U-30 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Wilhelmshaven	22 August 1939	Wilhelmshaven	27 September 1939	37

 

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Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
3 Sep 39	19.39	56°44'N, 14°05'W	ATHNENIA	13,581	British
11 Sep 39	04.24 - 06.00	54°57'N, 15°15'W	BLAIRLOGIE	4,425	British
14 Sep 39	12.23 - 18.20	55°09'N, 15°05'W	FANAD HEAD	5,200	British
			Total = 23,206
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.

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			1st   C  o  p  y  .
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			=========================
			of Unterseebootes "U-30" for the period from 22.08. - 27.09.1939.
			Kommandant:  Oberleutnant zur See   L  e  m  p  .
				© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
				Kriegstagebuch
			of the Kommandanten "U-30".
		22.08.39
		04.00		Departed Wilhelmshaven.
		22. - 28.08.39	North Sea	North Sea, Shetlands, Faroes, transit to waiting station.  Little hindered.  Remained unseen.
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, mist to foggy
		28.08. - 03.09.39	AL 2845	At waiting station northern operations area in accordance with Period of Tension Operations Order.  Negotiation attempts failed.  Hostilities against Poland
		14.00
		03.09.39
		14.00	AL 0278 [deceptive position]	Hostilities against England after English declaration of war.
			NW 3, Sea 2, Swell, Vis. good	Came to course 180°, 10 knots into operations area.
		17.00		French declaration of war.
		17.26		Incoming Radio Message:  Begin hostilities against England immediately.  Do not wait to be attacked first.
		04.09.39	SSW 5-7, Sea 5, rain squalls, misty	SW-edge of operations area.
		05.09.39	SWbyW 5, misty	Steamer sighted, a Norwegian and a Greek passenger steamer.  According to timetable "DUSHESS OF BEDFORD" (20000 GRT) for Glasgow.  Did not stop in accordance with orders.
		10.09.39	NW 2-3, Sea 2	Met "U-48" on return transit, bread taken over.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.08.39
	Sun and Moon Data 23.08.39
	Sun and Moon Data 24.08.39
	Sun and Moon Data 25.08.39
	Sun and Moon Data 26.08.39
	Sun and Moon Data 27.08.39
	Sun and Moon Data 28.08.39
	Sun and Moon Data 29.08.39
	Sun and Moon Data 30.08.39
	Sun and Moon Data 31.08.39
	Sun and Moon Data 01.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 02.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 03.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 04.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 05.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 06.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 07.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 08.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 09.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 10.09.39

	- 2 -
		11.09.39	Wind 2, Sea 1-2, dark night, overcast	Dimmed vessel in sight.  Hung onto it.  Recognized as a merchant steamer on zigzag course.  Requested to stop by Morse lantern.  Steamer shows "Not understood", attempts to escape in rain squall and transmits "SOS", "Chased by submarine" and position by Radio Message.
			AM 4458
				Sent by Radio Message and Morse lantern "Stop".
		04.24		Maneuvered ahead.  With M.G. C/30 5 shots before the bow.  Steamer does not respond. Sometimes turns over 90° directly towards the boat.  Sends again:  "Still chased".
		05.00		Because of this opened fire with 8.8 cm from aft bearing.  English steamer "BLAIRLOGIE" 4425 GRT.
				After 18 shots and 3 hits the steamer stops.  Crew goes to the boats.
		05.20		Last Radio Message "Shelled, taking to the boats".
				Immediately ceased fire when shown distress lights and stopped.
				Went to the lifeboats.  Gave instructions to pull to the south.  Steamer was sunk by torpedo shot.  Thereafter the crew of both boats were given Steinhäger [Gin] and cigarettes.  32 men in 2 boats.  Red stars shot up to lightness.
		07.30		Moved off because the American steamer "AMERICAN SKIPPER" was in the vicinity.  The crew was taken over.
		12. - 13.09.39		Went through the operations area on the north steamer track.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 12.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.30

	- 3 -
		14.09.39	AM 4453
		11.52	Wind 2, Vis. good, Swell, low clouds	Smoke clouds.  Steamer with strong zigzag course.  Easterly course.  Ran to meet.  Turns to opposite course on recognizing and gives S-O-S.
		12.20		English steamer "FANAD HEAD" 5200 GRT for Belfast.
		12.23		Hunted at AK.  Because it did not respond to the order to stop, at 1000 meters shot across the bow.  Steamer stopped.  Crew goes to the boats.  Boats towed out of the danger area.
				Went to the steamer.  Intend sinking by demolition and hull valves.  At the same time examination and provisions supply.
				Boarding party:  Oblt.z.S. Hinsch, Ob.Masch Büsgen, Masch.Mt. Schmidt and Masch.Ob.Gfr. Ohse.
				Dinghy hauled back and forth with heaving line between ship and boat.
				Intention:  By saving torpedo and provisions supply lengthen operational activity with still sufficient fuel supply.
				Aircraft alarm.  Crash dive over the stern stem with Back AK, because the bow points at the steamer.  Obtsmt. [illegible name - similar to Sanisch] who stands on the forecastle was left out.  Swims to the steamer.  At depth 10 meters 5 bombs.  No damage.  Went to depth 30 meters.  At periscope depth.  All around sweep.  See the dinghy with heaving line (90 meters) is still hooked to the boat.  Has been towed.  Surfaced.  Cut the heaving line. Low flying aircraft.  Further bombs.  Boat is free of the dinghy.  Intention:  take over the prise crew by going alongside submerged and blowing when the aircraft is in the lee.  Apparently 3 aircraft.  2 attempts fail.  Bombs and machine gun fire.  Succeed on the 3rd attempt succeed in bringing the boat up alongside FANAD HEAD.  Pre-flooded, boarding party had already recognized our intent on the 2nd attempt and jumped into the water.  5 men were taken aboard in the briefest time.  2 Englishmen, that were still aboard

Sun and Moon Data 14.09.39

	- 4 -
		continued
		14.09.39
				hesitate, but jump when I yell at them "FANAD HEAD" would be torpedoed immediately.
				2 English Officers.  Both taken aboard.  New attack.  Dived.  Moved off 500 meters.
		18.20		Steamer was sunk with G 7 a torpedo.  Stern shot because the bow was damaged with the last surfacing and the extent of the damage could not be surveyed.
				Went to depth 80 meters (greatest depth 97 meters).
				Up to 22.00 hours aircraft bombs and depth charges.  Pursuit apparently from 2 destroyers and 3 aircraft.  Passive location, apparently no active sonar.  Boat takes on water astern (propeller shaft bushings).  Pumps do not work.  Boat settles stern down.  Water moved forward in bailers.  Wounded treated and bandaged.
		23.00		Surfaced. Moved off to the north on the surface.  The following occurred at "FANAD HEAD":  From the splinters, from bombs impacting next to the ship Masch.Mt. Schmidt was severely wounded on the arm.  Artery severed.  Oblt. Hinsch and Masch.Ob.Gfr. Ohse lightly wounded.  Splinter on the head (temple) arm and back.  Prudent behavior of Oblt. Hinsch!
				First aircraft crashed in the explosive column its own bomb.  Pilot Lieutenant Thursden suffered severe burns.  Masch.Ob.Gfr. Ohse jumped despite the splinters in his back with a heaving line in the water to rescue the English officer.  On the 2nd surfacing U-30 the 2nd aircraft crashed the same way.  Pilot Lieutenant (Royal Navy) Griffith was saved by swimming to FANAD HEAD.  Oblt. Hinsch directed the treatment of the wounded there with local dressings and prepared for being taken aboard.  The wounded were secured with heaving line and were subsequently pulled aboard.  The observers in both aircraft, 2 English Seamen, drowned in the crash.  From statements of the officers

Sun and Moon Data 14.09.39

	- 5 -
		continued
		14.09.39
				all aircraft were so-called fighters from the carrier ARK ROYAL, which operated against U-boats west of Ireland.  Type Blakburn Skua (dive bomber aircraft)  each 1 100, 4 20 kg bombs.  FANAD HEAD had bridge armor and chart house protected with sand bags.
		15.09.39
		06.00		Smoke cloud astern.  Let it come up.  Steamer apparently an ore steamer with a zigzag course.  Maneuvered ahead.  At lightness long range reconnaissance aircraft circles over the steamer.  Dived for surprise attack because of the aircraft escort.  Assume that the steamer must overrun.  Steamer does not come.  As was later determined, because the entire compass installation on U-30 had failed due to depth charges, the U-boat was not ahead, but instead proceeded on a large curve.  On surfacing the steamer was out of sight.
				Intention: run to the north to go to Reykjavik, to deliver the severely wounded Masch.Mt. Schmidt.  Bandage continues to bleed by heavy blood loss.  Requested permission.
		01.00		No celestial navigation fix possible.
		16.09.39
		08.00		Gyro compass installation remains completely frozen.  As later determined the boat had not run off to the northwest but instead on an incorrect course to the northeast.  First exact position west of the Hebrides.  Navigated to sea by radio bearing from Iceland because the magnetic compass is also out of service.
		19.00		Gyro compass in service again after globe was replaced and overhaul by personnel.  Celestial check shows 3° error.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 15.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 16.09.30

	- 6 -
		17. - 18.09.30		No charts and nautical handbook for Iceland.  Headed for Reykjavik by radio bearing and overview chart.
		19.09.30
		10.00		Entered Reykjavik Roadstead.  Gave over Masch.Mt. Schmidt.  Previous treatment of burn and splinter wounds was noted as correct by General Consul Prof. Gerlach, who was a Full Professor of Medicine.  No concerns.  Particularly clear and energetic support from the General Consul in all matters.  5 German steamers are interned there.
		14.00	West storm 6-8, rain squalls, very misty, Sea 6	Departed Reykjavik.  Third Officer of the steamer "HAMM" taken along to bring in any prizes in the North Sea (Grohm).  Decide on return transit because 7% water in the lubricating oil, frame cracks.
				Further:  Aft periscope glass shattered.
				Pumps unreliable.
				Main ballast tank III damaged.
				Torpedo tube I leaks.
				Torpedo tube II outer tube door jammed.
				Aftership makes water through the stern tubes and exhaust gas valve.
		20.09.39	W 4, Sea 3-4, misty	Transit to the east.  Course Faroes.  Radio Message concerning return transit sent on 19 and 20 September, was not repeated.
		21.09.39		With test dive determined that the attack periscope is unusable.  Depth charge damage.  Water in the optics.

	Sun and Moon Data 17.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 19.09.30
	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.30

	- 7 -
		continued
		21.09.39
		20.00	AE 8369	Intend to go around 60 nm north of the Faroes. Went to 73°N. [typo 63°N] Radio message to B.d.U. with position concerning return transit was repeated.
			Wind 2-3, Sea 2, bright night
		22.09.39	AE 6883	Came to course 212°.
		08.00		A pea-sized splinter was removed from the temple wound of the First Watch Officer.  Burn wounds of the English Lt. Thursden heal well.
		23.09.49	AF 8475	Course 180°.
		12.00	N 6, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. good, first half of the night moonshine	In the night to 24 September broke through between the Shetlands and Norway.  Despite good visibility night no patrol vessels seen.
		24.09.39	AN 4312	Course 141°.
		08.00	N 7, Sea 6, few low clouds, thunderstorm, otherwise Vis. good
		09.44	AN 4327	Aircraft to starboard (apparently 2-engined English monoplane: Avro "Anson").
				Crash dive.  45 minutes submerged.  Smoke cloud abeam to starboard.  While surfacing aircraft abeam to port.  (type as above).  Crash dive.  Proceeded at depth 20 meters because of frequent diving the original intention to enter the barrier gap shortly after the beginning of darkness on 24 September was abandoned.  Intend passing the barrier gap on 25 September with prescribed darkness on the surface.

	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.30

	- 8 -
		continued
		24.09.39
				No very low frequency reception submerged.  Fault in the newly installed Gonion-bearing finder installation.  Forward antenna shaft flooded.  Depth finder installation unusable.  Very inaccurate (Atlas).  Listening installation only very low range (amplifier out of service).
		19.00	AN 4367	Surfaced.  Proceeded on the surface off the barrier gap.  A total of 10 steamers sighted with east, north and west courses.  All brightly illuminated.  Closed steamers on westerly course.  Norwegian and Danish for neutral harbors.  Detailed examination on board not possible due to weather conditions.
			Moonlit, very good visibility night, N 6-7, Sea 6
				5 steamers in square 3420
				5       "       in square 3490.
		25.09.39		From 08.00 hours submerged square 3810.  Must exchange lubricating oil on the surface at darkness due to strong increase in water in the lubricating oil.
		19.00	NW 4, Sea 2-3, moonlit, later dark night	Surfaced.  At darkness oil exchange.  Old oil overboard.  Shortly after starting port diesel out of service.  No exact celestial navigation fix.  Radio direction finder out of service.  Apparently also damaged.  Therefore did not enter the barrier gap.
		26.09.39	AN 3840	After celestial navigation fix went into the barrier gap.  Diesel-electric cruise 10 knots port diesel piston pin is gaulled.  Piston was removed.  Water in the lubricating oil rises again.
		07.00
		09.45		5 German long range reconnaissance (Do-Wal).  Recognition Signals exchanged.
		17.00		In accordance with B.d.U. instructions met M 7.  Continued with M 7 up to the Jade.
		27.09.39		Entered Wilhelmshaven
		10.00

	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 26.09.39
	Sun and Moon Data 27.09.30

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