U-516's KTB 14 to 18 January 1944

 

     
 
 
 
Date
Position, Wind, Weather
 
and
Sea State, Illumination,
Events
Time
Air Pressure, Moonlight etc.
  
 
 
     
1600 CD 8253    
1717 CD 8253 1717 until 1724 D/C explosions port side astern.
2000 CD 8237    
2117

CD 8237

S 3-4, SS. 2-3, Overcast, Medium Visibility, 1030 mb

   Surfaced. Course 036 T, plant condition diesel-electric.
       
14.1.44 West of the Azores    
0000

CD 5899

SSW 6, SS 4, Overcast, Light Rain, Visibility 1 sm, 1030 mb

    
0357 CD 5946   Dived. Underwater transit.
0758 CD 5946   Surfaced. Continue surface transit.
0800

CD 5943

SSW 8, SS. 6, Overcast, Rain, 1-2 sm Visibility, 1030 mb

    
0944 CD 5925   Dived for underwater transit. Course 036 T, 65 rpm, depth A-40.
1200 CD 5925  
Days Run:
Surfaced:
64 sm
Submerged:
28 sm
 
92 sm
1600 CD 5923    
2000 CD 5689    
2010 CD 5689   Several D/C salvo explosions astern. At large distance.
2117

CD 5689

N 5, SS. 4, Overcast, 2 sm Visibility, Long swells, Rain, 1017 mb

   Surfaced. Course 036 T, plant condition diesel-electric.
       
15.1.44 West of the Azores    
0000

CD 5692

NW 3-4, SS. 2-3, some clouds, medium visibility, 1021 mb

    
0400

CD 6441

NWW 4, SS. 4, 1/2 obscured, good visibility, 1022 mb

    
0405 CD 6441   Dived.
0800 CD 6418   Surfaced. Continue surface transit.
0957     Sunrise.
       
       
                       
 
 
- 82 -
 
     

 

     
 
 
 
Date
Position, Wind, Weather
 
and
Sea State, Illumination,
Events
Time
Air Pressure, Moonlight etc.
  
 
 
     
1016     Set course 242 T - 22sm
1019
 CD 5639
Days Run:
Surfaced:
46 sm
Submerged:
23 sm
 
69 sm
1200
 CD 5639    
1600
 CD 6415    
2000
 CD 6415   Surfaced. Course 036 T. Plant condition diesel-electric.
2106

CD 6415

S 6, SS. 5, 1/2 obscured, Poor visibility, 1025 mb

    
       
16.1.44
 West of the Azores    
0000
 CD 6184    
0400
 CD 6165    
0800
 CD 6165   Dawn begins.
0954
     Dived. Underwater transit. Course 036 T, 65 rpm, depth A-40
1000
 CD 3887  
Days Run:
Surfaced:
95 sm
Submerged:
20 sm
 
115 sm
1200
 CD 3885   Own position 3 sm from replenishment area.
1600
 CD 3885   Boat coming to PD
1920
     Heavy D/C explosions in the immediate vicinity. There is no doubt that "Harpe" or "Mattke" have already been at the surface and come under air attack.
1925
     A new D/C salvo. After noise fades away sinking sounds audible.
1930
     From 115 T fast propeller noise. Two destroyers, steering very deviating search courses. They are conducting a kind of "bang search", temporary "ASDIC search, and using a detection device sounding like a "singing saw". The same sound was observed on the escort during the D/C pursuit off "Colon".
1949
 [Handwritten note possibly by flotilla commander: U-Mattke was certainly lost. Again our replenishment probably compromised]    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
                       
 
 
- 83 -
 
     

 

     
 
 
 
Date
Position, Wind, Weather
 
and
Sea State, Illumination,
Events
Time
Air Pressure, Moonlight etc.
  
 
 
     
     
2000
   As soon as propeller noise was heard the boat went to depth A+20 and silent routine. In principle the approaching destroyers were always shown the small aspect; they were constantly changing speed and temporarily stopping their engines. No D/Cs were dropped.
       
17.1.44

CD 3883

    
0000
 Northwest of the Azores    
0147
 CD 3882    
0400
     Propeller noise lost from 080 T.
0620

CD 3882

   Withdrawing in southwesterly direction.
0734

CD 3882

SWW 5-6, SS. 4-5, Overcast, 2 sm Visibility, 1037 mb

   Surfaced. Plant condition battery charge. Course 270 T - both diesel engines "slow speed".
0800
 CD 3873   Dived. Underwater transit. Course 270 T - 65 rpm, depth A-40.
0825
 CD 3872    
1200
     Course changed to 230 T.
1600
 CD 3872  
Days Run:
Surfaced:
8 sm
Submerged:
32 sm
 
40 sm
1630
 CD 3874    
2000
     Between 1630 and 1947 several detonations at medium distance.
       
18.1.44
 CD 3799    
0000
 Northwest of the Azores    
0300
 CD 3798    
0311
 CD 3798   Surfaced. Course 210 T - both diesel engines "full speed".
0341
    

Received HF MSG 2021/17/258

Bombed by carrier aircraft prior to transfer with "Mattke" minor damage. After one hour destroyers, NAXOS, unusual singing propellers. Mattke probably lost, CD 35 S, withdrawing northeastward, 42 cubic meters fuel remaining. "Harpe".
0400
    

Received HF MSG 2303/17/260

1.) "Mattke" report position.

2.) "Harpe" continue home transit.

3.) R/V "Lauterbach" with "Tillessen" for delivery of about 30 to 35 cubic meters fuel to "Tillessen" 19 January - 1 hour before sunset area CE 1155.
 

CD 6132

NNO 3, SS. 2, Overcast, Rain, Poor visibility, 1040 mb

   New course 046 T.
       
       
       
       
                       
 
 
- 84 -
 
     

 

 

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