U-26 - 3rd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol.  You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file.  Download Google Earth here

Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
12 Feb 40	09.25 - 09.55	50°39'N, 13°25'W	NIDARHOLM	3,482	Norwegian
14 Feb 40	10.16	51°03'N, 11°45'W	LANGLEEFORD	4,622	British	HX-18
15 Feb 40	09.07	55°57'N, 18°55'W	STEINSTAD	2,477	Norwegian
			Total = 10,581
Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h   "  U  26  "
			Kommandant:	Kapitänleutnant  Scheringer
			Beginning:	6. 12. 1939.
			Ending:	1.   3. 1940.
				© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB

	- 1 -
		06.12.39	U-boat Base, Wilhelmshaven	Off duty.
		07.12.39	"                     "	Torpedo offload, cleared the boat.
		08.12.39	"                     "	Boat to the shipyard.
		09.12.39	Shipyard,                 "	Work duty.
		10.12.39	"                     "	"
		11.12.39	"                     "	"
		12.12.39	"                     "	"
		13.12.39	"                     "	"
		14.12.39	"                     "	"
		15.12.39	"                     "	"
		16.12.39	"                     "	"
		17.12.39	"                     "	"
		18.12.39	"                     "	"
		19.12.39	"                     "	"
		20.12.39	"                     "	"
		21.12.39	"                     "	"
		22.12.39	"                     "	"
		23.12.39	"                     "	"
		24.12.39	"                     "	Off duty.
		25.12.39	"                     "	Off duty.
		26.12.39	"                     "	Off duty.
		27.12.39	"                     "	Work duty.
		28.12.39	"                     "	"
		29.12.39	"                     "	"
		30.12.39	"                     "	"
		31.12.39	"                     "	Off duty.
		01.01.40	"                     "	"
		02.01.40	"                     "	Work duty.
		03.01.40	"                     "	"           (Change of Kommandant.)
		04.01.40	"                     "	Work duty.
		05.01.40	"                     "	"
		06.01.40	"                     "	"
		07.01.40	"                     "	"
		08.01.40	"                     "	"
		09.01.40	"                     "	"
		10.01.40	"                     "	"            Un-docked.
		11.01.40	"                     "	"
		12.01.40	"                     "	"
		13.03.40	"                     "	"

	- 2 -
		14.01.40	Shipyard, Wilhelmshaven	Off duty.
		15.01.40	"                     "	Pier-side trail.  Work service.
		16.01.40	"                     "	Boat shifted.  Work service.
		17.01.40	"                     "	Work service.
		18.01.40	"                     "	"
		19.01.40	"                     "	"
		20.01.40	"                     "	"
		21.01.40	"                     "	Off duty.
		22.01.40	"                     "	Shifted to trim in the lock.
		23.01.40	U-boat Base, Wilhelmshaven	Outfitted the boat.
		24.01.40	"                     "	Loaded torpedoes.
		25.01.40	"                     "	Radio direction finder calibration.
		26.01.40	"                     "	Ready for sea.
		29.01.40		Cast off U-boat Base Wilhelmshaven.
		08.35
		09.25		Made fast in the lock.
		10.10		Cast off Wilhelmshaven lock.  Put to sea with ice breaker and a tug.
		12.00	Jade	The boat got stuck in the ice 3 times.  The ice was broken off the hull by putting compressed air in all tanks.  The boat came free after a short time.  The ice protector was sheared off and lost.
			NE 1, Vis. good, lightly cloudy, heavy ice, 1024 mb
		16.00	Helgoland Bay	Engine testing.  For that 2 escort vessels.
			E 1, Sea 2, heavily cloudy, Vis. good, 1024 mb
		20.00	Helgoland	Made fast in Helgoland next to U-37.
			E 3-4, Sea 2-3, cloudy, Vis. good, drift ice in places, 1024 mb
		30.01.40	Helgoland	Took out one piston of the port diesel.
		31.01.40	Helgoland	Installed one piston of the port diesel and ran at idle.

Sun and Moon Data 29.01.40

	- 3 -
		01.02.40
		08.00	Helgoland
			E 8, Sea 5, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		08.59	Helgoland Bay	Put to sea from Helgoland.
			AN 9566
		10.20		Dived.  Negative pressure test.
		11.00		Put the boat on the bottom, depth 40 meters.
		13.15		Boat raised from the bottom.  Piston shot tubes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
		17.15		Surfaced.  Began the transit to the north.
		20.00	AN 9783 [typo probably AN 9583]
			E 6-7, Sea 5, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, 1008 mb
		02.02.40
		00.00	Deutsche Bay
			AN 9544
			ESE 7, Sea 5, medium cloudy, Vis. good, 1008 mb
		04.00	AN 6923
			E 6-7, Sea 5, heavily cloudy, Vis. medium, 1004 mb
		07.30		Dived.
		07.53		Put the boat on the bottom N. Schill Grund, depth 40 meters.
		08.00	AN 6644
		17.45		Raised the boat from the bottom.
		18.00		Surfaced.
		20.00	AN 6441
			E 5-6, Sea 5, medium cloudy, Vis. moderate, 1017 mb
		03.02.40	Central North Sea
		00.00	AN 6283
			E 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good, 1017 mb
		01.33		Steamer in 10°T, course 180°, own course 322°.
				Steamer had set lights, shined faintly.  Neutrality markings were not seen.

	Sun and Moon Data 01.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 02.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 03.02.40

	- 4 -
		continued
		03.02.40
		04.13	AN 6276	Closed after a thorough determination of speed and course.
			E 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good, 1015 mb	Speed 7 knots, target angle 90° range 1000 meters.  Depth setting 4 meters.  Because by estimation the steamer was 5000-6000-ton size, the torpedo hit by impact.  The size was not perfectly determined at the attack and so the depth was not set deeper.
				One saw amidships a large sheaf of sparks, medium fiery glow and through the binoculars a strong dark detonation cloud.  The steamer turned towards immediately and stopped.  One saw, that the side of the hull was illuminated, lights running down the gangway of the deck.  Apparently a boat was eased on the port side, one saw lights at the waterline at the level of the aftership.  Since after a while I could not determine whether the ship was actually sinking, I went out on its starboard side to shoot again.  In the meantime the moon had slowly come out from the clouds in the east.  When I approached from his starboard side, I saw on this side an illuminated Norwegian national emblem.  I stopped shooting at it in order to maintain the fiction of a mine, convinced that the further freshening wind would do the rest.  The boat could not be seen. The steamer was apparently a tanker.  Astern superstructure and smokestack, 2 masts, low freeboard,  over apparently a gangway.  Fully loaded.  Continued transit.
		07.55		Dived.
		08.00	AN 6135
			E 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. medium, 1015 mb
		12.00		Day's run: 112 nm
		18.25		Surfaced.
		20.00	AN 4976
			SE 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. medium, 1014 mb
		04.02.40	Northern North Sea
		00.00	AN 4838
			SE 8, Sea 7-8, misty, rain showers, 1010 mb
		04.00	AN 4592
			SE 8, Sea 8, misty, rain showers, 1015 mb
		07.15		Dived, depth 30 meters.  Speed 2 knots.
		08.00	AN 4535	From 11.00 hours to 12.30 hours depth charge detonations were heard at great range.

	Sun and Moon Data 03.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 04.02.40

	- 5 -
		continued
		04.02.40
		18.30		Surfaced.
		20.00	AN 4592  [typo probably AN 4292]
			SE 7-8, Sea 7, overcast, Vis. medium, 1013 mb	Day's run: 12.00 hours 146 nm
		05.02.40	Northern North Sea
		00.00	AN 2792
			SSE 8-9, Sea 8, overcast, Vis. medium, 1012 mb
		04.00	AN 2732
			SE 7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. medium, 1016 mb
		05.00		Passed 60°N.
		07.50		Dived, depth 30 meters.  Speed 2 knots.
		08.00	AN 2344	Day's run: 12.00 hours 132 nm
		15.10 - 16.00		Dive test to depth 100 meters.  The mechanism of the closures for the exhaust proved to be inadequate.  Outer exhaust valves did not hold tight and inner exhaust valves could not prevent the ingress of water despite working diving maneuvers. Boat was at depth 100 meters for 15 minutes and took in about 2 tons of water.  Nevertheless the patrol was continued, as the situation is know at B.d.U. Op. and Org.
		18.58		Surfaced.
		20.00	AN 2231
			SSE 5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good, 1020 mb
		22.42	AF 7987	Steamer in sight.
			SE 5-6, Sea 6, Vis. medium, 1020 mb
		23.37		G 7a shot.  Miss.
		24.00		G 7e shot.  Early detonator.
		00.56		G 7e shot.  Early detonator.
				After an unsuccessful hunt behind a steamer on course W at 22.43 an illuminated steamer in sight.  After exact course and speed determination (5 knots, 110°) was attacked at range 800 meters.  G 7a, depth setting 6 meters.  Miss due to TUZA setting error.  Repeated the attack.  Range 700 meters.  G 7e, depth 7 meters.  Miss due to early detonation after run off of the safety range (14 seconds).  Once again repeated the attack range 800 meters. G 7e depth 6 meters.  Miss due to early detonation after 36 seconds about 200 meters before the target.  Steamer turned away.  Attack was not repeated, continued transit.

	Sun and Moon Data 04.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 05.02.40

	- 6 -
		continued
		05.02.40
				Early detonation may be traced back to the heavy Sea State and Zone Limit.  The steamer was Danish 4000-5000 tons.  Not a tanker.
		06.02.40	East of the Shetlands
		00.00	AF 7987
			SE 5-6, Sea 6, overcast, 1020 mb
		04.00	AF 7892
			SE 6, Sea 5, rain, 1017 mb
		08.00	AF 7849
			SSE 3-4, Sea 4, overcast, misty, 1015 mb
		08.20		Dived.  Speed 2 knots, depth 30 meters
		12.00		Day's run: 142 nm
		18.20		Surfaced.
		20.00	AF 7768
			SSE 4-5, Sea 5, overcast, 1015 mb
		07.02.40	West of the Shetlands
		00.00	AF 7783
			Sea 4-5, S 5, rain, Vis. bad, 1012 mb
		04.00	AF 1131 [typo AN]
			SSE 5, Sea 4, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium, 1010 mb
		07.40		Crash dive for training.  Depth 30 meters.  Speed 2 knots.
		12.00	AN 1144	Day's run: 135 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 05.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 06.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 07.02.40

	- 7 -
		continued
		07.02.40
		18.30		Surfaced.
		20.00	AM 3267
			S 3-4, Sea 4, overcast, misty, 1007 mb
		08.02.40	West of the Shetlands
		00.00	AM 3279
			S 3-4, Sea 4, overcast, misty, 1007 mb
		04.00	AM 3329
			S 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		05.30	AM 3343	Shadow in sight bearing 70°T, own course 240°.  When the Kommandant was on the bridge lost while turning towards, and then not seen again.
		07.14		Crash dive for training.
		07.40		Surfaced.
		08.00	AM 3345
			W 3, Sea 3, partial overcast, Vis. good, 1008 mb
		10.47		Crash dive for aircraft from direction 150°T.  Own course 240°.
		11.25		Surfaced.
		12.00	West of the Hebrides	Day's run: 156 nm
			AM 2469
			W 3-4, Sea 2, partial overcast, Vis. good, 1011 mb
		13.05		Dived for 4 fishing trawlers, probably patrol vessels.
		14.10		Surfaced.
		16.00	AM 2468
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, heavily overcast, Vis. good, 1012 mb
		20.00	AM 2533
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1011 mb
		09.02.40	West of the Hebrides
		00.00	AM 2557
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		04.00	AM 2716
			SSW 4-5, Sea 4, heavily overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium, 1011 mb
		08.00	AM 2773
			SSE 5

	Sun and Moon Data 07.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 08.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 09.02.40

	- 8 -
		continued
		09.02.40
		08.00	Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		12.00	AM 2778	Day's run: 180 nm
			SSE 5, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		15.10		Crash dive training and test dive.
		16.25		Surfaced.
		16.00	AM 2942
			SSE 5, Sea 5, Vis. good, 1012 mb
		20.00	AM 2977
			SSE 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. medium, 1011 mb
		10.02.40	West of Ireland
		00.00	AM 4364
			SE 6, Sea 5, medium cloudy, Vis. good, 1009 mb
		04.00	AM 4631
			SE 6-7, Sea 6, medium cloudy, 1008 mb
		08.00	AM 4664
			SE 6-7, Sea 6, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, 1007 mb
		12.00	AM 4697	Day's run: 167 nm
			SE 8-9, Sea 8, overcast, misty, 1005 mb
		15.10		Crash dive for training, depth 30 meters, speed 2 knots.
		16.00	AM 4697
		17.00		Surfaced.
		20.00	AM 4934	Fuel inventory:  After the loss of 9 cbm from main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 2 starboard 74 cbm.  Already prepared Radio Message with a request for additional fuel or relocation operations area west of the Channel entrance became unnecessary due to Radio Message Order on 10 February operations area is until further orders square BE 3000 right half and square BF1000 left half.
			S 3, Sea 2, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1012 mb
		11.02.40	West of Ireland
		00.00	AM 4991
			SW 2, Sea 2, clear sky, few clouds, Vis. very good, 1013 mb
		04.00	AM 7331
			SW 2, Sea 2, long Swell, clear sky, a few clouds, Vis. very good, 1003 mb [1013 mb]
		08.00	AM 7345	Smoke feather sighted in direction 150°T.  Fishing trawler on the Porcupine Bank.  Avoided.
			SW 2, Sea 1, long Swell, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1014 mb
		11.47		Crash dive for training, depth 30 meters.  Speed 2 knots.
		12.00	AM 7618	Day's run: 152 nm
		13.48		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 09.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 10.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 11.02.40

	- 9 -
		continued
		11.02.40
		16.00	AM 7642
			SW 2, Sea 1, long Swell, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, 1014 mb
		20.00	AM 7832
			SW 2, Sea 1, Swell, Vis. good, 1015 mb
		12.02.40	West of the Channel
		00.00	AM 7862
			SE 2, Sea 2, Swell, Vis. good, lightly overcast, 1015 mb
		04.00	AM 7892
			SE 2-3, Sea 2, heavily cloudy, Vis. good, 1015 mb
		08.00	BE 3261
			E 5, Sea 3-4, heavily cloudy, Vis. medium, 1015 mb
		98.17		Dived for steamer, periscope depth.
		09.20		Surfaced.
		09.25		Norwegian steamer "NIDARHOLM" ahead to port, 2 warning shots.  At 08.17 steamer reported in sight in direction 270°T.  Its course was determined, dived and ran towards.  On coming closer recognized as Norwegian steamer "NIDARHOLM" attack set aside.  Surfaced at 7000-8000 meters distance.  Stopped with artillery and flag signals.  After the 1st shot nothing happened, 2nd shot before the bow.  Steamer turned towards.  Crew went quickly into the boats and pulled away.  At the same time SOS call with Radio Message and report that was attacked by a U-boat with artillery.  At about 3000 meters range at 09.55 hours dived and shot at 700 meters range.  Ship lay stopped. It flew signal OEW.  meaning "have stopped".  Torpedo running time 45 seconds.  G 7e torpedo hit center. Bales of the cargo flew high in the air.  From floating around wreckage the cargo was cotton or wool.  After a while the ship broke in the center.  The bow slowly settled to the center, the ship was getting longer, the foreship had separated from the aftership, slowly rose vertically and sank.  In the meantime the aftership had caught fire.  In order to make it sink again without a noticeably larger draft, 2 G 7e were shot at the stern.  The first detonated 250 meters before the bow, and the 2nd detonated after 2 minutes 11 seconds as a ground runner.  The torpedo was heard for 36 seconds by the listener.  Thereafter I broke shooting off, in the assumption that the burning aftership must sink in the near future.  It was the Norwegian steamer NIDARHOLM by radio report 5200 tons.
		09.55		Dived.  Depth 30 meters, speed 2 knots.
		12.00	BE 3261	Day's run: 168 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 11.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 12.02.40

	- 10 -
		continued
		12.02.40
		16.00	BE 3564
		16.20		Surfaced.
		20.00	BE 3591
			E 6, Sea 5-6, rain, Vis. medium to bad, 1020 mb
		21.15		Dived, depth 30 meters.  Heavy seas, low visibility weather and rain preclude success possibilities.  Therefore dived.  Shortly before diving the following Officer-Only Radio Message 0845/12/50 was received:  Take up attack disposition on line Lizard Point and Les Sept Îles.  U-48 49°40'N, U-26 49°18'N and U-37 center.  Anticipate passage to the east "ARC ROYAL" 13 February early.  RENOWN, EXETER 14 Feb early.
				Thereupon surfaced and ran at HF to the ordered position.  Wind and weather make higher speed impossible.  Because arriving on time in the ordered position is not possible, reported by Radio Message 2307/12/64.
				1.  Position square BE 3592 due to weather highest speed 7 knots.
				2. 3 early detonators.  These orders make an operation on the convoy reported by U-48 at the same time impossible.
		22.24		Surfaced.
		23.00		Steamer ahead to port with set lights and neutrality markings.  Nationality unknown.
		13.02.40	West of the Channel
		00.00	BE 3592
			E 7-8, Sea 6-7, overcast, Vis. medium, 1020 mb
		02.50		Steamer abeam to starboard with set lights.
		04.00	BE 3593
			E 7-8, Sea 7, medium cloudy, Vis. medium, 1023 mb
		08.00	BE 3671
			E 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, 1026 mb
		10.58		Dived.  Fishing trawler in direction 30°T, depth 30 meters, speed 2 knots.
		12.00	BE 3672	Day's run: 121 nm
		14.15		Surfaced.
		15.30		In direction 55°T and 60°T each one fishing trawler sighted.  Avoided.
		16.00	BE 3672 right edge	Radio Message 0819.13.75:  B.d.U. to U-37, U-26, U-48.
			SE 5-6, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. medium, 1026 mb	U-37 and U-48 strive to take up ordered attack positions.  Until released from this disposition attack only especially valuable targets.  U-26 occupy old position square BE 3000 right half and square BF 1000 left half.
				Thereupon changed course into the northern part of the operations area SW of Ireland.
				At the same time Radio Message:  B.d.U. to U-26 and U-48.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 13.02.40

	- 11 -
		continued
		13.02.40		U-26 operate north of 49°30'N.  U-48 south of the line.
		14.02.40	Southwest of Ireland
		00.00	BE 3631
			E 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, 1027 mb
		04.00	BE 3362
			E 3-4, Sea 2, Swell, light overcast, Vis. good, 1028 mb
		08.00	BE 3332
			E 3, Sea 1-2, Swell, Vis. good, 1025 mb
		09.30		Dived before armed English steamer LANGEEORD 4600 tons.
		10.16		Torpedo hit on the English steamer.
				With very good visibility steamer was reported at 09.20 hours at great range, steered 80° in target angle 0°.  I submerged and initiated attack.  The steamer was made out as English with a 10 cm cannon on the stern.  I ran for a stern attack and shot from 800 meters range one G 7e with target angle 90° and speed 8 knots.  After a running time of 55 seconds hit center.  The ship broke apart after 10 minutes and disappeared after 13 minutes.  We surfaced, went in the vicinity of the 2 boats.  In these the crew except for 2 men was rescued.  It was the steamer LANGLEEFORD with 7000 tons of wheat, from Boston to England.  I told the Captain that the torpedoing was due to the cannon on the stern.  He got 2 bottles of rum, 100 cigarettes, hard bread and bandages for several lightly wounded. We could not help a crew member with a broken shoulder blade. Then we gave the course and distance to the Irish coast (70°, 60 nm) and moved off.
		11.14		Dived, depth 30 meters, speed 4 knots.
		12.00	AM 7995	Day's run: 164 nm
		16.00	AM 7968
		17.30 - 19.00		Detonation of about 30 depth charges at great range.
		19.12		Surfaced, steamer sighted.  After determining course and speed ran in for a surface night attack.  In so doing recognized as Norwegian with illuminated neutrality markings.  Attack broken off.  In the course of the night ran with and maneuvered ahead, to stop the steamer tomorrow in daylight.
		20.00	AM 7965
			SE 2, Swell, partly cloudy, Vis. good, 1021 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 13.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 14.02.40

	- 12 -
		15.02.40
		00.00	AM 7932	Radio Message:  B.d.U. to U-26, U-53
			SSE 4, Sea 3, clear sky, Vis. medium, 1021 mb	Continue transit into area Rot, U-53 was at 50°50'N, 14°30'W at 19.00 hours.
				Was not followed because of pursuit of the steamer.
		01.15		Avoided fishing trawler with haul.
		04.00	AM 7632
			SE 2, Sea 1, medium cloudy, Vis. good, 1019 mb
		07.50	AM 7391	Steamer stopped by shot before the bow and flag signals.
			SE 2, Sea 1, heavily cloudy, Vis. medium, 1018 mb
		08.37		Norwegian steamer STEINSTADT torpedoed.
				When he didn't respond, I fired again.  At the 3rd shot he turned towards me.  That attracted my special attention, I then set the signal to send his papers.  However he does not stop his engine, instead runs further towards me.  I felt threatened by this and moved the artillery impacts closer to the ship to force it to stop.  So far nothing had happened with the boats.  Now you could see that one boat was being lowered, and immediately afterwards I could see that the second boat was also being lowered.  Both boats were strangely full and pulled away from us, one with an incomprehensible action, which still seemed very suspicious to me.  The crew had abandoned the ship, without obeying my orders. Then I submerged, closed and found that the steamer was named STEINSTADT and was on the list of ships that have sailed for England. On the basis of all these findings, the conditions were given for me to sink the ship.  The G 7a hit center after 15 seconds running time.  The steamer flew into the air with a mighty detonation cloud and disappeared within 5 seconds.  Afterwards initially moved off submerged due to aircraft danger.
		12.00	AM 7358
		14.20		Surfaced.
		16.00	AM 7348
			ESE 4-5, Sea 4, rain, Vis. medium, 1009 mb
		18.00		Sent radio message that was not repeated:  60 cbm, 4 steamers 17300 tons.  Still 4 operable G 7e, 1 G 7a.  Square AM 7267.  Believe further stay in previous operations area

Sun and Moon Data 15.02.40

	- 13 -
		continued
		15.02.40		necessary due to fuel shortage.  Began transit to the south.
		20.00	AM 7286
			SE 5, Sea 5, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium-bad, 1001 mb
		16.02.40	West of the Channel
		00.00	AM 7524
			S 5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. medium, 992 mb
		04.00	AM 7551
			SSW 5, Sea 3-4, overcast, rain showers, Vis. moderate, 986 mb
		11.00		Crash dive for training, went to depth 50 meters.
		12.00	AM 7812	Day's run: 142 nm
		14.10		Surfaced.
		16.00	AM 7845
			SW 10-11, Sea 8, overcast, Vis. bad, 985 mb
		20.00	AM 7878
			W 9-10, Sea 9, overcast, rain showers, Vis. bad, 991 mb
		17.02.40	West of the Channel
		00.00	BE 3218
			SW 8, Sea 7, heavily cloudy, Vis. moderate, 994 mb
		04.00	BE 3271
			NNW 5, Sea 5-6, cloudy, Vis. medium, 999 mb
		08.00	BE 3513
			NW 5, Sea 4, sometimes cloudy, Vis. good, 1003 mb
		11.07		Crash dive for training, depth 50 meters.
		12.00	BE 3547	Day's run: 104 nm
		13.45		Surfaced. Course changed on Radio Message Orders B.d.U. on convoy in square CG 2825 upper-center, course 0°, speed 7 knots on 17 February at 08.00 hours.
		16.00	BE 3576
			SW 2-3, Sea 3, overcast, misty, 1010 mb
		16.27		Dived before a steamer which came in sight.
		17.22		Surfaced.  After determining course ran to attack.  In so doing recognized as the steamer "SOESTERBERG".  Attack broken off and surfaced at a range of 5000-6000 meters.  Stopped with artillery.  Ship turned towards, set out boat with 1 coxswain bringing the papers.  Ship had grain, comes from New Orleans proceeds to Rotterdam, for Vinks and Co. Amsterdam.

	Sun and Moon Data 15.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 16.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 17.02.40

	- 14 -
		continued
		17.02.40		Was released after a thorough examination of the papers.
		20.00	BE 3823
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, misty, 1011 mb
		18.02.40	West of the Channel
		00.00	BE 3933
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. medium, 1012 mb
		04.00	BF 1774
			SSW 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. medium, 1012 mb
		08.00	BF 4135
			SSW 2-3, Sea 3, overcast, misty, 1016 mb
		12.00	BF 4255	Day's run: 238 nm
			SW 2-3, Sea 3, overcast,m misty, 1016 mb
		16.00	BF 4778
			SW 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, misty, 1015 mb
		17.43		Dived to depth 30 meters.
		18.46		Surfaced.
		20.00	BF 4626
			SW 5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. medium, 1015 mb
		19.02.40	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 5445
			S 4, Sea 3, rain showers, Vis. bad, 1018 mb
		04.00	BF 4696
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. bad, 1019 mb
		08.00	BF 4936
			SW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium, 1020 mb
		12.00	BF 4983	Day's run: 212 nm
			SSW 5, Sea 4-5, medium cloudy, Vis. medium, 1022 mb
		15.00		Radio Message to B.d.U.:
				No contact on convoy, square BF 4956.  Due to fuel inventory 45 cbm going into the previous operations area west of the Channel.  4 steamers 17000 tons.  Early detonator 3 ETOs, 1 ATO failure.  Still 4 operable ETOs, 1 ATO
		16.00	BF 4995	Course changed for operations area.
			SSW 4-5, Sea 4-5, heavily cloudy, 1020 mb
		17.43		Crash dive for training depth 50 meters.

	Sun and Moon Data 17.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 18.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 19.02.40

	- 15 -
		continued
		19.02.40
		18.45		Surfaced.
		20.00	BF 4953
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, heavy Swell, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, 1021 mb
		20.02.40	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 4925
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, Swell, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, 1021 mb
		04.00	BF 4657
			SW 2, long Swell, clear sky, Vis. good, 1019 mb
		08.00	BF 4615
			SW 2, long Swell, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, 1020 mb
		08.40		Steamer in 70°T.
		08.45		Dived.
		09.20		Surfaced.
		12.00	BF 4374
			S 3-4, Swell, sometimes cloudy, Vis. medium, 1015 mb
		17.45		Dived, depth 30 meters.
		18.45		Surfaced.
		20.00	BF 1891
			S 5, long SW-Swell, cloudy, Vis. medium, 1015 mb
		21.02.40	West of the Channel
		00.00	BF 1825
			S 2-3, Swell, clear sky, 1013 mb
		04.00	BF 1549
			S 2, Sea 2, ling Swell, clear sky, Vis. medium, 1001 mb
		08.00	BF 1514
			S 4, Sea 2, SW-Swell, clear sky, misty, 1010 mb
		11.05		Crash dive for training, depth 50 meters.
		12.00	BF 1198	Day's run: 180 nm
		14.10		Surfaced.
		16.00	BF 1534
			S 3-4, Sea 3, medium cloudy, 1008 mb
		17.45		Dived, depth 30 meters.

	Sun and Moon Data 19.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 20.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 21.02.40

	- 16 -
		continued
		21.02.40
		18.45		Surfaced.
		20.00	BF 1462
			SE 3, Swell, cloudy, misty, 1010 mb
		22.02.40	South of Ireland
		00.00	BF 1571
			SE 3, Sea 2, SW-Swell, clear sky, Vis. good, 1007 mb
		04.00	BF 1543
			SE 4-5, Sea 4, misty, 1007 mb
		08.00	BF 1522
			SSE 5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. medium, 1001 mb
		11.01		Crash dive for training, depth 50 meters.
		12.00	BF 1511	Day's run: 98 nm
		14.05		Surfaced.  10 steamers in sight in 10°T.  Own course 270°.  Steamer course 60°.  Because it is too strong for a submerged attack, I decide to maneuver ahead and attack at night on the surface. With this there was the opportunity to carefully determine course and speed.  Course 60°, speed 10 knots.  Dimmed except for position lights and faint stern light.
		19.23	BF 1295	1st attack on Finnish steamer "BRITA" 2600 tons, range 1000 meters G 7a.  Zone 7.
			SW 4, Sea 4, Swell, overcast, Vis. good, moonshine, 1010 mb
		19.45		2nd attack.  Range 800 meters G 7e.  Zone 3.
		20.26		3rd attack.  Range 800 meters G 7e.  Zone 7.
		21.13	BF 1348	4th attack.  Range 400 meters G 7e.  Impact.
				The first shot apparently at depth 8 meters had too deep a depth and was therefore a miss.
				The 2nd torpedo detonated after 17 seconds, 250 meters before the bow, after run off of the safety range.  The steamer then turned away and made a circle up to the old course.  He sent "S.O.S." struck a mine in position 50°10'N, 9°35'W.  It was the Finish steamer "BRITA"  The third torpedo detonated after 44 seconds, 100 meters before the target.  Now "BRITA" turns towards, remains lying stopped.  A fully occupied boat was lowered and set off from the steamer. At the same time he called again by Radio Message for help and reported 2 explosions in the vicinity of the ship.  To be sure that the next torpedo ignites correctly, I have the aft G 7e changed to impact and initiated attack for the 4th time, this time for a stern attack.  I ran from behind to abeam and shot from 400 meters away target angle 90°.  The G 7e was a ground runner and was heard for 38 seconds.  A detonation did not follow.  This time we were seen  from

	Sun and Moon Data 21.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.40

	- 17 -
		continued
		22.02.40		"BRITA".  He reports by Radio Message:  "U-boat in the vicinity, going into the boats.  Because in the meantime there has been 2 hours since the 1st attack I must expect the deployment of defense and gave up further attack.  I decide to begin return transit.  The correct functioning of the remaining G 7e cannot be expected.
				Artillery operation is not possible due to the Sea State.
		23.02.40	Southwest of Ireland
		00.00	BF 1256
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, heavily cloudy, moonshine, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		04.00	BF 1162
			W 3, Swell, moonshine, Vis. medium, 1010 mb
		06.00		2 fishing trawlers, bearing 340°T.
		08.00	BE 333x
			W 2-3, Sea 2, sometimes overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		11.03		Crash dive for training, depth 50 meters.
		12.00	AM 7983	Day's run: 216 nm
		13.05		Surfaced.
		16.00	AM 7951
			NW 3, Sea 2-3, sometimes overcast, Vis. medium, 1009 mb
		18.45		Dived, depth 30 meters.
		19.45		Surfaced.
		20.00	AM 7687
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, heavily cloudy, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		22.00		4 fishing trawlers in sight bearing 300°T.
		24.02.40	West of Ireland
		00.00	AM 7643
			NW 2-3, Sea 3, Vis. good, moonshine, 1011 mb
		02.30		Fishing trawler in sight bearing 80°T.
		04.00	AM 7372
			NW 1-2, Sea 1, light Swell, sometimes overcast, Vis. good, moonshine, 1010 mb
		08.00	AM 7312
			NW 1, Swell, light overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		11.25		Crash dive for training, depth 50 meters.
		12.00	AM 4943	Day's run: 191 nm
		12.45		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 23.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 24.02.40

	- 18 -
		continued
		24.02.40
		16.00	AM 4684
			S 2, Sea 1, Vis. medium-good, 1010 mb
		20.00	AM 4661
			SSE 2-3, Sea 1-2, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		20.47		Dived (Flush main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 5)
		21.01		Surfaced.
		25.02.40	NW of Ireland
		00.00	AM 4396
			SE 3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, moonshine, Vis. good, 1010 mb
		04.00	AM 5118
			SE 3-4, Sea 3, heavily cloudy, Vis. good, 1008 mb
		08.00	AM 2964
			S 4, Sea 3-4, few clouds, Vis. good, 1005 mb
		11.02		Crash dive for training, depth 50 meters.
		12.00	AM 2932	Day's run: 204 nm
		14.05		Surfaced.
		16.00	AM 2872
			S 4, Sea 3-4, cloudy, misty, 1003 mb
		16.40		2 patrol vessels in sight bearing 0°T, avoided.
		20.00	AM 2688
			S 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium, 1001 mb
		26.02.40	West of the Hebrides
		00.00	AM 3518
			SSE 5, Sea 4, overcast, moonshine, Vis. good, 1000 mb
		04.00	AM 3389
			S 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, misty, 998 mb
		07.30		Dived, depth 30 meters.
		08.00	AM 3481
		12.00	AM 3482	Day's run: 213 nm
		16.00	AM 3467
		19.19		Surfaced.
		20.00	AM 3469
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, misty, 993 mb
		27.02.40	North of the Shetlands
		00.00	AN 1333
			SE 3-4, Sea 2-3, overcast, rain showers, Vis. bad, 991 mb
		04.00	AN 1163
			SW 3, Sea 2, Swell, overcast, misty, 988 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 24.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 25.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 26.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 27.02.40

	- 19 -
		continued
		27.02.40
		08.00	AF 7798
			SSW 3, Sea 2, Swell, overcast, misty, rain showers, 985 mb
		11.30		Crash dive for training.
		11.35		Surfaced.  Starboard exhaust gas valve would not shut, because the exhaust gas slide valve doesn't hold tight at all strong water intake in the engine room.  Both diesels out of service, full of water through the exhaust gas piping.  Boat must surface.  Exhaust gas valve is jammed however could soon be closed.
		11.40		Dived, depth 30 meters.  Engines cleaned while submerged.
		12.00	AF 7882	Day's run: 197 nm
		14.00		Surfaced.
		16.00	AF 7894
			N 8-9, Sea 8, Vis. medium, rain showers, 989 mb
		20.00	AN 2225
			N 5-6, Sea 6, rain showers, Vis. medium, 995 mb
		28.02.40	Northern North Sea
		00.00	AN 2732
			N 5-6, Sea 5, partial overcast, Vis. medium, 1000 mb
		04.00	AN 2795
			N 3, Sea 2-3, partial overcast, Vis. medium, 1002 mb
		07.22		Dived, depth 30 meters.
		08.00	AN 4265
		12.00	AN 4292	Day's run: 216 nm
		16.00	AN 4295
		18.45		Surfaced.
		20.00	AN 4537
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, light Swell, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1035 mb
		29.02.40	Central North Sea
		00.00	AN 4918
			NE 2, Sea 2, light Swell, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1035 mb
		04.00	AN 6214
			N 4, Sea 3, Swell, few clouds, Vis. good, 1020 mb
		06.44		Dived.
		06.59		Surfaced.  At depth 30 meters the starboard exhaust gas valve (diesel) leaks heavily.  Valve was ground in once again, did not hold completely tight afterwards.
		07.04		Dived.
		07.15		Put the boat on the bottom depth 44 meters.
		08.00	AN 6281

	Sun and Moon Data 27.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 28.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 29.02.40

	- 20 -
		continued
		29.02.40
		10.40		Boat raised from the bottom and continued at depth 30 meters.
				Boat lay so uneasily on sandy bottom in the current and swell with 11 tons of negative buoyancy and all trim water (4 tons) in the forward trim tank, that lying for a long time is not possible.
		12.00	AN 6281	Day's run: 194 nm
		16.00	AN 6289
		18.55		Surfaced.
		20.00	AN 6537
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, light Swell, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1035
		01.03.40	Deutsche Bay
		00.00	AN 6895
			NE 2, Sea 2, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1035 mb
		04.00	AN 9581
			E 1-2, Sea 1, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1035 mb
		07.35		Test dive.
		08.00	AN 9811  Jade
			E 1-2, Sea 0, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, 1035 mb
		11.05	Wilhelmshaven	Went into the lock.
		11.15		Cast off from the lock.
		11.50		Made fast at the U-boat Base.

	Sun and Moon Data 29.02.40
	Sun and Moon Data 01.03.40

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