U-boat Archive - U-boat KTB - U-47 5th War Patrol

U-47 - 5th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Wilhelmshaven	3 April 1940	Kiel	26 April 1940	24

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
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.

This KTB uses the depth notation "depth T = xx meters" Under this scheme, the actual depth was twice the depth given after T = so for example, if the KTB entry read "depth T = 50 meters, the actual depth was 100 meters. This was intended to hide the actual depth for security purposes. This notation was used from about January 1940 to December 1941. In these KTBs, depths written without using "T =", for example "dived to depth 35 meters" were not so disguised.

K r i e g s t a g e b u c h

      Unterseeboot "U 47"

Kommandant: Kaptlt. P r i e n

                              Beginning: 30.3.1940

                              Concluding: 26.4.1940.

Distribution:

"U 47" Copy No. 1

7.U-Flottille    "    " 2

B.d.U.-Op.-    "    " 3

O.K.M.    "    " 4+5

Enclosures:

1) 1 Track chart (only for Copy No. 1-4)

2) 3 Torpedo shooting data (only for Copy No. 1-3)

3) Excerpt of the Radio Log (only for Copy No. 1-5)

4) Radio Log General and Officer-Only (only for Copy No. 1)



© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

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

- 1 -

30.03.40 Wilhelmshaven, Westwerft, Dock II Minor repair work. Outboard painting. Provisions loading. Dry docked.



31.03.40                   " The same.



01.04.40 Wilhelmshaven, Westwerft Undocked, berth U-boat pier. Torpedo loading.

11.00 U-boat base Made fast alongside U-29.



02.04.40 Wilhelmshaven U-boat base 4-hour readiness.



03.04.40 Wilhelmshaven U-boat base Outbound Orders 13.00 hours.

13.00             "                " Cast off.

13.20 - 13.55 III. Entrance Guided through.

13.34 Lightship F Passed, course 268°.

17.53 Point D Course 320°.

20.50 AN 6938 Recognition signals exchanged with Vorpostenboot VI.A. It was not long before I would have fired at this sleepyhead!

E 3-4, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. medium, hazy



04.04.40

00.00 AN 6645

NW 3-4, Sea 2, cloudy

04.00 AN 6281

05.49 Course 335°, . Fisherman, 1 depth charge throwing destroyer.

11.44 AN 6214

S 4, drizzle, Vis. moderate

12:07 before 2 Norwegians with SSW-course.

13.18

13.28 again a bloke [meaning a trawler].

15.25 AN 4989

Wind 1-2, cloudy, Vis. medium

16.20 Crash dive, aircraft.

19.48 AN 4958

NE 2, drizzle



5.4.

Sun and Moon Data 03.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 04.04.40

- 2 -

05.04.40

00.00 AN 4678 center-right

NNE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast

04.00 AN 4535 center-right

NE 4, Sea 3, drizzle

05.53 AN 4294 center

ENE 4-5, Sea 4, cloudy

12.06. AN 4283 center-right edge Marvelous flying and listening weather.

E 2, Sea 2, Vis. very good

12.21

16.00 AN 4259 center Sound bearing in 290°T, several fast fishing trawlers. Stop occasionally. From 18.05 to 20.30 hours 29 depth charges. Bearing steady.

20.00 AN 4256 lower-left To avoid unnecessary noise so far we remained at depth 30 meters with pumping. Now it's me that is stupid, I went to depth T = 40 meters [actual depth 80 meters] and showed propeller wash at HF.

22.00 AN 4253 center-right That seemed to help. A bloke [meaning one of the trawlers] is still in 355°T now.

22.56 AN 4261 upper-center moved off at 2 x HF course slowly changing from 80° to 20°.



06.04.40

00.50 AN 4229 upper-right A most obnoxious patrol! Continuously one fisherman after another. Our cruisers or destroyers could operate here knocking off fishermen.

E 2-1, Sea 1, cloudless, Vis. very good. The night could not be more pleasant

04.00 AN 2755 center

06.10 AN 2713 lower-right

Sea 3, overcast, light rainfall, Vis. good

12.16 AN 2278 upper-right

14.35 AN 2166 lower-right   Course 270°. Despite the misty weather depth charges come, however far off, nevertheless they can provoke one to anger. At 19.00 hours the thrower, a fishing trawler, passes us quite closely. I'd like to give him a shelling.

SSW 8-9, freshening, Sea 7, rain showers, Vis. moderate changing

17.45 AN 2166 lower-left Due to depth charges came to course 310°. One can take a bearing on the depth charges easily. Immediately after the bang the man must turn the G.H.G. at moderate speed, then you find a spot with noise that lasts quite a long time and can easily take a bearing.

21.20 Improved position by sounding the Unst Bank.

22.05 AN 2126 center Incoming Radio Message 1918/6/25: All U-boats from B.d.U.: Hartmut 18.15 hours Summer time.

SSW 5, Sea 5, Vis. moderate



7.4.

Sun and Moon Data 05.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 06.04.40

- 3 -

07.04.40

00.00 AF 7888 lower-right Incoming Radio Message 1834/6/23. The Kommandant of U-47 had a daughter.

Hopefully afterwards [after the war] there will be so many soldiers that everyone will get one! Now that's a good start to Sunday with 2 such good news !!

04.00 AF 7848 center Because there are fishermen in the operations area moved off somewhat to the NW.

05.45 SSW 5-6, Sea 6, Vis. medium

08.00 AF 7844 center-right

11.57 Boat ventilated. These long submerged cruises

12.45 AF 7841 lower-left at the stand by station are a pure nuisance.

15.15 AF 7844 center-left edge 4 depth charges very well-placed! With all respect to the listener, ours was not paying attention.

19.18 - 19.43 AF 7769 center-right Ventilated the boat.

SSW 8-9, Vis. changing, rain squalls

21.49 AF 7793 upper-right

SW 9, Sea 8, very dark night On course 90° through the northern edge of the operations area. Cannot go to the south, due to wind, Sea and patrols.



08.04.40

01.00 AF 7873 upper-center Course change to 0°.

SW 8-7, Sea 8, Vis. medium

05.55 AF 7819 center-right New course 270°.

11.45 AF 7818 center Is it possible to go a day without depth charges?

NW 7, Sea 8-7, cloudy Today there were about 25.

12.05 AF 7818 lower-center

19.06 - 19.51 AF 7817 lower-left corner Surfaced to ventilate.

22.02 AF 7763 lower-right Course 165° in the operations area.

NNW 5, Sea 6, Vis. good If the weather stays this way the periscope antenna can not be brought out.



09.04.40

00.15 AF 7847 center I must have been noticed on the first day in the operations area, the entire NW half of my operations area reeks of patrol vessels.

NNW 5, cloudy, Sea 5

05.35 AF 7855 center-left Periscope antenna is brought out. Today I doubt its value.

N 4, long Swell, cloudy

07.21 AF 7854

N 4, long Swell, cloudy, Vis. very good

09.52

Sun and Moon Data 07.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 08.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 09.04.40

- 4 -

continued

09.04.40

09.52 AF 7857 upper-center Incoming Radio Message 0751/9/72: B.d.U. to all U-boats: New stand by positions U-47, U-48, U-49, U-50 shift 90 nm in 120°T. U-52 AN 2310, U-38 AN 2810, U-37 AF 7890, Highest speed.

Set off on course 120° at GF.

12.13 - 12.37 AN 2214 center-right for aircraft.

15.42 - 15.37 AN 2219 lower-right corner for aircraft.

16.17 AN 2255 upper-center for aircraft. At 16.21 hours 4 aircraft bombs fall, then from 16.28 a blessing of a total of 111 heavy and 298 small bombs follow. The small ones might sound like hand grenades and come continually by twos. This blessing lasts until 22.06 hours.

N 3, clear, Vis. very good

22.03 AN 2257 upper-right On surfacing it smells strongly of fuel. It is not clear to me where this charm is coming from. The start came from the plane that was clear, but then came the blessing of a vessel that came suddenly out of the blue that was heard faintly. Despite the faint sound bearing the bombs lay in such close proximity that considerable shock went through the boat and finally depth T = 55 meters [actual depth 110 meters] was visited. They probably took out all their Norway anger on us.

N 2, clear, Vis. very good

23.30 AN 2257 center In accordance with Radio Message 1814/9/84: B.d.U. ordered position on 5, 6 and 9 shift 20 nm in 135°T.

N 3, Vis. very good, lighty cloudy

Came to course 140° to new position.



10.04.40

01.45 AN 2297 center-left Came to course 0° to avoid fishermen.

N 3, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good

05.37 AN 2726 center In the course of the night examined all possible sources for the fuel leak. The only point would be the lightly constructed main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 4 port. Because this is empty, it was blown out and carried as a free flooding area.

06.35 due to weak sound bearing. It is a fisherman. Moved off on course 350°.

08.09 - 09.07 AN 2288 center )

09.18 - 09.35 ) Dived for aircraft and the Swedish tanker "SATURNUS".

10.01 - 11.14 AN 2284 )

N 4-5, freshening, overcast

12.22 AN 2286 lower-center Incoming Radio Message 1138/10: B.d.U. to U-38, U-47, U-48, U-49: Go to Narvik at highest speed

N 5-6, weather steady

Came to course 30°. The attempt to run at GF fails in the overcoming Seas. We must run at HF.

Sun and Moon Data 09.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 10.04.40

- 5 -

continued

10.04.40

15.44 AN 2239 lower-center Crash dive aircraft! Seen late in the overcoming Sea just as yesterday, about 4 minutes after the dive the charm goes off only this brother apparently does not have a wheelbarrow full as yesterday. Up to 17.17 hours 18 depth charges fall.

17.54

20.06 - 20.46 AN 2311 for aircraft.

N 5, brightening up



11.04.40

00.00 AF 8718 Plenty of water still comes over.

N 3, abating

04.00 AF 8456 lower-left

08.00 AF 8247

N 1, short steep N-Swell

11.32 AF 5885 Incoming Radio Message 1113 from U-48: Enemy in sight, 4 heavy cruisers, AF 5863. Came to course 50°.

S 1, barometer falls

13.50 AF 5863 On receiving Radio Message 1114/11/52: B.d.U. to 1. U-Group. All U-boats report situation, observations and position, gave: Position AF 5863, nothing in sight. U-47.

S 3

Added Short Signal weather report. Because the Atlantic Circuit was not working sent on Northern Circuit.

14.40 AF 5912 U-48 surfaces bearing 150°T. At the same time the enemy was sighted.

S 4

15.00 Incoming Radio Message 1429 from U-48 with the enemy location. Enemy quickly comes closer, therefore

15.05 AF 5912 upper-right A heavy cruiser passes before me at range = 4800 meters, target angle 90°. Battleships have enemy bow left target angle 10°. Ran towards on course 95°. Enemy suddenly turns away to starboard about target angle 120°, range 8000 meters. 2 destroyers come about. I recognize a pennant hoisted up similar to our counter signal on one destroyer, the other repeats, thereupon both turn to target angle 0°, range is about 1500 meters, relative bearing 120°. Because it seems strange to me went to depth T = 50 meters [actual depth 100 meters] and lo and behold, it's raining depth charges again. Again large and small bangs. Are the small bangs originating from an explosive transmitter intended to sound [determine the depth] of the boat? In any case it's unpleasant and undesirable. When they sound us [detect us] like today at range = 8000 meters, one can rarely have the good fortune to catch moving warships.

19.55 End of the depth charge blessing.

20.58 AF 5912 lower-right They are gone, I pursue.

S 5-6, rain showers, overcast, Sea 5

22.40

Sun and Moon Data 10.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 11.04.40

- 6 -

continued

11.04.40

22.40 Incoming Radio Message 2215/11/66 from U-48 with his success report. Thus, the Englishman knew that someone was there and was extra observant! Poor bastard, so many shots and no success.

23.45 AF 5658 upper-right Incoming Radio Message 2223/11/69 and 65:   B.d.U.: To Narvik U-boats:

1.) New positions U-25 east of Nero 1 to 16°55'E. U-64 between Nero 1 and 2. U-52 between Nero 2 and 3.

2.) U-38, U-47, U-48, U-49 without waiting for one another enter Vestfjord raking in stripes of equal width. Distribution from NW to SE. Then waiting stations west of Nero 3 U-38, north of U-49, south of line Barøy in 60°T Nero 3, U-47, Nero 2 U-48.

3.) U-38 etc arrival expected 12 April.



12.04.40

00.00 AF 5655 center-right edge Boy oh boy!, when you read these Radio Messages, you think of the magazine with the picture whose caption reads: "Germany relies on its torpedoes."

S 6, rain, Sea 5, Vis. moderate

04.00 AF 6171 upper-right I must have stumbled over one part of the enemy, but I believe that the main force is yet to come.

SSW 6-7, Vis. medium

08.58 before destroyer with westerly course.

10.13 U-38 in sight. Recognition signals exchanged.

12.38 AF 3496 before destroyer coming out of Vestfjord. Attack initiated with tube V. Did not reach shooting position, enemy zigzagged, periscope cut under.

SW 8, Vis. medium

14.18

16.09 - 16.22 AF 3496 Dived before aircraft.

16.38 - 17.07 SW 8-9, Sea 8, short and steep

18.05 AF 3567 Incoming Radio Message 1610/12/86 and 1637/12/87: U-38, U-47, U-49 from B.d.U.: 1. Waiting stations in Vågsfjord: U-38 northeast of Askerøy Island, U-47 south of Kjoota Island, U-49 northeast of Sandsøy. Absolutely ensure surprise appearance. Attack only warships, transport and supply vessels.

SW 8-9

2.) Situation: Cruiser "SOUTHAMPTON" with 2 destroyers 12 April midday out of Scapa for Vågsfjord. Possibly as escorts for transports. Landing there suspected.

I go through the "Røsthavet" to shorten the agony of the pounding.

In accordance with orders: "Pass through" Radio Message 1805/12/91 sent: U-47 to B.d.U.: AF 3560 came about. Serial No. 85.

21.00 AF 3577 lower-left corner Course 10°.



Sun and Moon Data 11.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 12.04.40

- 7 -

13.04.40

00.00 AF 3280 Course 10°, from 01.15 hours course 30°.

SW 4, abating, rain

05.00 AB 8977 Course 55°.

09.00 AB 8963 Course 90°.

S 2, long W-Swell to remain unseen as ordered.

Ventilated the boat afterwards dived.

15.00 AB 9746 Incoming Radio Message αα 1430/13/53: B.d.U. to Narvik boats: Go to Narvik. English warships have broken in.

S 4, overcast, partly hazy, fjord smoke

Now I don't know whether I am included or not. I do not think so, therefore I decide to go to the ordered position in Vågsfjord because in accordance with Radio Message from U-49 hostile forces are approaching there and I need 36 hours to get to Narvik from here.

17.20 Incoming Radio Message 1550/13/55: B.d.U. to Narvik boats: The Führer commands: The attack on Narvik must be repulsed by all means.

18.15 AB 9770 upper-right Incoming Radio Message 1724/13/59: B.d.U. to Narvik boats: Enemy battleship and destroyers in Rombaken east of Narvik.

At the same moment an αα Signal from U-49 that enemy warships are proceeding to the north. After a thorough review of the chart I come to the view that the enemy intends to cut off the landing troops [German] in Narvik (battleship in Rombaken) and in Vågsfjord at Gratangen and possibly at Skånland, landing [English] troops because that's where good roads lead to Narvik and Evenskjer.

21.50 Incoming Radio Message 2122/13/87 B.d.U. to boats in Vestfjord: Report situation as soon as the situation permits. Add weather report.

22.40 Senjehestnen bearing 90°T, 2 nm Outgoing Radio Message 2240/13/73: U-47 to B.d.U.: Position Senjehestnen in 90°T, 2 nm, enemy free.

Added weather report.



14.04.40

07.40 Vågsfjord Combed through the sea area. It is very bright.

Wind calm, cloudy to run in the direction of Harstadt.

Mågøya Lighthouse bearing 278°T, 0.8 nm Sound bearing in direction 350°T. It is the "SOUTHAMPTON" with her destroyers. Initiated attack. While flooding the torpedo tubes the enemy attempts to listen. 5 trawlers, which I had previously considered to be unimportant, are the initiators. At first I thought the matter was unimportant, now suddenly the comrade on the starboard side again set the familiar come about-signal, range = 200 meters. Cruiser and destroyers stop in Toppsundet and turn to the north behind Kjeøya. I went to depth T = 50 meters [actual depth 100 meters]and turned away to the east, in so doing the boat ran aground and somehow

Sun and Moon Data 13.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 14.04.40

- 8 -

continued

14.04.40

got stuck. Stopped both motors and ordered calm in the boat.

12.50 Attempted to raise the boat from the bottom. Up to about 10.00 hours, with all the listening shenanigans racing around above us, without success. With the first start of the motors the magic starts up again. The boat lies on course 167.8° firm and rigidly, apparently the fore ship is jammed between rocks.

The attempt is delayed because of the listening pursuit. In order to have better opportunities afterwards the diesel bilges, which were quite full of water from the propeller shaft bushings, were pumped out with hand pump into the regulating tank. Air renewal was employed.

17.45 A new attempt. Listening pursuit starts promptly again. To hell with this shit! The boat comes free, however is put down again because pandemonium is unleashed above. To free the boat from the bottom 5.5 tons is pumped and and several times a few people quietly move around the boat. The rudder is moved for this purpose.

19.30 Boat is raised from the bottom and moved off on course 100° at KF. Above they race about. Arrived at periscope depth, I recognize two fishing trawlers running busily to and fro and a destroyer moving back and forth in position at about 20-25 knots. Despite everything they do not have the boat. The listening search always begins after the first use of the diving planes!

22.46 S 2, calm sea and moonshine! Vis. very good Boat goes close to Rolla Island to ventilate and charge the battery. Intend to search for the cruiser as soon as the visibility permits, it is nearly bright as day.

23.00 Outgoing Radio Message 2300/14/94: B.d.U. from U-47: Situation Vågsfjord 1 cruiser at least 6 destroyers. Locating pursuit by fishing trawlers and cutters. 20 hours submerged without results.



15.04.40

00.20 Received following Radio Messages: 1106/14/80: Vågsfjord boats are U-65, U-38, U-47, U-49. For these radio silence except for important enemy reports.

2254/14/93: Very very urgent B.d.U. to Vågsfjord boats: Report only troop transports and battleships.

2232/14/85: B.d.U. to Vågsfjord boats: Surprise appearance on the arrival of troop transports is the main task. Before that no attack permission against destroyers.

2058/14/85: B.d.U. to Vågsfjord boats: Enemy landings in Gratangen and Lavangen

Sun and Moon Data 14.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 15.04.40

- 9 -

continued

15.04.40 are to be expected. U-47 conduct reconnaissance there from 15 April. U-65 occupy position south of Kjotta Island.

In accordance with this order set off for Astafjorden.

00.26 Passed a small dimmed coastal steamer coming out of Astafjorden. To remain unsighted if possible showed him constant target angle 0° with stopped engines.

01.00 Litleholmen bearing 0°T, 0.3 nm, moonshine!

01.38 A vessel comes up from astern, ahead one lies apparently stopped. The vessel astern is a dimmed coastal steamer. At the entrance off Gratangen lying at the intersect point there are three armed fishing cutters and a fishing trawler.

03.58 Kipertneset bearing 275°T, 1.3 nm Boat put on the bottom depth T = 50 meters [actual depth 100 meters] without negative buoyancy to monitor by sound .

Completely calm, bright as day In the course of the day irregular destroyer patrols come out of all fjords, additionally heavy fishing cutter patrolling mainly in Bygden and Astafjord. For Gratangen and Lavangen except for fishing cutters no traffic. Periscope samples give the same picture.

17.30 Boat raised from the bottom. To surface went towards Sørvika. I hope to lie unseen there close under land and protected against the moonlight to recharge the battery again in the brief twilight.

17.42 While surfacing strong clanking sounds were observed, so that initially I stopped and waited. After completion of the noise went to periscope depth. In Bygden lay three very large transports, the noise apparently came from the ships' anchors. Next to the transports lie 1 French cruiser type "SUFFREN", one other cruiser and 3 cargo steamers.

It was observed that the troop transports begin immediately with the assistance of many lying ready fishing cutters. All cutters keep under land at Årnset.

21.30 Initiated attack through the main entrance off Årnset.

Flatholmen bearing 90°T 80 meters.

Range m. Shot angle

22.42.35 1500     green 6°)    Shot Shot from tubes I-IV. One shot each on each transport and cruiser. Because the fire control operator forgot to set the relative bearing switch all four shots did not run towards the intended targets, but closed on the transport lying in the center. In this case, each time to the question "cover", the man reported "is covered". Moved off again. Ran to the east in Astafjord. Surfaced close under Andørja, battery charged and recharged the forward tubes. I did not shoot the stern tube because I did not want to betray myself

     .41 900         green 1°)    turning

       .48 800      red 1° )    to port

         .57 750      red 3° )

Rudder angle port 5°.

Sun and Moon Data 15.04.40

- 10 -

continued

15.04.40 before the next approach.



16.04.40

00.55 Astafjord, 100 meters off the south coast of Andørja Island Began the next approach.

Årnset bearing 290°T, 0.2 nm. 4 bow shots on the same targets. Range to the closest transport is about 1000 meters, on the furthest cruiser 2000 meters. It is shining bright. The torpedo from tube IV (G 7a) makes a turn to the left and steers about 10° off, goes up on a rock. With the others nothing happens. Now the stern tube is left to be shot.

Range m Shot angle

01.36.00 2000     0°)   Shot turning

         .08 1200       0°)   to port with

       .18 1800    0°)   stopped

         .28 1600      0°)   engines

01.37 In turning ran aground under Årnset. Boat is stuck and cannot be freed despite both diesels back AK. Now alternated 1 diesel back AK, 1 diesel ahead LF back and forth. At the same time the free crew ran back and forth on the over deck as directed by the First Watch Officer. The Chief Engineer pumped the forward torpedo compensating tanks, trim tanks and alternately flooded and blew main ballast tank I. The Second Watch Officer destroyed the Hartmut Order and prepared the boat for demolition. Secret items are ready to destroy.

about 01.45 A fishing trawler patrol vessel Morses us bearing 180°T, range = 1800 meters. It is astonishing that no one has done anything after the detonation of the G 7a!

01.55 The boat comes free. Starboard diesel fails with a bang. With the starboard E-motor, port diesel moved off to the south and dived close under land between the fishing trawler and the land.

The fisherman sounds and bangs around in the area. Moved off through Astafjord to the west. I actually forgot to shoot the stern tube.

10.04 Put the boat on the bottom between Rolla and Rollnesboen at depth T = 50 meters. [actual depth 100 meters] My assumption that I could lie here quietly and undisturbed was a fallacy. Because we are virtually located at the focal point of a parabolic reflector which was open to the north, so that each rotten patrol vessel and destroyers attempted to locate us. However this failed again, but was very uncomfortable for us.

Meanwhile the starboard diesel is overhauled and attempted to make it ready again. It had swallowed water, possibly a cracked cylinder. After the first attempt Radio Message 2200/15 was sent repeatedly: U-47 to B.d.U.: Troop landing in Lavangen and Gratangen with fishing trawlers. Transports lie at the southern end of Bygden. 4-miss.

23.15 Vågsfjord Charged the battery and waited on deep darkness.



Sun and Moon Data 15.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 16.04.40

- 11 -

17.04.40

00.00 Wind calm, Vis. very good Crash dive, a fishing cutter came between us and the island and Morses with a destroyer.

01.24 Moved off to the north.

01.55 Destroyer moves back and forth., Could not get into shooting position. In the mean time it has become bright. The battery is only 1/3 full, air at 120 atu. I must put the boat on the bottom again for better or worse, because otherwise I have to surface in daylight.

06.08 Lemningvær Island bearing 20°T, 0.4 nm Put the boat on the bottom depth T = 50 meters. [actual depth 100 meters]

20.58 Raised the boat from the bottom.

Exited submerged, under a destroyer.

In the brief time proceeding on the surface sent Radio Message 0136/16: U-47 to B.d.U.: 2nd attack (on troop transports) 1 G 7a gyro failure, 3 Eto failed to detonate. While turning away got stuck. Got free at morning twilight. Strong listening and depth charge pursuit. Starboard engine out of service. Exiting Vågsfjord.

23.17 Senjehestnen bearing 90°T, 0.5 nm Moved off to the north.



18.04.40

02.55 AB 8939 upper-left corner Incoming Radio Message 1348/17/94 and 93: All boats from B.d.U.: 1.) The G 7e probably runs more than 2 meters below the depth set.

N 3-4, moderately cloudy, Vis. good

2.) For boats in zone O are therefore no longer to use switch setting AZ, but to fire with MZ except for the sea area inside narrow fjords.  Danger of premature detonation is greater in these.

3.) MZ No fans with time switches are to be fired, instead multiple shots according to fire control memorandum or improvised fans with 8 second time intervals.

4.) With MZ, depth to equal draft, 4 meters against destroyers, 3 or 4 meters against U-boats.

5.) With AZ 4 meters, 3 meters in good weather.

This is too much!

I have punished the fire control man with 10 days severe arrest. Boat and crew are employed to the utmost and now this!

03.00 Incoming Radio Message 1001/17/89: B.d.U. to Vågsfjord boats: U-47 begin return transit. Remaining boats redistribute as ordered.

Proceeded on course 270°. From 06.00 hours came to course 210°.

Hurray, the starboard diesel is in service again.

09.45 AB 8947 Radio Message 0945/18/49 sent: U-47 to B.d.U.: Position AB 8947. Starboard diesel again in service. Still 4 torpedoes ready. Began return transit. Am missing Serial Nos. 96-98, 100-46, 56-60 from 15 April. Question changing frequency for RH.

N 5-6, lightly cloudy, snow showers, Vis. very good except in squalls

Sun and Moon Data 17.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 18.04.40

- 12 -

continued

18.04.40

12.00 AB 8899

15.30 AF 3249 Incoming Radio Message 1453/18/50: Serial No. from 15 April are settled. From 96 are still repeated. Instead of RH set RB 37.95 meters.

N 5-6, unchanged

16.30 Incoming Radio Message 1536/18/52: B.d.U. to U-47: Waiting station from North Minch to North tip of the Shetlands. Transports are expected. Transit via the shortest route. No attack restrictions.

Came to course 225°.

20.00 AF 3429 My plan to transfer the over deck torpedo into the boat can not be carried out due to the brightness of the night and the short steep Swell.

N 4, abating, Sea 3, short Swell, Vis. very good



19.04.40

00.00 AF 2698 There is already at least a hint of a night, but unfortunately with moonlight.

N 3, Sea 3, Swell

04.00 AF 2948

NW 2, freshening, Sea 2

08.00 AF 5228

NW 4, Vis. very good

12.00 AF 5199 center-left edge

14.30 Smoke cloud bearing 20°T.

15.18 NNW 3-2, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good Long high mast in sight.

15.21 There was no further time to send a Radio Message

1 battleship with 2 destroyers, course 205°, speed 15 knots.

15.53.40 AF 5454 Shot from tube II and tube III. Torpedo course 264°, 5, target angle 90°, range = 900 (set 1500 meters), relative bearing at 1st shot 75°. 2nd shot 63°.

         .51

Nothing happens!

After 7 minutes 18 seconds one torpedo detonation. Pistol settings were: Zone -4, safety distance 200 meters, depth 8 meters, target draft = 9.5 meters (battleship "WARSPITE"). As a self-check I have the Torpedo Officer examine the periscope further. From this the magnification had been set properly small (1.5x). The set values of the fire control computer were correct. The enemy course was established before initiating several times as 203-206°. On his course the two shots give an impact angle of 59.5°, a lead angle of 28.5° a target angle of 92°. Aim point for the first shot aft 10 meters, the second shot forward 30 meters. Time interval 11 seconds. By sound bearings the torpedoes steered the correct angle.

Sun and Moon Data 18.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 19.04.40

- 13 -

continued

19.04.40 At the shot the target with small magnification set at the first shot was seen from approximately the forward edge of turret B to the mid aft deck house, which is exactly half the ship in the periscope.

The approach was calm and clear. The boat was initially on course 260° to run towards the enemy, to approach in the windward sun side if possible. The attempt miscarried because due to the listening conditions could not run at a higher speed setting than forward LF from the experience of the last day. Shortly before the shot at target angle 15 the boat went to depth 20 meters and was overrun by the port destroyer. Afterwards again came to periscope depth at target angle 45° and in the meantime for all cases came to course 230°. At target angle 80° calculated firing for the first torpedo, 90° for the second. The shift rate of 12° in 11 seconds is a testament to the correct range, which is a bit less than 900 meters, because the target traveled about 90 meters in 11 seconds. This 90 meters was seen with an shooting angle of 12°, which represents a range equal to 90: sin 12 = 450 meters. Since the aim point was shifted from astern to forward to 40 meters the calculated range increased to 650 meters. Own speed was 1 knot so need not be taken into account.

The enemy's speed could hardly have been underestimated, as the enemy was sighted for a long long time, however with his low speed advantage on the surface it took more than 1 hour to approach, even though the boat only made 13 knots. Also the time from diving to the shot was 32 minutes confirming this calculation, the thick combat mast was already in sight when diving. The ship then traveled another 8 nm to the shot which is likely given the prevailing weather and visibility corresponding to the facts.

It is clear that a man naturally tends to either push his own failure into others shoes or at least not to believe in them. I have tried, therefore, to provide proof of the correctness of my shooting data where as a last point would add that by sound bearing the enemy has shifted to exactly 205°, which proves the correctness of the observed course.

I deduce from these results that

a) The Etos do not steer the ordered set depth but deeper.

b) The pistols do not fire magnetically.

From my experience and knowledge the following explanation for the pistols may be possible: due to the permanent magnetism of the boat the pistols are affected in

Sun and Moon Data 19.04.40

- 14 -

continued

19.04.40 the course of time so that they are insensitive. The grounds for believing this is that at the beginning of tthe patrols the pistols still fire; after a period time no longer. In addition there are other factors which because they are known, need not be mentioned here.

A final possibility would be an English self-protection device.

The enemy was made aware of our presence by the end of run detonator and drew destroyers from the east that at 23.00 hours forced me to depth T = 50 meters. [actual depth 100 meters] The boat is pulled from the locating zone on northerly courses at AK without using the diving planes. Several depth charges at great range.

23.50 AF 5443 lower-right



20.04.40

04.00 AF 4931 lower-center edge

04.50 AF 4929 upper-left corner before battleship and 4 destroyers.

06.14 N 4-5, moderately cloudy, snow showers, otherwise Vis. good Convoy in sight bearing 90°T. Because I have one stern torpedo in the tube and can not count on that working, I decide only to maintain contact.

08.30 AF 4923 lower-center

Radio Messages see enclosure

12.00 AF 4695 center Held contact.

16.00 AF 5446 lower-right    "       "

20.00 AF 5422 lower-center edge    "       "

Weather unchanged



21.04.40

00.00 AF 5196 lower-left The enemy makes a ready deck astern

NNW 4, snow shower

04.00 AF 5249 lower-left Received new instructions for torpedo settings in Radio Message 0103/21.

08.00 AF 5254 center Because nothing happens with my contact holding, apparently the other boats have pushed past sent Radio Message 0725/21/67: B.d.U. from U-47: Question further contact keeping.

At 09.04 hours U-65 reports enemy in sight. Well thank God.

11.17 AF 2899 upper-center 3 heavy detonations. (end of run detonations or early detonations?)

NNW 5, short rough Sea, continual snow squalls

Began maneuver ahead for own attack.

In so doing several times.

16.00 AF 2948 Contact lost.

18.00

Sun and Moon Data 19.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 20.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 21.04.40

- 15 -

continued

21.04.40

18.00 AF 2951 lower-left corner U-65 has him again. Apparently I passed by to the north in a snow squall.

22.00 AF 2931 center-left edge Changing courses in the search for the enemy.



22.04.40

04.00 AF 2958 center-right edge Incoming Radio Message 0341/22/97: B.d.U. to Vågsfjord boats and U-25.: If contact lost, complete transit to AN 1200. Report torpedo inventory by Short Signal.

NW 5, snow squalls, Vis. changing

05.06 AF 2984 upper-right Radio Message 0506/22/-: U-47 to B.d.U.: Still have 1-3 torpedoes, 1/3 of my fuel inventory.

Searched for the enemy on changing courses.

10.00 AF 5313 Began transit. Course 220°.

W 3, snow squall, otherwise Vis. good

13.30 AF 5262 upper-right In this short sea the effect of the protective shield at the gun is reversed, so that a steady spray constantly drives on the bridge.

17.00 AF 5516

20.00 AF 5468 center-right

Weather unchanged

23.30 AF 5722 center-right Incoming Radio Message 2246/22/54: B.d.U. to U-47: Report if remaining torpedoes are in bow or stern room.

Outgoing Radio Message 2350/22/55: U-47 to B.d.U.: To Radio Message 2246 2 stern torpedoes.



23.04.40

02.00 AF 5743 Incoming Radio Message 0102/23/57: B.d.U. to U-47: Return transit via Route I.

NW 3, abating, Vis. good

05.40 AF 4996 center-right New course 185°.

09.20 AF 7393 upper-left corner Crash dive for aircraft. After 10 minutes sound bearings come.

Avoided detection on westerly courses at between depth T = 10 [actual depth 20 meters] and depth T = 55 meters. [actual depth 110 meters]

13.16 3 huge detonations. Depth charges?

16.00 AF 7391 Several depth charge series. Otherwise no sound bearings. Each attempt to get to periscope depth is deterred by a new series.

20.32 AF 7391 left edge upper Now it is abundantly clear. In this weather any depth charge reverberates like a shot in the forest, listening conditions are optimum.

Wind calm, Sea 0, overcast



Sun and Moon Data 21.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 22.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 23.04.40

- 16 -

24.04.40

00.00 AF 7656 center

NE 1-2, Sea 1, Vis. very good

04.35 AF 7976 lower-center edge Large offset to the west. On board clocks and chronometers are bad and interfere with navigation.

08.00 AN 2285 center-right edge

E 1, calm Sea

09.50 for aircraft (DO 17).

12.00 AN 2792 lower-left Due to the quickly oncoming Sea must reduce to 6 knots to improve the lookout.

ESE 3-4, choppy Sea

16.00 AN 4235 lower-left corner

20.00 AN 4269 center-left edge



25.04.40

00.00 AN 4641 center Avoidance maneuver for fisherman.

E 2

04.00 AN 4943 center Avoidance maneuver for fishing flotilla.

09.00 AN 6135

10.10 AN 6197 Based on soundings and a rough longitude determined that the boat must have a large offset to the west.

E 1, overcast, Vis. medium

15.17 Began transit over the Dogger Bank.

18.30 AN 6542 With multiple dives in "Jump up, March, March" procedure. [presumably rapid transit through an area in a series of runs at higher speed on the surface] ran in the vicinity of Route I.

22.25 Returned on Route I. Off the Route there were several conspicuous fishermen, corresponding Radio Message sent to B.d.U.



26.04.40

03.30 AN 9596 Course 90°.

08.00 - 09.00 Lightship D Put the boat on the bottom in the vicinity of the lightship due to fog.

11.01 Elbe I

13.08 Cuxhaven

14.50 Brunsbüttelkoog Made fast in the lock.

Canal cruise.

21.50 Made fast Kiel.

The patrol would have become historic, if the torpedoes had worked.



Sun and Moon Data 24.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 25.04.40

Sun and Moon Data 26.04.40

Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

A well executed patrol, whose success was denied by torpedo failure. The sinking of even one transport in Vågsfjord could have had a decisive influence on the development of the situation in area around Narvik.

The unsuccessful attack on WARSPITE with an end of run detonator proves the consequences that detonation at the end of the run can have for the shooting boat. How many boats are lost due to the consequences of torpedo failures we do not know, but it should be noted with certainty that boat losses on account of torpedo failures take place, and are apparent by prison letters.

From the Kriegtagebuch the constant stress on the U-boat crews from the appearance of aircraft and, especially around the North Sea, continuous explosions can be seen particularly clearly. These conditions have changed radically since the World War.

                                                      Signed in draft:   Dönitz.

                                          For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote.

                                             The Chief of the Operations Department.

Enclosures to U-47's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document

Chart Track chart covering entire war patrol

Torpedo Torpedo Firing Reports

Radio Excerpt of Radio Log

Click the icons to view the associated records

Return to the U-boat KTB page

- 1 -




	30.03.40	Wilhelmshaven, Westwerft, Dock II	Minor repair work. Outboard painting. Provisions loading. Dry docked.

	31.03.40	"	The same.

	01.04.40	Wilhelmshaven, Westwerft	Undocked, berth U-boat pier. Torpedo loading.
	11.00	U-boat base	Made fast alongside U-29.

	02.04.40	Wilhelmshaven U-boat base	4-hour readiness.

	03.04.40	Wilhelmshaven U-boat base	Outbound Orders 13.00 hours.
	13.00	" "	Cast off.
	13.20 - 13.55	III. Entrance	Guided through.
	13.34	Lightship F	Passed, course 268°.
	17.53	Point D	Course 320°.
	20.50	AN 6938	Recognition signals exchanged with Vorpostenboot VI.A. It was not long before I would have fired at this sleepyhead!
		E 3-4, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. medium, hazy

	04.04.40
	00.00	AN 6645
		NW 3-4, Sea 2, cloudy
	04.00	AN 6281
	05.49		Course 335°, . Fisherman, 1 depth charge throwing destroyer.
	11.44	AN 6214
		S 4, drizzle, Vis. moderate
	12:07		before 2 Norwegians with SSW-course.
	13.18
	13.28		again a bloke [meaning a trawler].
	15.25	AN 4989
		Wind 1-2, cloudy, Vis. medium
	16.20		Crash dive, aircraft.
	19.48	AN 4958
		NE 2, drizzle


			5.4.

- 2 -




	05.04.40
	00.00	AN 4678 center-right
		NNE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast
	04.00	AN 4535 center-right
		NE 4, Sea 3, drizzle
	05.53	AN 4294 center
		ENE 4-5, Sea 4, cloudy
	12.06.	AN 4283 center-right edge	Marvelous flying and listening weather.
		E 2, Sea 2, Vis. very good
	12.21
	16.00	AN 4259 center	Sound bearing in 290°T, several fast fishing trawlers. Stop occasionally. From 18.05 to 20.30 hours 29 depth charges. Bearing steady.
	20.00	AN 4256 lower-left	To avoid unnecessary noise so far we remained at depth 30 meters with pumping. Now it's me that is stupid, I went to depth T = 40 meters [actual depth 80 meters] and showed propeller wash at HF.
	22.00	AN 4253 center-right	That seemed to help. A bloke [meaning one of the trawlers] is still in 355°T now.
	22.56	AN 4261 upper-center	moved off at 2 x HF course slowly changing from 80° to 20°.

	06.04.40
	00.50	AN 4229 upper-right	A most obnoxious patrol! Continuously one fisherman after another. Our cruisers or destroyers could operate here knocking off fishermen.
		E 2-1, Sea 1, cloudless, Vis. very good. The night could not be more pleasant
	04.00	AN 2755 center
	06.10	AN 2713 lower-right
		Sea 3, overcast, light rainfall, Vis. good
	12.16	AN 2278 upper-right
	14.35	AN 2166 lower-right	Course 270°. Despite the misty weather depth charges come, however far off, nevertheless they can provoke one to anger. At 19.00 hours the thrower, a fishing trawler, passes us quite closely. I'd like to give him a shelling.
		SSW 8-9, freshening, Sea 7, rain showers, Vis. moderate changing
	17.45	AN 2166 lower-left	Due to depth charges came to course 310°. One can take a bearing on the depth charges easily. Immediately after the bang the man must turn the G.H.G. at moderate speed, then you find a spot with noise that lasts quite a long time and can easily take a bearing.
	21.20		Improved position by sounding the Unst Bank.
	22.05	AN 2126 center	Incoming Radio Message 1918/6/25: All U-boats from B.d.U.: Hartmut 18.15 hours Summer time.
		SSW 5, Sea 5, Vis. moderate


			7.4.

- 3 -




	07.04.40
	00.00	AF 7888 lower-right	Incoming Radio Message 1834/6/23. The Kommandant of U-47 had a daughter.
			Hopefully afterwards [after the war] there will be so many soldiers that everyone will get one! Now that's a good start to Sunday with 2 such good news !!
	04.00	AF 7848 center	Because there are fishermen in the operations area moved off somewhat to the NW.
	05.45	SSW 5-6, Sea 6, Vis. medium
	08.00	AF 7844 center-right
	11.57		Boat ventilated. These long submerged cruises
	12.45	AF 7841 lower-left	at the stand by station are a pure nuisance.
	15.15	AF 7844 center-left edge	4 depth charges very well-placed! With all respect to the listener, ours was not paying attention.
	19.18 - 19.43	AF 7769 center-right	Ventilated the boat.
		SSW 8-9, Vis. changing, rain squalls
	21.49	AF 7793 upper-right
		SW 9, Sea 8, very dark night	On course 90° through the northern edge of the operations area. Cannot go to the south, due to wind, Sea and patrols.

	08.04.40
	01.00	AF 7873 upper-center	Course change to 0°.
		SW 8-7, Sea 8, Vis. medium
	05.55	AF 7819 center-right	New course 270°.
	11.45	AF 7818 center	Is it possible to go a day without depth charges?
		NW 7, Sea 8-7, cloudy	Today there were about 25.
	12.05	AF 7818 lower-center
	19.06 - 19.51	AF 7817 lower-left corner	Surfaced to ventilate.
	22.02	AF 7763 lower-right	Course 165° in the operations area.
		NNW 5, Sea 6, Vis. good	If the weather stays this way the periscope antenna can not be brought out.

	09.04.40
	00.15	AF 7847 center	I must have been noticed on the first day in the operations area, the entire NW half of my operations area reeks of patrol vessels.
		NNW 5, cloudy, Sea 5
	05.35	AF 7855 center-left	Periscope antenna is brought out. Today I doubt its value.
		N 4, long Swell, cloudy
	07.21	AF 7854
		N 4, long Swell, cloudy, Vis. very good

			09.52

	Sun and Moon Data 07.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 08.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 09.04.40

- 4 -



	continued
	09.04.40
	09.52	AF 7857 upper-center	Incoming Radio Message 0751/9/72: B.d.U. to all U-boats: New stand by positions U-47, U-48, U-49, U-50 shift 90 nm in 120°T. U-52 AN 2310, U-38 AN 2810, U-37 AF 7890, Highest speed.
			Set off on course 120° at GF.
	12.13 - 12.37	AN 2214 center-right	for aircraft.
	15.42 - 15.37	AN 2219 lower-right corner	for aircraft.
	16.17	AN 2255 upper-center	for aircraft. At 16.21 hours 4 aircraft bombs fall, then from 16.28 a blessing of a total of 111 heavy and 298 small bombs follow. The small ones might sound like hand grenades and come continually by twos. This blessing lasts until 22.06 hours.
		N 3, clear, Vis. very good
	22.03	AN 2257 upper-right	On surfacing it smells strongly of fuel. It is not clear to me where this charm is coming from. The start came from the plane that was clear, but then came the blessing of a vessel that came suddenly out of the blue that was heard faintly. Despite the faint sound bearing the bombs lay in such close proximity that considerable shock went through the boat and finally depth T = 55 meters [actual depth 110 meters] was visited. They probably took out all their Norway anger on us.
		N 2, clear, Vis. very good
	23.30	AN 2257 center	In accordance with Radio Message 1814/9/84: B.d.U. ordered position on 5, 6 and 9 shift 20 nm in 135°T.
		N 3, Vis. very good, lighty cloudy
		N 3, Vis. very good, lighty cloudy	Came to course 140° to new position.

	10.04.40
	01.45	AN 2297 center-left	Came to course 0° to avoid fishermen.
		N 3, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good
	05.37	AN 2726 center	In the course of the night examined all possible sources for the fuel leak. The only point would be the lightly constructed main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 4 port. Because this is empty, it was blown out and carried as a free flooding area.
	06.35		due to weak sound bearing. It is a fisherman. Moved off on course 350°.
	08.09 - 09.07	AN 2288 center	)
	09.18 - 09.35		) Dived for aircraft and the Swedish tanker "SATURNUS".
	10.01 - 11.14	AN 2284	)
		N 4-5, freshening, overcast
	12.22	AN 2286 lower-center	Incoming Radio Message 1138/10: B.d.U. to U-38, U-47, U-48, U-49: Go to Narvik at highest speed
		N 5-6, weather steady
			Came to course 30°. The attempt to run at GF fails in the overcoming Seas. We must run at HF.

- 5 -



	continued
	10.04.40
	15.44	AN 2239 lower-center	Crash dive aircraft! Seen late in the overcoming Sea just as yesterday, about 4 minutes after the dive the charm goes off only this brother apparently does not have a wheelbarrow full as yesterday. Up to 17.17 hours 18 depth charges fall.
	17.54
	20.06 - 20.46	AN 2311	for aircraft.
		N 5, brightening up

	11.04.40
	00.00	AF 8718	Plenty of water still comes over.
		N 3, abating
	04.00	AF 8456 lower-left
	08.00	AF 8247
		N 1, short steep N-Swell
	11.32	AF 5885	Incoming Radio Message 1113 from U-48: Enemy in sight, 4 heavy cruisers, AF 5863. Came to course 50°.
		S 1, barometer falls
	13.50	AF 5863	On receiving Radio Message 1114/11/52: B.d.U. to 1. U-Group. All U-boats report situation, observations and position, gave: Position AF 5863, nothing in sight. U-47.
		S 3
			Added Short Signal weather report. Because the Atlantic Circuit was not working sent on Northern Circuit.
	14.40	AF 5912	U-48 surfaces bearing 150°T. At the same time the enemy was sighted.
		S 4
	15.00		Incoming Radio Message 1429 from U-48 with the enemy location. Enemy quickly comes closer, therefore
	15.05	AF 5912 upper-right	A heavy cruiser passes before me at range = 4800 meters, target angle 90°. Battleships have enemy bow left target angle 10°. Ran towards on course 95°. Enemy suddenly turns away to starboard about target angle 120°, range 8000 meters. 2 destroyers come about. I recognize a pennant hoisted up similar to our counter signal on one destroyer, the other repeats, thereupon both turn to target angle 0°, range is about 1500 meters, relative bearing 120°. Because it seems strange to me went to depth T = 50 meters [actual depth 100 meters] and lo and behold, it's raining depth charges again. Again large and small bangs. Are the small bangs originating from an explosive transmitter intended to sound [determine the depth] of the boat? In any case it's unpleasant and undesirable. When they sound us [detect us] like today at range = 8000 meters, one can rarely have the good fortune to catch moving warships.
	19.55		End of the depth charge blessing.
	20.58	AF 5912 lower-right	They are gone, I pursue.
		S 5-6, rain showers, overcast, Sea 5

			22.40

- 6 -



	continued
	11.04.40
	22.40		Incoming Radio Message 2215/11/66 from U-48 with his success report. Thus, the Englishman knew that someone was there and was extra observant! Poor bastard, so many shots and no success.
	23.45	AF 5658 upper-right	Incoming Radio Message 2223/11/69 and 65: B.d.U.: To Narvik U-boats:
			1.) New positions U-25 east of Nero 1 to 16°55'E. U-64 between Nero 1 and 2. U-52 between Nero 2 and 3.
			2.) U-38, U-47, U-48, U-49 without waiting for one another enter Vestfjord raking in stripes of equal width. Distribution from NW to SE. Then waiting stations west of Nero 3 U-38, north of U-49, south of line Barøy in 60°T Nero 3, U-47, Nero 2 U-48.
			3.) U-38 etc arrival expected 12 April.

	12.04.40
	00.00	AF 5655 center-right edge	Boy oh boy!, when you read these Radio Messages, you think of the magazine with the picture whose caption reads: "Germany relies on its torpedoes."
		S 6, rain, Sea 5, Vis. moderate
	04.00	AF 6171 upper-right	I must have stumbled over one part of the enemy, but I believe that the main force is yet to come.
		SSW 6-7, Vis. medium
	08.58		before destroyer with westerly course.
	10.13		U-38 in sight. Recognition signals exchanged.
	12.38	AF 3496	before destroyer coming out of Vestfjord. Attack initiated with tube V. Did not reach shooting position, enemy zigzagged, periscope cut under.
		SW 8, Vis. medium
	14.18
	16.09 - 16.22	AF 3496	Dived before aircraft.
	16.38 - 17.07	SW 8-9, Sea 8, short and steep	Dived before aircraft.
	18.05	AF 3567	Incoming Radio Message 1610/12/86 and 1637/12/87: U-38, U-47, U-49 from B.d.U.: 1. Waiting stations in Vågsfjord: U-38 northeast of Askerøy Island, U-47 south of Kjoota Island, U-49 northeast of Sandsøy. Absolutely ensure surprise appearance. Attack only warships, transport and supply vessels.
		SW 8-9
			2.) Situation: Cruiser "SOUTHAMPTON" with 2 destroyers 12 April midday out of Scapa for Vågsfjord. Possibly as escorts for transports. Landing there suspected.
			I go through the "Røsthavet" to shorten the agony of the pounding.
			In accordance with orders: "Pass through" Radio Message 1805/12/91 sent: U-47 to B.d.U.: AF 3560 came about. Serial No. 85.
	21.00	AF 3577 lower-left corner	Course 10°.

- 7 -




	13.04.40
	00.00	AF 3280	Course 10°, from 01.15 hours course 30°.
		SW 4, abating, rain
	05.00	AB 8977	Course 55°.
	09.00	AB 8963	Course 90°.
		S 2, long W-Swell	to remain unseen as ordered.
			Ventilated the boat afterwards dived.
	15.00	AB 9746	Incoming Radio Message αα 1430/13/53: B.d.U. to Narvik boats: Go to Narvik. English warships have broken in.
		S 4, overcast, partly hazy, fjord smoke
		S 4, overcast, partly hazy, fjord smoke	Now I don't know whether I am included or not. I do not think so, therefore I decide to go to the ordered position in Vågsfjord because in accordance with Radio Message from U-49 hostile forces are approaching there and I need 36 hours to get to Narvik from here.
	17.20		Incoming Radio Message 1550/13/55: B.d.U. to Narvik boats: The Führer commands: The attack on Narvik must be repulsed by all means.
	18.15	AB 9770 upper-right	Incoming Radio Message 1724/13/59: B.d.U. to Narvik boats: Enemy battleship and destroyers in Rombaken east of Narvik.
			At the same moment an αα Signal from U-49 that enemy warships are proceeding to the north. After a thorough review of the chart I come to the view that the enemy intends to cut off the landing troops [German] in Narvik (battleship in Rombaken) and in Vågsfjord at Gratangen and possibly at Skånland, landing [English] troops because that's where good roads lead to Narvik and Evenskjer.
	21.50		Incoming Radio Message 2122/13/87 B.d.U. to boats in Vestfjord: Report situation as soon as the situation permits. Add weather report.
	22.40	Senjehestnen bearing 90°T, 2 nm	Outgoing Radio Message 2240/13/73: U-47 to B.d.U.: Position Senjehestnen in 90°T, 2 nm, enemy free.
			Added weather report.

	14.04.40
	07.40	Vågsfjord	Combed through the sea area. It is very bright.
		Wind calm, cloudy	to run in the direction of Harstadt.
		Mågøya Lighthouse bearing 278°T, 0.8 nm	Sound bearing in direction 350°T. It is the "SOUTHAMPTON" with her destroyers. Initiated attack. While flooding the torpedo tubes the enemy attempts to listen. 5 trawlers, which I had previously considered to be unimportant, are the initiators. At first I thought the matter was unimportant, now suddenly the comrade on the starboard side again set the familiar come about-signal, range = 200 meters. Cruiser and destroyers stop in Toppsundet and turn to the north behind Kjeøya. I went to depth T = 50 meters [actual depth 100 meters]and turned away to the east, in so doing the boat ran aground and somehow

- 8 -



	continued
	14.04.40
			got stuck. Stopped both motors and ordered calm in the boat.
	12.50		Attempted to raise the boat from the bottom. Up to about 10.00 hours, with all the listening shenanigans racing around above us, without success. With the first start of the motors the magic starts up again. The boat lies on course 167.8° firm and rigidly, apparently the fore ship is jammed between rocks.
			The attempt is delayed because of the listening pursuit. In order to have better opportunities afterwards the diesel bilges, which were quite full of water from the propeller shaft bushings, were pumped out with hand pump into the regulating tank. Air renewal was employed.
	17.45		A new attempt. Listening pursuit starts promptly again. To hell with this shit! The boat comes free, however is put down again because pandemonium is unleashed above. To free the boat from the bottom 5.5 tons is pumped and and several times a few people quietly move around the boat. The rudder is moved for this purpose.
	19.30		Boat is raised from the bottom and moved off on course 100° at KF. Above they race about. Arrived at periscope depth, I recognize two fishing trawlers running busily to and fro and a destroyer moving back and forth in position at about 20-25 knots. Despite everything they do not have the boat. The listening search always begins after the first use of the diving planes!
	22.46	S 2, calm sea and moonshine! Vis. very good	Boat goes close to Rolla Island to ventilate and charge the battery. Intend to search for the cruiser as soon as the visibility permits, it is nearly bright as day.
	23.00		Outgoing Radio Message 2300/14/94: B.d.U. from U-47: Situation Vågsfjord 1 cruiser at least 6 destroyers. Locating pursuit by fishing trawlers and cutters. 20 hours submerged without results.

	15.04.40
	00.20		Received following Radio Messages: 1106/14/80: Vågsfjord boats are U-65, U-38, U-47, U-49. For these radio silence except for important enemy reports.
			2254/14/93: Very very urgent B.d.U. to Vågsfjord boats: Report only troop transports and battleships.
			2232/14/85: B.d.U. to Vågsfjord boats: Surprise appearance on the arrival of troop transports is the main task. Before that no attack permission against destroyers.
			2058/14/85: B.d.U. to Vågsfjord boats: Enemy landings in Gratangen and Lavangen

- 9 -



	continued
	15.04.40		are to be expected. U-47 conduct reconnaissance there from 15 April. U-65 occupy position south of Kjotta Island.
			In accordance with this order set off for Astafjorden.
	00.26		Passed a small dimmed coastal steamer coming out of Astafjorden. To remain unsighted if possible showed him constant target angle 0° with stopped engines.
	01.00	Litleholmen bearing 0°T, 0.3 nm, moonshine!
	01.38		A vessel comes up from astern, ahead one lies apparently stopped. The vessel astern is a dimmed coastal steamer. At the entrance off Gratangen lying at the intersect point there are three armed fishing cutters and a fishing trawler.
	03.58	Kipertneset bearing 275°T, 1.3 nm	Boat put on the bottom depth T = 50 meters [actual depth 100 meters] without negative buoyancy to monitor by sound .
		Completely calm, bright as day	In the course of the day irregular destroyer patrols come out of all fjords, additionally heavy fishing cutter patrolling mainly in Bygden and Astafjord. For Gratangen and Lavangen except for fishing cutters no traffic. Periscope samples give the same picture.
	17.30		Boat raised from the bottom. To surface went towards Sørvika. I hope to lie unseen there close under land and protected against the moonlight to recharge the battery again in the brief twilight.
	17.42		While surfacing strong clanking sounds were observed, so that initially I stopped and waited. After completion of the noise went to periscope depth. In Bygden lay three very large transports, the noise apparently came from the ships' anchors. Next to the transports lie 1 French cruiser type "SUFFREN", one other cruiser and 3 cargo steamers.



			It was observed that the troop transports begin immediately with the assistance of many lying ready fishing cutters. All cutters keep under land at Årnset.
	21.30		Initiated attack through the main entrance off Årnset.
			Flatholmen bearing 90°T 80 meters.
		Range m. Shot angle
	22.42.35	1500 green 6°) Shot	Shot from tubes I-IV. One shot each on each transport and cruiser. Because the fire control operator forgot to set the relative bearing switch all four shots did not run towards the intended targets, but closed on the transport lying in the center. In this case, each time to the question "cover", the man reported "is covered". Moved off again. Ran to the east in Astafjord. Surfaced close under Andørja, battery charged and recharged the forward tubes. I did not shoot the stern tube because I did not want to betray myself
	.41	900 green 1°) turning
	.48	800 red 1° ) to port
	.57	750 red 3° )
		Rudder angle port 5°.

- 10 -



	continued
	15.04.40		before the next approach.

	16.04.40
	00.55	Astafjord, 100 meters off the south coast of Andørja Island	Began the next approach.
		Astafjord, 100 meters off the south coast of Andørja Island	Årnset bearing 290°T, 0.2 nm. 4 bow shots on the same targets. Range to the closest transport is about 1000 meters, on the furthest cruiser 2000 meters. It is shining bright. The torpedo from tube IV (G 7a) makes a turn to the left and steers about 10° off, goes up on a rock. With the others nothing happens. Now the stern tube is left to be shot.
		Range m Shot angle
	01.36.00	2000 0°) Shot turning
	.08	1200 0°) to port with
	.18	1800 0°) stopped
	.28	1600 0°) engines
	01.37		In turning ran aground under Årnset. Boat is stuck and cannot be freed despite both diesels back AK. Now alternated 1 diesel back AK, 1 diesel ahead LF back and forth. At the same time the free crew ran back and forth on the over deck as directed by the First Watch Officer. The Chief Engineer pumped the forward torpedo compensating tanks, trim tanks and alternately flooded and blew main ballast tank I. The Second Watch Officer destroyed the Hartmut Order and prepared the boat for demolition. Secret items are ready to destroy.
	about 01.45		A fishing trawler patrol vessel Morses us bearing 180°T, range = 1800 meters. It is astonishing that no one has done anything after the detonation of the G 7a!
	01.55		The boat comes free. Starboard diesel fails with a bang. With the starboard E-motor, port diesel moved off to the south and dived close under land between the fishing trawler and the land.
			The fisherman sounds and bangs around in the area. Moved off through Astafjord to the west. I actually forgot to shoot the stern tube.
	10.04		Put the boat on the bottom between Rolla and Rollnesboen at depth T = 50 meters. [actual depth 100 meters] My assumption that I could lie here quietly and undisturbed was a fallacy. Because we are virtually located at the focal point of a parabolic reflector which was open to the north, so that each rotten patrol vessel and destroyers attempted to locate us. However this failed again, but was very uncomfortable for us.
			Meanwhile the starboard diesel is overhauled and attempted to make it ready again. It had swallowed water, possibly a cracked cylinder. After the first attempt Radio Message 2200/15 was sent repeatedly: U-47 to B.d.U.: Troop landing in Lavangen and Gratangen with fishing trawlers. Transports lie at the southern end of Bygden. 4-miss.
	23.15	Vågsfjord	Charged the battery and waited on deep darkness.

- 11 -




	17.04.40
	00.00	Wind calm, Vis. very good	Crash dive, a fishing cutter came between us and the island and Morses with a destroyer.
	01.24		Moved off to the north.
	01.55		Destroyer moves back and forth., Could not get into shooting position. In the mean time it has become bright. The battery is only 1/3 full, air at 120 atu. I must put the boat on the bottom again for better or worse, because otherwise I have to surface in daylight.
	06.08	Lemningvær Island bearing 20°T, 0.4 nm	Put the boat on the bottom depth T = 50 meters. [actual depth 100 meters]
	20.58		Raised the boat from the bottom.
			Exited submerged, under a destroyer.
			In the brief time proceeding on the surface sent Radio Message 0136/16: U-47 to B.d.U.: 2nd attack (on troop transports) 1 G 7a gyro failure, 3 Eto failed to detonate. While turning away got stuck. Got free at morning twilight. Strong listening and depth charge pursuit. Starboard engine out of service. Exiting Vågsfjord.
	23.17	Senjehestnen bearing 90°T, 0.5 nm	Moved off to the north.
		Senjehestnen bearing 90°T, 0.5 nm
	18.04.40
	02.55	AB 8939 upper-left corner	Incoming Radio Message 1348/17/94 and 93: All boats from B.d.U.: 1.) The G 7e probably runs more than 2 meters below the depth set.
		N 3-4, moderately cloudy, Vis. good
			2.) For boats in zone O are therefore no longer to use switch setting AZ, but to fire with MZ except for the sea area inside narrow fjords. Danger of premature detonation is greater in these.
			3.) MZ No fans with time switches are to be fired, instead multiple shots according to fire control memorandum or improvised fans with 8 second time intervals.
			4.) With MZ, depth to equal draft, 4 meters against destroyers, 3 or 4 meters against U-boats.
			5.) With AZ 4 meters, 3 meters in good weather.
			This is too much!
			I have punished the fire control man with 10 days severe arrest. Boat and crew are employed to the utmost and now this!
	03.00		Incoming Radio Message 1001/17/89: B.d.U. to Vågsfjord boats: U-47 begin return transit. Remaining boats redistribute as ordered.
			Proceeded on course 270°. From 06.00 hours came to course 210°.
			Hurray, the starboard diesel is in service again.
	09.45	AB 8947	Radio Message 0945/18/49 sent: U-47 to B.d.U.: Position AB 8947. Starboard diesel again in service. Still 4 torpedoes ready. Began return transit. Am missing Serial Nos. 96-98, 100-46, 56-60 from 15 April. Question changing frequency for RH.
		N 5-6, lightly cloudy, snow showers, Vis. very good except in squalls

- 12 -



	continued
	18.04.40
	12.00	AB 8899
	15.30	AF 3249	Incoming Radio Message 1453/18/50: Serial No. from 15 April are settled. From 96 are still repeated. Instead of RH set RB 37.95 meters.
		N 5-6, unchanged
	16.30		Incoming Radio Message 1536/18/52: B.d.U. to U-47: Waiting station from North Minch to North tip of the Shetlands. Transports are expected. Transit via the shortest route. No attack restrictions.
			Came to course 225°.
	20.00	AF 3429	My plan to transfer the over deck torpedo into the boat can not be carried out due to the brightness of the night and the short steep Swell.
		N 4, abating, Sea 3, short Swell, Vis. very good

	19.04.40
	00.00	AF 2698	There is already at least a hint of a night, but unfortunately with moonlight.
		N 3, Sea 3, Swell
	04.00	AF 2948
		NW 2, freshening, Sea 2
	08.00	AF 5228
		NW 4, Vis. very good
	12.00	AF 5199 center-left edge
	14.30		Smoke cloud bearing 20°T.
	15.18	NNW 3-2, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good	Long high mast in sight.
	15.21		There was no further time to send a Radio Message
			1 battleship with 2 destroyers, course 205°, speed 15 knots.
	15.53.40	AF 5454	Shot from tube II and tube III. Torpedo course 264°, 5, target angle 90°, range = 900 (set 1500 meters), relative bearing at 1st shot 75°. 2nd shot 63°.
	.51
			Nothing happens!
			After 7 minutes 18 seconds one torpedo detonation. Pistol settings were: Zone -4, safety distance 200 meters, depth 8 meters, target draft = 9.5 meters (battleship "WARSPITE"). As a self-check I have the Torpedo Officer examine the periscope further. From this the magnification had been set properly small (1.5x). The set values of the fire control computer were correct. The enemy course was established before initiating several times as 203-206°. On his course the two shots give an impact angle of 59.5°, a lead angle of 28.5° a target angle of 92°. Aim point for the first shot aft 10 meters, the second shot forward 30 meters. Time interval 11 seconds. By sound bearings the torpedoes steered the correct angle.

- 13 -



	continued
	19.04.40	At the shot the target with small magnification set at the first shot was seen from approximately the forward edge of turret B to the mid aft deck house, which is exactly half the ship in the periscope.
		The approach was calm and clear. The boat was initially on course 260° to run towards the enemy, to approach in the windward sun side if possible. The attempt miscarried because due to the listening conditions could not run at a higher speed setting than forward LF from the experience of the last day. Shortly before the shot at target angle 15 the boat went to depth 20 meters and was overrun by the port destroyer. Afterwards again came to periscope depth at target angle 45° and in the meantime for all cases came to course 230°. At target angle 80° calculated firing for the first torpedo, 90° for the second. The shift rate of 12° in 11 seconds is a testament to the correct range, which is a bit less than 900 meters, because the target traveled about 90 meters in 11 seconds. This 90 meters was seen with an shooting angle of 12°, which represents a range equal to 90: sin 12 = 450 meters. Since the aim point was shifted from astern to forward to 40 meters the calculated range increased to 650 meters. Own speed was 1 knot so need not be taken into account.
		The enemy's speed could hardly have been underestimated, as the enemy was sighted for a long long time, however with his low speed advantage on the surface it took more than 1 hour to approach, even though the boat only made 13 knots. Also the time from diving to the shot was 32 minutes confirming this calculation, the thick combat mast was already in sight when diving. The ship then traveled another 8 nm to the shot which is likely given the prevailing weather and visibility corresponding to the facts.
		It is clear that a man naturally tends to either push his own failure into others shoes or at least not to believe in them. I have tried, therefore, to provide proof of the correctness of my shooting data where as a last point would add that by sound bearing the enemy has shifted to exactly 205°, which proves the correctness of the observed course.
		I deduce from these results that
		a) The Etos do not steer the ordered set depth but deeper.
		b) The pistols do not fire magnetically.
		From my experience and knowledge the following explanation for the pistols may be possible: due to the permanent magnetism of the boat the pistols are affected in

- 14 -



	continued
	19.04.40		the course of time so that they are insensitive. The grounds for believing this is that at the beginning of tthe patrols the pistols still fire; after a period time no longer. In addition there are other factors which because they are known, need not be mentioned here.
			A final possibility would be an English self-protection device.
			The enemy was made aware of our presence by the end of run detonator and drew destroyers from the east that at 23.00 hours forced me to depth T = 50 meters. [actual depth 100 meters] The boat is pulled from the locating zone on northerly courses at AK without using the diving planes. Several depth charges at great range.
	23.50	AF 5443 lower-right

	20.04.40
	04.00	AF 4931 lower-center edge
	04.50	AF 4929 upper-left corner	before battleship and 4 destroyers.
	06.14	N 4-5, moderately cloudy, snow showers, otherwise Vis. good	Convoy in sight bearing 90°T. Because I have one stern torpedo in the tube and can not count on that working, I decide only to maintain contact.
	08.30	AF 4923 lower-center
		Radio Messages see enclosure
	12.00	AF 4695 center	Held contact.
	16.00	AF 5446 lower-right	" "
	20.00	AF 5422 lower-center edge	" "
		Weather unchanged

	21.04.40
	00.00	AF 5196 lower-left	The enemy makes a ready deck astern
		NNW 4, snow shower
	04.00	AF 5249 lower-left	Received new instructions for torpedo settings in Radio Message 0103/21.
	08.00	AF 5254 center	Because nothing happens with my contact holding, apparently the other boats have pushed past sent Radio Message 0725/21/67: B.d.U. from U-47: Question further contact keeping.
			At 09.04 hours U-65 reports enemy in sight. Well thank God.
	11.17	AF 2899 upper-center	3 heavy detonations. (end of run detonations or early detonations?)
		NNW 5, short rough Sea, continual snow squalls
		NNW 5, short rough Sea, continual snow squalls	Began maneuver ahead for own attack.
			In so doing several times.
	16.00	AF 2948	Contact lost.

			18.00

	Sun and Moon Data 19.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 20.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 21.04.40

- 15 -



	continued
	21.04.40
	18.00	AF 2951 lower-left corner	U-65 has him again. Apparently I passed by to the north in a snow squall.
	22.00	AF 2931 center-left edge	Changing courses in the search for the enemy.

	22.04.40
	04.00	AF 2958 center-right edge	Incoming Radio Message 0341/22/97: B.d.U. to Vågsfjord boats and U-25.: If contact lost, complete transit to AN 1200. Report torpedo inventory by Short Signal.
		NW 5, snow squalls, Vis. changing
	05.06	AF 2984 upper-right	Radio Message 0506/22/-: U-47 to B.d.U.: Still have 1-3 torpedoes, 1/3 of my fuel inventory.
			Searched for the enemy on changing courses.
	10.00	AF 5313	Began transit. Course 220°.
		W 3, snow squall, otherwise Vis. good
	13.30	AF 5262 upper-right	In this short sea the effect of the protective shield at the gun is reversed, so that a steady spray constantly drives on the bridge.
	17.00	AF 5516
	20.00	AF 5468 center-right
		Weather unchanged
	23.30	AF 5722 center-right	Incoming Radio Message 2246/22/54: B.d.U. to U-47: Report if remaining torpedoes are in bow or stern room.
			Outgoing Radio Message 2350/22/55: U-47 to B.d.U.: To Radio Message 2246 2 stern torpedoes.

	23.04.40
	02.00	AF 5743	Incoming Radio Message 0102/23/57: B.d.U. to U-47: Return transit via Route I.
		NW 3, abating, Vis. good
	05.40	AF 4996 center-right	New course 185°.
	09.20	AF 7393 upper-left corner	Crash dive for aircraft. After 10 minutes sound bearings come.
			Avoided detection on westerly courses at between depth T = 10 [actual depth 20 meters] and depth T = 55 meters. [actual depth 110 meters]
	13.16		3 huge detonations. Depth charges?
	16.00	AF 7391	Several depth charge series. Otherwise no sound bearings. Each attempt to get to periscope depth is deterred by a new series.
	20.32	AF 7391 left edge upper	Now it is abundantly clear. In this weather any depth charge reverberates like a shot in the forest, listening conditions are optimum.
		Wind calm, Sea 0, overcast

	Sun and Moon Data 21.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 22.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 23.04.40

- 16 -




	24.04.40
	00.00	AF 7656 center
		NE 1-2, Sea 1, Vis. very good
	04.35	AF 7976 lower-center edge	Large offset to the west. On board clocks and chronometers are bad and interfere with navigation.
	08.00	AN 2285 center-right edge
		E 1, calm Sea
	09.50		for aircraft (DO 17).
	12.00	AN 2792 lower-left	Due to the quickly oncoming Sea must reduce to 6 knots to improve the lookout.
		ESE 3-4, choppy Sea
	16.00	AN 4235 lower-left corner
	20.00	AN 4269 center-left edge

	25.04.40
	00.00	AN 4641 center	Avoidance maneuver for fisherman.
		E 2
	04.00	AN 4943 center	Avoidance maneuver for fishing flotilla.
	09.00	AN 6135
	10.10	AN 6197	Based on soundings and a rough longitude determined that the boat must have a large offset to the west.
		E 1, overcast, Vis. medium
	15.17		Began transit over the Dogger Bank.
	18.30	AN 6542	With multiple dives in "Jump up, March, March" procedure. [presumably rapid transit through an area in a series of runs at higher speed on the surface] ran in the vicinity of Route I.
	22.25		Returned on Route I. Off the Route there were several conspicuous fishermen, corresponding Radio Message sent to B.d.U.

	26.04.40
	03.30	AN 9596	Course 90°.
	08.00 - 09.00	Lightship D	Put the boat on the bottom in the vicinity of the lightship due to fog.
	11.01	Elbe I
	13.08	Cuxhaven
	14.50	Brunsbüttelkoog	Made fast in the lock.
			Canal cruise.
	21.50		Made fast Kiel.

			The patrol would have become historic, if the torpedoes had worked.

	Sun and Moon Data 24.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 25.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 26.04.40



	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

	A well executed patrol, whose success was denied by torpedo failure. The sinking of even one transport in Vågsfjord could have had a decisive influence on the development of the situation in area around Narvik.
	The unsuccessful attack on WARSPITE with an end of run detonator proves the consequences that detonation at the end of the run can have for the shooting boat. How many boats are lost due to the consequences of torpedo failures we do not know, but it should be noted with certainty that boat losses on account of torpedo failures take place, and are apparent by prison letters.
	From the Kriegtagebuch the constant stress on the U-boat crews from the appearance of aircraft and, especially around the North Sea, continuous explosions can be seen particularly clearly. These conditions have changed radically since the World War.


	Signed in draft: Dönitz.
	For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote.
	The Chief of the Operations Department.

	Enclosures to U-47's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document

Chart	Track chart covering entire war patrol

Torpedo	Torpedo Firing Reports

Radio	Excerpt of Radio Log