Supreme Command of the Navy         Naval War Staff (2nd Division) B.d.U. Operation Reg. No. Most Secret S.O. Only 261 A 2       28 June 1943.         Operations Order Norfolk for U 230         I. Operation:   The approach routes to Norfolk and Chesapeake Bay are to be fouled with mines inside the 25-meter line.         II. Enemy Situation and Anti-submarine Activity:     Heavy coastal and overseas traffic from and to the main ports, Norfolk and Baltimore.  Numerous independently routed coastal ships on the 20 meter or 100 meter line.  Overseas traffic consists of fast independent ships to and from the S. Atlantic.  In the summer of 1942 there were about 10 inward and outward-bound part convoys per month, between Norfolk and the St. Lawrence River.  Part convoys every 4 days in the direction of the Florida Straits, strength unknown.     U 129 reported in April 1943:  strong activity by land-based aircraft by day close inshore, no air activity by night.  Traffic by day only, ships appear to leave Norfolk early in the morning.  Good chances at new moon.         III. Material:     8 TMC, time setting 80 days, delay clockwork 1 day for 2 mines, 4 days for 3 mines, 6 days for 3 mines, response value 20 millioersteds, 2 mines to fire at first activation, 2 at third activation and 4 at sixth activation (4 blue, 2 red, 2 green).  Maximum depth of water at which mines may be laid 25 meters, minimum 12 meters, distance between mines 1000 meters.         IV. Geographical boundaries:   The mines are to be laid between 370 04' N. and 370 10' N., 750 41' W. and 750 30' W.  The latitude of 370 04' N. is not to be crosses to the south, as U 566 will be carrying out a similar operation S. of 370 N. at the same time.         V. Execution:   Torpedoes are to be carried in the tubes on the way to the operations area.  The tubes are to be reloaded one day off the laying area.   One bow tube is to remain loaded with a torpedo.   Enemy traffic is to be observed before laying the mines.  The Commanding Officer is to make every effort to lay the mines as far inshore as possible.  The position of the mines given in the minefield diagram is to serve only as a guide.
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	The Commanding Officer is free to deviate from this according to the traffic situation observed by him or transmitted to him.     The time of laying is left to the Commanding Officer.  Use is to be made of the new moon period as far as possible.         VI. Reporting:   A report is to be made by short signal as soon as possible after laying the minefield, but from a distance of at least 100 miles away.  The Group "AFKP" will mean"have laid mines off Norfolk".         VII.   After mines have been laid an operations area will be allocated by radio.         VIII.   If the anti-submarine situation makes it impossible to carry out the operation, move away and report by radio so that a new laying area can be allocated.                                                                                                  (Signed):  Hessler                                                                                  for Chief of Ops. Dept.                                                                                  for B.d.U.
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