Excerpt of the Radio Log "  U  539  "   
 
Patrol "  U  539  " from 1 May 1944 to 17.3.44
  
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09.05.44.                                            Coastal
14.22 New objectives:  1)  Hashagen . . . . 2)  Niemeyer . . . . 3)  Objective and operations area for Lauterbach is EB and the square east therefrom. Atlantic quadrat chart.
   
11.05.44.                                            Norddeich on 24 meters
15.07        ßß Have passed 20°W to the west.    U-539
   
11.05.44.                                            Coastal
17.10 U-539 has passed 20°W to the west and on 12 May at 03.00 is to switch to Ireland Circuit.  Signal received by Norddeich at Volume 3-4 from Bernau at Volume 2-3.
   
20.05.44.                                            Ireland
18.34 To Lauterbach:
  On 21 May at 08.00 hours switch to America I Circuit.
   
26.05.44.                                            America I
02.49 1)  Tillessen, Krankenhagen, Lange . . . .
  2)  Tillessen, Lauterbach on 26 May 08.00 hours switch to America 2 Circuit.
   
02.06.44.                                            America 2
03.30 Lauterbach:
  According to B-Dienst reports U-boat was attacked on 1 July at 16.43 hours in square DN 9556.
   
03.06.44.                                            America 2
12.52 To Lauterbach:
  As operations area occupy square EB and area south therefrom.  Focal point off naval square 26 in large square south of EB.  Free to extend attack area to the east.
   
13.06.44.                                            America 2
02.24 Following radio message with Serial No. 297, 395 of 12 June may only be decoded by Kommandanten:  Lauterbach, Krankenhagen, U-530, Tillessen, Hellriegel, Niemeyer, Bielfeld, Simmermacher, in no case by other boats or land stations.
   
13.06.44.                                            America 2
05.58 To Lauterbach, Krankenhagen, U-530, Tillessen, Hellriegel, Niemeyer, Simmermacher, Bielfeld to be decoded exclusively by Kommandanten of named boats, Officer Ida.
 
     
     
                                                                
     
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22.06.44.                                            America 2
03.15 Steffens, Matschulat, Tillessen, Lauterbach report situation as soon as noticed.
   
25.06.44.                                            America 2
09.50 Repeat of Radio Message:  Lauterbach, Steffens, Matschulat report situation as soon as noticed.
   
26.06.44.                                            America 2
04.45 Simmermacher, Lauterbach, Krankenhagen, Lange, Niemeyer, Tillessen: report immediately if either Officer-Only 297 or 395 of 12 June was received.
   
29.06.44.                                            America 2
10.00 Serial No. 134 and 388 of 266 June contents:  Lauterbach, Tillessen, Matschulat, and Steffens report situation as soon as noticed.
   
06.07.44.                                            America 2
04.15 Lauterbach:
  According to B-Dienst report a U-boat was attacked in naval square EL 2395.
   
13.07.44.                                            America 2
02.27 Lauterbach, Tillessen, Lange, Krankenhagen:  as soon as in free sea area outside range of coastal air report situation.
   
18.07.44.                                            America 2
07.49 Tillessen, Lauterbach by 22 July report position and fuel or situation.  Assume that you are on return transit.
   
20.07.44.                                            America 2
03.42 From Lauterbach:
  Sank: 5 June 1224 freighter 3000 GRT, course 210°.  Torpedoed 5 tankers of 35000 GRT, of these nine thousand tonner in ballast abandoned by crew, sinking likely EL 2324.  Tropical experience T5:  Leakage at the angle spindle with and without grease fitting from melting seal grease.  Eliminated by "Mobil Compound" grease.  Am missing:  379 of 21 June, 318-25 and 27-331 of 4 and 5 July.  DO 49, 104 cbm, out of torpedoes.
   
20.07.44.                                            America 2
04.13 17 June auxiliary carrier, 6 escort destroyers, course 350°, ED 1247, high sinking tone. Traffic: Strong independent traffic vis ED 1119 and 1244 from north-south. Strong independent traffic and small convoys via EC 9535 from east-west and between EL 2395 and 3154. Only partly air and sea escort, inexperienced, not tenacious. EL 23 day airships. After being noticed strong sea and air up to 100 nm circle. Air by Naxos.    From Lauterbach.
   
21.07.44.                                            America 2
06.30 For Lauterbach:  Repeat of the experience Radio Message No. 130.  A U-boat etc.
 
     
 
 
     
 
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21.07.44.                                            America 2
08.30 Lauterbach, Lauterbach:  Well done.    Your Ob.d.M. and B.d.U.
   
22.07.44.                                            America 2
06.00 To Lauterbach:
  1.)  From press reports in Barranquille shipwrecked crew of the tanker converted from a freighter "HOLLYWOOD" came ashore. The ship was sunk by a U-boat.  Was written on the swimming trunks.
  2.  Return transit to western France.
   
22.07.44                                            America 2
05.21 Serial No. 232 of 4 July for Lauterbach.  (Other missing serial numbers settled)  Strikes in etc.
   
26.07.44.                                            America 2
04.18 Tillessen, Lauterbach:
  On return transit proceed with due caution.  Keep the crew at the highest alertness.  Aways expect the surprise appearance of land and carrier aircraft.  Air surveillance in the Central Atlantic is more dangerous than close to land, because of the apperance of the enemy is sudden and attitude of the crew is not as in the operations area.
   
08.08.44.                                            Norddeich
05.29        ßß Please repeat Radio Messages No. if important since 22nd day of the current month 336. 362, 363.    U-539
   
08.08.44.                                            America 2
06.27 To Lauterbach:
  1)  Short Signal received on 36 meters with Volume 3.
  2)  Missing Serial Nos. since 22 July 366 is settled, 362 and 363 were repeated.
   
08.08.44.                                            America 2
06.57 Repeat of Experience Radio Message 138 for Lauterbach.  For Channel patrols etc.
   
08.08.44                                            America 2
07.55 Continuation of Experience Radio Message No. 138.
   
08.08.44.                                            America 2
18.27 9 August at 08.00 hours switch to Ireland Circuit.
   
14.08.44.                                            America 2
15.20 Tillessen, Lauterbach:  Officer Bruno
   
15.08.44.                                            America 2
03.28        ßß My position is BE 79.  Require 15 cbm.  Have provisions for 4 weeks.    U-539
 
     
 
 
     
 
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15.08.44.  
04.16                                            Ireland
  With Volume 5 on 36 meters at 03.28 and 03.29 received by Bernau :
  1)  Short Signal from Lauterbach:  BE 79, require 15 cbm fuel oil, have 4 weeks provisions.
  2)  Short Signal weather report from Bode.
   
11.09.44.                                            Ireland
02.48 1)  Lauterbach:  Go to Bergen.  12 September at 08.00 hours switch to Coastal Circuit.
  2)  Mühlendahl:  Continue transit at own discretion.
   
15.09.44.                                            Coastal
17.40 1)  Bode, Steinmatz, Lauterbach, Engel, Stock:  go to Bergen.
  2)  etc.
   
16.09.44.                                            Coastal
04.29        ßß Position 24 hours off escort intake point.  My navigation is uncertain, request Radio Navigation support at the beginning of darkness.    U-539
   
16.09.44.                                            Coastal
17.12 From 11. U-Flottille:
  To Radio Message 0429/16/4:  Which boat is off which objective point?  Send again.
   
16.09.44.                                            Coastal
22.25 Lauterbach to 11. U-Flottille:
  Position 8 hours from Hellisöe, request Bergen North.
   
16.09.44.                                            Coastal
23.28 From 11. U-Flottille to Lauterbach:
  Escort positioned 17 September 06.00 hours Hellisöe.  Radio Beacon Group Bergen North runs from 02.00 to 05.00 hours.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
     
 
 
     
                                                                              
 
Excerpt of the Officer-Only Radio Log "  U  539  "
  
 
Patrol "  U  539  " from 1 May 1944 to 17.September 1944.
  
 
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13.06.44.                                            America 2
05.58 To Lauterbach, (etc.)  To be decoded by Kommandanten of named boats:  Move out of the operations area so that fuel wise Bergen can be reached.  If ordered to do so on return transit. If Bergen is not reachable report position and fuel within the next 5 days.
   
14.08.44.                                            Ireland
15.30 To Tillessen and Lauterbach:
  Due to defense situation off Bordeaux begin return transit to "Trondheim" immediately. If it is absolutely necessary, even with some stretching of supplies, a small supply from an other IXc boat is possible in square AK northern half.  Give required quantity by Short Signal
   
16.08.44.                                            Ireland
02.35 1.)  Lauterbach head for AK 10 to sully from Ohlsen. Details to follow in time.
  2.)  Tillessen assume that Norway can be reached without supply. 
   
18.08.44.                                            Ireland
03.21 1.)  Bode, Lauterbach: Carry out meeting for necessary supply of Lauterbach for return transit to Norway at sunset on 22 August in square AK 8266.  Behavior in accordance with Standing Order 24. Greatest caution.  Report first if not met by the 3rd evening. 
  Supplemental for Bode:  do not interrupt weather reports if possible, return transit not before 1 September because at the moment no relief is possible.
  2.)  Ohlsen, Tillessen:  carry out meeting analogous as under 1.) on 26 August in square Anton Karl 1832.