U-552 - 8th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with the help of Ken Dunn and Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
St. Nazaire	7 March 1942	St. Nazaire	27 April 1942	52

 

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Ships Attacked
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
25 Mar 42	08.13	42°33'N, 64°22'W	OCANA	6,256	Netherlands
3 Apr 42	03.10 - 03.40	37°57'N, 75°02'W	DAVID H. ATWATER	2,438	American
5 Apr 42	04.47	36°15'N, 75°42'W	BYRON D. BENSON	7,953	American
7 Apr 42	04.17	35°09'N, 75°10'W	BRITISH SPLENDOUR	7,138	British
7 Apr 42	10.52	35°03'N, 75°26'W	LANCING	7,866	Norwegian
9 Apr 42	09.38 - 10.00	34°27'N, 76°22'W	ATLAS	7,137	American
10 Apr 42	06.27	34°21'N, 75°58'W	TAMAULIPAS	6,943	American
			Total = 45,731
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.

---

				Copy No.
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
				of
			U  n  t  e  r  s  e  e  b  o  o  t  e  s    "  5  5  2  "
			= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
			Kommandant:  Kaptlt.  T  o  p  p  .
			Beginning:                     28 January 1942           Ending:                         27 April     1942
			Distribution:               7. Unterseebootsflottille Copy No. 1           Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote, "      " 2           2. Admiral der Unterseeboote, "      " 3           Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine "      " 4+5
			Enclosures:           1 Track chart for copy No. 1-5           14 Torpedo firing reports for copy No. 1-2           Summary of the General  Radio Log for copy No. 2-4           11 Combat sketches for copy No. 1           Original of General Radio Log 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 -
		28.01.42		Torpedo offload (2 Ato), clearing the boat.
		29.01.42		Charge voltage equalization of all battery cells.
		30.01.42		Begin shipyard period.
		31.01.42		Boat dry-docked.
		17.02.42 -		Boat undocked.
		23.02.42		Shipyard work, adjustment of the stem and overhaul of the bow caps of the torpedo tubes.
		24.02.42		Dockyard testing.
		25.02.42		Sea trial, radio direction finder calibration, shipyard trim test.
		26.02.42
		18.00		Trim test with repetition of piston firing [of torpedo tubes].  Dry-docked due to a leak in the lower manhole of main ballast tank 5.
		27.02.42		Undocked, degaussing.
		15.00		Rammed at the level of main ballast tank 5.
		18.00		Dry-docked, torpedo unloading.
		04.03.42		Work on main ballast tank 5 and torpedo tube V.
		05.03.42
		11.00		Undocked, followed by diving for exercise torpedo and piston firing.
		14.00		Torpedo loading.
		20.00		Dry-docked for elimination of leak in main ballast tank 5.
		06.03.42
		09.00		Undocked, followed by piston firing.
		13.00		Provisions loading.
		07.03.42
		13.00		Fresh provisions loading.
		17.00		Put to sea from St, Nazaire.
		20.00		Passed Point Nanni 1.  Test dive.  Attack periscope fogged.  If attempt to dry fails, only the forward periscope is in service.  No reason to turn back.
		24.00	BF 6495	Day's run:  Surfaced      56.0 nm,
			SW 2, Sea 1, cloudless, Vis. medium	Submerged    0.4 nm.
		08.03.42
		04.00	BF 6478	Encountered several dimmed fishing vessels.
			SW 1-2, Sea 1, cloudless, Vis. moderate to medium
		08.00	BF 5586
			SW 2, Sea 0-1, cloudless, Vis. medium to good

	Sun and Moon Data 07.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.03.42

	- 2 -
		continued
		08.03.42
		10.00		Crash dive for training.
		10.34		Dried periscope fogs up again after a few hours, seems to be leaking.
		12.00	BF 5571
			SE 3, Sea 2, nearly cloudless, Vis. good
		15.17 - 16.30		Crash dive for training.  Deep diving test depth A +20 meters.
		20.00	BF 4693
			SE 5, Sea 4-5, nearly overcast, Vis. medium
		24.00	BF 4657	Day's run:  Surfaced      212.0 nm,
			SE 6, Sea 5, nearly totally overcast, Vis. medium, swells	Submerged    3.35 nm.
		09.03.42
		04.00	BF 4569
			SE 5, Sea 4, totally overcast, Vis. medium, medium swell
		08.00	BF 4554
			SE 4, Sea 3-4, totally overcast, Vis. moderate to medium
		12.00	BF 4438
			SE 4-5, Sea 4, totally overcast, Vis. medium, swells
		16.00	BF 4425
			SSE 4, Sea 3-4, totally overcast, Vis. medium to good, medium swell
		18.10	BF 4418	Crash dive for aircraft.  Type not made out.
		18.52		Surfaced.
		19.30		Passed drifting mine.
		20.00	BE 6636
			SbyE 4-5, Sea 3-4, nearly half overcast, Vis. good, swells
		22.26		Passing report sent:
				My position is BE 66.
		23.58		Topp gave passing report from naval square BE 66.
		24.00	BE 6617	Day's run:  Surfaced      206.0 nm,
			S 4, Sea 4-5, nearly partly overcast, Vis. medium	Submerged       2.5 nm.
		10.03.42
		04.00	BE 6528
			S 3-4, Sea 3, nearly partly overcast, Vis. medium

	Sun and Moon Data 08.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.03.42

	- 3 -
		continued
		10.03.42
		08.00	BE 6514
			SbyW 3-4, Sea 2-3, totally overcast, Vis, moderate, swells, rain
		12.00	BE 6425, SbyE 4, Sea 3-4, totally overcast, Vis. medium
		16.00	BE 5636
			SbyE 4, Sea 3, totally overcast, Vis. medium
		20.00	BE 5622
			SSE 6, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. moderate, scattered rain
		24.00	BE 5533	Day's run:  Surfaced      192 nm
			SbyE 6, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. bad to medium
		11.03.42
		04.00	BE 5522
			SSE 6, Sea 5, few clouds, Vis. moderate, medium long swell
		08.00	BE 5511
			S 5, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. bad
		09.00		Served as radio repeater for Ites.
		12.00	BE 5189
			SSE 6, Sea 5-6, totally overcast, Vis. medium to good
		16.00	BE 5178
			SSE 4, Sea 3, totally overcast, Vis. bad to medium, medium long swell
		19.27		Radio Message:
				1,)  On 12 March between 01.00 hours and 05.00 hours report weather Topp, Hartenstein, Loeser, Schuch and Kröning.
				2.)  . . . . . . . .
		20.00	BE 4383
			S 4-5, Sea 4-5, several clouds, Vis. medium to good
		24.00	BE 4372
			S 5-6, Sea 4-5, several clouds, Vis. medium to good, medium-long swell
				Difference between dead reckoning and actual position 70°T, 27.5 nm.
				Day's run:  Surfaced  145 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.03.42

	- 4 -
		12.03.42
		02.05		Sent weather Short Signal.
				Radio Message:  48°N, 22°W, steady 994 mb, +13°C, fair weather Cumulus, Vis. over 10 nm, S 5-6, medium high S-swell.
		04.00	BE 4372
			SbyW 6, Sea 4-5, several clouds, Vis, medium to good
		08.00	BE 4267
			S 4-5, Sea 4, for the most part overcast, Vis. medium
		12.00	BE 4272
			S 5-6, Sea 4-5, partly overcast, Vis. good
		16.00	BE 4191
			SSW 6-7, Sea 5-6, nearly cloudless, Vis. good
		19.00		Radio Message:  On 13 March at 08.00 hours go to the following circuits.
				Topp, Oestermann, to Greenland Circuit, Wattenberg, Hartenstein to Ireland Circuit.
		20.00	BE 4173
			SW 4, Sea 5-4, partly overcast, Vis. good, swells
		24.00	BD 6391	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position 285°T 2 nm, 40°T 6 nm.
			SbyW 3-4, Sea 2-3, nearly cloudless, Vis. good, swells
				Day's run:  Surfaced      174 nm.
		13.03.42
		04.00	BD 6376
			SSW 3-4, Sea 2-3, nearly cloudless, Vis. good, swells
		08.00	BD 6295
			WSW 4, Sea 3-4, totally overcast, rain, Vis. bad to medium
		12.00	BD 6284	Each morning the attack periscope has 45% humidity, is dried to 20%, is temporarily ready and fogs again after a few hours.  Apparently leaking.
			S 3, Sea 2-3, quite overcast, Vis. good, light swell
		16.00	BD 6198
			SEbyS 5-6, Sea 4-5, zml. overcast, Vis. good, swells
		20.00	BD 6421
			WNW 3, Sea 1-2, partial overcast, Vis. very good, light swell

	Sun and Moon Data 12.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.03.42

	- 5 -
		continued
		13.03.42
		24.00	BD 5633	Day's run:  Surfaced  176 nm.
			NW 2, Sea 1-2, partial overcast, Vis. good, light swell
		14.03.42
		04.00	BD 5621	After a day of continuous venting it was determined:
			NW 1-2, Sea 0-1, nearly cloudless, Vis. medium, swells	1)  In spite of careful lubrication excess pressure in the depth keeping mechanism.
		[the entry at right refers to the torpedo depth keeping mechanism - see B.d.U. KTB 23 Feb 42]		2.)  Permanent air-bleed valve stuck. Müller reports the same in a radio message, therefore, refrain from own message.
		08.00	BD 5536
			NNE 4-5, Sea 3-4, multiple clouds, Vis. medium, swells
		12.00	BD 5525
			WbyN 5, Sea 4-5, partial overcast, Vis. good, medium swell
		12.15		Crash dive for training.
		12.47		Surfaced.
		16.00	BD 5517
			WbyS 3-4, Sea 2-3, for the most part overcast, Vis. very good, NW-swell
		19.05		Crash dive for training.
		19.15		Surfaced.
		19.25		Radio Message to Varendorff, Topp, Gericke, Heyse, Poske.  On 15 March send weather report between 01.00 hours and 05.00 hours.
		20.00	BD 5429
			SWbyW 3-4, Sea 2-3, few clouds, Vis. very good, swells
		24.00	BD 4663	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  278°T 5 nm, 283°T 5.2 nm.
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, partial overcast, Vis. medium, swells
				Day's run:  Surfaced      183.0 nm,
				Submerged       2.5 nm.
		15.03.42
		04.00	BD 4652
			SE 2-3, Sea 2, few clouds, Vis. good, medium-long swells
		04.39		Radio Message Short Signal weather report sent:
				47°N 35°W, rising 978 mb, +10°C, SE, cloudless, Vis. 5 nm, NW-swell.

	Sun and Moon Data 13.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.03.42

	- 6 -
		continued
		15.03.42
		08.00	BD 4566
			SE 2-5, Sea 2, partial overcast, Vis. good, medium-long swell
		12.00	BD 4558
			NNW 5, Sea 4, few clouds, Vis. very good, long swell
		16.00	BD 4571
			N 3-4, Sea 2-3, heavily cloudy, Vis. good, swell
		20.00	BD 4485
			NbyE 5, Sea 4, nearly totally overcast, Vis. good, long swell
		24.00	BD 4474	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  140°T, 5 nm.
			NbyE 7, Sea 5, totally overcast, high swell
				Day's run:  Surfaced      181 nm.
		16.03.42
		04.00	BC 6689
			NW 7, Sea 6-7, totally overcast, Vis. bad to medium, high swell
		08.00	BC 6912
			NW 6-7, Sea 5-6, heavily cloudy, Vis. medium, high swell
		12.00	BC 6834
			NNW 7-8, Sea 7, nearly completely overcast, Vis. medium, rain showers, long swell
		16.00	BC 6819
			NW 5-6, Sea 4-5, nearly overcast, Vis. good, slight Swell
		18.47		Crash dive for training.  Submerged training.
		20.14	BC 6763	Surfaced.
			NNW 3, Sea 2-3, totally overcast, Vis. good, swell
		24.00	BC 6755	Day's run:  Surfaced      170.0 nm,
			NbyE 3-4, Sea 2-3, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good, swells	Submerged       4.5 nm.
		17.03.42
		04.00	BC 5969
			NNE 3-4, Sea 3, totally overcast, Vis. medium to good, slight swell.

	Sun and Moon Data 15.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.03.42

	- 7 -
		continued
		17.03.42
		08.00	BC 5982
			NNW 3-4, Sea 3, partial overcast, Vis. bad to medium, slight swell
		09.00 - 09.15		Silent crash dive.
		12.00	BC 5977	During the day strong temperature drop.  Meeting the cold wall [inner wall of the Gulf stream] clearly ascertainable.  Lowering of the temperature and salt content.
			WNW 3-4, Sea 2-3, totally overcast, Vis. very good, slight swell
		16.00	BC 8223
			NW 4, Sea 3, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good, slight swell
		20.00	BC 5879
			NNW 2, Sea 1, nearly overcast, Vis. medium, snow, hail
		24.00	BC 8215	Clocks set back 4 hours.
			NNW 4-5, Sea 3-4, nearly overcast, Vis. medium, rain shower	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  71°T, 33 nm.
				Day's run:  Surfaced      208.0 nm,
				Submerged      0.75 nm.
		18.03.42
		04.00	BC 8161
			NNW 4-5, totally overcast, Vis. bad to moderate
		08.00	BC 8146
			NNW 4-5, Sea 3-4, totally overcast, Vis. moderate to bad
		12.00	BC 7392
			NNW 4-5, Sea 3-4, totally overcast, Vis. good, air temperature -1°C, water temperature +5°C
		16.00	BC 7378
			NbyW 1, Sea 0-1, heavily cloudy, Vis. very good, slight swell
		20.00	BC 7535
			SbyE 3, Sea 2, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	BC 7551	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  251°T, 11.5 nm.
			SbyE 5-6, Sea 5, completely overcast, Vis. medium to good, rain
				Day's run:  Surfaced      189 nm.
		19.03.42
		04.00	BC 7469
			SSE 6, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. very bad, fog, swells

	Sun and Moon Data 17.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.03.42

	- 8 -
		continued
		19.03.42
		08.00	BC 7486
			Submerged
		12.00	BC 7712
			SSE 10, Sea 9, cloudless, Vis. medium to moderate, high swell
		13.06		Silent crash dive.  Proceeded submerged due to bad weather.  Proceeding on the surface against the sea consumes too much fuel.
		18.30		Surfaced.
		19.25		Again submerged due to bad weather.
		24.00	BB 9952	Surfaced.
				Day's run:  Surfaced      87 nm,
				Submerged   24 nm.
		20.03.42
		03.00		Battery charged.  Due to unchanged bad weather dived.  Proceeded submerged.
		08.42	BB 9949	Surfaced, boat ventilated.
		09.15		Again submerged.
		13.00	BB 9948	Surfaced, weather situations somewhat better.  Ran 20° from directly into the sea, course 220° rather than course 245°.
		16.00	BB 9947
			Submerged
		17.41		Radio Message tomorrow between 01.00 hours and 05.00 hours report weather by Short Signal:
				Mützelburg, Laßen, Bülow, Topp.
		20.00	BB 9896	Dived again.  Proceeding against the high WSW-sea the boat makes only slow speed with high fuel consumption.
			WbyS 8, Sea 7, heavily cloudy, Vis. good, very high swell
		24.00	None	Day's run:  Surfaced      45.25 nm,
				Submerged   20.20 nm.
		21.03.42
		01.00	CC 1326
			WbyS 7-8, Sea 7, Vis. good, rain, hail
		02.15		Dived due to weather.

	Sun and Moon Data 19.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.03.42

	- 9 -
		continued
		21.03.42
		06.12		Radio Message Weather Short Signal sent:
				43°N, 54°W, rising 1002 mb, +3°C, W 9-10, 6-9/10, Vis. over 10 nm, high swell.
				Delay due to failure of the radio inverter.
		08.30	CC 1327
			WNW 8, Sea 7, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good, heavy swell
		11.00		Dived due to weather situation.
		17.00	CC 1342	Surfaced.
		20.00	CC 1344	Radio Message (Officer-Only).
			Submerged	According to Radio Intercept Service convoy 21 March Halifax for England, assembly point at 60° 40'W, and at 43° 15'N, or 44° 15'N.  The latter latitude probably at Sable Island.
				Means for me 300 nm against the seas, therefore did not operate on it.
		21.06		Radio Message per Outbound Orders report concerning fuel consumption passing 55°W:  still have 100 cbm on board.
		21.55		Radio Message Topp reports a fuel inventory of 100 tons.
		24.00	CC 1267	Day's run:  Surfaced      56.0 nm,
			NNW 7, Sea 6-7, totally overcast, Vis. good, high swell	Submerged   19.5 nm.
		22.03.42
		04.00	CC 1518
			NbyW 6-7, Sea 6, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good
		08.00	CC 1465
			NWbyN 6, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. good
		12.00	CC 1482
			NNW 3, Sea 2-3, totally overcast, Vis. good
		16.00	CB 3699
			WbyN 1, Sea 0-1, partial overcast, Vis. very good, confused swell
		17.32		Radio Message:  KR KR from Bülow.
				Convoy naval square 5119, 2 cruisers, 5 large ships, 6 destroyers, main course 230°, 12 knots, no contact due to fuel.
				Did not operate
				1)  because interception is unlikely without contact keeping reports,
				2)  because I would have to maintain 2 x HF for 18 hours

	Sun and Moon Data 21.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.03.42

	- 10 -
		continued
		22.03.42		and then probably during the day still must maintain 12 knots.
		20.00	CB 3924
			SEbyE 3-4, totally overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	CB 3839	Day's run:  Surfaced  192 nm.
			SEbyS 7, Sea 6-7, totally overcast, Vis. medium
		23.03.42
		04.00	CB 3855
			W 6, Sea 5-6, totally overcast, rain, Vis. moderate
		06.55		Dived due to bad weather.
		12.00	CB 3847	Surfaced.
			Submerged
		16.00	CB 3789
			W 5, Sea 4-5, nearly cloudless, Vis. very good
		20.00	CB 6111
			SE 4, Sea 3, completely overcast, rain
		24.00	CB 5325	Day's run:  Surfaced      156.8 nm,
			WbyN 2, Sea 1, heavily cloudy, Vis. very good	Submerged      7.5 nm.
		24.03.42
		00.30		Smoke cloud in sight bearing 40°T.  Closed at high speed.
		01.30		Convoy in sight.
		02.19		Radio Message Short Signal.  Convoy in sight square CB 2984, course 300°, speed 10 knots.        U-552.
				Moonlit night, sighted 5-6 large steamers, one larger warship, many destroyers.  Suspect I have the Bülow group.
		02.57		Radio Message Short Signal.  The reported enemy convoy located square 2977, course 270°, speed 12 knots.  U-552.
				Holding contact at 2 x HF.  However not gaining ground against the seas.
		04.00	CB 5233
			WbyN 3, Sea 2, heavily cloudy, Vis. very good
		04.30		Therefore pursuit broken off.
		05.00		Radio Message from Topp.  Pursuit broken off.  14 knots against the sea naval square CB 5232, 95 cbm, last course 250°.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.03.42

	- 11 -
		continued
		24.03.42
		08.00	CB 5211
			WbyN 3, Sea 2, completely overcast, Vis. moderate
		12.00	CB 5125
			W 1-2, Sea 0-1, nearly completely overcast, Vis. medium
		12.07		In the morning twilight tanker in sight.  Hung on at the limit of visibility, runs at 10 knots, general course 340°.  Held contact all day.  Day attack hopeless because enemy zig zags too heavily.
		16.00	CB 2741
			WbyN 2, Sea 1, totally overcast
		20.00	CB 2713
			WbyN 5, Sea 4, partial overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	CB 2444	Day's run:  Surfaced  234 nm.
			WNW 4, Sea 4-5, nearly partial overcast, Vis. good
		25.03.42
		00.30		Beginning of twilight.  Moonlit night, no clouds in the sky.  Surface attack must take place from long range.
		04.10	CB 1392	Dived for submerged attack.  Tanker clearly distinguished.  Shortly after diving [the tanker] stopped.  Closed for attack.  At range = 1000 meters the tanker increases speed and turns hard towards me. Quickly to depth 20 meters.  The tanker overruns the boat and runs on at high speed.
			WbyN 4-5, Sea 4, cloudless, light swell
		04.45		Surfaced, maneuvered ahead again, tanker now zig zags slightly.
		05.40		Attempt a surface attack.  Tanker comes towards me with sharp target angle after a zig zag.  Also [the boat] approached at a sharp target angle at KF.  At approximately 3000 meters range tanker stops, the approach continued.  Tanker turns while stopping. [The boat] Ran off again, tanker gets under way, on the old course at a sharp target angle towards me.  If he had seen me, he would certainly have turned.
		06.40		Dived for a new submerged approach.
				Tanker is clearly distinguished.  Comes towards me at a sharp target angle.  Then the same as the first time, the tanker stops, turns, as I continued to approach, turns towards me at high speed and overruns the boat.
				Usually I am not so inclined to relate all the enemy maneuvers to my attacking boat, however this repeated counteractions to my attacks makes me suspicious.

	Sun and Moon Data 24.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.03.42

	- 12 -
		continued
		25.03.42
		07.00		Surfaced.  Will wait until the moon disappears, visibility is very poor.
		07.50		After once again maneuvering ahead for attack the boat came too close. Collision is avoided only by both engines back AK. Passed the enemy 5 meters behind the stern.  There is a cannon on the stern which is not manned. Steamer transmits, the sure sign that just now he has detected me with certainty.  Perhaps the other cases were assumptions on the basis of equipment aboard the tanker. Steamer transmits:
				S S S "OSANA", followed by a submarine.  Turn hard behind the tanker stern for a new attack.
		08.13	CB 1363	Tube II shot.  Range = 1800 meters, target speed = 9 knots, depth 3 meters.  After a running time of one minute 58 seconds a detonation.  Tanker rises in flames and burns several hours.  Went closer.  Tanker has settled noticeably deeper.  The oil is forced out everywhere under the water pressure and blazes as from enormous nozzles. Did not wait for sinking.  Ran off to the west.  Avoided several fishermen with set lights.
			WSW 3-4, Sea 3, cloudless, Vis. medium
		12.00	CB 1351	Dived for motor sailer.  Tanker still burning.  Remained submerged to save fuel.  Asdic or depth sounding impulses heard several times.
			WSW 4, Sea 3, cloudless, Vis. good
		16.00	CB 1354	About 10-15 depth charges at great range.
		18.42 - 19.00		Surfaced and ventilated the boat.
		19.15	CB 1346	Put the boat on the bottom depth A +20 meters.
				In the course of the afternoon a further 20 depth charges at medium to great range.
		24.00	CB 1345	Surfaced.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  90°T 1.8 nm, 228°T 16.4 nm.
			WbyN 4-5, Sea 4-5, nearly cloudless, Vis. good
				Day's run:  Surfaced      107 nm,
				Submerged   8.3 nm.
		26.03.42
		04.00	CB 1289	On course for the Nantucket lightship avoided several fishermen with set lights.
			WNW 3-4, Sea 3, cloudless, Vis. good
		08.00	CB 1515
			NWbyW 4, Sea 3, cloudless, Vis. good
		12.00	CB 1464
			NW 4-5, Sea 4, cloudless, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 25.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.03.42

	- 13 -
		continued
		26.03.42
		16.00	CB 1473
			NbyW 6, Sea 5-6, partial overcast, Vis. very good
		19.03		Crash dive for land-based aircraft on parallel course.
		19.20		Surfaced.
		20.00	CA 3699
			NbyW 6, partial overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	CA 3913	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  180°T 14 nm, 57°T 3 nm.
			N 6, Sea 5, partial overcast, Vis. very good
				Day's run:  Surfaced      163 nm.
		27.03.42
		04.00	CA 3593	Very bright night.
			N 3-4, Sea 3, nearly cloudless, Vis. good
		08.00	CA 3556	Pollock lightship in sight.  Closed and drove parallel to the coast from buoy to buoy.  Except for some fishermen and some small motor vessels with set lights no traffic.  All lighthouses are lit.
			WNW 2-3, Sea 2-3, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good
		11.30		At the beginning of twilight put the boat on the bottom at depth 60 meters about 8 nm off the coast at the latitude of "Nanset Beach" Lighthouse.
				Very cold in the boat.
				Continuous sound bearings during the long day show:  no traffic under the coast except for one small motor vessel that reamains in our vicinity.
		16.00		A depth charge at medium range.
		24.00		Off the bottom.
				Day's run:  Surfaced      77 nm,
				Submerged   0.3 nm.
		28.03.42
		01.40		Surfaced.
				Boat remains on the surface back and forth at the coast.  Moonlit night.
		07.50		Went to periscope depth for approaching dimmed motor vessel.  Type fast boat.
		08.50	Abeam Nanset Beach	Surfaced.
		11.23		At the beginning of twilight put the boat on the bottom.  During the entire day again nothing heard.
		24.00		Off the bottom.
				Day's run:  Surfaced  55.7 nm, Submerged  4 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 26.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.03.42

	- 14 -
		29.03.42
		01.30		Surfaced.  Start for CA 50.
		04.00	CA 3564
			EbyS 2, Sea 1-2, nearly completely overcast, Vis. medium to good, slight swell	Avoided fishermen.
		08.00	CA 3599
			EbyS 3, Sea 2, cloudless, Vis. good
		12.00	CA 3944
			E 3, Sea 2-3, cloudless, Vis. very good
		14.12	CA 3896	Crash dive for aircraft, land-based aircraft.
		15.06		Surfaced.
		16.00	CA 3898
			E 5, Sea 4-5, cloudless, Vis. very good
		20.00	CA 6251
			E 5-6, Sea 4-5, partial overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	CA 6199	Surfaced.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  177°T 10 nm, 243°T 10 nm.
			ENE 7-8, Sea 6-7, partial overcast, Vis. good
				Day's run:  Surfaced      204 nm,
				Submerged   0.45 nm.
		30.03.42
		04.00	CA 6427
			E 7, Sea 6-7, totally overcast, Vis. medium
		08.00	CA 5666
			SbyW 4-5, Sea 3-4, totally overcast, rain, Vis. medium, high long swell
		12.00	CA 5681
			WbyN 5, Sea 4, heavily cloudy, Vis. medium, EbyN-swell
		16.00	CA 5596
			NWbyN 6, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. very good	38° 15.5'N
				74° 26'W
		20.00	CA 5821
			WbyS 4-5, Sea 4-5, cloudless, Vis. good
		24.00	CA 5736	Surfaced.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  15°T 9.5 nm.
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, few clouds, Vis. very good
				Day's run:  Surfaced  180 nm,
		31.03.42
		04.00	CA 5728	New buoy in place.  Exact position:
			SW 1-2, Sea 1, nearly cloudless, Vis. medium to good	Phi = 38° 15.5'N,        Identifier:  white xxxxx
				Lambda = 74° 26'W

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

	- 15 -
		continued
		31.03.42
		07.00		Winter Quarter Lightship, position reached.  Set off to the SSW on the 20-meter line.  No traffic observed, despite full moon night, that is to say good visibility.
		08.00	CA 5748
			S 1-2, Sea 1, cloudless, Vis. medium
		12.00	CA 4999	Put the boat on the bottom.
			SSE 2, Sea 1, nearly completely overcast, Vis. medium
		15.50		At periscope depth.  G.H.G. reports propeller sounds, 4 steamers.  Nothing seen.  Conductivity of the water must be very great.
		16.34		Boat put on the bottom.
		18.40		At periscope depth.  5000 GRT steamer, shooting range too large, course north.
		19.05		On the bottom.
		19.42		At periscope depth.  6000 GRT steamer, course 30°.  Attack initiated from range = 2500 meters.
		20.30	CA 4999	Shot from tube I.  Shooting data:
				Target speed from RPM 6.5 knots.
				Target angle by estimation 80°.
				Range by estimation 2500 meters, depth 3 meters.
				Miss
		20.59		New propeller sounds.  2 tankers on southerly course, 1 tanker with northerly course in periscope.
				Attack on an empty tanker nearest to me.
		21.34		Shot from tube II.  Shooting data:
				Target speed from RPM 8 knots, target angle from estimation 80°, range by estimation 700 meters,  depth 3 meters.  These maneuvers are all made with the forward periscope in the smooth sea and swell.  Shortly before shooting the periscope cuts under. Target angle on emerging is 100-110.  However still shot.   Probably the reason for missing.
		21.50		Aircraft in periscope.  Go deep, that is to say boat touches bottom at 18 meters.  Aircraft had not noticed me.
		23.00		New propeller sounds.  At periscope depth.  Tanker 5000 GRT, course north.
				Attempt attack.  Tanker drives in quite shallow water, sounds continually with Electrolot.  Shooting range is too great, about 3000 meters.  Again put the boat on the bottom at depth 20 meters.
		24.00	CA 4993	Day's run:  Surfaced      30 nm,
				Submerged   9.69 nm.
		01.04.42
		01.27		In periscope sighted 10 steamers, heard but not seen another 9 steamers.
				At periscope depth and surfaced.
				Boat ventilated.
		02.40		Boat put on the bottom.
		03.20		Surfaced after sound report.  Surface pursuit:  without results.
		03.44		Put the boat on the bottom.  No further sounds heard.

	Sun and Moon Data 31.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.04.42

	- 16 -
		continued
		01.04.42
		08.00		Propeller sounds 80 RPM coming slowly nearer.
		08.45		Surfaced.  Cloudless moonlit night.  Mirror flat.  2 steamers, 1 destroyer shadow.  Dived again, to view in periscope.  In G.H.G. can make out 1 steamer from the convoy and it shifts off to the east.
		09.58		Surfaced.  Pursued at high speed.  Shadows still seen.  There are still 2 hours before the beginning of twilight.  After 1 hour have not closed.  Steamer runs at high speed.
				Broke off; again headed for the 20-meter line north of the Winter Quarter Lightship.
		12.15	CA 5744	Dived for shadow.
				Steamer 4000 GRT coming with target angle 0° towards us.  Ready to attack.  Turn off for a stern shot.  Sure shooting data.
		12.45	CA 5744	Shot from tube V.  Shooting data:
				Target speed by propeller RPM 7.5 knots,
				Target angle estimated 80°, range estimated 600 meters, depth 3 meters, miss (unexplained at the low range.)
		12.50		Put the boat on the bottom.
		14.27		At periscope depth.  In the G.H.G. fast running propeller sounds.
				Destroyer, course 210°, target angle already 100°.
		14.45		Put the boat on the bottom.
		16.50		At periscope depth.  Sounds 120 RPM.  Tanker.  Range too great.  Aircraft.
		17.17		On the bottom.
		17.25		At periscope depth.  3 sound bearings.  3 steamers course for Cape Henry.  Long range.  Pursued at GF.  Reached the last steamer at range = 600 meters.
		18.06		Shot from tube III.  Steamer is empty and about 6000 GRT.  Certain shooting data:  Target speed by estimate 9 knots,  target angle by estimate 80°, range estimated 1000 meters, depth 3 meters.  At shot angle 0° the torpedo ran 348°, in G.H.G. bearing exact.
				Check of set values proved that the fire control installation worked correctly.  The error can lie only with the [torpedo] gyro assembly.  Miss.
				Afterwards with quietly lying boat random check with the remaining torpedoes proved that the torpedoes were fine.
		18.50		2 tankers in hopeless position.
		19.05		On the bottom.
		19.38		At periscope depth.  2 tankers, one full, course north, about 14000 GRT, one empty, course south, about 6000 GRT.  Attempt to reach shooting position at high speed.
		19.52		An air ship is above me.
				Want to get deep quickly and hit bottom at depth 13 meters.  Nothing happens.
				Remain undetected and work slowly to depth 17 meters.  The large tanker can be heard up to 21.00 hours.
		23.10		Fast runner coming from the east.
				To periscope depth.
				Patrol vessel, corvette type, target angle 0°, high speed.  Let boat settle to the bottom, depth 19 meters, with a lot of negative buoyancy.  Patrol vessel passes in the immediate

Sun and Moon Data 01.04.42

	- 17 -
		continued
		01.04.42
				vicinity and runs off towards Cape Henry.
		24.00		On the bottom.
				Day's run:  Surfaced      15 nm,
				Submerged   13.45 nm.
		02.04.42		Altogether 9 steamers in the periscope, of these 5 tankers.  Apart from these heard 6 other steamers.
		02.00		At periscope depth.
				Surfaced.  Cloudless full moon night.  Mirror flat.  Ran off, to transfer torpedoes from the over deck.
		04.00	CA 5748
		04.10		Crash dive for sharp shadow.  Immediately after diving the vessel must have stopped.  Shortly thereafter started at high RPM.  Destroyer RPM.
				Circled the boat, stopped again.  Runs toward the boat at slow RPM.  Stopped.  Put the boat on the bottom, depth 40 meters, everything turned off.  Destroyer works apparently only with sound locator.
		05.16+		Boat overrun at high speed.  One depth charge, small caliber.  Slight damage.  Vents from [torpedo tubes] II and IV jump off.  Destroyer circles the boat once more, stopping repeatedly, over runs the boat once more and runs off.
		05.30		Steamer sounds bearing 110°T, shifts slowly out to 130°T.
		06.43		Surface.  Pursued the steamer.
		08.00	CA 5784	Steamer still not in sight, dived to listen without results.  Pursuit broken off, plan to transfer over deck torpedoes put off.  Ran back again to the buoy line.
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, nearly cloudless, Vis. good
		12.20	CA 4996	Put the boat on the bottom, SW of the position of the Winter Quarter Lightship.
		13.30		Fast runner, patrol ship.
		16.00		At periscope depth.  Propeller sounds, 70 RPM.  Very great range.
		17.03		On the bottom.
		17.25		At periscope depth.  Large tanker, full, I run at high speed and get to within 1500 meters.
		18.15		Shot from tube III.
				Sure shooting data.  Target speed by RPM 11 knots, target angle by estimate 90°, range by estimate 1500 meters, depth 4 meters.  Miss.
		18.23		On the bottom.
		18.31		Periscope depth.  3 steamers, all too far.
		18.15		On the bottom.
		20.00		Periscope depth.
				1 steamer, two patrol vessels in the G.H.G.
				Nothing seen in the periscope.
		20.19		On the bottom.
		20.25		Periscope depth.  2 steamers, no attack position.

	Sun and Moon Data 01.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.04.42

	- 18 -
		continued
		02.04.42
		20.55		On the bottom.
		21.05		Periscope depth.  2 steamers, 1 patrol vessel, range too great.
		21.25		On the bottom.
		21.35		Periscope depth.  Tanker.  No attack position.
		22.28		On the bottom.
		24.00		Day's run:  Surfaced      66.57 nm,
				Submerged   15.79 nm.
		03.04.42
		00.52		At periscope depth.  Steamer course north, target angle already 110°, makes only slow speed.  Run after submerged at LF.  Intend to surface at twilight, pursue and engage with artillery.
		01.45		Destroyer in G.H.G. starboard abeam, shifting slowly astern.
		01.57		Surfaced, steamer no longer seen.
		02.45		Pursued, bright night.
				Steamer again comes in sight.
		03.51		Dived to listen, to see if there are destroyers in the vicinity.  Nothing heard
		02.58		Surfaced.  Ready for combat.
				Ran up behind the steamer.
		03.10		Opened fire.
				Steamer transmits.  It is the loaded steamer "DAVID H. ATWATER", 2438 GRT.
		03.40		Ceased fire, steamer burning.
				93 shots 8.8 cm, ran off at high speed.  Steamer sinks.
		04.00	CA 5744
		04.43		Crash dive for aircraft.  First sighted, when he was 30 meters over us.  Water depth 38 meters.  Aircraft had probably not sighted us.
		05.20		Fast runner.  Patrol vessel, comes closer in the G.H.G. and ran off again.
		06.26		Surfaced.  Ran off to the south.
		08.00	CA 5776
			SSW 4, Sea 3, nearly cloudless, Vis. medium
		08.47		To Hardegen and Topp:  Tonight short situation report.
		12.00	CA 8143
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, nearly cloudless
		12.30		Put the boat on the bottom.
		16.50		At periscope depth.  Fast runner in the G.H.G., nothing seen.
		17.20		Surfaced.  Horizon free, boat ventilated.
		18.20		Put the boat on the bottom.
		20.30		At periscope depth.  Steamer sounds in the G.H.G. bearing 150°T.
				Steamer seen in the periscope, about 7000 GRT, 85 RPM.  At the same time fast runner bearing 300°T.  Wait until it is a little bit quieter and surface.

	Sun and Moon Data 02.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.04.42

	- 19 -
		continued
		03.04.42
		20.50		Hazy horizon, Steamer not seen.  Pursued at high speed, after 1 hour still not in sight.
		22.14		Dived to listen.  Clear bearing 157°T.
		22.23		Surfaced, continued pursuit at high speed.
		24.00	CA 8426	Surfaced.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  137°T, 4.7 nm.
			SbyW 5, Sea 4, near partial overcast, Vis. medium to good
				Day's run:  Surfaced      128.50 nm,
				Submerged      7.18 nm.
		04.04.42
		00.59		Steamer still not in sight.  Dived to listen at the beginning of twilight without results.  Steamer must have been faster than us.  Pursuit broken off.  Positioned outside my operations area in the vicinity of Cape Hatteras.
				Set course for Wimble Shoal.
		00.11 - 00.48		From Topp:
				Situation:  3 days Cape Cod no traffic.  Cape May to Henry very heavy traffic along the buoys.  Nights stopped.  Effective air and sea surveillance.  For 8 days high pressure weather conditions.  Cloudless moonlit nights.  75 cbm, main transmitter out of service, request radio repeater.
				Continued:
				25 March square CB 1363 OCANA loaded torpedoed.  4 hours burned out, destroyed.  3 April CA 5744 ATWATER sunk with artillery,  1 gyro failure, two unaccounted for, two accounted for misses in 18 meters by day.  6 plus 2 torpedoes, CA 7355.
		04.00	CA 8481
			SbyW 4-5, Sea 3-4, partial overcast, Vis. medium to good
		08.00	CA 8477
			SW 4-5, Sea 4, nearly cloudless, Vis. medium
		10.35		Dived and north of the Wimble Shoal buoy put the boat on the bottom to listen.
		11.48		Surfaced, boat ventilated.
		12.10		Dived at the beginning of twilight.  1 escort vessel and 2 steamers at great range heard.
		15.12		At periscope depth.  Piston steamer.  80 RPM, protected by aircraft.
		15.30		On the bottom.
		16.40		Periscope depth.  Piston steamer 70 RPM, no attack position.
		17.12		On the bottom.
		18.25		Periscope depth, piston steamer, also range too great.
		18.30		On the bottom.
		17.30	[time does not make sense]	Periscope depth, tanker, 7000 GRT, range too great, 2000 meters.

	Sun and Moon Data 03.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.04.42

	- 20 -
		continued
		04.04.42
		18.12		On the bottom.
		19.03		Periscope depth.  For aircraft again went deep.  Cloudless.  Sunny.  Mirror flat.  At depth 17 meters on the bottom.
		19.40		Ran to somewhat deeper water.
				On the bottom depth 22 meters.
				Day attacks are given up now.  In spite of dependence on the buoys, the steamer route extends a few miles wide. The horizon is hazy, the steamers come in sight full size at only about 3 nm.  Therefore, maneuver ahead is usually unsuccessful.  Besides, strong air surveillance.  Danger of being seen is great in the shallow water, strong sunlight, smooth sea and being limited to the forward periscope.
				All together today through the periscope sighted or heard perfectly:  16 steamers, of these 9 southbound, 7 northbound.
				Of these I am interested mainly the southbound, all of which are between Lookout and Hatteras at the beginning of twilight.  Intend to run there.
		23.50		At periscope depth.  Sounds of 2 steamers, northbound.
				Now also the forward periscope has fogged up (inside) difficult to see.  Sounds are very loud.  Recognize dimly 2 full large tankers, led by an escort.  It is about one hour before the onset of twilight.  Hold contact as long as possible submerged.   Gyrocompass fails.  Nothing is spared us.  In the periscope nothing is seen, but is heard well.
		24.00	CA 7935	Day's run:  Surfaced      70.57 nm,
			Submerged	Submerged   8.12 nm.
		05.04.42
		01.39		Still surface in brightness.  Tanker still distinguished.  Darkness falls quickly and the tanker disappears in the hazy horizon.  Follow at high speed.  Navigating only by the North Star.
				Buoys are very far separated here. Today of all days it is getting darker than it has been for weeks.  No visible horizon.
		02.20		Stopped.  Attempt to listen on the surface without results.  Again followed.
		02.30		Shadow to starboard.  Escort vessel.  So that tanker can not be far off.
				At this moment the starboard diesel clutch becomes too hot.  Starboard diesel stopped.  Escort vessel disappears again.
		02.50		Dived to listen.  The steamer is heard at relative bearing 315°.  This corresponds

	Sun and Moon Data 04.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.04.42

	- 21 -
		continued
		05.04.42		from my North Star navigation to a course which leads to land.
		02.53		Surfaced.  In any case, hold 15° further to starboard and chased after.
		03.21		Shadow to starboard.  Again escort vessel, however no tanker.
				Suppose that the patrol vessel guards to seaward, break through behind him, to port.  Also nothing seen.
				Came up behind his stern to starboard and steamed off.
		03.48		Dived to listen.
				Tanker relative bearing 20°.  Patrol vessel positioned to port, that is to say protecting far astern or has nothing to do with the tanker convoy.
		03.52		Surfaced.  Chase continues.
		04.00	CA 7653
			SSW 1-2, Sea 0, cloudless
		04.30		Shadow to port ahead, tanker.  Despite all obstacles have achieved after all.  The second tanker is not seen.  Can not search long, because the moon rises soon.  Steamed to starboard, approached and attacked.
		04.47	CA 7652	Shot from tube III.  Shooting data set:
			SSW 1-2, Sea 0, cloudless	Target speed = 8 knots, target angle = 80°, range = 1000 meters, depth = 4 meters.
				Hit aft 40-50 meters.
				After one minute 0.8 seconds a powerful detonation.  Fire column several hundred meters high, and the tanker is engulfed in flames.  It was a large tanker of about 10000 GRT.
				Short time later we are fired upon with star shells by the real escort who is still positioned further ahead probably with the other tanker.
				The wind is positioned favorable and drives the smoke between us and the fire.  Tanker lists heavily.  The sky is obscured.  Nothing is seen of the patrol vessel that we overtook.
				Turn off at high speed to about 90°, to get to deeper water.  Tanker is torpedoed in about 15-20 meters.  The burning oil occupies a sector of about 40°.  After about 2 hours the fire hearth disappears, oil on the water continues to burn.  The tanker is sunk.  Patrol vessel shoots star shells for about 1 hour, however ineffectively.
		05.30		Slow and turn slowly to the south.
		08.00	CA 7693
			SSW 1-2, Sea 0, cloudless, Vis. medium to good
		12.00	CA 7939	Dived and put the boat on the bottom.  No exact position due to the failure of the gyro compass.  Morning navigation fix also inexact due to hazy horizon.
			SSW 1-2, Sea 1, cloudless, somewhat hazy, Vis. medium
				Lying at depth A.

Sun and Moon Data 05.04.42

	- 22 -
		continued
		05.04.42		Several steamer sounds in the east, very faint.  Obviously steamers which approach from out there.
		16.00		At periscope depth.  Piston steamer sounds.
		16.31		Surfaced.  Steamer on the hazy horizon difficult to distinguish.  Broad target angle 80°, course towards land.  Maneuvering ahead is hopeless.
		16.46		Dived, put the boat on the bottom.  During the day 8 steamers heard at long ranges.
		24.00	CA 7939	Submerged.
				Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  210°T, 9 nm.
				Day's run:  Surfaced           72 nm,
				Submerged       2.8 nm.
		06.04.42
		01.30		Surfaced.
				Star navigation fix results in a position close to Hatteras.  Ran closer to the Cape.
		04.30		Positioned abeam the peacetime position of the lightship.
		06.00		Dived to listen, nothing heard except for two destroyers running south at high speed.
				Surfaced.
				At minimum speed continued to run on course to Lookout buoy, corresponding to the Mohr situation report, steamers do not drive in the Bay, nothing seen with cloudless sky.  Good visibility.   Neither steamers nor escort vessels.
		08.00	CA 7994
			SSW 3, Sea 2-3, cloudless, Vis. good
		12.00	DC 1224
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, cloudless, Vis. good
		12.18		Dived at the beginning of twilight.
				During the entire day no propeller sounds.  Traffic must be offset seaward at the latitude of Cape Hatteras.
				Several routine depth charges at long ranges.
		23.37		At periscope depth.  Propeller sounds, tanker with escort vessel coming from the south.  Go on parallel course and hold contact submerged.
		24.00	DC 1224	Day's run:  Surfaced         80.14 nm,
			Submerged	Submerged       7.30 nm.
		07.04.42
		01.25		Surfaced at the beginning of twilight.
		01.29		Again crash dive.  Tanker is still too high out.
		01.43		Surfaced.  Tanker can still be seen.  Disappears rapidly in the quickly falling twilight.  Pursued at high speed.

	Sun and Moon Data 05.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.04.42

	- 23 -
		continued
		07.04.42
		02.48		Tanker must be at the same latitude by plotting.  Dived to listen.  Relative bearing 324°.
		02.52		Surfaced.  Continued pursuit.
		03.20		Tanker comes in sight.  The escort is in starboard echelon.  Approached from starboard because the tanker drives quite close to the buoys.
		03.57		Attack.  Shot from tube III.
				Shooting data:
				Target speed estimated 9 knots,
				Target angle estimated 80°,
				Range estimated 1500 meters,
				Depth 4 meters, miss.
				Tanker had turned on northerly course at Wimble Shoal.
				Whether this turn still had an effect on he shot, is not clear.
				Strike behind his stern and steamed to the port side.
		04.17	CA 7969	New attack.  Tube I fire.
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, very heavily cloudy, Vis. good	Shooting data:
				Target speed estimated 10 knots, target angle estimated 80°, range estimated 1000 meters, depth 4 meters.
				After 1 minute 54 seconds, detonation, slight fire appearance.  Hit astern before the smoke stack.  Heavy blowing off steam and heavy diesel odor.  Torpedo hit at the forward edge of the engine room and the after bunker leaks.  Settles deeper astern.  Transmits his name "BRITISH SPLENDOR" (7138 GRT) torpedoed.  Searching for submarine.  Escort shoots star shells and throws depth charges.  Remain in the vicinity, as the fate of the tanker remains to be seen, if necessary to still give him a finishing shot.  Am forced back several times.
				Must run off at high speed, was probably heard.  Escort shoots aggressively.
		05.10		With a new attempt to approach it is determined that the tanker lies with the engine part under water.  The bridge can still be seen, and the forecastle is still out.
				That's enough for me, ran off initially to the east then to the south.
				At the latitude of the Diamond Lightship two large shadows, shifting quickly.  Run towards it at high speed
				Destroyers.  Turn hard away, at the same moment the destroyers turn towards, quickly growing larger.
		07.07	CA 7992	Crash dive!  Destroyers run at 180 RPM over the boat to the south
		07.48		Surfaced.  Course for Lookout buoy.  The moon rises, cloudless night.
				Decide to proceed deeper in the Bay between Diamond and Lookout and transfer torpedoes from the over deck.
		08.00		Began assembly of the over deck equipment.
		09.30		The equipment is half set up when a shadow under land comes in sight, patrol vessel silhouette.

Sun and Moon Data 07.04.42

	- 24 -
		continued
		07.04.42
				Again turned out of the bay.
				Some time later a patrol vessel to sea.  I am positioned between both. Work goes on.
		10.08		Large shadow under land.
				Have the equipment taken down hastily.
				Attempt attack.
				Very unfavorable situation.  Steamer and 1 escort positioned against the dark horizon under land.
				I am positioned exactly in the moon from both, from the second escort, however, in the rear bearing with the steamer.
				Steamer is a gigantic freighter with a forest of masts and kingposts, loaded, estimated 14000 GRT, type NESTOR ULYSES.
				Ran on.  Steamer must see me, however it considers itself in safety because the escort stands in the same bearing.
		10.52	CA 7991	Tube II and IV fire.    Double shot.
				Shooting data:
				Target speed estimated 10 knots,
				Target angle       "          80°,
				Range                "          2000,
				Depth                "           4 meters.
				Aim point forward 60, aft 50 meters, tube IV was a tube runner.
				After 2 minutes 06 seconds a tremendous detonation, Water vapor and smoke cloud several hundred meters high.
				Hit about forward 30 meters.  Engine room is hit.  After about 3-4 minutes internal explosion on the steamer.
				Escort comes closer, runs off at high speed.  Sinking not observed.  Twilight starts a short time later.
		11.56	CA 7986	Dived, put the boat on the bottom.
				During the day, 4 steamers with escorts, heard coming from the south.
		24.00		Off the bottom.
				Day's run:  Surfaced         62.86 nm,
				Submerged       6.18 nm.
		8.04.42
		00.03		At periscope depth.
		01.58		Surfaced.
				2 destroyers astern, course south, at the limit of visibility, shifting quickly off.  Running to the west under land.  Cloudless night.
		03.26		Shadows in sight.  Escort vessel or small coastal steamer.  Let go.
		04.00 - 08.00	CA 7976	Transfer of both torpedoes from the over deck.
			SE 2-3, Sea 2, cloudless, Vis. good	An incident. While lowering the stern torpedo the winch block tears from its foundation.  Torpedo half in the hatch.   Must be extracted with a heaving line.  Duration of the holdup approximately 10 minutes.  A critical moment.  Again ran back to the steamer route.
		11.41	DC 1227	Crash dive in the fading darkness for a sharp shadow.  Am positioned on the bright morning horizon

	Sun and Moon Data 07.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.04.42

	- 25 -
		continued
		08.04.42
				Vessel seen very late against the dark horizon is distinguished as a tanker.  No further attack possibility.  Because only the stern torpedo is ready remained submerged.  Put the boat on the bottom.  In the course of the day 2 steamers, 1 patrol vessel sounds, course for the peacetime position of the Diamond Lightship.
		24.00		On the bottom
				Day's run:  Surfaced         30.01 nm,
				Submerged       4.98 nm.
		09.04.42
		02.05		Surfaced, ventilated the boat.
		03.14	DC 1216	Boat put on the bottom to listen.
		04.18		At periscope depth.  Propeller sounds from a northbound steamer, runs past to the west of me.
		04.29		Surfaced, with lead pursued in the direction of the sound bearing.
		05.09		Dived to listen.
		05.12		Surfaced.  Continued to run in the direction of the sound bearing.  Very dark night, horizon not distinguished.  Heavy marine phosphorescence.
		05.50		Dived to listen.  Propeller sounds very loud.
		05.55		Surfaced.  Continued to run in the direction of the sound bearing.
		06.43		Dived to listen.  Bearing again very loud.  Steamer must be near.
		06.50		Surfaced, again pursued.
		07.38		At Lookout buoy again dived to listen.  Steamer unchanged heard loudly.  Pursuit broken off, it is too dark out.
				New propeller sounds, quickly growing louder were coming from the south.  Because it is abeam,
		08.22		surfaced.  Shadow abeam.
				Large tanker, fully loaded, about 8000 GRT.  Maneuvered ahead carefully, marine phosphorescence is incredibly strong.  Attack with the rising moon.
		09.38	DC 1163	Shot from tube V.
			SbyW 1, Sea 0-1, partial overcast, hazy	Shooting data:
				Target speed estimated = 10.5 knots
				Target angle         "       = 80°
				Range                  "       = 2000 meters
				Depth 4.5 meters
				After 2 minutes 2 seconds hit at the forward edge of the bridge.  High smoke and water column.  Tanker does not burn.  Radio Message apparently failed, attempt by searchlight to communicate with land.  Run for a coup de grâce.
				Tanker turns with, still underway.
				Peculiar unpleasant smell of run out oil.  Runs on several times.  Tanker turns.
		10.00		Tanker has stopped.
				Shot from tube I.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.04.42

	- 26 -
		continued
		09.04.42
				Shooting angle 0°, depth 5 meters, Ato, torpedo speed = 40 knots.  After 38 seconds hit amidships.  Gigantic fire column.  Tanker burns.  Ran off before the quickly reaching fire.  Lifeboats were caught in the fire.
		12.00	DC 1166	Put the boat on the bottom in the breaking dawn in the vicinity of the Lookout buoy.  Tanker still burns.
				During the day 3 steamers on northerly course and several patrol vessels heard.  Checking of the torpedo transferred from the over deck astern shows that the engine section is full of water.  The stern canister had flooded, the mechanism was checked and adjusted, no visible damage.
		24.00		On the bottom.
				Day's run:  Surfaced  76.56 nm, Submerged  8.03 nm
		10.04.42
		01.25		Periscope depth.  Steamer propeller sounds.  About 6000 GRT freighter coming from the south, zig zagging close ahead of me.  Was held submerged by a patrol vessel moving back and forth at a distance of 600-1000 meters.  Must wait until full darkness.
		02.35		Surfaced.  Steamer can no longer be seen.  Very dark.  Believe pursuit is hopeless.  Boat ventilated.  Tanker from yesterday is still burning at the bow and stern.  The middle part settled.  Set off a bit to the north, out of the zone of the stationary patrol at Lookout.
		03.35	DC 1245	Put the boat on the bottom to listen.
			SSE 4, Sea 3, totally overcast, Vis. good
		04.40		Propeller sounds, coming from the south.  On getting closer steamer and patrol vessel sounds distinguished.
		05.17		Sounds at the same latitude and very loud.  Surfaced.  Pursued at high speed with small lead angle on the last sound bearing.
		05.40		Shadow in sight.  Steamed up on his starboard side.  Large tanker, about 10000 GRT.  Very dark night, heavy marine phosphorescence.  When the tanker was in target angle 30° for abeam distance 1000 meters, switched to E-motors.  To avoid sources of error with the questionable torpedo, fixed firing angle 180° set.
		06.27	DC 1246	Shot from tube V.  Shooting date:  Target speed estimates = 10.5 knots, target angle estimated 80°, range estimated 1000 meters, depth 4.5 meters, Ato, speed 40 knots.
				After 49 seconds gigantic detonation.  Tanker breaks in the center at the same moment.  Keel broken.  Bridge goes with the stern part.  Begins to burn.  Ran off.  Patrol vessel shoots star shells, however badly.  Began return transit course 70°.  Second patrol vessel shoots star shells for about 2 hours in our wake.

	Sun and Moon Data 09.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.04.42

	- 27 -
		continued
		10.04.42
		08.00	DC 1253
			SSE 3, Sea 2, totally overcast, Vis. good
		08.10		Quick in succession blazing burst of flames on the tanker can still be seen, as if gas tanks flew in the air.  After the second blazing burst of flame it suddenly disappeared.  Believe that the tanker sunk.
		10.18	DC 1239	Crash dive for destroyer approaching at high speed from astern.  Overruns the boat.  Destroyer sounds merge with steamer sounds on the same bearing, had apparently taken over escort.  Another steamer's sounds come very close.
		11.31		Surfaced.
				About 3000 meters from me an 8000 GRT steamer, course for Hatteras.  Must let him go, already to bright for artillery attack.  Transit continued.  This traffic confirms my belief that from Hatteras a large part of the traffic turns off to the SE to SSE.
		12.00	DC 1314
			SW 3, Sea 2, totally overcast, Vis. good
		12.31		Dived due to the danger from air with unfavorable visibility.  Several depth charges at long range.
		16.00	DC 1313	Surfaced.  Weather is favorable.  Continued transit on the surface.
			SWbyW 7-8, Sea 7, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good
		20.00	CA 8789
			SWbyW 7-8, Sea 7, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	CA 8873	Day's run:  Surfaced  165 nm, Submerged  15.43 nm
			SWbyW 4-5, Sea 4, completely overcast, Vis. good
		11.04.42		From Topp:
		01.40		Situation:  Cape Henry, Hatteras, Lookout heavy traffic, large part turns off at Hatteras to the SE to SSE, destroyer patrols.  Important coastal traffic protected by patrol vessels.  Favorable position Wimble Shoal and Raleigh Bay, 40-meter line.  Air at night not determined, patrol vessels without Asdic.  WSW 5, 1005 mb rising, +27°C.
				Further Successes:
				5 April square CA 7652 protected tanker, full 10000 GRT burning sinking, 7 April square CA 7969 "BRITISH SPLENDOUR", protected, full, left sinking.  Square CA 7991 protected gigantic freighter, about 14000 GRT, torpedoed, shortly later internal explosion.  Sinking not observed, a tube runner.  9 April square DC 1163 tanker 8000 GRT, full, burning sinking.  10 April square DC 1246, protected tanker 10000 GRT full, burning sunk.  With this 43832 GRT sunk or destroyed.  14000 GRT torpedoed.  Out of torpedoes, 60 cbm.  Return transit square DC 1315.  All naval squares.  Am missing Serial Nos. 245, 209, 10, 25, 36, 48, 49, 51, 59, 61, 63, 71.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.04.42

	- 28 -
		continued
		11.04.42
		04.00	CA 8865
			W 4-5, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. medium
		08.00	CA 8919
			N 3-4, Sea 3, totally overcast, Vis. moderate
		12.00	CA 8932
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, heavily cloudy, Vis. good
		15.16	CA 9711	Tanker on northerly course sighted.  Held contact.
		15.34		Horizon was hazy, tanker passes out of sight.  Pursued at high speed on the last bearing.  Nothing more seen.  Tanker seemed to run at high speed.
		16.00	CA 9476
			NWbyW 3-4, Sea 3, totally overcast, Vis. very good
		18.37		To Kaptlt. Topp:
				In grateful appreciation of your heroic struggle in the battle for the future of our people I award you as 87th of soldier of the German Armed Forces the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
				Adolf Hitler.
		19.10		After 3-hour pursuit broken off as hopeless.  Artillery operation would not have been possible due to weather.
		20.00	CA 9288
			NWbyW 4-5, Sea 4-5, totally overcast, Vis. good
		20.54		For the award of the Oak Leaves I send to you my heartiest congratulations in grateful acknowledgment of the outstanding achievements which you and your crew have accomplished, Topp.
				Oberbefehlshaber
		24.00	CA 9371	Day's run:  Surfaced  240 nm.
			WNW 6, Sea 4-5, totally overcast, Vis. medium to good
		12.04.42
		01.49		For your struggle and well-deserved decoration my warmest congratulations to you and your men.
				Befehlshaber.
		02.00		In a muster I expressed my thanks and appreciation for the crew.
		04.00	CA 9358
			WbyN 6-7, Sea 5-6, partial overcast, Vis, medium to good
		08.00	CB 7141
			WNW 5-6, Sea 6, totally overcast, Vis. bad to medium
		12.00	CB 7125
			WNW 6, Sea 5, totally overcast, rain showers, Vis. moderate

	Sun and Moon Data 11.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.04.42

	- 29 -
		continued
		12.04.42
		16.00	CB 4799
			WNW 7-8, Sea 6-7, totally overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium to good
		20.00	CB 4885
			WNW 7, Sea 6, nearly completely overcast, Vis. very good
		24.00	CB 4945	Day's run:  Surfaced  201 nm.
			NWbyW 6-7, Sea 6, completely overcast, Vis. medium
		13.04.42
		04.00	CB 4937
			NW 6-7, Sea 6, totally overcast, Vis. medium
		08.00	CB 5716
			NW 6-7, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. good
		12.00	CB 5497
			NW 2-3, Sea 3, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good
		16.00	CE 5573
			NW 5, Sea 4, completely overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium to good
		20.00	CB 5596
			NWbyN 4, Sea 3, totally overcast, rain showers, Vis. bad
		22.34		Schuch, Flachsenberg, U-402 and Topp tomorrow between 01.00 hours and 05.00 hours report weather.
		24.00	CB 5658	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  164°T, 17 nm.
			NNW 6, Sea 5-6, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good
				Day's run:  Surfaced  194 nm.
		14.04.42
		04.00	CB 6441
			N 5, Sea 5-6, heavily cloudy, Vis. medium
		08.00	CB 6426
			N 5, Sea 4-5, partial overcast, Vis. good
		12.00	CB 6278
			NNW 5, Sea 4-5, partial overcast, Vis. very good
		14.56		Return harbors are:  . . . . . St. Nazaire for Topp.
		16.00	CB 6291
			NWbyN 5, Sea 5, nearly completely overcast, hail showers, Vis good
		20.00	CB 6349
			NbyW 7, Sea 6, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	CB 6369	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  234°T, 8 nm.
			NNW 5, Sea 4-5,

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

	- 30 -
		continued
		14.04.42
			partial overcast, Vis. very good	Day's run:  Surfaced  199 nm.
		15.04.42
		04.00	CC 4156
			NbyW 3-4, Sea 4, partial overcast, Vis. good
		07.00		Stern over deck canister opened, to get perfect weight and trim conditions.  Canister leaks.
		07.46		Test dive.
		08.00	CC 4218
			NNW 5, Sea 4, few clouds, Vis. very good
		12.00	CC 4225	At times gyro compass out of service.
			NbyE 4, Sea 3-4, partial overcast, Vis. very good
		16.00	CC 1978	Return transit.
			NE 3, Sea 2-3, nearly cloudless, Vis. very good
		20.00	CC 1991
			NE 1-2, Sea 0-1, nearly cloudless, slight swell, Vis. very good
		24.00	CC 2746	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  204°T 4 nm, 66°T 16 nm.
			NbyE 1, Sea 0, few clouds, Vis. very good
				Day's run:  Surfaced  214 nm, Submerged  0.6 nm
		16.04.42
		04.00	CC 2815
			NbyE 1, Sea 0, nearly cloudless, swell, Vis. good
		08.00	CC 2597	Smoke cloud was sighted astern at the beginning of twilight, shifting to the south.  Due to fuel inventory pursuit is no longer possible.
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, nearly cloudless, Vis. good
		12.00	CC 2681
			Sea 4, totally overcast, Vis. good
		16.00	CC 2666
			ESE 2, Sea 2, totally overcast, Vis. bad
		20.00	CC 3429
			SE 5, Sea 4, heavily cloudy, Vis. very good
		24.00	CC 3513	Day's run:  Surfaced  219 nm.
			SEbyS 3, Sea 2-3, totally overcast, Vis. very good

	Sun and Moon Data 14.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.04.42

	- 31 -
		17.04.42
		04.00	CC 3371	Return transit.
			SEbyE 4, Sea 3-4, totally overcast, Vis. good
		08.00	CC 3364
			SEbyS 3-4, Sea 3, nearly cloudless, Vis. good
		12.00	CD 1127
			SEbyE 5, Sea 4-5, few clouds, Vis. very good
		16.00	BC 8895
			SE 6, Sea 5, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good
		20.00	BC 8949
			SEbyS 5, Sea 4-5, partial overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	BC 8961	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  34°T, 15 nm.
			SE 6, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. good, slight swell
				Day's run:  Surfaced  228 nm.
		18.04.42
		04.00	BC 9715
			SEbyE 7, Sea 6, totally overcast, Vis. medium
		08.00	BC 9723
			SEbyS 6-7, Sea 5-6, partial overcast, Vis. medium to good
		12.00	BC 9574
			SE 5-6, Sea 4-5, nearly cloudless, Vis. very good
		16.00	BC 9562
			SEbyE 6, Sea 6, partial overcast, Vis. good
		18.40		Hoffmann, Linder, Topp and Hardegen report weather tomorrow between 01.00 hours and 05.00 hours.
		24.00	BC 9634	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  52°T, 30 nm.
			SEbyS 7, Sea 6, partial overcast, swell, Vis. very good
				Day's run:  Surfaced  200 nm.
		19.04.42
		02.15		Short Signal weather report sent:
				45°N, 39°W, 1026 mb, steady, +12°C, SE 7, Cumulonimbus, 6-9/10, Vis. up to 10 nm, medium-high SE-swell.
		04.00	BD 7412
			ESE 7, Sea 6, totally overcast, rain, Vis. medium to good
		08.00	BD 7423
			SEbyE 7, Sea 6-7, totally overcast, rain, Vis. medium
		12.00	BD 7199
			SE 6, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. very good

	Sun and Moon Data 17.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.04.42

	- 32 -
		continued
		19.04.42
		16.00	BD 7285
			SEbyS 6, Sea 5, totally overcast, Vis. good
		20.00	BD 7295
			SSE 6, Sea 5-6, nearly completely overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	BD 7349	Day's run:  Surfaced  170 nm.
			SSE 7, Sea 6-7, totally overcast, Vis. very good
		20.04.42
		04.00	BD 7367
			SE 5-6, Sea 5, totally overcast
		08.00	BD 8145
			SSE 5-6, Sea 5, totally overcast, slight swell, Vis. good
		12.00	BD 8156
			S 7, Sea 6, totally overcast, Vis. bad
		16.00	BD 8242
			Sea 4, heavily cloudy, Vis. good
		20.00	BD 8237
			WSW 5, Sea 4, partial overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	BD 5994	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  47°T, 25.6 nm.
			WbyS 2-3, Sea 2, heavily cloudy, long SW-swell, Vis. moderate to good
				Day's run:  Surfaced  234 nm.
		21.04.42
		04.00	BD 6781
			SW 2-3, Sea 3, partial overcast, Vis. moderate to good
		08.00	BD 6847	Clocks advanced to D.S.Z.
			WbyS 3, Sea 2, heavily cloudy, Vis. good
		12.00	BD 6864
			SW 4, Sea 3, nearly completely overcast, Vis. very good
		16.00	BD 6952
			SWbyS 1-2, Sea 1-2, nearly completely overcast, Vis. very good
		20.00	BD 6937
			Wind calm, nearly cloudless, hazy, Vis. moderate
		24.00	BE 4751	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  260°T 23.2 nm, 211°T, 9 nm.
			E 1-2, Sea 0, nearly cloudless, hazy, Vis. moderate
				Day's run:  Surfaced  188 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 19.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.04.42

	- 33 -
		22.04.42
		04.00	BE 4841
			NNE 4, Sea 3, totally overcast, Vis. good
		08.00	BE 4837
			NE 3, Sea 2-3, totally overcast, rain
		09.20		Test dive.
		09.45		Surfaced.
		12.00	BE 4919
			ENE 6, Sea 5-6, totally overcast, light swell, Vis. bad to medium
		16.00	BE 4936
			NE 8-9, Sea 7-8, totally overcast, swell, Vis. moderate
		20.00	BE 5724
			NE 8-9, Sea 7-8, totally overcast
		21.44		1.)  Topp . . . . . . . . tomorrow between 01.00 hours and 05.00 hours report weather.
				2.)  On 23 April 08.00 hours Topp switch to Ireland Circuit.
		24.00	BE 5734	Day's run:  Surfaced  208.38 nm, Submerged 1.19 nm.
			NEbyE 8, Sea 7, totally overcast, rain, Vis. moderate
		23.04.42
		01.24		Short Signal weather report sent:
				46°N, 19°W, steady, 1004 mb, +13°C, NE 5-6, 6-9/10, Cumulonimbus, Vis. up to 5 nm, medium-high NE swell.
		04.00	BE 5812
			ENE 5-6, Sea 5, heavily cloudy, Vis. medium
		08.00	BE 5882
			ENE 6-7, Sea 5-6, totally overcast, Vis. medium
		12.00	BE 5833
			NEbyE 6, Sea 5-6, totally overcast, high swell, Vis. good
		16.00	BE 5913
			N 5-6, Sea 5, totally overcast, long swell, Vis. good
		20.00	BE 5923
			NE 4-5, Sea 4-5, partial overcast, medium-long swell, Vis. good
		24.00	BE 6711	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  241°T, 7.4 nm.
			NEbyN 4-5, Sea 4-5, heavily cloudy, Vis. good
				Day's run:  Surfaced  148 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.04.42

	- 34 -
		24.04.42
		04.00	BE 6731
			NEbyE 3, Sea 2-3, nearly cloudless, medium-high swell, Vis. good
		08.00	BE 6821
			NEbyE 4, Sea 3, heavily cloudy, slight swell, Vis. good
		12.00	BE 6832
			NE 4-5, Sea 4, totally overcast, NE-swell, Vis. good
		16.00	BE 6922
			NEbyE 4-5, Sea 4, totally overcast, Vis. medium to bad
		20.00	BF 4712
			ENE 4-5, Sea 3-4, totally overcast, low NE-swell, Vis. medium
		24.00	BF 4732	Delayed sending return report, because increasing seas from ahead.
			E 5-6, Sea 4-5, totally overcast, rain, Vis. moderate
				Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  273°T, 7.4 nm.
				Day's run:  Surfaced  232 nm.
		25.04.42
		04.00	BF 4821
			NbyE 4, Sea 3-4, totally overcast, slight swell, Vis. medium
		08.00	BF 4911
			E 2-3, Sea 2, totally overcast, slight NE-swell, Vis. medium to good
		08.51		Short Signal:  Position 36 hours off return harbor.
				U-552.
		09.15		Topp be off return harbor at 1500 on 26 April.
		11.54		7th U.-Flottille to U-552:
				1.)  Set off to sea.
				2.)  Escort positioned on 27 April 08.00 hours N 1.
		12.00	BF 4932
			ESE 3, Sea 2, low NE-swell, Vis. bad
		12.16		Dived.
		21.14		Surfaced.
		21.42		Entry route for Topp is "Uhunest".
		24.00	BF 5716	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  267°T, 14 nm.
			ESE 1, Sea 0-1, heavily cloudy, somewhat hazy, Vis. medium
				Day's run:  Surfaced  145 nm,  Submerged 13.1 nm.
		26.04.42
		02.19		U-552 returns St. Nazaire 27 April in the morning via "Uhunest".
				U-213, U-126, U-128 etc. . . . .

	Sun and Moon Data 24.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.04.42

	- 35 -
		continued
		26.04.42
		04.00	BF 5738
			S 2, Sea 1, totally overcast, slight swell, Vis. medium
		08.00	BF 5852
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, totally overcast, Vis. good
		08.01		Dived.
		21.00	BF 5861
			EbyN 2, Sea 1-2, totally overcast, Vis. good
		22.57		To Topp:
				U-653 departs Lorient 26 April 20.00 hours via Uhunest.
		23.31		Topp from B.d.U.:
				5.T.-Flottille executes check cruise night of 27 April for "Burggraff" departure, returning along "Uhunest" from the 200-meter line via point "Uhu" to Point 34 T.
		24.00	BF 6752	Day's run:  Surfaced  126 nm,  Submerged 13 nm.
			EbyN 2-3, Sea 2, partial overcast, Vis. good
		27.04.42
		03.00	BF 6731	Passed U-boat with German silhouette, no recognition signals exchanged.  Probably "U-653".
			EbyS 2, Sea 1, partial overcast, Vis. medium to good
		04.00	BF 6495
			EbyS 4, Sea 3, totally overcast, Vis. medium to good
		07.30		Taken under escort by Sperrbrecher at N 1.

	Sun and Moon Data 26.04.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.04.42

	Enclosures to U-552's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track chart covering entire war patrol               7 March - 27 April 1942

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the Kriegstagebuch of "U-552" from 28.1.42 - 27.4.42.
	Brilliant patrol.  With guts and deliberation the Kommandant operated almost exclusively in shallow water and used the numerous success possibilities very well.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

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