U-boat Archive - U-boat KTB - U-604 4th War Patrol

U-604 - 4th War Patrol

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

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Brest	8 February 1943	Brest	9 March 1943	30

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 Attacked
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
23 Feb 43	03.15	47°21'N, 34°05'W	STOCKPORT	1,683	British	ON-166

			Total = 1,683
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.














			K R I E G S T A G E B U C H
				" U 604 "




			Kommandant: Kapitänleutnant H ö l t r i n g








				Beginning: 1.1. 1943
				Ending: 9.3. 1943




				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

- 1 -




	01.01.43 -
	07.02.43		Idle period Brest.
	08.02.43
	16.02		Put to sea from Brest.
	16.17		Steered various courses by the instructions of the Kommandant.
	09.02.43
	01.44		Course 239°, LF.
	02.57		" 320°, "
	03.15		" 300°, "
	03.45		" 270°, "
	04.00	BF 5492
		SWbyW 8, Sea 5, overcast (rain), 1010 mb, +12°C, Vis. 6-12 nm, heavy marine phosphorescence
	05.13	BF 5491	Dived to proceed submerged by day.
	08.00	BF 5483
		Weather absent because dived	Day's run: 151.5 nm.
	12.00	BF 5485
		Weather absent because dived
	16.00	BF 5484
		Weather absent because dived
	20.00	BF 5479
		Weather absent because dived
	21.21	BF 5478	Surfaced.
	21.40		Course 240°, HF.
	23.58	BF 4938	Crash dive (detection).

	10.02.43
	00.00	BF 4935
		W 5, Sea 5, 1021 mb, +12°C, faint marine phosphorescence, overcast

	Sun and Moon Data 08.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 09.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 10.02.43

- 2 -



	continued
	10.02.43
	01.10	BF 4935	Surfaced. Proceeding on the surface by night.
	04.00	BF 4952
		WbyN 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, 1026 mb, +14°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	07.30	BF 4971	Dived to proceed submerged by day.
	08.00	BF 4971
		Weather absent because dived
	09.33 - 09.39		Depth charges on the starboard side at about 50 nm.
	11.48 - 11.57		" " " " " "
	12.00	BF 4893	Day's run: 110.2 nm.
		Weather absent because dived
	16.00	BF 4895
		Weather absent because dived
	20.00	BF 4897
		Weather absent because dived
	21.11	BF 4897	Surfaced to proceed on the surface by night.

	11.02.43
	00.00	BF 7229
		W 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, 1034 mb, +16°C, Vis. 8 nm, medium marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BF 7168
		W 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, 1034 mb, +16°C, Vis. 6-8 nm, medium marine phosphorescence
	07.00		Course 270°, HF.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 11.02.43

- 3 -



	continued
	11.02.43
	07.56	BF 7177	Dived to proceed submerged by day.
	08.00	BE 9399
		Weather absent because dived
	08.28		Asdic sounds bearing 340°T.
	08.57		Sounds put astern, course 180°.
	09.07		Single depth charges range 20-50 nm.
	09.18		No Asdic sounds.
	10.00		Asdic sounds to starboard.
	10.05		Asdic sounds very loud [illegible word] propeller sounds.
	10.19	BE 9633	Surfaced. Ran off on course 180° at GF.
		overcast (fog), ground fog, Vis. 300 meters
	11.41		Course 270°.
	12.00	BE 9662	Day's run: 153 nm.
		W 2-3, Sea 2, medium swell, overcast (fog), Vis. 500 meters, 1015 mb, +16°C
	12.37	BE 9661	Dived (fog).
			No sound bearings.
	14.35		Sound bearing to starboard.
	16.00	BE 9653
		Weather absent because dived
	16.47		Course 240°.
	19.33	BE 9655	4 depth charges (range about 30 nm) to starboard.
	20.00	BE 9655
		Weather absent because dived
	20.30		Propeller sounds bearing 202°T, range about 20 nm.
	20.43	BE 9655	Surfaced, to operate on sound bearing. Course 230°, speed 12 knots, Vis. 3 nm.
	21.39	BE 9657	Dived to listen.
			Listening results: Patrol vessel with new Asdic (tongue click or similar sound). Last bearing 194°T.

- 4 -



	continued
	11.02.43
	21.47	BE 9657	Surfaced. Course 294°, HF.

	12.02.43
	00.00	BE 9641
		WNW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast (rain) (fog), Vis. 6-10 nm, 1040 mb, +15°C, faint marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BE 9524
		WNW 3-4, Sea 3,, overcast, Vis. 10-12 nm, 1040 mb, +14°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	08.00	BE 9195
		W 4, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. 6-10 nm, 1040 mb, +14°C, faint marine phosphorescence
	12.00	BE 9146	Day's run: 180 nm.
		WbyN 3, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. 4-12 nm, 1040 mb, +14°C
	16.00	BE 8338	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 84°T, 22.3 nm.
		WbyN 4, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. 8 nm, 1040 mb, +13.5°C
	20.00	BE 9967
		WNW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. 6 nm, 1040 mb, +14.5°C

	13.02.43
	00.00	BE 5924
		WbyN 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1041 mb, +14°C, light marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BE 5675
		WbyN 2-3, Sea 3, Vis. 20 nm, 1042 mb, +13.5°C, light marine phosphorescence

	Sun and Moon Data 11.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 12.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 13.02.43

- 5 -



	continued
	13.02.43
	08.00	BE 5562
		WbyN 3, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. 1000 meters, 1042 mb, +13.5°C
	12.00	BE 5288	Day's run: 180 nm.
		W 3, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. 1000 meters, 1042 mb, +14°C
	16.00	BE 5249	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 135°T, 14 nm.
		W 3, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. 100 meters, 1041 mb, +15°C
	18.03	BE 5245	Deep diving test. Depth: A +40 meters.
	19.00		Surfaced, course 320°, KF.
	20.00	BE 5241
		SW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast (fog), Vis. 6-10 nm, 1041 mb, +14°C, light marine phosphorescence

	14.02.43
	00.00	BE 2797
		SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast (rain), Vis. 6-12 nm, 1038 mb, +13.5°C, light marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BE 2758
		SWbyW 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1038 mb, +13.5°C, light marine phosphorescence
	08.00	BE 2715
		SWbyS 4, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. 6 nm, 1037 mb, +13°C

	Sun and Moon Data 13.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 14.02.43

- 6 -



	continued
	14.02.43
	12.00	BE 1695	Day's run: 162 nm.
		SWbyS 4-5, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. 8 nm, 1035 mb, +13°C
	16.00	BE 1636
		SW 5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. 10-12 nm, 1031 mb, +13°C
	20.00	BE 1624
		W 5, Sea 4, overcast (rain), Vis. 6-12 nm, 1030 mb, +13°C

	15.02.43
	00.00	BE 1371
		NW 5, Sea 4, overcast (rain), Vis. 8-12 nm, 1035 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BE 1265
		NW 6, Sea 4-5, cloudy, Vis. 12 nm. 1039 mb, +12.5°C, light marine phosphorescence
	08.00	BE 1226
		NW 5, Sea 4-5, cloudy, Vis. 10 nm, 1041 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	12.00	AL 8776	Day's run: 137 nm.
		NWbyW 4-5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1043 mb, +13°C
	15.30	AL 7836	Dived to adjust torpedoes.
	16.00	AL 7836	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 355°T, 14 nm.
		Weather absent because dived
	20.00	AL 7832	Asdic sounds bearing 302°T and 5°T.
		Weather absent because dived

	Sun and Moon Data 14.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 15.02.43

- 7 -




	16.02.43
	00.00	AL 7598
		Weather absent because dived
	00.56	AL 7598	Surfaced.
	01.00		Course 20°, HF.
	04.00	AL 7566
		SW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1046 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	06.00		Course 0°, HF.
	08.00	AL 8411
		SW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1046 mb, +12.5°C, light marine phosphorescence
	08.24		Course 320°, HF.
	12.00	AL 7267	Day's run: 125 nm.
		SW 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1047 mb, +12°C	Course 304°, HF.
	16.00	AL 7237
		SWbyS 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1045 mb, +11°C
	20.00	AL 7139
		SWbyS 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1043 mb, +11°C

	17.02.43
	00.00	AL 7123
		SW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1041 nm, +10.5°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	04.00	AL 4746
		SW 4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 8-10 nm, 1041 mb, +10.5°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	08.00	AK 6968
		SWbyW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1040 mb, +11°C, light marine phosphorescence
	12.00	AK 6928
		SWbyW 4-5, Sea 4,

	Sun and Moon Data 16.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 17.02.43

- 8 -



	continued
	17.02.43
	12.00	AK 6928	Day's run: 152 nm.
		SWbyW 3-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1040 mb, +11°C
	13.19		Course 0°, HF.
	16.00	AK 6684
		W 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1040 mb, +11.5°C
	16.19	AK 6684	Dived.
	20.00	AK 6681
		Weather absent because dived
	23.17	AK 6657	Surfaced. Course 30°, LF.

	18.02.43
	00.00	AK 6655
		SWbyW 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, medium swell, 1040 mb, +10.5°C, light marine phosphorescence
	04.00	AK 6396
		SWbyW 4, Sea 3-4, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 8-10 nm, 1040 mb, +10°C, light marine phosphorescence
	08.00	AL 4124
		SW 4-5, Sea 4, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1040 mb, +10.5°C, light marine phosphorescence
	08.53	AL 1987	Dived.
	09.18	AL 1987	Surfaced, boat ventilated.
	09.34	AL 1987	Dived.
	09.53		Course 210°, KF.
	12.00	AL 1987	Day's run: 154 nm.
		Weather absent because dived
	16.00	AL 4121
		Weather absent because dived

	Sun and Moon Data 17.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 18.02.43

- 9 -



	continued
	18.02.43
	20.00	AL 4119
		Weather absent because dived
	22.40	AL 4142	Surfaced, course 130°.

	19.02.43
	00.00	AL 4143
		SSW 8, Sea 6-7, overcast, Vis. 6-8 nm, high swell, 1027 mb, +9°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	03.51		Course 205°, LF.
	04.00	AL 4185	Radio Message 2349/131:
		SWbyW 8, Sea 7, high swell, Vis. 6-8 nm, +9°C, cloudy, 1027 mb, medium marine phosphorescence	"Olrich", [Höltring], "Walkerling", and "Zurmühlen" form group "Knappen" and occupy from 20 February 00.00 hours patrol line from EJ 9295 to 9684 [AK 9293 to AK 9684]. Westbound convoy expected on 20 February. From 19 February at 08.00 hours switch to Diana Circuit.
	08.00	AL 4443
		SWbyW 6-7, Sea 7, cloudy, Vis. 10 nm, high swell, 1027 mb, +9.5°C, light marine phosphorescence
	12.00	AK 6933	Day's run: 143.4 nm.
		SW 3, Sea 5, medium swell, cloudy, Vis. 12 nm, 1034 mb, +10.5°C
	16.00	AK 6985
		SEbyE 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 6 nm, medium swell, 1026.5 mb, +11°C
	20.00	AK 9354
		SbyW 4, Sea 3, overcast (fog), Vis. 8 nm, medium swell, 1025 mb, +11°C
	21.44	AK 9373	Dived to proceed submerged, to get larger detection range for the night.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 19.02.43

- 10 -




	20.02.43
	00.00	AK 9373	Maneuver in patrol line.
		Weather absent because dived
	04.00	AK 9376
		Weather absent because dived
	08.00	AK 9612
		Weather absent because dived
	08.50		Propeller sounds bearing 40°T.
	09.42	AK 9612	Surfaced. Operated on propeller sounds.
	09.44		Course 90°, speed 6 knots.
	11.15	AK 9613	Enemy in sight to starboard bearing 6°T, range about 5000 meters. Put destroyer astern with hard turn to port. Very bad visibility. Rain squalls. Enemy course 230°. Port flank escort makes recognition signal by searchlight. Ran off at AK against the sea. Corvette does not follow. Due to bad visibility the enemy continually runs out of sight. Temporarily turned towards to 270° and regained contact. 1 steamer and 3 corvettes distinguished. Held contact.
	12.00	AK 9619	Day's run: 143 nm.
		SW 5, Sea 4-5, high swell, overcast (rain), Vis. 5 nm, 1020 mb, +11°C
	16.00	AK 9596
		SW 5-6, Sea 4-5, high swell, overcast (rain), Vis. 8 nm, 1020 mb, +11°C
	18.16	AK 9834	Convoy out of sight. Held contact on enemy destroyer screen, forced off, then lost due to visibility.

- 11 -



	continued
	20.02.43
	20.00	AK 9861
		SW 5, Sea 4-5, high swell, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1018 mb, +11.5°C
	21.02	AK 9853	Quick dive to listen. Sound bearing 10°T.
	21.23	AK 9853	Surfaced.
	21.30		Enemy in sight bearing 30°T, range 3 nm, apparently boat surfaced ahead of the convoy. Forward sweeper about 500 meters astern while blowing. The convoy must have gone on a southerly course.

	21.02.43
	00.00	AK 9881	From now contact keeping signals. Boat has exceptionally good attack opportunity, ahead of the convoy and the moon has still not risen, plus forward sweeper was out maneuvered and boat is within the screen, however attack is forbidden.
		SWbyW 4, Sea 3-4, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1021 mb, +11.5°C, light marine phosphorescence
			In accordance with Radio Message 1915/20/720:
			To "Höltring" attack free as soon as another boat reports contact. Send bearing signals.
			Continuous bearing signals were sent up to depth charge pursuit.
	01.43	AK 9887	Crash dive for destroyer.
	01.47		5 close depth charges.
	02.30		1 depth charge further off. Destroyer must have located us because he could not have sighted us.
	04.00	BD 3128	Surfaced. Pursued on enemy course 190°, 200° at GF.
		SW 4, Sea 3-4, medium swell, Vis. 12-14 nm, 1025 mb, +11.5°C, light marine phosphorescence
	08.00	BD 3181
		SW 3, Sea 3, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 12-14 nm, 1026 mb, +12°C, light marine phosphorescence
	09.56	BD 3424	2 smoke clouds in sight bearing 201°T, range 10 nm. Operating on smoke cloud. Apparently the rear sweepers, because soon lost from sight again and nothing was found with pursuit.

	Sun and Moon Data 20.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 21.02.43

- 12 -



	continued
	21.02.43
	12.00	BD 3458	Day's run: 186.5 nm.
		Wind 2-3, Sea 2-3, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 14 nm, 1026 mb, +13°C
	13.22	BD 3485	Crash dive for aircraft.
	13.30		Sound bearing of the convoy bearing 260°T, range about 20-30 nm.
	14.28		Surfaced. Pursued at GF. Frequent small diesel breakdowns due to faulty shipyard work. For example, heavy lubricating oil loss from the starboard vibration damper, because during assembly the housing screws were only screwed 1 thread and not tightened. As a result, highest speed could not be used.
	16.00	BD 3721
		NW 3-4, Sea 3, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 14 nm, 1029 mb, +12.5°C
	17.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 65°T, 33.5 nm.
	20.00	BD 3748
		NW 3, Sea 2-3, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 12-14 nm, 1030 mb, +11.5°C	Nothing found therefore,
	21.14	BD 2992	Dived to listen. Sound bearing in a swath from 241°T to 251°T.
			25 depth charges at medium range.
	21.41	BD 2992	Surfaced. Operated on sound bearing. No further attack possibilities, because it is too bright.

	22.02.43
	00.00	BD 2984	Course 240°, LF, because otherwise against the sea there is no use of binoculars and lookouts are severely affected.
		SW 3, Sea 2-3, light swell, overcast, Vis. 10-12 nm, 1030 mb, +11°C, medium marine phosphorescence

	Sun and Moon Data 21.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.43

- 13 -



	continued
	22.02.43
	00.14		Destroyer bearing 220°T, range 4-5 nm, target angle 0°, turned away at GF.
	00.18		Destroyer bearing 330°T, range 6 nm, target angle 90-100°, bow right.
	01.49		Destroyer passes out of sight bearing 290°T.
			Apparently remote sweeper
	02.24		Port diesel fails. Course 120°, starboard HF.
	03.15		Course 190°, LF.
	04.00	BD 5529
		SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 8-10 nm, light swell, 1030 mb, +11°C, light marine phosphorescence
	05.30		Course 270°, LF.
	08.00	BD 5345
		W 4, Sea 2-3, light swell, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1028 mb, +12°C, light marine phosphorescence
	11.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 51°T, 19 nm.
	11.06 11.57		5000 GRT steamer in sight lying stopped, burning below the bridge bearing 270°T, range 13 nm. Initiated attack for coup de grace. At the same time the ex-Polish destroyer "BURZA" in sight. Turned away. Destroyer takes over the crew and sinks the steamer at 12.20 hours by torpedo. Afterwards runs off at high speed.
	12.00	BD 5259
		SW 2-3, Sea 2, light swell, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1025 mb, +12°C
	12.29		Pursued on convoy course.
	16.00	BD 5258	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 25.5°T, 5 nm.
		SW 3-4, Sea 3, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1025 mb, +12°C
			Report from Manstein concerning independent BD 5255, main course 260°, speed 11 knots, own speed 9 knots.
	18.48		Operating on reported independent, because it is close by and Manstein can not hunt at his own reported speed.

- 14 -



	continued
	22.02.43
	20.00	BD 5192
		SW 5, Sea 4, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1023 mb, +12°C
	20.03	BD 5192	Dived to listen. Only faint sounds heard.
	20.30	BD 5168	Surfaced. Course 245°, HF. Operating on convoy.

	23.02.43
	00.00	BD 5184
		SWbyW 5-6, Sea 4-5, overcast (rain), Vis. 8-10 nm, 1022 mb, +12°C, light marine phosphorescence
	03.04	BD 4633	Steamer bearing 87°T, range about 2500 meters. Steamer course 230°, speed 12 knots.
	03.09		Came to attack course with hard turn to starboard.
	03.12		4-fan shot. 2 hits.
	03.15	AD 4633	Steamer sunk.
			Steamer was a single smokestack ship with island type, two deck passenger superstructure. Meier bow, cruiser stern. Type like: "BOSCHFONTAIN" from "Merchant Ships" 7000 GRT after two hits internal explosion, after 3 minutes sunk.
	03.16		Course 245°, LF. Operating on convoy.
	04.00	BD 4635
		SWbyW 4-5, Sea 4, medium swell, overcast (rain), Vis. 1000 meters, 1022 mb, +11.5°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	05.32	BD 4635	Dived to reload torpedoes. Loud destroyer sounds ahead to port, probably the remote sweeper astern.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 23.02.43

- 15 -



	continued
	23.02.43
	08.00	BD 4628
		SW 3-4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. 8-10 nm, medium swell, 1025 mb, +11.5°C
	08.54	BD 4628	Surfaced. Course 245°, GF. Converted to ballast tank mode [main ballast and reserve fuel oil tanks]
	12.00	BD 4566	Day's run: 219 nm.
		SW 2-3, Sea 2, light swell, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1020 mb, +11°C
	12.45	BD 4566	Test dive.
		BD 4566	Surfaced. No sound bearings.
	13.27		Course 245°, HF.
	16.00	BD 4582	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 90°T, 3.8 nm.
		SW 4-5, Sea 4, medium swell, overcast (rain), Vis. 6-8 nm, 1018 mb, +12°C
	16.35		GF.
	17.13	BD 4573	A cutter with red sails bearing 346°T.
	20.00	BD 4734
		SW 3-4, medium swell, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1022 mb, +14°C
	19.57		Course 180°, GF.
	20.24		" 310°, "

	24.02.43
	00.00	BD 4478	Because the convoy, from the experience of the last two nights, has deployed a remote escort approximately 30-40 nm astern, decide to haul out to the north, because the boat must constantly run across the remote escort while pursuing on convoy course.
		SW 4, Sea 3-4, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1018 mb, +12.5°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BC 6926
		W 5-6, Sea 4, medium swell, Vis. 6-8 nm, 1017 mb, +12°C, medium marine phosphorescence

	Sun and Moon Data 23.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 24.02.43

- 16 -



	continued
	24.02.43
	08.00	BC 6941
		W 5-6, Sea 4, medium swell, overcast (rain), Vis. 8-10 nm, 1017 mb, +12°C
	08.43		Course 180°, GF.
	08.58		Course 200°, GF.
	10.18	BC 6898	Dived to listen.
	10.30		Course 180°. No propeller sounds heard. G.H.G. not in order.
	11.25	BC 6898	Surfaced.
	12.00	BC 9232	Day's run: 220 nm.
		W 1, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1030 mb, +13°C
	14.17	BC 9225	4 heavy aircraft bombs from a flying boat "Consolidated" at depth 18 meters. Flying boat threw too far - the first bomb directly astern to starboard, three others further away. Train release. Both compressors wrenched off, shafts shifted in an axial direction, diesel clutches knock strongly, main clutches cannot release completely. 50 cm long crack in main ballast tank V, tank vented very quickly. Set off on course 50° for repairs.
	16.00	BC 9221
		Weather absent because dived
	16.21	BC 9221	Surfaced.
	16.23		Course 50°.
	20.00	BC 6943
		SW 2, Sea 1-2, Vis. 12 nm, overcast, 1032 mb, +13°C
	20.06		Course 112°, LF.

- 17 -




	25.02.43
	00.00	BC 6964	During the night the base of both compressors was welded. The Junkers compressor is again in service. Cooling water hull valve leaks heavily. Tightened loose fitting bolts. It is assumed that during the last shipyard period the stud nuts were not properly tightened. With the loose bolts the packing was ripped out or crushed. Suspect that the stud nuts may have broken.
		SW 1-2, Sea 1, Vis. 12 nm, overcast, 1034 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BC 6969
		SW 2, Sea 1, Vis. 8-10, overcast, +13.2°C, 1034 mb, medium marine phosphorescence


	08.00	BD 6784
		SW 1-2, Sea 1, Vis. 10 nm, overcast, 1036 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	09.30		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 90°T, 9.8 nm.
	10.26	BD 7132	Repairs to main ballast tank V. Course 350°.
	12.00	BD 4794
		S 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1036 mb, +14°C
	16.00	BD 7136
		S 2-3, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. 12 nm, 1038 mb, +14°C.
	18.25	BD 7217	Dived to adjust the cooling water hull valve flanges.
			Depth A +70 meters. Flanges still leak only lightly.
	20.00	BD 7241
		Weather absent because dived
	20.44	BD 7245	Surfaced.

	26.02.43
	00.00	BD 7212
		S 2-3, Sea 2, overcast (rain), Vis. 8-10 nm, 1033 mb, +15°C, light marine phosphorescence
	09.30		Course 90°, HF. Began return transit due to the damage.

	Sun and Moon Data 25.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 26.02.43

- 18 -



	continued
	26.02.43
	04.00	BD 4888
		S 3, Sea 2-3, overcast (rain), Vis. 8 nm, 1022 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	08.00	BD 4899	In my opinion, the lookout, the No. 1 Seaman, is not to be reproached for the late sighting, because the aircraft came out of a strong layer of haze and was recognized only with naked eye by the port forward sector which had just been searched with binoculars.
		S 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1030 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	12.00	BD 4979	Day's run: 147 nm.
		S 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1030 mb, +13°C
	16.00	BD 4989	Even with the low sea state the boat lies very badly in the sea, because main ballast tanks IV and II both are leaking, the boat floats on the watertight bow, the remaining V, III and half of I which is flooded to put boat on an even keel.
	16.00	S 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 12 nm, 1030 mb, +13°C
	17.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 54°T, 6.5 nm.
	17.08		Course 125°, LF.
	19.50		By the instructions of the Kommandant on various courses to search for U-"Vowe".
	20.00	BD 5778
		S 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1029 mb, +12°C
	23.58	BD 5747	Dived. Course 180°.

	27.02.43
	00.00	BD 5747	In conclusion, for the convoy operation it can be said that the boat would have caught the convoy without a doubt if it had not been hindered by frequent minor diesel repairs which prevented utilization of its highest speed and further delayed by the destroyers on the 22 February the wrecked steamer on the 22nd and the sinking with subsequent reload on 23 February.
		Weather absent because dived
	04.00	BD 5771
		Weather absent because dived
	08.00	BD 5774
		Weather absent because dived

	Sun and Moon Data 26.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 27.02.43

- 19 -



	continued
	27.02.43
	09.18	BD 5777	Surfaced.
	12.00	BD 8111	Day's run: 116 nm.
		SbyW 2-3, Sea 2, medium swell, overcast (fog), Vis. 6-8 nm, 1028 mb, +12°C
	14.00	BD 8111	U-Vowe in sight, bearing 330°T, range about 8 nm.
	14.00 - 16.00		Took over new Fu.M.B.s and 8 pairs of binoculars.
	16.00	BD 8112
		SSW 2, Sea 2, medium swell, overcast (fog), Vis. 12 nm, 1030 mb, +14°C
	20.00	BD 5798
		SW 2, Sea 2, medium swell, cloudy, Vis. 12 nm, 1030 mb, +14.5°C

	28.02.43
	00.00	BD 5879
		SE 2, Sea 2, light swell, cloudy, Vis. 10 nm, 1032 mb, +14°C, heavy marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BD 5898
		E 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1035 mb, +14°C, heavy marine phosphorescence
	08.00	BD 5979
		E 2, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. 8 nm, 1039 mb, +15°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	12.00	BD 5997	Day's run: 162 nm.
		E 3-4, Sea 2, overcast (fog), Vis. 6 nm, 1039 mb, +16°C
	16.00	BD 9111

	Sun and Moon Data 27.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 28.02.43

- 20 -



	continued
	28.02.43
	16.00	BD 9111
		S 3, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. 14 nm, 1040 mb, +16.5°C
	20.00	BD 9122
		SbyE 3, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. 12 nm, 1040 mb, +16°C
	20.50	BD 9123	Test dive.
	21.18	BD 9131	Surfaced.

	01.03.43
	00.00	BD 9133
		SE 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1040 mb, +14°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BD 9221
		SE 3, Sea 2, overcast (rain), Vis. 10 nm, 1042 mb, +14°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	08.00	BD 9232
		E 3, Sea 2-3, cloudy, Vis. 10 nm, 1040 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	12.00	BD 9313	Day's run: 163 nm.
		E 3-4, Sea 3, medium swell, cloudy, Vis. 12 nm, 1039 mb, +13°C
	16.00	BD 9322	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 275°T, 13 nm.
		EbyS 4, Sea 3, medium swell, cloudy, Vis. 12 nm, 1038 mb, +14°C

	Sun and Moon Data 28.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 01.03.43

- 21 -



	continued
	01.03.43
	20.00	BD 9333
		E 4, Sea 3, Vis. 10 nm, overcast, medium swell, 1038 mb, +14°C

	02.03.43
	00.00	BE 7111
		E 4, Sea 3, Vis. 10 nm, overcast, medium swell, 1038 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BE 7122
		E 4, Sea 3, medium swell, overcast (rain), Vis. 8-10 nm, 1038 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	08.00	BE 7132
		E 4, Sea 3, medium swell, Vis. 8 nm, 1038 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	08.58	BE 7153	Dived.
	12.00	BE 7211	Day's run: 128.5 nm.
		Weather absent because dived
	16.00	BE 7212
		Weather absent because dived
	20.00	BE 7213
		Weather absent because dived
	21.50	BE 7221	Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 01.03.43
	Sun and Moon Data 02.03.43

- 22 -




	03.03.43
	00.00	BE 7222
		E 3-4, Sea 3, medium swell, overcast (rain), Vis. 8 nm, 1024 mb, +13°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BE 7233
		ENE 3, Sea 3, medium swell, overcast (rain), Vis. 6-8 nm, 1022 mb, +13°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	08.00	BE 7321
		ESE 3-4, Sea 3, medium swell, overcast (rain), Vis. 6 nm, 1023 mb, +13°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	08.25	BE 7321	Dived.
	09.22	BE 7322	4 aircraft bombs or torpedo detonation bearing 0°T, range about 30-50 nm.
	12.00	BE 7322	Day's run: 92 nm.
		Weather absent because dived
	12.14		4 detonations to port, range about 40 nm.
	14.22		Faint diesel sounds bearing 260°R.
	15.05		" " " " 330°R beyond listening range.
	16.00	BE 7323
		Weather absent because dived
	20.00	BE 7331
		Weather absent because dived
	20.43	BE 7331	Surfaced.
	21.04		Course 97°, LF.

- 23 -




	04.03.43
	00.00	BE 8111
		N 4, Sea 3-4, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1020 mb, +13°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	04.00	BE 8124
		N 4, Sea 3-4, medium swell, cloudy, Vis. 8 nm, 1019 mb, +13°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	08.00	BE 8138
		NE 2-3, Sea 1-2, medium swell, 1026 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	08.19	BE 8139	Dived.
	11.36	"	4 aircraft bombs to port, range about 30 nm.
	11.50	"	1 detonation.
	12.00	BE 8139	1 detonation.
		Weather absent because dived	Day's run: 95.5 nm. Dived.
	12.32 - 15.35		48 depth charges, range about 30-40 nm to starboard ahead.
	16.00	BE 8217
		Weather absent because dived
	18.58		3 depth charges, range 30-40 nm to starboard ahead.
	20.00	BE 8218
		Weather absent because dived
	20.10		3 depth charges, range 30-40 nm starboard ahead.
	21.02	BE 8218	Surfaced.

	05.03.43
	00.00	BE 8261	Course 97°, HF.
		NE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1028 mb, +13.5°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	04.43		Radio Message 1547/4/21 from Communications Center.
			Air reports 12.50 hours a 2nd convoy in CG 1453 at slow speed northerly course. Consists of 20 merchant ships and 6 escort vessels.

	Sun and Moon Data 04.03.43
	Sun and Moon Data 05.03.43

- 24 -



	continued
	05.03.43		- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
	04.00	BE 8346	Convoy 16-20 steamers sighted square BE 9764, speed 5-7 knots, course 20°. 10.30 hours from "U-130".
		NE 3-4, Sea 2, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1029 mb, +14°C, medium marine phosphorescence
			- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
			1.) Outbound boats, insofar as position permits and favorable inbound boats, insofar as fuel permits, operate on "Keller"-convoy.

	08.00	BE 8365	2.) "Keller" attack. Report contact.
		NE 4, Sea 3-4, medium swell, overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1027 nm, +13.5°C, light marine phosphorescence


	08.08	BE 8365	Dived.
	10.30		1 detonation to starboard.
	10.38		2 detonations to starboard.
	12.00	BE 8369	Day's run: 127 nm.
		Weather absent because dived
	13.26		2 detonations to starboard
	16.00	BE 9147
		Weather absent because dived
	17.50 - 17.55	BE 9147	2 detonations (probably torpedoes), range about 30 nm.
	18.00		Detonations (Artillery fire).
	18.15 - 18.42	BE 9147	19 detonations, depth charges, (aircraft bombs), to starboard, 30-50 nm
	20.00	BE 9148
		Weather absent because dived
	20.15 - 20.45	BE 9148	6 detonations depth charges (aircraft bombs) to starboard, 30-40 nm
	20.57	BE 9148	Surfaced, course 96°, LF.

	06.03.43
	00.00	BE 9159	By plotting the boat must be at the convoy at 01.15 hours, according to "Keller" report by Short Signal at 15.12 hours.
		NEbyE 3-4, Sea 2-3, overcast, 1032 mb, +14°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	00.48	BE 9191	Dived to listen.

	Sun and Moon Data 05.03.43
	Sun and Moon Data 06.03.43

- 25 -



	continued
	06.03.43
	00.59		Surfaced. Course 96°, diesel-electric.
	04.00	BE 9271
		E 3-4, Sea 3, medium swell, Vis. 6-8 nm, 1034 mb, +14°C, cloudy, medium marine phosphorescence
	07.53	BE 9253	Dived.
	08.00	BE 9253	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 32°T, 24 nm.
		E 1-2, Sea 2, light swell, Vis. 8 nm, 1035 mb, +14°C, overcast
	08.03		Faint propeller sounds bearing 164°T, with 2 [sets of ] sound gear.
	08.32 - 08.46		12 detonations (depth charges) bearing 164°T.
	09.10 - 13.45		Faint propeller sounds from search group bearing 169°T.
	13.45		Out of sound range bearing 246°T.
	12.00	BE 9261	Day's run: 104 nm.
		Weather absent because dived
	15.25	BE 9265	Faint propeller sounds, quickly out of sound range bearing 146°T.
	15.28		5 detonations bearing 150-180°T.
	15.30		1 " " "
	15.58		5 " " " . faint.
	16.00	BE 9265
		Weather absent because dived
	16.14 - 19.37	BE 9265	10 detonations bearing 176°T to 166°T, faint.
	20.00	BE 9266
		Weather absent because dived
	20.51	BE 9266	Surfaced, course 96°, HF.

	07.03.43
	00.00	BE 9356	(L.I. / 26 nm / , / 87 nm / )
		ENE 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1030 mb, +13°C, medium marine phosphorescence

	Sun and Moon Data 06.03.43
	Sun and Moon Data 07.03.43

- 26 -



	continued
	07.03.43
	01.38		Course 86°, HF.
	04.00	BF 7154
		EbyN 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. 6-8 nm, 1030 mb, +13°C, medium marine phosphorescence
	07.35	BF 7245	Dived to proceed submerged.
	08.00	BF 7246
		E 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 8 nm, 1030 mb, +13°C, medium marine phosphorescence, weather on diving
	12.00	BF 7254	Day's run: 150 nm.
		Weather absent because dived
	12.51	BF 7254	Surfaced to shoot the sun.
	12.56		Dived to proceed submerged.
	15.02	BF 7255	Surfaced.
	15.04		Dived to proceed submerged.
	16.00	BF 7255	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 214°T, 8 nm.
		Weather absent because dived
	20.00	BF 7256
		Weather absent because dived
	20.30	BF 7256	Surfaced.

	08.03.43
	00.00	BF 7317	(L.I. / 21.1 nm / , /111 nm / )
		EbyN 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 8-10 nm, 1024 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence
	00.43	BF 7315	Crash dive (detection).
	01.44	BF 7315	Surfaced.
	01.56	BF 7316	Crash dive (detection).
	03.27	BF 7324	Surfaced, course 60°, HF.
	04.00	BF 7324
		EbyN 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1023 mb, +13°C, light marine phosphorescence

	Sun and Moon Data 07.03.43
	Sun and Moon Data 08.03.43

- 27 -



	continued
	08.03.43
	06.40	BF 4982	Crash dive (detection).
	08.00	BF 4982
		Weather absent because dived
	12.00	BF 4983	Day's run: 111 nm.
		Weather absent because dived
	13.35	BF 4965	Surfaced, course 60°, GF.
	16.00	BF 5742	Dived to proceed submerged
		NNE 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. 14 nm, 1025 mb, +13.5°C
	17.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 60.5°T, 11.5 nm.
	20.00	BF 5724
		Weather absent because dived
	20.01	BF 5724	Surfaced.
	23.52		By the instructions of the Kommandant steered courses to enter Brest.

	09.03.43
	04.06		Dived to await escort.
	10.14		Surfaced.
	10.16		Taken in convoy.
			Entered Brest by the instructions of the Kommandant.
	14.30		Made fast Brest.

			On board, 9 March 1943

			Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant

	Sun and Moon Data 08.03.43
	Sun and Moon Data 09.03.43

Enclosures to U-604's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document

Chart Track chart for the period 8 February to 9 March 1943

Radio Excerpt of the Radio Log

Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote on the

K.T.B. of "U-604" from 1.1.43 - 9.3.43.

The operation of the Kommandant on the Höltring-convoy was not satisfactory. It was impaired by diesel breakdowns and an initially existing attack prohibition which unfortunately did not prevent breaking contact.

More was expected from the Kommandant on this operation!

The return transit was begun due to heavy aircraft damage.

Accredited success:

1 passenger freighter            7000 GRT sunk.

For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote

- The Chief of the Operations Department -

Click the icons to view the associated records

Return to the U-boat KTB page

	Enclosures to U-604's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document

Chart	Track chart for the period 8 February to 9 March 1943

Radio	Excerpt of the Radio Log



	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote on the
	K.T.B. of "U-604" from 1.1.43 - 9.3.43.

	The operation of the Kommandant on the Höltring-convoy was not satisfactory. It was impaired by diesel breakdowns and an initially existing attack prohibition which unfortunately did not prevent breaking contact.
	More was expected from the Kommandant on this operation!
	The return transit was begun due to heavy aircraft damage.

	Accredited success:
	1 passenger freighter 7000 GRT sunk.


		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -