U-boat Archive - U-515's 6th War Patrol

E x c e r p t f r o m t h e R a d i o L o g f o r

K. T. B.


07.05/15
	On coast route 5 Naxos enemy radar detections, device range is too low, CG 12 going to CF 81.
			Henke

07.54/15/19
	On 54 meters, strength 5, from Henke: On coast route 5 Naxos enemy radar detections, device range is too low, CG 12 going to CF 81. Additional guidance: Switch to Ireland circuit at 19.00 hours.
			BdU

16.42/16/124
	1)	Reich, Struckmeier, Franke, Christophersen, Henke, Manke, Cremer, Hause, zur Mühlen on 18 November in the evening in named order patrol line is intended from naval quadrant CF 2945 to 3855 proceed according to positions.
	2)	Operation against North-bound convoy is intended which was detected today with 67 ships and 8 escorts in naval quadrant CF 7491. Exact definition of the strip will takes place after tomorrow's air reconnaissance.
	3)	Boats form group Schill 1.
			BdU

19.16/17/145 To Schill:
	1)	Air reconnaissance detected convoy in naval quadrant CF 9551 at 13.15 hours. Course 320°, speed 7 knots, on 18 November two air reconnaissance flights scheduled, in the morning to improve the position of the patrol line submerged and from 1830 to darkness to draw the boats with bearing signals. As contact keeper "Cäsar". Failure of air reconnaissance due to fog is possible.
	2)	Group Schill 1 with 8 boats without Reich on 18 November 18,00 hours in the patrol line from naval quadrant CF 5517 to 5367. Submerged transit by day. Around 18.30 hours surface prepared to receive bearing signals. Announce bearings immediately only if no boat has contact with the convoy.
			BdU

20.57/17/147 Group Schill 1:
	On 18 November during the day guarantee long wave reception.
			BdU

20.57/18/169
	Henke reported by radio message 2109 on 36 meters: Convoy CF 5340, northerly course, 8 knots.
			BdU

22.45/18/171 Group Schill 1:
	To Henke. Strike them dead.
			Commander-in-Chief

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00.10/19/174
	In radio message 23.40 Henke reports on 36 m, convoy at 24.00 hours approximately in naval quadrant CF 2670.
			BdU

00.06/19/175 Group Schill 1:
	Press on to the north at highest speed on Henke report of 13.09 in naval quadrant 2345 which with bearing Franke holds. Attempt to reach convoy before daylight. Dive at dawn.
			BdU

13.09/18
	Convoy CF 5340 course north, 8 knots.
			Henke

22.05/18/
	Time group in radio message Serial No.169 must mean 1309/18
			Henke

23.40/18
	Convoy position at 24.00 hours approximately CF 2670.
			Henke

16.58/22/110
	1)	For operation on a southbound convoy a patrol line is intended from BE 7869 to BE 8768. Boats must reach associated positions from 23 to 24 November.
		In order: Lüders, Erwartz, Baberg, Henke, Manke, Cöster, Götze, Franke, Bremen, Schug, Hepp, Stahl, Christophersen, Dobbert, Goßler, Dültgen.
	2)	Schwebeke, Müller, Hungershausen, Jordan, as well as boats which contrary to BdU assumption are not yet on return transit have freedom to maneuver immediately south of the patrol line.
	3)	Named boats form Group Weddingen.
			BdU

07.18/23/ Short signal:
	Moving off to repair depth charge damage.
			Henke

01.10/24/140
	Naval square DH 85 welded. Boat is not ready for convoy operations. Request EK to EU.
			Henke


02.45/24/139
	With strength on 54 meters received from Henke: Naval square DH 85 welded. Boat is not ready for convoy operations. Request EK to EU.
			BdU

11.58/24/147 to Henke:
	Agree to intended operation area. Switch Immediately to America 2 circuit.
			BdU

01.58/21
	1)	Yesterday sank 8134 "PHEMIUS" 240°, 14 knots from "Lagos" to "Takoradi" on 17 December 6711 "KINGSWOOD" 250°, 11 knots. Both loaded, naval quadrant EV.
	2)	3 T5 and 5 torpedoes. 100 cbm, heavy fuel oil loss causing oil trace.
			Henke

07.34/20/397
	Radio message of 06.31 on America II only groups up to 40 received garbled. Interpreted content.
	1)	Just now sank 8134 (name unclear) 240°, 14 knots from "Lagos" to "Takoradi" on 17 December 6711 "KINGSWOOD" 25.
			Additionally: steamer name and remainder not heard.
			BdU

05.38/21/316
	Serial number 397 finished. Henke report on 36 m: Yesterday sank naval quadrant 8134 etc as 01.58/21.
			BdU

23.47/24/367
	Henke reports with strength 5 on 36 meters:
	Sank with a 3 fan from small convoy in naval quadrant EU 8373 passenger-freighter type "MADURS" 13 knots, 60°.
			BdU

22.55/24
	Sank with a 3 fan from small convoy in naval quadrant EU 8373 passenger-freighter type "MADURS" 13 knots, 60°.
			Henke

00.06/29
	ET 19 return transit necessary request Borkum with aerial and for shipyard Lorient a new complete battery, both diesel clutches, E compressor.
			Henke

01.02/29/326
	Henke radio message on 36 meters with signal strength 2-3 received: as per 00.06/29
			Main Communications Center


12.11/29/337 To Henke
	Delivery of Borkum will be scheduled if possible. At the moment no southbound boat.
			BdU

13.41/12/312
	1)	Henke report position tonight to determine a meeting place for Borkum transfer.
	2)	Mannesmann and König meeting place for Naxos delivery to König on 13 January one hour before sunset in AL 2431. After execution reoccupy the attack area without message. Only report if by 14 January not found.
			BdU

16.09/12
	Position 08.30 hours point Ice. Request escort, boat heavily damaged.
			Henke

18.12/12/314
	Received from Henke with strength 5 on 36 meters:
	Position 14 January 08.30 Point Ice. Request convoy, boat heavily damaged.
	Additionally: Henke immediately switch Coastal circuit.
			BdU

19.54/12/25 Henke:
	Arrival port is Lorient.
			BdU

15.58/13/42 To Henke:
	Admission by M-boats on 14 January at 08.30 hours Point Ice. If up to 08.30 hours meeting not successful give M-boat bearing signals in accordance with Standing Order 30.
			FdU - West

09.40/14/65
	Convoy attacked by aircraft while on entry route request air escort.
			Henke

10.25/14/66 Henke:
	4 Ju-88 have taken off.
			FdU - West