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Excerpt of the Radio Log "
U-604 " |
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War Patrol from 8 February to 9
March 1943. |
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0248/2344/18/131: |
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"Ölrich", "Höltring",
"Walkerling" and "Zurmühlen"
form Group "Knappen" and occupy from 20 February 00.00 hours
patrol line from . . . . to . . . . Westbound convoy expected from
20 February. From 19 February at 08.00 hours switch to "Diana"
Circuit. |
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1718/1706/19/703: |
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From the ordered patrol line advance on 20 February at
10.00 hours as reconnaissance line from: . . . . Group "Knappen"
on course 90°. All speed of advance
6 knots. |
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1020/0947/20/707: |
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1.) Group "Neptun", "Ritter"
and "Knappen" contrary to previous orders due to weather situation
remain in ordered position line as patrol line. |
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Outgoing /20/708: |
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Position 9612 bearing 40°T
possible convoy propellers broad band, very faint.
"from Höltring". |
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Outgoing 1213/1131/20/709: |
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3 corvettes, 1 steamer recognized in 9616, southwesterly
course, low speed, Vis. 2 nm.
"from Höltring". |
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1220/1202/20/710: |
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Group "Knappen": Operate on "Höltring"
report. "Höltring" immediately report further
data. Group "Ritter" remain in position. |
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1320/1253/20/711: |
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Group "Ritter" except for "Fraatz"
operate on "Höltring" reports. |
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Outgoing Short Signal: |
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Enemy located square 9618, course 240°,
speed 7 knots. |
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Outgoing Short Signal: |
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Enemy located square AK 9563, course 230°,
speed 7 knots. |
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1737/1709/20/715: |
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To "Höltring": Knowledge
of enemy's composition of crucial importance for further operations.
Question: Convoy or only 1 steamer with 3 corvettes. |
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Outgoing 1738/20/717: |
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Detected 3 steamers, positioned ahead of convoy.
Course 220°, speed 7 knots. "from
Höltring". |
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1930/1915/20/720: |
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To "Höltring": Free to attack,
as soon as another boat reports contact. Send bearing signals. |
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Outgoing 2053/2012/20/722: |
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Forced off by destroyer, last convoy position 18.14 hours
in 9831, course 220°, speed 8 knots,
bearing signals by plotting.
"from Höltring". |
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Outgoing 2201/2115/20/724: |
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Bearing signals by sound bearing 10°
about 10 nm distant from square 9826. Thereafter convoy course southwest,
speed about 6 knots. Heavily changing visibility due to showers.
"Höltring". |
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- 2 - |
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Outgoing Short Signal: 2239: |
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Position of the enemy is square 9852, course 190°,
speed 6 knots. |
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Outgoing Short Signal: 0009: |
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Convoy square 9882, 16-20 steamers, course 200°,
speed 7 knots. |
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Outgoing 0405/0324/21/728: |
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Submerged before destroyer, depth charges. Last convoy
position 01.04 hours square 9885, course 180°,
speed 8 knots. No contact.
"Höltring". |
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0808/0740/21/731: |
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Convoy 07.00 hours by sound bearing in naval square BD
3172. "from Hüttemann". |
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1433/1408/21/741: |
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From "Hacklander": Smoke clouds
square BD 3457. |
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Outgoing 1542/1446/21/743: |
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Submerged before Liberator. 14.40 hours convoy sounds
bearing 251°T about 30 nm distant.
My position BD 3487. "Höltring".
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1558/1500/21/742: |
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Several smoke clouds widely separated BD 3457.
"from Hacklander". |
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2008/1814/21/747: |
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16.10 hours convoy by smoke clouds naval square 3476.
Submerged for destroyer thereafter by air.
"Hacklander". |
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2339/2300/21/751: |
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Convoy 22.30 hours square BD 5326, course 240°,
7 knots. 7000 GRT sunk. 2 misses. 85 cbm, wind calm.
"Ölrich". |
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0650/0630/22/760: |
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From "Ölrich": Convoy 06.30
hours naval square 5267, course 250°,
7 knots. |
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Outgoing 1354/1247/22/772: |
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Naval square BD 5237 12.20 hours damaged 5000 tonner sunk
by destroyer "BURZA".
"from Höltring". |
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2126/1950/22/784: |
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Enemy reports 1900 hours: "Hasenschar"
square 5417. "Döhler" naval square BD 5441.
"Bertelsmann" requests bearing signals. |
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0258/0231/23/868: |
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For boats at "Höltring" convoy
if no contact keeper reports operate on convoy course 270°
to 240°. Speed of advance 8-10
knots. No letting up. |
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Outgoing 0450/0341/23/873: |
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Square 4633 passenger freighter 7000 GRT sunk. Course
240°, speed 11 knots, 8 + 2, 72 cbm.
SWbyW 4-5, Sea 4, medium-high swell, Vis. heavily changing, showers.
1021 mb slightly falling. Serial No. 180 from 16 February missing.
"Höltring". |
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1056/1027/23/887: |
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"Höltring" convoy 1.)
If weather permits, try to get ahead again as fast as possible for underwater
attack by day. 2.) Always report success in the convoy immediately. |
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1355/1332/23/894: |
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Convoy square 4811, general course 230°,
8 knots about 12 steamers, 3 columns, close escort.
"Gretschel" |
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- 3 - |
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1703/1641/23/803: |
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Enemy located square BD 4725, course 250°.
Stand by for bearing signals. SW 2-3, medium swell, Vis. 13 nm.
"Gretschel" |
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Outgoing 0108/2312/23/837: |
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Request at next opportunity a new Fu.M.B. cable from supplier.
All totally unusable. "from
Höltring". |
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0933/0500/24/858: |
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"Hasenschar" holds contact on the enemy
at 08.30 hours in naval square BC 9361. |
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1350/1248/24/864: |
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From "Bertelsmann": Enemy located
12.30 hours BC 9292, course 260°, speed
9 knots. Intend submerged attack. . . . . |
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1654/1455/24/873: |
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From "Bertelsmann": Enemy position
naval square BC 9282. Course 260°,
9 knots, navigation inexact. No escort, south side distinguishable.
7 steamers suspect convoy proceeds separated. |
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1640/1147/24/878: |
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10.50 hours naval square BC 9375 from remaining group of
5 steamers 8000 GRT passenger freighter type similar to "MAQUESA"
sunk. Course 270°. On 22
February 22.22 hours I observed 1 detonation on freighter, 1 further hit
heard, shooting boat was immediately fired at with machine gun and had
following 3-hour depth charge pursuit. E-compressor conditionally
operable. 55 cbm. Still 1 FAT and 2 stern torpedoes.
Continuing operations. Missing Serial No. 782 from 22 February.
"from Ölrich". |
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Outgoing 1753/1651/24/830: |
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BC 9225 heavy aircraft bombs. Bases of both compressors
torn. Flange cooling water hull valve leaks heavily. Main
ballast tank 5 torn. Not deep diving clear. Setting off for
repairs. "Höltring". |
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0004/2103/28/888: |
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Convoy located naval square BC 9182, general course 260°,
10 knots, exact navigation, air escort.
"Hasenschar". |
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0620/0414/25/801: |
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01.00 hours convoy 9175 westerly course, submerged due
to aircraft. "Walkerling" |
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0703/0635/25/807: |
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Position naval square 8392. Perfect sound band bearing
270°T. Believe convoy is disbanded.
"Bertelsmann". |
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1249/1231/25/816: |
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Naval square BC 8255, 26 large steamers and tankers, 270°.
"Schamong". |
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1619/1155/25/819: |
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08.19 hours square 8311 5 misses at convoy, Still
28 steamers, double line ahead, caught by escort, 4-hour sound and depth
charge pursuit, no contact. Convoy still steers temporary northwest
course, during darkness continuing 270°,
9 knots, 0 + 2 torpedoes, 36 cbm. Question after reloading whether
to operate on convoy or delayed return transit without supply. "from
Hasenschar". |
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2123/1433/25/822: |
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Convoy by sound bearing naval square BC 8246, course west,
speed about 8 knots, thick fog, Vis. 800 meters. "Schamong". |
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- 4 - |
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2242/1528/25/827: |
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By sound bearing convoy BC 8244, course 270°,
speed 7 knots. Wind SE 1, temporarily freshening, Sea 1, Vis. 1
nm, overcast. "Schamong". |
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1725/1709/25/831: |
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Convoy located by sound bearings naval square 8165 course
west speed 8 knots, Vis. improving to 2 nm, 30 cbm.
"Schamong". |
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2245/1503/25/828: |
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Position naval square BC 8216, fog, propeller sounds bearing
200°T, broad band, range 15 nm, 32 cbm.
"Kruschka". |
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0127/0002/26/842: |
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Early tomorrow at dawn operation on convoy is to be broken
off. Utilize last chance tonight. After setting off report,
fuel and torpedo inventory and head for naval square BD 81. Cross
the 100-meter line only with good opportunity for attack. |
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0405/1947/25/835: |
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Contact with escort. Naval square BD 8181, convoy
by sound bearing BC 8185, course SW, Vis. 2 nm.
"from Schamong". |
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Outgoing 1222/1132/26/850: |
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Main ballast tank 5 can not be repaired. Vents 2
and 4 completely leaking as a result very bad sea position. Both
shafts knocking. Diesel clutches grind heavily. Both compressors
conditionally operable, again clear for deep diving. Start return
transit. Position BD 4978. Question possibility of taking
over Fu.M.B. cable from supplier.
"from Höltring". |
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