U-boat Archive - U-334 2nd War Patrol

Extract of important radio messages

from the K.T.B.

U-334 War Patrol from 16.06 - 11.07.42

Received-	Time-
Time:	Group:

01.07.42
1758/717	1815	Admiral Nordmeer
		2 destroyers, 2 patrol vessels at 16.30 hours square 7244 lost in the fog, course NE
		Reche
02.07.42
0640/727		Situation:
		Convoy course NE. Position 15.30 hours at AB 7244, as many as 25 steamers. Starboard screen 4 destroyers, as of yet no Radio Message. 4 hours submerged. Depth charge glass and light mechanical damage. Fully operational, position square 4894
		Teichert
0542/732	0635	Alfa
		Hold contact, position east of the enemy main body. Screen positioned ahead and on both sides of the convoy 4921 left edge lower.
		U-255
0645/733	0742	Convoy most recently 04.00 hours square AB 4914 course 45°, 7 knots. Conditions are most difficult due to fog banks. Smooth sea, till now submerged.
		Teichert
0924/735		Position 09.00 hours square 4661. Convoy by sound bearing 190°, Visibility 500 meters.
		Reche
1114/737		Position 11.00 hours square 4639. Sound bearing of convoy 170°. Visibility 5 nm outside of fog. Cloudy 4/10, calm sea.
		Reche
		Convoy position square AB 4666, sometimes good visibility, holding on.
		Teichert
	1440	Convoy in sight square 5461. Enemy steers westerly course, medium speed.
		U-88
		Convoy square AB 5441, course 50°, 7 knots, clouds breaking up.
		Teichert
2032/774	2032	PQ 17 square 5192, 45°, 8 knots. Visibility decreasing in fogbanks.
		Teichert

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- 2 -

Received-	Time-
Time:	Group:

02.07.42
2119/780	2129	Convoy square 5169, course still 45°, visibility becomes worse, holding on.
		Teichert
2228/---		Convoy square 5244 at times in fog. Driving in oil slick. One BV-138 in visual range.
		Teichert
		Square 5416 course 45°. Convoy barrage balloons in sight, partly overcast.
		Teichert
		kr kr
		Admiral Nordmeer
		Convoy 17.15 hours square 5179 course 50°, speed 8 knots, 3 columns recognized, 2 BV-138 at convoy. Heavy fog patches. Visibility 2-8 nm. Apparently screen ahead.
		Göllnitz
1629/---		PQ 17 5243 corected course 50°. Very broad formation. For one hour thuds and detonations. Slight increasing cloudiness. From 14.10 hours bearing signals.
		Teichert
03.07.42
0918/799		Broad oil slick square 2989. Convoy bt sound bearings 35°. Visibility 200 meters.
		Reche
1140/705	1232	Square 2998 sound bearings 34° and detonations.
		Siemon
1236/707		Position 12.00 hours square 2992. Proceeding in oil slick and sound bearing 100°. Reckon convoy is 12 nm ahead of me. Visibility 500 meters.
		Reche
1310/708		Square AB 6122, without a doubt a fresh bilge water slick, direction 90°, floating life jacket, SW 1-2, drizzle, Visibility 3-4 nm, Reche request bearing signals to compare position.
		Teichert
1437/---		Enemy convoy in sight square AB 3781.
		U-88
1416/710		kr kr
		All: Convoy position square AB 3781 course east. 6 columns, Visibility 8 nm.
		Reche
1520/715		Position square 3789, convoy zags to the south in a fog bank. Was driven off by a destroyer. Visibility 500 meters.
		Bohmann

- 3 -

Received-	Time-
Time:	Group:

03.07.42
1513/712	1522	Alfa
		Watch for bearing signals.
		U-255
1011/701	1225	kr kr
		Large enemy U-boat square AB 6117 course east.
		Marks
617/718	1711	Convoy square AB 3783 course 90°, 8 knots. 8 columns 4 steamers each. Heavy screen on both sides, a patrol vessel set off between the columns.
		Reche
1615/719	1731	Square 6152 starboard forward destroyer course east. Further exposed.
		Bohmann
1901/723	1937	Admiral Nordmeer
		Convoy square 3872 course wast. No fog, Vis. 20 nm. Clouds now abating. 700 meter ceiling, placid calm. Flying boat at the convoy.
		U-255
2055/726	2112	Convoy square 3855 probably turned to port. Visibility over 20 nm, clouds 100-200 meters, sea 0 wind 0.
		Bohmann
2137/---	2141	Alfa
		Enemy convoy in sight square 3855.
		U-334
	2150	Alfa
		Enemy convoy in sight square 3853. Enemy steers 60°.
		Bohmann
04.07.42
0040/735	0115	Contact lost. Own position square 3928. Last position of convoy square 3862. General course 45°. Fog, Vis. 100 meters
		Bohmann
08.23/751	0913	Steamer "CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT" from Baltimore, 6000 GRT sunk. Cargo combat vehicles. Was damaged. Square 3683.
0918/752	0951	Serial number 749: is not decipherable..
		Brandenburg
1305/757		Alfa
		Multiple smoke clouds in sight square 1579.
		U-88
1327/759	1341	Heavy enemy warships square 1542.
		U-457
1310/760	1403	Convoy in sight in square 1579 easterly course. Request attack free, once in position. BV at convoy. Alfa 423 must mean: Heavy smoke clouds square 1579.
		Bohmann

- 4 -

Received-	Time-
Time:	Group:

04.07.42
1352/---	1420	kr kr
		The reported warships are 1 battleship, 2 cruisers, 3 destroyers square 1542 center-left. Course 130°, medium speed.
		Brandenburg
1428/764	1450	kr kr
		Bearing signals held for convoy. Heavy warships running set off to the northeast with destroyers shuttling inbetween.
		Brandenburg
1445/765	1507	Convoy position square 1589, course 100°, speed 8 knots. Positioned ahead, attack.
		Bohmann
1530/768	1537	Enemy convoy in sight square 1834, course 120°.
		U-334
1612/771	1638	kr kr
		Heavy warships positioned 50 nm northeast of the convoy. Convoy bears 65°T, 15 nm. Watch for bearing signals.
		Brandenburg
1700/775	1730	Convoy position square AC 1952, easterly course, 2 Ju-88, 1 BV-138 at convoy.
		Bielfeld
1910/778	1937	19.00 hours convoy position square 1689, has zagged to NE-course, speed about 7 knots. Weather: breaking up, Visibility 15 nm.
		Bielfeld
2233/785	2312	Formation square AC 1668, up to now general course 110°, 17 knots, zagged to the SW. 4 cruisers in 2 rows, destroyers on both sides, perimeter aircraft escort. Fog bank, flat calm sea. No bearing signals as transmitter has failed.
		Teichert
05.07.42
0202/796	0317	Admiral Nordmeer
		Square AC 1657 damaged straggler 5000 GRT sunk. 3 sinking vessels, among them probably 1 heavy cruiser observed. 23.59 forced to submerge by good artillery bombardment by a heavy cruiser. Course 190°. Broad formation. Last [serial number] 779.
		Siemon
04.07.42
2315/---		Convoy square 1668 northerly course. Cruiser formation to the south, course changing heavily.
		Teichert
05.07.42
0207/794	0227	Have no contact on warship formation. Have convoy in sight, request attack.
		Brandenburg

- 5 -

Received-	Time-
Time:	Group:

05.07.42
0110/793	0222	Square 2773 scattered partial convoy, assembling. Corurse east. 2 double misses. Cruiser formation out of sight to the west. High speed.
		Teichert
0220/795	0244	Square 2450 and 2480 scattered convoy. Many unprotected independents. Course between 60 and 120°. Position 0244 hours.
		Teichert
0020/790	0140	Square AC 1658 cruiser and destroyer formation. While recovering the shipwrecked fired upon by cruiser with artillery. Out of sight at 23.50 hours bearing 30°. Visibility 12 nm. Last [message] 782.
		Reche
0345/798	0404	Hunting indepent protected by a desteoyer.
		Bielfeld
0437/701	0439	Teichert
		Request bearing signals.
		Siemon
04.07.42
2145/784	2205	Cruiser formation square AC 1661, easterly course. Positioned ahead. Attack at the first opportunity.
		Teichert
2300/---		Convoy square 2459, course 80°, speed 8 knots, visibility now 500 meters. Additionally: In serial number 778 must mean: NE-course zagged.
		Bielfeld
05.07.42
0725/706	0739	Hunting fast independent square 2828
		Bohmann
0745/706	0807	Partial convoy square 2552 widely dispersed. Course 120°, apparently slowly assembling. Maneuver ahead much complicated by outlying fast steamer and destroyer. Visibility over 15 nm, partial overcast. Bearing signal transmitter out of service.
		Teichert
0925/707	1540	Partial convoy square 2678, 120°, 12 knots. At the forefront 4 steamers 2 destroyers, behind in the distance several steamers. NW 1-2, Visibility clear.
		Teichert
1110/711	1200	Square AC 2974 large 10000 ton freighter sunk. Making for square 26.
		Bohmann
1015/709	1226	9000 GRT "EMPIRE BYROU" square AC 2629 sunk. Cargo military vehicles, destination Archangel. Captain John Rimmington taken prisoner on board. 07.15 hours 2 double misses on 10000 GRT, convoy completely dispersed, course 120°, chasing after. Last [message] 703.
		Bielfeld
		Hunting fast independent square 3714
		Reche
1830/728	2152	Position square AC 3589. Hunting independent.
		Bielfeld

- 6 -

Received-	Time-
Time:	Group:

05.07.42
1703/724	1745	4 misses on independent, at the same time was sunk by Teichert. Chasing after. [messages] 763, 780, 781 missing.
		Siemon
1830/---	1845	kr kr
		Attacked with on board armament and bombs by a Ju-88, damage still being reported.
		Siemon
1931/735	2012	ssd
		Position square AC 2980 not clear to dive, main ruder out of service. Intend to proceed to Kirkenes escorted by Teichert.
		Siemon
2000/743	2025	Square AC 2659 steamer "EARLSTON", 7000 GRT from Glasgow sunk. Cargo motor vehicles. Captain on board. Thereafter bombing attack by Ju-88.
		Siemon
1830/---	1938	Position AC 6131 upper-left. Hunting independent, running 120°, 12 knots.
		Reche
2200/743	2250	Square AC 3586 "RIVERAFTON" 5479 GRT. Cargo aircraft and tanks sunk. 3 torpedoes, 75 cbm. Proceeding on course 200°. Last [message] 734.
		Bielfeld
1540/721	1612	14.30 hours square 2937 steamer "HONAM", 6977 GRT. Parts for military vehicles. Fast convoy lost in fog during the attack. Last 13.00 hours square 2931.
		Teichert
2350/748	0125	Damaged by aircraft "DANIEL MORGAN" 8700 GRT munitions and autos sank. Square AC 3769. Still have 40 cbm fuel, 2 torpedoes, ready for 13 knots. No contact. Operating on general course 130°, In serial number 734 from word 34 must mean: starboard supercharger out of service, ready for 14 knots. Serial number 724-742 missing.
		Bomann
06.07.42
0130/751	0211	At 18.35 hours square 3767 observed a burning freighter sink.
		Bomann
0433/754	0545	Gruppe Nord, Admiral Nordmeer
		Regarding serial number 720, aerial torpedo attack distance 12 nm observed a direct hit with ammunition detonation on a large vessel. As it capsized observed superstructure and mast as for an American heavy cruiser.
		Siemon
0947/758	1010	Admiral Nordmeer
		Again clear to dive with restrictions. Request retorn to Narvik. Escort by Teichert no longer required.
		Siemon
1158/768	1400	ssd
		Position 16.00 hours Vardö with Teichert.
		Siemon

- 7 -

Received-	Time-
Time:	Group:

06.07.42		Square AC 6381 miss on a 5000 GRT steamer. Sound firing data, unexplained. After getting ahead shortly before shooting at 18.15 hours square AC 6921 sank by aircraft. Apparently an ammunition steamer. 1 torpedo, 68 cbm. Request orders.
		Bielfeld

2043/795	2339	Admiral Nordmeer
		"JOHN WHITHERSPOON" Baltimore, general cargo, 10900 GRT, AT 7136, Suppose instruction to steer by AT 4810. Serial number 758-771 missing.
		Reche
07.07.42
0814/710	0842	Group Eisteufel
		It pleases me that this time your battles in difficult conditions were rewarded by what is clearly a tremendous success.
		B.d.U.
09.07.42
2121/789	2203	Admiral Nordmeer, Admiral Polarküste
		Position 10 July 05.00 hours square AC 7373. Request anti-aircraft escort there.
		Siemon
	2013	Admiral Nordmeer
		Am departing Kirkenes 18.00 hours with aircraft escort.
		Siemon
2036/---	2048	kr kr
		Luftwaffe reports:
		11.51 hours east 47, 3 merchant ships, 5 destroyers, course 180°.
2150/791	2236	Convoy AC 9549 upper-right, course 210, speed 10 knots, S 2, Sea 1, cloudy 1/10, Visibility 20 nm. 2 BV at convoy.
		Reche
10.07.42		1 Do-24, 1 BV-138 at convoy square AC 9571
		Biefeld
2350/795	0053	kr kr
		Convoy square AC 9578, course south, The 5 escort vessels in line ahead of the 3 steamers. Ju-88 attacking. Send bearing signals again. Reports were distorted.
		Reche
0130/779	0228	Square AC 9578 1 burning steamer with 2 escorts, remainder of convoy out of sight to the south. 3 contact holders.
		Reche
2045/---	2103	kr kr
		Convoy square AC 9543 course south. Ahead 3 destroyers, 2 escorts, behind 3 steamers. Send bearing signals. Visibility out of fog 15 nm.
		Reche

- 8 -

Received-	Time-
Time:	Group:

10.07.42
07.00/706	0718	Radio Message 0715/800 incorrect observation. Formation consists of 2 large steamers 10-12000 GRT and 4 escorts. Position square AC 9844 on southerly course.
		Biefeld
0304/789	0356	Remainder of convoy square 9759 course 16°. Stuka attack: Geting ahead. My position is square 9750.
		Brandenburg
0415/705		Square AC 9843 aircraft damaged USA freighter "HOSIER" 6000 GRT sunk. Cargo tanks.
		Marks
0440/701	0920	Enemy steers SW-course, medium speed.
		Biefeld
0345/702	0955	Square AC 9574, new convoy 3 steamers 2 escorts in sight. Westerly course.
		Reche
0045/704	0950	Square AC 9554 steamer 7000 GRT sunk. Clear to dive with restrictions, diesel compressor out of service. Last [message] 782.
		Timm
0415/800	0438	kr kr
		Square AC 9812 2 cruisers, 3 destroyers, course W.
		Biefeld
1329/713		10.28 hours square AC 4792 large Russian U-boat Type S1 course east. Attack failed because enemy turned away. Position aproach to Andenes exactly 11 July 04.00 hours.
		Bohmann
2022/724	2040	Admiral Nordmeer
		Position 22.00 hours with escort Tromsö, uninterupted transit ordered there.
		Siemon
11.07.42
0330/728	0356	Nordmeerchef
		Sailed from Tromsö under R-boat escort.
		Siemon
1014/730	1028	Admiral Nordmeer
		Willl enter Narvik at 11.30 hours.
		Siemon