack experiences on convoys in OS are present from the last time. Enemy relies on repulsive effect of his airborne reconnaissance and goes with weak sea protection.
		5.) Own air reconnaissance in the greater area is intended.

4.	Radio Message 1028/29/55	1.) Group "Drossel" on 30 April at 08.00 hours in patrol line from HJ 3615 to 4526. Named order: . . . ."Siegmann" . . . .
	14.10 [BE 8615 to 9526]
		2.) . . . . . . . . Circuit for all boats remains "Coastal".

5.	Radio Message 1915/29/82	1.) Group "Drossel". Tomorrow from getting light own airborne reconnaissance with 9 Condors to the north of the ordered patrol line up to the latitude of square IN 0329. Standby for bearing reception. Significance of bearing characters: "aa" southbound, "rr" northbound convoy, bearing frequency 400 khz. Name of the contact holder "594". See standing Kreigsmarine Order 211 a. In accordance paragraph 7 reports are to be given in the clear. Cipher sheet to Au.Ka.table issue "Martha" in effect. Report bearings immediately with location.
	00.32
	[BE 5329]


		2.) Boats positioned in the area of the reconnaissance also standby for bearing reception and report results.

6.	Radio Message 2247/29/90	Circuit for Group "Drossel" including "Tippelskirch"and "Bothe" is from 24.00 hours "Ireland".
	23.59

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7.	Radio Message 0847/30/188	Group "Drossel". Shift patrol line 60 nm to the west.
	11.17

8.	Radio Message 1806/30/103	To Group "Drossel" air reconnaissance today without results. Therefore, southbound convoy not expected before tomorrow afternoon. Remaining submerged optional. Tomorrow afternoon new air reconnaissance scheduled.
	18.41

9	Radio Message 2310/30/107	Group "Drossel" 1.) For air reconnaissance on 1 May contact holder "Emil" in accordance with Order 211 a.
	23.39
		2.) Cipher group table issue "Nordpol" in effect.

10.	Radio Message 2247/1/123	To Group "Drossel". 1.) Air reconnaissance on 1 May without results. Southbound convoy not expected this evening, remaining submerged optional.
	23.46
		2.) On 2 May at 18.00 hours air reconnaissance in same area. Contact holder "Anton" in accordance with Order 211 a.

11.	Radio Message 1656/2/137	Group "Drossel". Own air reconnaissance not initiated due to weather, therefore no air reconnaissance. Air reconnaissance intended early tomorrow morning.
	19.33

12.	Radio Message 2219/2/145	1.) Group "Drossel" if possible remain surfaced by night and monitor the line. Own air reconnaissance 3 May from getting light intended. New times follow. Standby for bearing reception. Contact holder "Anton".
	23.57
		2.) . . . . . . . .

13.	Radio Message 0740/3/149	Own air reconnaissance from 08.00 hours in area Group "Drossel" and north therefrom.
	08.34

14.	Radio Message 0825/3/150	Group "Drossel" immediately course east, 7 knots.
	08.35

15.	Radio Message 0909/3/151	To Group "Drossel". 1.) Southbound convoy detected 08.30 hours naval square BE 6944. Count on speed 9 knots. Report bearing results immediately.
	09.30
		2.) "Bothe" to "Stock" at highest speed, course east, "Siegmann", "Teichert", "Jeschonnek" independent operations.

16.	Radio Message 1137/3/155	1.) Convoy located 10.00 hours in naval square 6977, course 180°, speed 9 knots up to 13 knots. 10 merchant ships, 6 escorts.
	12.13
		2.) Group "Drossel" "Stock" up to "Bothe" with highest speed occupy patrol line from naval square 9812 to 9932.
		3.) Report bearing results immediately.

16a.	Radio Message 1237/3/157	To Group "Drossel". About from 17.00 hours another Condor at the convoy. Standby for bearing reception. Send bearings immediately.
	12.58

17.	Radio Message 1325/3/158	To Group "Drossel". 1.) Convoy position possibly further to the southwest.
	13.48
		2.) "Jeschonnek" to "Siegmann" contrary to previous orders do not operate independently, but rather in old named order extend new patrol line to the west up to naval square 9722

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18.	Radio Message ßß 1424	Convoy BE 9528 6-10 steamers.
		"a n"

19.	Radio Message 1444/3/162	To "Drossel" 1.) Operate at highest speed on "Lohmann"-report.
	15.14
		2.) "Lohmann" maintain contact. Free to attack, as soon as a second boat reports.

20.	Radio Message 1610/3/164	Hold contact on smoke clouds after corrected navigation fix naval square BE 9524. Suspect southwesterly course.
	16.50
		"Lohmann"

21.	Radio Message 1822/3/167	Group "Drossel" report contact immediately. Do not wait for night. From the last experience day attack is particularly promising. If contact is gained shortly before darkness, then strive for simultaneous attack after the end of twilight.
	18.50

22.	ßß 2148	Mt position is BE 9732, 65°T.
		"Siegmann"

23.	Radio Message 1850/3/170	Last contact 2 escorts 17.40 hours, BE 9546, general course south, 10 knots. . . . . . . . .
	19.29
		"Lohmann"

24.	ßß 2243	Convoy speed 8-10 knots, steering southerly course, BE 9827
		"a n" [U-89/Lohmann]

25.	Radio Message 2214/3/175	To "Drossel" 1.) Convoy located from boats' bearings 21.00 hours about naval square 9820 upper-left corner. Continue to operate independently on received bearings with the appropriate lead. Enemy speed 10 knots. Operate aggressively, the first night offers the greatest opportunities.
	22.53
		2.) No Condor since 21.10 hours at convoy.

26.	ßß 2359	Convoy BE 9849 "a n"

27.	ßß 0105	Convoy BE 9873 "a n"

28.	Radio Message 0424/4/189	To "Drossel". The reported 27-ship convoy consists of 250-ton landing craft after photographic evaluation. With favorable chance of a target shoot surface runners or Pi 2 with shallow settings. Lohmann-convoy is probably correct with large ships.
	04.36

29.	Radio Message 2050/3/172	Group "Drossel". Air reports 18.42 hours an additional convoy naval square BE 9589 with 27 steamers, 3 escorts, southerly course. This is the expected one.
	21.09

30.	Radio Message 0755/4/200	From "Teichert". 1.) On "Lohmann" bearing signals 06.00 hours met broadly scattered landing boat convoy. No hit prospect due to sea state.
	08.47
		2.) . . . . . . . .

- 4 -

31.	Radio Message 0546/4/194	To "Drossel". From air reconnaissance report the correct convoy with 10 merchant ships is located about 15 nm southwest of the convoy with landing craft. Operate appropriately. Air sends bearing signals only for the correct convoy.

32.	Radio Message 0218/4/182	To "Drossel". From 10.00 hours own air at convoy. Contact holder "Cäsar".

33.	Radio Message 1642/4/107 [CE 6235 to CG 1861]	If before then no contact Group "Drossel" break off convoy operation, occupy patrol line from AZ 1235 to NX 6861 by 5 May 08.00 hours in old named order. Two northbound convoys are expected from tomorrow before noon. Own air reconnaissance intended.

34.	Radio Message 2223/4/113	Group "Drossel". From 08.00 hours expect own air. Stand-by for bearing reception. Contact holder "Fritz". Report bearing signals immediately.

35.	ßß 1510	Enemy in sight CF 6324
		"Siegmann"

36.	ßß 1602	CF 6351 1 light cruiser course 145°, 20 knots.
		"Siegmann"

37.	ßß 1717	Contact lost since 16.00 hours.
		"Siegmann"

38.	Radio Message 1552/5/127	To "Siegmann". Report immediately, if convoy or warship formation.

39.	Radio Message 1913/5/131 [CF 3577 to CG 1428]	To "Drossel". 1.) . . . . . . . . "Siegmann" . . . . . . . 6 May 08.00 hours in patrol line located from GR 8577 to EC 6428. Begin transit at nightfall if possible. Own air about 1 hour before dawn in the area south of the line. Contact holder "Bruno". Report bearings immediately.
		2.) For "Stock" and "Bothe" special orders.

40.	Radio Message 1125/6/156	Air reports convoy 10.00 hours, 48 ships, 3 escorts naval square CF 6629, course north, aircraft sending bearing signals. Report results immediately.

41.	Radio Message 1207/6/157	Group "Drossel". Operate on convoy reported by air. Convoy course 340°. Adjusted position naval square CF 6639

42.	Radio Message 1355/6/160	Group "Drossel". Additional Condors initiated. From 15.30 hours expect bearing signals. Report immediately.

43.	Radio Message 1649/6/169	To "Drossel" Corrected 10.00 hour air positioned at Group "Drossel". If convoy is not found at intercept point for 6-8 knots according to named order in patrol line in sectors for enemy course 310-0°. "Jeschonnek" immediately report weather and tendencies.

44.	Radio Message 2059/6/170	To "Drossel". Corrected 10.00 air position in naval square CF 6625. Continue searching in appropriate sectors from this position. Additional Condor from 20.30 hours with Fu.M.G. [radar] in area.

- 5 -

45.	Radio Message 2150/6/171	Remainder of Group "Drossel". If no contact 7 May 08.00 hours in previously named order in patrol line located from square FX 7962 via 8458 to 0522. Break off search in sectors in good time. Own air 7 May at 0930 hours in the area. Patrol line was probably over flown. Contact holder "Emil". Report bearing results immediately.
	22.27 [CF 2962 via 3458 to 3522]

46.	ßß 0553	Convoy CF 3762, course 320°, speed 8 knots.
		"n j" [U-607/Jeschonnek]

47.	ßß 0719	Starshells over convoy.
		"n j"

48.	Radio Message 0631/7/176	Group "Drossel". Operate on "Jeschonnek"-report. Attack free, as long as other boats in contact. Own Condor reconnaissance was recalled.
	06.44

49.	ßß 0824	Enemy in sight CF 3487.
		"Siegmann"

50.	ßß 0912	CF 3476, speed 8 knots, course 320°.
		"Siegmann"

51.	ßß 1020	Enemy steers course 0°. CF 3484.
		"Siegmann"

52.	Radio Message 1034/7/188	Air at convoy. Bombed.
	11.38	"Siegmann"

53.	Radio Message 1136/7/189	"Drossel" Utilize every opportunity for submerged attack. The time for fighting this convoy is short, the boats must not wait for night. At present a Condor is at the convoy.
	12.09

54.	Radio Message 1140/7/193	Convoy more than 20 steamers, naval square CF 3457, 7 knots, 350°.
	13.08
		"Siegmann"

55.	Radio Message 1530/7/195	Convoy located 13.40 hours naval square CF 3443, 350°, 7 knots.
	16.25	"Siegmann"

56.	Radio Message 1706/7/. . .	13.40 hours contact lost. Submerged 2 hours. Aircraft bombs and depth charges.
	(Dived)
		"Siegmann"

57.	Radio Message 1725/7/196	Convoy briefly sighted in naval square CF 3178. Northerly course. Detection 172 cm. Radio Message 1706 settled.
	18.25

58.	ßß 1836	Enemy located CF 3175.
		"Siegmann"

59.	Radio Message 0005/8/114	1.) Forced to submerge by day by air, 2 times aircraft bombs.
	02.11	2.) Detected during attack at 21.45 hours. In pursuit. 80 cbm.

- 6 -

60.	Radio Message . . . . /8/115	"Drossel". 1.) Operations on the convoy are ended at first light. Boats which can no longer approach the convoy up to this moment or for night or day attack break off, stop in reached area.
		2.) If because of bad visibility particular danger of surprise exists, end operation immediately.
		3.) Boats breaking off immediately report position by Short Signal.

61.	Radio Message 1637/8/133	Group "Drossel"
	17.00	1.) Occupy following new attack areas:
	[81 = 31, DO = CF]	. . . . . . . . "Siegmann" square 81 . . . . all DO
		2.) . . . . . . . . "Siegmann" . . . . . . . . report position and fuel.

62.	ßß 1745	My position is BE 8525.
		"Siegmann"

63.	Radio Message 0005/9/151	To Group "Drossel"
	10.11	Course west. Transit speed. Radio Message Serial No. 133 settled.

64.	Radio Message 1352/9/162	Group "Drossel".
	14.37	Immediately switch Hubertus Circuit, operate on convoy reported today by Förster at 13.00 hours in naval square CD 3598, on course 90° and probably speed 9-10 knots. Up to now, Group "Rhien" operates on it with12 boats.

65.	Radio Message 1904/9/190	1.) . . . . . . . .
	1935	2.) Group "Rhein" and "Drossel" 10 May at 10.00 hours switch "Ireland" Circuit.

66.	Radio Message 2110/10/194	Remaining "Drossel" boats operate on "Clausen"-report. Expect convoy is on NE-course.
	21.24

67.	ßß 1831	Convoy CE 2425, northerly course.
		"h w" [U-403/Clausen]

68.	Radio Message 0952/11/104	To "Drossel" Officer-Only.
		On 11 May at 16.00 hours east steering "Clausen"-convoy will be in BD 9552.

69.	ßß 1908	Convoy BD 9554.
		"i y" [U-436/Seibicke]

70.	Radio Message 1958/11/122	Former Drossel boats.
	20.10	Operate at highest speed on "Seibicke"-report. Also all outbound boats in BE except Christophersen, if distance is somewhat favorable.

71.	Radio Message 2017/11/127	Convoy located naval square BD 9528, course 45°, speed 13 knots. Positioned behind.
	20.42
		"Seibicke"

72.	Radio Message 2124/11/128	To "Seibicke"-convoy.
	21.37	Convoy runs at best 10 knots.

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73.	Radio Message 2112/11/129	At 21.00 hours convoy widely separated in BD 9289, course 0°, dived for aircraft. Wind 7-8, Sea 6, showers.
	21.59
		"Seibicke"

74	ßß 0740	Convoy BD 6825.
		"Siegmann"

75	ßß 0944	Carrier aircraft at convoy.
		"Siegmann"

76	ßß 1023	Enemy in sight BD 6674, course 50, speed 10 knots.
		"Siegmann"

77	ßß 1304	Convoy BD 6652, 45, 10 knots.
		"Siegmann"

78.	Radio Message 0349/13/193	To "Siegmann-convoy".
	09.27	If there is no contact by getting light and air in the area, boats break off operation and operate on convoy located to the southwest. Report intentions by Short Signal, afterwards witch to "Diana" Circuit .

79.	Radio Message 0600/13/200	1.) Yesterday at dawn 2 miss at convoy.
	01.09	2.) 10.00 hours carrier aircraft repelled crashed.
		3.) During attack by day located by aircraft. Depth charges at depth A plus 20 meters after 9 minutes. Thereafter 10 hours listening and depth charges.
		4.) Ready for operations except for damage to starboard shaft. Position naval square BD 6931. Switching "Diana" Circuit. 52 cbm.

80.	Radio Message 2240/12/184	Boats at "Siegmann-convoy"
	15.40	Continue operating on courses from 40-65° and enemy speed 10 knots. Do not let up. Expect independents spilt off. "Siegmann", "Seibicke" report fuel inventory, "Lohmann" report weather.

81.	Radio Message 1646/13/722	All boats that have operated on "Siegmann-convoy". Operate on convoy located to the southwest and immediately switch "Diana" Circuit. Last contact holder report at 01.20 hours in naval square BD 8984, operate on on enemy course from 20-40°. Enemy speed 7 knots.
	20.25

82.	Radio Message 1220/14/747	Group "Elbe":
	14.05	1.) Operate on convoy broken off. Boats unless specifically tasked remain in reached area.
		2.) . . . . . . . .
		3.) . . . . . . . .
		4.) . . . . . . . .
		5.) The others follow after receiving reports.

83.	Radio Message 1900/14/756	Convoy located 16.30 hours naval square BD 6516. By air forced to run submerge. Aircraft bombs. Position 6535, 20 cbm
	19.50
		"Clausen"

- 8 -

84.	Radio Message 0101/14/758	1.) . . . . . . . .
	21.49	2.) . . . . . . . .
		3.) "Seibicke", ""Siegmann" report immediately if ready for supply to 90 cbm and further operations.
		4.) . . . . . . . .
		5.) . . . . . . . .

85.	Radio Message 0740/15/775	Boat no longer ready for day attack due to heavy self noise. No sound reception with slight stern down angle. 42 cbm.
	23.08
		"Siegmann"

86.	Radio Message 1024/15/779	1.) 16 May from dawn "Siegmann" give 10 cbm to "Dahlhaus" in LF 1643. Afterwards both boats return transit. "Siegmann" report.
	10.42 [BD 6643]
		2.) "Siegmann" today at 20.00 hours switch Coastal Circuit.

87.	Radio Message 2019/17/26	1850 hours naval square BD 6621 2 vessels with escort and aircraft. Large zig zags to the SW, high speed.
	23.58
		From "Siegmann" 10 cbm taken over. Return transit resumed.
		"Dahlhaus"

88.	Radio Message 1616/20/98	"Return harbor"
	20.44	. . . . . . . . Brest for . . . . . . . . . "Siegmann".
		"F.d.U. West"

89.	ßß 1459	Positioned 48 hours off meeting point with escort.
		"Siegmann"

90.	Radio Message 1852/22/44	"Siegmann"
	00.23	Escort located 24 May at 15.00 hours Point 346. Radio Beacon Group I and Lorient Transmitter II running 24 May from 07.00 hours to 15.00 hours.
		"9.U.-Flottille"