U-459 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Helgoland	29 March 1942	St. Nazaire	15 May 1942	48

 

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 Attacked

None

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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	- 1 -                                                 Copy No. :  . . .2. . .
				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
				of
				Unterseebootes  "U-459".
				Kommandant:
				Kaptlt. v. Wilamowitz Moellendorff.
			Beginning:  15 November 1941.                 Ending:  20 March 1942.
				© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

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

	- 2 -
		15.11.41	Kiel Wik
		11.20	Tirpitz Mole	Commissioning.
		16.11. - 18.11.41		Took over the boat, cruising stations exercise, cruising maneuvers.
		19.11.- 22.11.41	Kiel	Propulsion service at the direction of U.A.K.
		23.11.41		Sunday service.
		24.11.41		Inspection of the boat and crew by B.d.U. afterwards service at the direction of U.A.K.
		25.11. - 29.11.41	Kiel and Kiel Bay	Service at the direction of U.A.K.
		30.11.41	Kiel	Sunday service.
		01.12. - 06.12.41	Kiel	Service at the direction of U.A.K.
		07.12.41	Kiel	Sunday service.
		08.12. - 10.12.41	Kiel	Service at the direction of U.A.K.
		11.12.41
		09.30 - 15.30		Oil delivery testing by the Kiel lightship with "U-704".
		16.30		Deutsche Werke Dock 7 to insert 10 square meters of dead wood between keel and rudder heel as well as repair vents.
		12.12. - 14.12.41	Kiel	In the dock.
		15.12.41		Undocked.  Boat prepared to transit to the east.
		16.12.41
		09.20 - 11.20		U.A.K. testing.
		11.34	Western Baltic	Friedrichsort, passed barrier outbound.
			SSE 1-2, Sea 1

	- 3 -
		16.12.41	Western Baltic
		17.59		Passed Gjedser barrier.
		17.12.41	Central Baltic
		11.05	NW 2-3, Sea 2	Passed Point Blue 03.
		17.30		Passed Point Blue 06.
		19.09		Passed Point Blue 07.
		20.45		Between Hela and Schwedenberg in depth 31 meters anchored under land.
		18.12.41	Danzig Bay
		08.50	W 1, Sea 0	Anchor aweigh, entered Danzig.
		13.00		Alongside "MESSINA" at Holm.
		19.12.41	Danzig Bay
		08.00		Cast off and ran the measured mile in Putziger Wik.
				While blowing after establishing trim condition B it was discovered that the drive gear of the camshaft was heavily damaged by the loosening of a set screw securing the control arm.  At the same time a breakage of the locating bearing of the camshaft was determined. The cover of the gearbox was punctured.
		20.12.41	Danzig	Went into the shipyard for repairs and to install the new reinforcement of the locating bearing on both engines.
		21.12. - 23.12.41	Danzig	Lay in the shipyard.
		24.12. - 25.12.41		Went alongside "MESSINA".
		25.12. - 27.12.41	Danzig	No events.
		28.12.41	Danzig Bay
			WNW 2, Sea 1	Ran to Hela.
		15.00		Made fast at the Agru Front Hela.
		29.12. - 31.12.41	Danzig Bay	Training service at the direction of the Agru-Front.

	- 4 -
		01.01. - 06.01.42	Hela and Danzig Bay	Training service at the direction of the Agru-Front.
		07.01.42	Hela and Putziger Wik	Fuel oil transfer maneuvers with "U-408" lasting about 2 hours from bringing gear out to back on board.
		08.01.42
		08.35		Put to sea for Gotenhafen.
		10.07		Made fast.  Uploading and construction of capsize shackle.
		09.01.42	Danzig Bay
		12.30		Put to sea for Danzig.
		14.20		Made fast alongside "MESSINA".
		10.01. - 17.01.42	Danzig and Danzig Bay	Testing, measured mile etc. at the direction of U.A.G. I.
		18.01.42	Baltic
		10.23	NNE 2, overcast, Sea 1, - 8 -11°C	Put to sea for transit to Stettin.  Fuel oil consumption measured.
		19.01.42
		10.30	SE 1, Sea 1, - 11°C	Made fast Swinemünde outfitting facility.
		12.45		Put to sea transit to Stettin.
				10-15 cm ice and slabs at the Stettiner Lagoon.
		16.19		Made fast Stettin and U-boat base 4.U.-Flottille
		20.01.42		At Stettin.
		21.01.42	ENE 2, Sea 0, Szczecin Lagoon
		10.30   14.55	Pack ice 15 - 30 cm, -12°C	Put to sea.  Transit to Swinemünde.  Due to heavy pack ice about 20-30 cm from 13.00 - 14.15 hours icebreaker assistance taken in the lagoon. Because hawsers broke followed in the wake made fast Swinemünde Sea Service Station.
		22.01.42	Swienmünde	In Pommerscher Bay heavy pack ice.  The only existing icebreaker seeks "U-163" frozen in at Greifswalder Oie, other ice assistance does not exist.
			ESE 1-2, -16°C
				In accordance with Head Küstenbefehlshaber Pomerania and Harbor Master of heavy ice formation in the Baltic Sea, with ship navigation difficulty.   Head of Sea Transport with Küstenbefehlshaber Pomerania stated aircraft reports were bad.

	- 5 -
		22.01.42	Swienmünde	Decision:  Call with U.A.K., that after the news from Küstenbefehlshaber Pomerania concerning ice difficulties timely beginning of final adjustments and overhaul was unlikely.  Suggest cutting short sound trials at Rönne.  Am instructed by U.A.K. to go as soon as possible to Kiel
		23.01.42	Swienmünde
		09.04	WNW 2, cloudy, -6°C	With the arrival of ice-breaker "PREUßEN" cast off and ran in the wake on Route brown to Point Green 03.  The most difficult pack-ice was passed to the east, but it would have been impossible to transit to Stubbenkammer without an ice-breaker.
		14.00	W 2, cloudy, -5°C	Escort ended, continued alone through plate ice.  Measured fuel oil consumption.
		15.00	Western Baltic	Passed the Gjedser barrier. Solid ice began west of there, partly shoved together.  Ice 15 - 20 cm thick about 9 miles wide.  Passed through at LF.
		24.01.42
		01.08	SE 2, cloudy, -8°C	Passed Fehmarnbelt Lightship.
		09.02	Kiel
		10.15	Kiel	Made fast alongside "UBENA".
		25.01. - 26.01.42	Kiel	Boat emptied.
		27.01.42
		12.00		Cast off with ice breaker.  Went to the Deutsche Werk.  Began final adjustments and overhaul.
		28.01. - 12.03.42	Kiel	Final adjustments and overhaul.
		13.03. - 20.03.42	Kiel	Outfitting the boat.
				Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant

			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
				of
			U  n  t  e  r  s  e  e  b  o  o  t  e  s    "U-459"
			= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
			Beginning:                        21 March 1942         Ending:                            15 May    1942                     Kommandant:                  Kaptlt. von Wilamowitz
			Distribution:     10. Unterseebootsflottille, Copy No. 1   Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote, Copy No. 2   2. Admiral der Unterseenboote Copy No. 3   Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine Copy No. 4+5               Enclosures:     1.)  1 Track chart for Copy No. 1 - 4   2.)  1 Excerpt of the General Radio Log for Copy No. 2 - 4   3.)  Original of the General Radio Log for Copy No. 1   4.)  Original of the Officer-Only Radio Log for Copy No. 1   5.)  Experiences Report for Copy No. 1 - 4

	- 1 -
		21.03.42	Kiel
		12.00	ESE 2, Sea 1, 1029 mb, +2°C	Cast off Tirpitz Mole in accordance with Operations Order.
		20.00	Brunsbüttel Dike	Made fast.
		22.03.42
		07.00	ESE 2, 1028 mb	Cast off, passed through the lock and with Sperrbrecher and anti-aircraft escort together with three other boats down the Elbe.  Heavy ice flow.
		12.45	ENE 2, Sea 2, drifting ice, 1028 mb, +5°C	Anchored in Helgoland roadstead.
		15.30		Made fast Helgoland bunker.
		23.03.42
		06.30	Deutsche Bucht	Cast of with tug assistance.  U-boat noise testing with U-702.  Broke off due to thick fog and anchored in the roads.
			N 2, Sea 1-2, 1034 mb, +4°C
		14.55		Made fast in the bunker.
		24.03.42	Helgoland	Training outside and testing cancelled due to thick fog.  Diesel repair torn cylinder covers.
			N 1, overcast, fog, 1032 mb, +4°C
		25.03.42	Deutsche Bucht
		07.30	WSW 2-3, Sea 2, 1020 mb, +7°C	Cast off with tug assistance.  U-boat noise testing with U-702.  Heavy oil leak through a leaking valve of the vent line nozzle of main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 4 starboard.
		16.30		Made fast in the bunker.
		26.03.42	Helgoland
			WSW 2, Sea 2, 1019 mb, +8°C, clear	Base proposes return to Kiel due to oil trace.  Rejected and repaired by shipyard branch.
		27.03. - 28.03.42		Final repairs, final training.
				Radio Message No. 1

	- 2 -
		29.03.42	Deutsche Bucht
		17.00	ENE 3, S 2-3, 1027 mb, clear	Sailed with escort and "U-702".
		30.03.42
		00.30	ESE 2, 1019 mb, bright moonlit night
		06.30	AN 9515	Escort ended.
			AN 6398	Continued on course 0°, submerged at LF.
		20.52	AN 6337	Surfaced, continued transit on the surface sometimes with zig zag courses and 2 x HF.
			ESE 2, partly clear moon
		31.03.42	North Sea
		06.35	AN 3572	Dived.  Proceeded submerged at depth 40 meters.
			SE 2-3, 1002 mb, overcast, Vis. changing
		09.10		2 aircraft bombs heard.
		14.00 - 15.00		Steered at depth 16 meters for program time.
		20.35	AN 3455	Surfaced, continued transit on the surface.
			ESE 6, Sea 5-6, 996 mb, 11 meter swell	Day's run:  Surfaced      78 nm
				Submerged  14 nm.
		01.04.42	Northern North Sea
			AN 2877	Dived, proceeded submerged.
			ESE 6	Day's run:  Surfaced      126 nm
				Submerged    36 nm.
				While diving both negative buoyancy tank flood valves leaked.  The tanks slowly fill to 16 tons.  Settled through to depth A +120 meters.  After blowing [the negative buoyancy tanks] no success.  Boat was blown,  Negative buoyancy tanks were driven flooded.  Diving acceleration is substantially impaired.
				Venting connection leaks very heavily even at medium depth, although overhauled as recently as 19 March by Deutsche Werke Kiel.
		20.32	Northern North Sea
			AN 2829	Surfaced, removal and re-installation of the negative buoyancy tank hull valves.  Boat not clear to dive for 2 hours, takes a considerable amount of water through the pressure hull opening in the control room.
			ESE 2-3, 986 mb, freshening

	Sun and Moon Data 29.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 31.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.04.42

	- 3 -
		02.04.42	Northern North Sea
		07.10	AF 8774	Dived for large aircraft (Sunderland or German Wal).  Proceeded submerged at depth A +10 meters.
			N 7-8, Sea 7, 995 mb, freshening, high swells, snow squalls
				Day's run:  Surfaced      81 nm
				Submerged  36 nm.
		20.25	AF 7962	Surfaced, continued transit.
			NNE 7-8, Sea 7, high swells, abating, overcast	Radio Message No. 2.
				Radio Message No. 3.
		03.04.42
		08.15	AF 7536	Dived.
			NE 3, Sea 2-3, 1016 mb	Day's run:  Surfaced      103 nm
				Submerged    37 nm.
		21.42	AF 7551	Surfaced.
			ObyN 2, Sea 1-2, 1011 mb
		04.04.42	North of the Shetlands
		00.45	AF 7465	Proceeded on Route Rotterdam.
			E 3, Sea 3, overcast, 1008 mb
		06.40	AF 7773	Dived.
			SbyW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, 1006 mb	Day's run:  Surfaced      114 nm
				Submerged    33 nm.
		22.05	AN 1123	Surfaced.
			SW 2, Sea 1-2, 994 mb, full moon, partly overcast
		05.04.42	South of the Faroe Islands
		02.00	AM 3268	Patrol vessel, apparently on Easter break.  It is nowhere to be seen in spite of bright night.
			N 2-3, Sea 3, 993 mb, bright night
		06.50	AM 3197	Dived.
				Day's run:  Surfaced      100 nm
				Submerged    27 nm.
		21.55	AM 3315	Surfaced.
			NE 6-7, S 6, 998 mb, occasional rain, +9°C
		06.04.42	Northwest of the Herbrides
		00.00	ENE 6, Sea 5-6, 989 mb, heavy swell,	Radio Message No. 6.
		06.15	AM 2396	Dived, transit continued at depth A +20 meters, distant aircraft bombs and depth charges heard several times.
			NE 7, Sea 6-7, 10/10, 990 mb, high swell,
				Day's run:  Surfaced      88 nm
				Submerged  34 nm.
		16.00		Came to course 240°.  Heading for 57°N, 18°W.
		21.45	AM 2522	Surfaced.  Passing report to B.d.U.
			North of Rockall Bank	Radio Message No. 4.
			ENE 6, Sea 6, 990 mb
		07.04.42
		07.45	AM 1810	Dived.
			NE 3, Sea 2-3, 990 mb, +10°C, light rain	Day's run:  Surfaced  91 nm  Submerged  28 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 02.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.04.42

	- 4 -
		continued
		07.04.42
		20.14	AM 1742	Surfaced.  Continued at transit speed on the surface.
			NE 3-4, Sea 3, 995 mb, +5°C, Vis.
		08.04.42	AL 3955	Came to transit speed LF and course 231°.
			100 nm west of Rockall	Radio Message No. 7 to B.d.U.
			Wind jumps around, W 3-4, Sea 3, 999 mb, +5°C, driving show	05.38 hours naval square AL 3936 fuel inventory 687 cbm.  Transit speed 8 knots, estimated day's run 180 nm,  Daily consumption 3 cbm, ENE 3, Sea 3, +6°C, 1000 mb.        Wilamowitz.
		12.00	AL 3975	Aircraft sighted steering NE.  Probably the last reconnaissance on duty.  Evaded on the surface.
			NW 1-2, Sea 1-2, 995 mb, +6°C
				Day's run:  Surfaced  122 nm  Submerged  23 nm.
		15.30	AL 0298	Navigation fix after 6 days.  Today ships position was just off 6 nm.
			WSW 1, Sea 0-1, 990 mb, +9°C, clear
				Test dive.
		24.00	AL 5264
		09.04.42	North Atlantic
		04.00	AL 5276
			N 2, Sea 2, 997 mb, +11°C, Vis. good
		08.00	AL 5435
				Day's run:  Surfaced  140 nm  Submerged  2 nm.
		15.30 - 16.00		Test dive.
		20.00	AL 4823
		10.04.42
		04.00	AL 4772
			SW 6, Sea 4, 1000 mb, +11°C
		12.00	E 7, Sea 6, 1000 mb, short swells	Day's run:  Surfaced  193 nm  Submerged  2 nm.
		16.20 - 17.10		Test dive.
				Radio Message No 10 from B.d.U.
				Wilamowitz, Scholtz (U-98) head for square CB 90.
				In this area, possibly as soon as in the large square east of CB supply is intended.  Wilamowitz proceed so that objective square is reached on 20 April.  Report position, expected own and for transfer inventory on 20 April.
		22.00	AK 9519
			SSW 3, Sea 2, 982 mb
		23.45		Radio Message No. 11 to B.d.U.
				23.10 hours naval square AK 9542.  On 20 April for transfer estimate minimum of 500 cbm, in addition own inventory 140 cbm.  SSW 3, Sea 2, 985 cbm, cloudy, +10°C.        Wilamowitz.
				It is 1650 nm to the new objective point, about 600 nm more then previously.  With tolerable weather 192 hours at 8.7 knots, therefore went to HF = 10.1 knots.
		24.00	AK 9519
			SSW 2-3, Sea 3, 981 mb, overcast

	Sun and Moon Data 07.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.04.42

	- 5 -
		11.04.42	North Atlantic
		08.00	AK 9721
			SSW 3-4, 980 mb, 9/10, occasional rain
		12.00	AK 8963	Day's run:  Surfaced  166 nm  Submerged  2 nm.
		24.00	BD 2156	Came to 2 x HF, because the boat loses much speed in the high seas.
			N 6-7, Sea 5, 988 mb, +7°C
		12.04.42
		02.00	NbyW 6-7, Sea 6, 997 mb, heavy squalls, hail	Came to course 200°, to at least make some speed over ground.
		12.00		Plotted BD 1964, navigation fix BD 2478
				Day's run:  Surfaced  220 nm.
		16.00	BD 2741	According to navigation fix set back 30 nm.
			N 3-4, Sea 4, 1018 mb, swells, clearing
		24.00	BD 4364
			SbyW 1, 1019 mb
		13.04.42
		09.00	BD 4679	Came to course 230°.  In medium head seas the boat loses up to 70% of speed.  By "lying with the wind" one can at least gain something
			SbyW 4-5, Sea 3-4, 1018 mb, freshening
		10.12 - 10.50		Test dive.
		12.00	BD 4839	Day's run:  Surfaced  197 nm  Submerged  2 nm.
			S 5, Sea 4-5, 1010 mb, +3°, rain	Came to course 240° due to the seas.
		22.00	BD 4272	On course 220° and 2 x HF.
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, 1012 mb
		14.04.42
		02.30	BD 7157
			SW 3, Sea 2, 1018 mb
		12.00	BC 9625	Day's run:  Surfaced  179 nm.
		19.00	BC 9592	Radio Message No. 15 from B.d.U.
			SSW 3, Sea 3, 1007 mb, +16°C	1.  Wilamowitz, Scholtz on 18 April at 14.00 hours be in square 5555 of the large square east of CB to supply, 30 cbm 7-14 days provisions.
				2.  Wilamowitz, Cremer on 19 April at 16.00 hours be in square 5743.  35 cbm.  14 days provisions.  More follows.
				Report immediately, if positions cannot been reached.
				I have 620 nm to go to the meeting point, can reliably go 7.8 - 8 knots with the medium head sea at 2 x HF (normally 11.5 knots).  Not much more should the wind increase.  It blows on!  Unpleasantly.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.04.42

	- 6 -
		15.04.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	BC 9733	Bakery begins to supply both boats with approximately 80 fresh loaves of bread. 12 1 kg loaves can be baked at once.
			SW 5-6, S 5, 1003 mb, +15°C, medium swell
		04.00	BC 9734	The much larger seas bring the boat almost to a standstill. With RPM for 11.5 knots through the water 1.5 to 3 knots.
			SW 7-8, Sea 7, squalls
		12.00	BC 9748	Boat slowly increases speed again.
			W 5, Sea 5, 1022 mb, medium swell
		16.00	Newfoundland area	Position according to navigation fix CD 1713.
			NW 3, Sea 2-3, 1028 mb, +12°C
		24.00	CD 1274
			NW 2-3, Sea 2-3, 1035 mb, +15°C, overcast
		16.04.42
		08.00	CC 3668
			NW 1, Sea 0, 1037 mb, clear
		11.00 - 11.30		Test dive.
		12.00	CC 3679	Day's run:  Surfaced  231.0 nm  Submerged  3 nm.
			Wind calm, Sea 0, 1036 mb, +14°C
		24.00	CC 3847
			S 4-5, Sea 3-4, 1028 mb, +14°C
		17.04.42
		04.00	CC 3795	It freshens substantially.
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, 1025 mb, +16°C	Boat loses a lot of speed.
		12.00	CC 6116	Day's run:  Surfaced  128 nm  Submerged  -
			S 4-6, Sea 5, 1018 mb, +17°C
		20.00	CC 7367	High swell, went to 2 x HF.
			S 2-3, Sea 3, 1012 mb, +17°C
		18.04.42
		08.00	CC 5555	Reached meeting point.
			W 3, Sea 2-3, 1009 mb
		08.47 - 09.15		Test dive.  Afterwards at low speeds back and forth on east-west courses.
		12.00	W 3-4, Sea 3, freshening	Day's run:  Surfaced  137 nm  Submerged  2 nm.
		15.15 - 15.45		Bearing signals from U-108 heard directly ahead bearing 95°T.
		15.55		U-boat in sight bearing 100°T, 5 nm away.
		16.30	W 4-5, Sea 4-5, calm sea, Vis. 1-2 nm	Supply not possible due to high seas.  At transit speed 7 knots together steered 240°.
				As a result Radio Message 18.

	Sun and Moon Data 15.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.04.42

	- 7 -
		continued
		18.04.42
		22.00	CC 5489
			W 4, Sea 4, 1012 mb, +18°C, rain
		19.04.42
		01.00	CC 5723	U-108 out of sight.
			W 4, Sea 4, rain	Radio Message 20.
		08.15	CC 5724	U-108 sighted at 500 meters.
				Day's run:  Surfaced  70 nm.
		14.00	CC 5743	Exact navigation fix.  Reached meeting point for Cremer.  Nothing seen of U-333 and no bearing signals heard.
			WSW 3, Sea 2, 1020 mb, Vis.
		16.00	WSW 3, Sea 2-3	Begin fueling U-108.  Slip hook on U-108 slips out constantly, therefore delays.  Boat repeatedly crosses the gear, damaging the lubricating oil hose severely, the fuel oil hose lightly.  The later provisionally repaired by U-108.  Lubricating oil transfer fails.
		18.37		Inflatable boat put in the water.  It is in very bad condition from sea wash and impractical storage.  II.W.O. ferried for discussion, because the boat has no fueling instructions aboard.  Can pump only at 1.5 atmospheres excess pressure.    Radio Message No. 21.
		20.04.42
		02.10	CC 5757	Tow connection lost.  Hoses taken in with strongly overcoming seas, rainstorms and complete darkness.  During recovery of the gear the rubber boat, which was still in the water so as not to interfere with the hose recovery maneuver, was wrenched away.  3 hour search was unsuccessful in darkness and heavy squalls.
			SE 3-4, Sea 4, freshening, 1011 mb, rain squalls
		04.00	SE 3-4, Sea 3-4, rain, Vis. bad	Came to course 340° to meet U-108.
		10.00	CC 5755	Back and forth in position.
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, 1008 mb, +19°C, Vis. bad
		11.15		Bearing signals from U-108.
				Day's run:  Surfaced  65 nm.
		13.10		U-108 and U-98 sighted.  Radio Message No. 22.  Cremer transmits that he has sent bearing signals for 19 hours.  However, these were not heard by the 3 boats.
		13.45		Provisions transfer to U-108.
				Boats run at 4 knots on E-motors athwart the seas, supplier to windward, distance abeam about 50 meters.  Line connection from the deck of U-459 to the bridge of U-108 (two to attend on deck U-108).  Although on both boats quite a bit of water comes on deck, transport goes surprisingly quickly and, in my opinion, better and faster than with the life boat.   With the

	Sun and Moon Data 18.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.04.42

	- 8 -
		continued
		20.04.42
				fat bellies of the boats the loading and unloading alone even in the smallest sea has sea causes many difficulties and to keep half from going overboard is time consuming.
		15.40	WbyS 3-4, Sea 3, 1008 mb, +19°C	Provisions transfer ended.  About 600 kg in 20 runs (sea bags and 3.7 cm munitions cases for water perishable things).  Boat dismissed.
		17.35		U-333 comes in sight, remains in the vicinity.
				Course 205°.
				Oiling is not feasible because of too severe working of the VII C boat according to their statements and appearance.
		20.10 - 23.10	CC 5767	Provisions transfer in the same fashion to U-98 about 1000 kg in 30 runs.
			WbyS 3-4, Sea 3-4, 1004 mb, +19°C
		21.04.42	NW Atlantic
		04.00	CC 8177	During the darkness steered 215° on one diesel LF with U-98 and U-333.
				Radio Message No. 24.
		08.00	CC 7368
			SSE 1-2, Sea 1, 1012 mb, +21°C
		09.00 - 09.45		Test dive, afterwards a length of oil hose replaced, a complicated job, because depending on the location [of the section to be replaced] about 165 meters of hose must be run out with equipment on deck.
		11.35	CC 7383	U-333 in sight.
			SE 4, Sea 3-4, 1007 mb	Day's run:  Surfaced  121 nm  Submerged  2 nm.
		13.25		Hose extended.  However oiling was declined by U-98 due to the rising sea.
		20.40	WSW 4, Sea 3, 1013 mb	Hose secured in 100 minutes.
				Continued on course 225°.
				Radio Message No. 27 and 29.
		24.00	CC 7378
			W 3, Sea 2, Vis. good
		22.04.42
		08.55	CC 7561	Ahead two bright white lights at the same height with quite wide distance apart.  Apparently neutral lighting of a large eastward steering steamer.  Steaming lanterns not distinguished.  Evaded.
			SSW 2-3, Sea 2-3, 1012 mb, Vis. good
		09.47		Lights out of sight.
				Radio Message No. 31.
		12.00	CC 7555	Sea still too unsettled for U-98.  Instructions to the boat to wait here to join Möhlmann (U-571) and Schulte (U-582).
			SW 3-4, Sea 3
		14.00	W 4, Sea 3-4	On course 220°.  Provisions transfer to Cremer (U-333).

	Sun and Moon Data 20.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.04.42

	- 9 -
		continued
		22.04.42
		19.20		Transfer ended 50 runs including 40 Potash cartridges.  My men continually stood in the water.
				Day's run:  Surfaced  92 nm.
				Back to the meeting place back, Schulze not sighted, to search for the boat U-333 and I each move off 5 nm in position line 300/120°.
		23.45	CC 7555	"U-333" Cremer, U-98 Schulze, U-564 (Suhren), "U-582" Schulte in sight.
			W 3-4, Sea 3, 1018 mb, Vis. medium
				In formation steered to the south at LF.
		23.04.42	NW Atlantic
		08.00	CC 7552	Came about, course 0°.
			WbyN 2, Sea 2
		10.50		Begin oiling U-98.  Boat was very clumsy and delayed the supply operation substantially.  Course 90°.
				Day's run:  Surfaced  65 nm.
		13.15	CC 7559	"U-571" (Möhlmann) in sight.
			WbyN 2, Sea 1-2, 1022 mb, clear, +20°C
		15.00 - 16.30		While oiling Schulze provisions transfer completed with U-564 (Suhren).  When the boats drive well, dual supply goes very well and without difficulties.
		17.05		Oiling U-98 ended, 40 cbm.  Left 25 meters of own steel cable hanging on the hose, which again creates trouble.
		17.45		Boat dismissed.  U-333 steams to starboard, takes over the oiling gear.
		19.10		Begin oiling U-333.
		19.20 - 20.25		Provisions transfer to U-591 (Möhlmann) 18 identical runs about 400 kg.
		21.56		Cremer oiling ended.  Dismissed, after clearing rope end from propeller.
		22.40	CC 7565	U-564 (Shuren) begins.  Boat works very quick and outstanding.
			WbyN 1, Sea 1-2, overcast, 1022 mb
		23.00	CC 7565	Provisions transfer to U-582 (Schulte).
			WbyN 1, Sea 1-2, overcast, 1022 mb
		24.04.42
		01.00		U-564 (Suhren) oiling ended.  Boat dismissed.  Provisions transfer to Schulte broken off due to darkness.
				Back and forth in position in formation on east-west courses one diesel LF.
				On getting light had Möhlmann in contact.
				Prepared for oiling.
		10.50	CC 7553	Schulte comes in sight again.  While taking over the hose Möhlmann gets the buoy line in the propeller and hose hooked on the diving plane.  Schulte is detached to the meeting point 7555 at 14.00 hours to join Radtke (U-352).
			NNE 1-2, Sea 1, 1020 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 22.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.04.42

	- 10 -
		continued
		24.04.42
				Radio Message No. 33.
				Day's run:  Surfaced  72 nm.
		13.15 - 15.05	CC 7543	Refueling of Möhmann completed.  Boat released after transferring gear [wrenches, connecting pieces, refueling elbow, etc...].  This continual transfer of sea bags with the gear is a huge waste of time, apart from the fact that over time there is always less gear.  The boats should have their own wrenches and connectors on board according to oiling instructions.
			ENE 2-3, Sea 2-3, freshening
				Radio Message No. 33 and 35.
		16.20	CC 7551	Schulte comes back, had not met Radtke in 7555.  With great difficulty tow connection established.  Boat is very clumsy.
			NE 3, Sea 3, rain, 1018 mb, light swell, freshening
		18.00 - 21.45		Oiling completed with 55 cbm.  Connection detached.
		22.15 - 22.45	NE 4, Sea 4, +20°C, 1015 mb, short steep swells, rain	Despite steep seas and many breakers ran into the sea and recovered the hose in 35 minutes.  The 20 men on deck swam half the time only in their belts on and off the boat.  Transfer of the remaining provisions (about 250 kg) to this boats in this sea is not responsible because already with today's towing maneuvers and yesterday's provisions transfer risk of ramming position occurred.
			CC 7555	At LF with one diesel together with U-582 steered in position line north-south through the meeting square and neighboring squares
			E 4, Sea 4, rain, 1015 mb, air +15°C, water +20°C.
				Radio Message No. 36.
		23.50		Fire in E-motor short circuit due to moisture (leaking closure stern capstan, wet hose stowed) switchboard dried.  (see K.T.B. Maschine) motor and switchboard out of service, as a result battery 2 can no longer be charged.  Masch.Mt. Wetzel particularly distinguished himself by extinguishing the fire through his dedication and vigilance.
		25.04.42	Northwest Atlantic
		10.45	CC 7555	U-582 Schulte again in sight.  Begin provisions transfer.  Rough sea and the constant diesel maneuvers of the boats was not pleasant.
			E 4, Sea 3-4, 1015 mb
				Day's run:  Surfaced  70 nm.
		13.50	CC 7543	Provisions transfer ended, boat released.  Came to course 120°.
			EbyN 1-2, Sea 2, 1009 mb
		17.40		U-352 Radtke in sight.
		18.40 - 22.15		Provisions transfer completed.  37 packages.  Mostly munitions containers, because by now the sea bags were considerably worn or lost.
		23.00	CC 7514	Towing connection established.  Transfer of 35 cbm fuel oil.
			EbyS 1-2, Sea 2, 1006 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 24.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.04.42

	- 11 -
		26.04.42
		04.00	CC 7514	Transfer ended, connection released.  Boat released.  Came to course 130°, 1 x LF.
		12.00	CC 7592	Day's run:  Surfaced  112 nm.
			SbyE 1, Sea 0, 1003 mb, air +19°C
		17.00		Radio Message No. 39.
				Incoming order from B.d.U.:  "Supply Borchert (U-566) on 27 April at 12.00 hours in CD 7323.  Hirsacker (U-572), Hoffmann (U-594) on 28 April at 14.00 hours Gräf (U-69), Krech (U-558) on 29 April on same square."
				Came to both LF and course 21°.  It is 110 nm to the meeting point.
		24.00	CC 7296
			WNW 1, Sea 0, 1000 mb, +19°C
		27.04.42
		06.00	CC 7346
			NW 1, Sea 1, 1009 mb
		08.00 - 08.50		Test dive.
		12.00	CC 7325	Day's run:  Surfaced  118 nm.
			WbyS 2, Sea 1-2, 1003 mb, +19°C
		12.44		U-566 Borchert in sight.
		13.30		Gear extended.  Boat also takes no lubricating oil but both hoses are broken.  The tow pendant snags on the diving plane, which apparently has no protective wire and breaks.
		18.10		36 cbm pumped, towing connection disconnected.
		19.25 - 21.15	CC 7353	Provisions transfer ended, 47 packages.  Boat released.  Headed on course 280° for the meeting square.
			NNW 2, Sea 2, 1005 mb
				Through Borchert reported to B.d.U.:  "Fuel inventory transfer 205 cbm, own 115 cbm, provisions 30 days, own 30 days, fuel transfer of own inventory is not possible because the boat is too heavy."
				Radio Message No. 41.
	[The boat is too heavy and the small regulating tanks do not provide the flexibility needed to compensate.  Ordinarily the regulating tank would be about 1/2 full so you could add or subtract weight by pumping water overboard.  Here the regulating tanks are nearly empty so there is no way to balance the boat.  This could be dangerous if water leaked into the pressure hull.]			The regulating tanks (with a total of 56 metric tons) were already recognized as too small by us in Kiel, and now after a negative buoyancy tank has failed, and virtually no lubricating oil delivery has taken place, there is barely enough to counter balance (see K.T.B. Maschine). An awful lot of superfluous weight is carried aboard. The starboard E-motor is again in service for some speed settings and for charging.
		28.04.42
		06.00	CC 7323	Steered changing courses in the direction of the meeting point.
			N 3, Sea 2, 1015 mn +20°C, rain

	Sun and Moon Data 26.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.04.42

	- 12 -
		continued
		28.04.42
		12.00	CC 7324	Day's run:  Surfaced      97 nm
			N 4, Sea 3, squalls, steep Swell	Submerged     2 nm.
				Nothing is seen of boats at the meeting point.  Offset is to be expected.  Continued on changing courses back and forth in position on N/S and NW/SE position lines.
		22.00	CC 3727
			NEbyN 3-4, Sea 3-4, 1023 mb, overcast
		23.30		30° to port recognition signal sighted,  U-boat not distinguished; replied to recognition signal and held on.  The other side shoots recognition signals twice.
		23.37		A U-boat in sight ahead.
		23.55	CC 7325	Came to course 48°, 3 U-boats in sight on easterly course.
			NEbyN 3-4, Sea 3, 1024 mb, Vis. good
		29.04.42
				It is Hoffmann (U-594), Hirsacker (U-572) and Gräf (U-69).
				Orders for the night:
				"Course 75°, speed 5 knots, starboard echelon.  06.00 hours come about on course 255°.  11.00 hours meeting point in 7323."
		06.00	CC 7332	Sea and swell decrease, boats maintain contact easily.
		10.00	CC 7325	At daybreak Krech (U-558) is found at the center of the meeting point.  All boats are in visual range.
			NEbyE 2, Sea 2, 1025 mb, abating
		10.45		Fueling gear is extended to Hoffmann (U-594).
		11.10		Hose is out.  Ägir [Norse God of the sea] go! for U-594!  Hirsacker (U-572) alongside for provisions transfer.
		13.20		Hoffmann has difficulties fishing the hose out and constantly swings until his Engineering Officer is ready to pump.
		13.30	CC 7324	Provisions transfer to Hirsacker ended.  35 packages in 2 hours (provisions for 12 days).
			ENEbyE 1, Sea 1, 1027 mb, +19°C, clear
				Day's run:  Surfaced  92 nm.
		14.00		Gräf (U-69) begins provisions transfer.  Boat drives excellently 25 to 30 meters abeam distance.  A true joy after many sorrows in this work.
		15.00		Provisions transfer to Gräf (U-69) ended.  Hoffmann fueling ended (4 hours) give gear away.
		15.55		Begin provisions transfer to Hirsacker (U-572).  Begin fuel transfer.  Hose fished out.
		16.40		Hoffmann provisions transfer ended.  30 packages (8 days provisions), boat released.
		17.30		Krech (U-558) begins provisions transfer.
		18.10	CC 7343	Ended.  26 packages for 10 days.
			ENE 1, Sea 1, 1037 mb, overcast	While passing the oiling gear overboard Hirsacker tears both hoses and steel cable-lead in half when it gets hooked on the diving plane.   In 20 minutes we retrieve the 100-meter hose end.  In another 50 minutes new hose lengths are attached a we are ready for oiling 10 minutes later.  Excellent work by my men.

	Sun and Moon Data 28.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.04.42

	- 13 -
		continued
		29.04.42
		20.35		Gräf (U-69) begin oiling.
		22.10		Ended.  Gear taken over.  U-69 Gräf  released.
		22.40		Hirsacker is released after clearing his diving planes and handing over the rest of the hose (50 meters).
		22.10 - 23.30		Krech (U-558) attempts to fish out the hose.  Finally ready to pump after 45 minutes.  Hose is not serviceable.  Jammed with steel lead below the oil receiving boat, when cleared there is a leak in the hose.
		30.04.42
		00.15	CC 7286	Took a length of hose on deck.  Lay stopped.  Carefully pumped again.  Boat had taken nearly the entire hose on deck, up to now was the most clumsy.
			NE 0-1, Sea 0, clear, 1027 mb, +15°C
		02.15		Connection detached, boat released.  Headed for new meeting point on course 60° at 1 x HF.  In a 16 hour all hands maneuver the boat supplied a total of about 130 cbm of fuel oil and 4000 kg of provisions, in the process there were 2 major repairs to the hose.  During the night 80 loaves of bread were baked, after delivering about 800 fresh loaves to the boats so far.
		12.00	CC 7324	Day's run:  Surfaced  91 nm.
			E 1, Sea 0, clear, 1025 mb, +17°C
		15.00 - 16.00	CC 4998	Test dive.
			SSW 1, Sea 0, 1023 mb, Vis. very good	Continued to steer 60°.
		22.00	CC 5777
			Same weather situation
		01.05.42	North Atlantic
		04.00	SEbyS 1-2, Sea 1, 1020 mb, Vis. good, +16.5°C	To course 150°.
				Radio Message No. 44.  45.
				To course 213° after a navigation fix.
		06.10	CC 5798
		11.00	CC 8146 lower-left	Per navigation fix.
			W 2, Sea 2, 1017 mb, falling
		11.45		Bigalk (U-751) in sight.
		12.20		Boat alongside, gear extended.
				Day's run:  Surfaced      122 nm
				Submerged       3 nm.
		16.14		Transferred 30 cbm of fuel oil.  Towing connection detached.
		16.50 - 17.45		Around 500 kg of provisions transferred.
		18.00	CC 8152	Boat released.
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, 1014 mb, falling	Back and forth in position on various courses.

	Sun and Moon Data 29.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.05.42

	- 14 -
		continued
		01.05.42
		24.00	CC 8173
			Bright moonlit night
		02.05.42
		06.30	CC 8173	Winter (U-103) in sight, hung on.  Back and forth in position.
			N 2, Sea 2, clear, 1012 mb
		11.00	CC 8174	Boat alongside, gear delivered, hose extended.
		12.00	W 3, Sea 2	Day's run:  Surfaced  98 nm.
				Radio Message No. 47.
		12.15 - 15.10		Terrible driving begins despite moderate seas.  First, my shackle breaks when the towline takes the strain.  As often without hawser, with the hose in a loop drove over the hose. U-103 can hold neither speed or course.  The hose hooked onto to his diving plane.
		15.30	WNW 3, Sea 2-3, light Swell	Pumped 30 cbm over.  The hose is torn while being taken aboard U-103, it becomes tangled around the boat. Repeated advice to send a man with a Tauchretter to the diving plane is ignored.  Finally the air leaks from the hose.  It hangs from the boat with all the weight of 1500 kg. They attach the steel hawser to the hose and report: the hose is no longer held, it has sunk.
		18.05	CC 8148	I had seen it coming exactly. Taking and attaching U-103's steel hawser, attaching my steel hawser and that of U-103, and slipping the entire length through my aft lip would have worked fine.  Boat tried to come alongside just to take over provisions, the boat could not maintain distance and speed (3 knots), chasing ahead and back, waived taking over provisions and drove away.  Perhaps several accidents were avoided.
		19.10 - 19.30	NW 3, Sea 2-3, clear, light Swell
			CC 8172	Began return transit at 2 x HF, course 75°.
				Radio Message No. 50.
		23.00		Radio Message No. 51.  from B.d.U.:  "Wilamowitz and Mannstein supply meeting point 5 May 10.00 hours in CD 4635.  Transfer 20 cbm and if possible provisions.
		03.05.42	North Atlantic
		06.00	CC 8315
			N 3-4, Sea 3, 1015 mb
		12.00	CC 6775	Test dive.
				Day's run:  Surfaced      178 nm
				Submerged       2 nm.
		22.00	CC 6855
			Unchanged
		04.05.42
		00.00	CC 6926
			NNW 4, Sea 3-4, 1019 mb, +12°C

	Sun and Moon Data 01.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.05.42

	- 15 -
		continued
		04.05.42
		12.00	CD 4755	Day's run:  Surfaced 190 nm.
		18.00	CD 4813	After navigation fix came to course 60°.
		05.05.42
		06.00	CD 4628	To HF, course 75°.
			N 2-3, Sea 2
		10.00	CD 4635	At meeting point with von Mannstein.  Boat not sighted.
		11.30		Requested bearing signals with Radio Message No. 52.
		10.00 - 12.20		New steel hawser and the last spare hose lengths for fuel oil transfer put assembled.  For lubricating oil there are no lengths, it is probably not requested.
		12.22	Poor Vis., about 1 nm	Day's run:  Surfaced 196 nm.
				Radio Message No. 53.
				Went to U-753 by bearing signals on course 235° at 2 x HF.
		17.15	CD 4643	Radio Message No. 54.
			W 3, Sea 2-3, 1017 mb, clear	U-753 finally in sight bearing 228°T.  Must have had a terribly bad navigation fix, because I have moved about 40 nm based on bearing signals with own navigation shift of about 7 nm.
		18.00		Gear transferred to von Mannstein.
		18.10		Hose extended.
		18.27		Towing connection established, transferred 20 cbm fuel oil.
		21.00		Towing connection detached, boat comes alongside.
		21.10 0 23.40	CD 4655	Transferred 1500 kg of provisions.  Using the same technique 1000 kg of lubricating oil in canisters. The 6 30-liter canisters provided for the delivery of distillate were used for this purpose.
			WbyN 2-3, Sea 2, clear, light Swell, 1017 mb
				Boat was exemplary.  It was a pleasure to work with.  Boat released.
		23.40		Course 75°, 2 x HF for home.
		06.05.42
		06.00	CD 5473
		12.00	CD 5545	Test dive.
			NW 1-2, Sea 2, long Swell, 1019 mb, clear	Radio Message No. 56 from B.d.U.
				Day's run:  Surfaced 168 nm.
		21.30	NbyE 2, Sea 2, 1017 mb	After navigation fix in CD 6282.
		07.05.42
		04.00	CD 6362
			W 1-2
		12.00	CE 1879	Day's run:  Surfaced      241 nm
			Unchanged	Submerged       3 nm.
		20.00	CE 1959
			Unchanged

	Sun and Moon Data 04.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.05.42

	- 16 -
		08.05.42
		04.00	CE 2753	It is freshening.
			NNW 3-4, Sea 3, 1015 mb
		09.00		Test dive.
		12.00	CE 2832	Day's run:  Surfaced      202 nm
			NNW 6, Sea 5-6, steep Swell, 1015 mb	Submerged       2 nm.
		16.00	CE 2694	Boat lays splendidly in the water in the strong wind.
			NWbyN 7, Sea 6-7, 1015 mb, Vis. good
		09.05.42	North of the Azores
		00.00	CE 3466
			NW 4-5, Sea 5, 1013 mb, rain
		12.00	CE 3632	Day's run:  Surfaced 219 nm.
		20.00	CF 1372
			NNW 7, Sea 6, 1010 mb
		10.05.42
		12.00	CF 2235	Day's run:  Surfaced 216 nm.
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, 1010 mb
		11.05.42
		04.00	BE 8954
			SSW 3, Sea 2
		11.00	BE 9751	Test dive.
			Unchanged	Day's run:  Surfaced      216 nm
				Submerged       2 nm.
		12.05.42	NW of Finisterre
			BF 7493	Dived to proceed submerged, both LF.
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, 993 mb, +13.5°C, rain	Proceeded at depth 40 meters, course 55°.
				Day's run:  Surfaced      210 nm
				Submerged     19 nm.
		22.00	BF 7288	Surfaced, continued transit on the surface.
			W 5-6, Sea 5, 1003 mb, rain
		13.05.42	Bay of Biscay
		04.00	BF 7351	On course 78°, both 2 x GF.
			NbyW 5, Sea 4, 1004 mb	Radio Message No. 57.
				Positioned 48 hours off meeting point with escort.
				Wilamowitz.
		08.06	BF 8116	Dived.  Proceeded submerged.
				Day's run:  Surfaced      118 nm
				Submerged     12 nm.
				Radio Message No. 58, 59.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.05.42

	- 17 -
		continued
		13.05.42
				"U-459" escort will be at N 1 on 15 May 1942 at 07.00 hours.
				7.Uflottille.
				Entry route for Wilamowitz is Uhunest.
		22.00	BF 8133	Surfaced.
			NW 2, Sea 1-2
		14.05.42
		00.17	BF 5881	Dived, proceeded submerged.
			NW 1, Sea 1, 1015 mb	Day's run:  Surfaced      83 nm
				Submerged  42 nm.
		18.15		180 meters sounded.  Came about.
		18.45		Again reached the 200-meter limit, back and forth in position.
		21.44	BF 6744	Came up to the 200-meter line continued transit on Route Uhunest.
			SW 1, Sea 1, 1020 mb, +15°C
		23.40		Passed Point Uhunest.  On course 31° avoided several French fishermen.
		15.05.42
		04.10	SbyW 1, Sea 1	Passed Point 34 U.
		06.15		Reached Point N 1.  Escort comes in sight.
		06.50		Taken in convoy.
		09.30		Made fast in the St. Nazaire lock.
				Distance covered:  Surfaced     6596 nm
				Submerged    431 nm =  7027 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 13.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.05.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.05.42

	Enclosures to U-459's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track chart of the patrol
KTB Maschine	Excerpt of the KTB Maschine
Report	Report on Supply Operations

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the Kriegstagebuch of "U-459" from 21.3 - 15.5.1942.
	1.)                The Kommandant and crew on their 1st patrol executed supply skillfully and performed well.  The experience gained here will be of great benefit for other U-tankers, as well as U-boats.
	2.)                Due to the varied seamanship training U-boat Kommandants and their crews satisfactory taking over will not be achieved for all boats, especially since it is the first time for most U-boats.   It is envisaged that new U-boat arrivals at the Front, in addition to the text book, carry out a practice refueling in the homeland.
		Signed in draft:  D  ö  n  i  t  z
		For correctness:
		Leutnant z.S. and Adjutant

---

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