U-boat Archive - U-616 - Interrogation Report


	Op-16-Z Copy No. ____ of 51
	S E C R E T

	NAVY DEPARTMENT
	OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
	WASHINGTON


	Final Report - G/Serial 41

	REPORT ON THE
	INTERROGATION OF SURVIVORS FROM U-616
	SUNK 17 MAY 1944


	DISTRIBUTION:
	BAD
	BUORD
	BUSHIPS
	BUSHIPS (Code 515)
	BUSHIPS (Code 815)
	COMINCH (F-21)
	COMINCH (F-4253)
	COMINCH (F-45)
	COMINCH (FX-40)
	COMINCH (FX-43)
	COMNAVEU
	DNI (Ottawa)
	G-2 (Col. Sweet)
	Op-16-1 via Op-16-1-F
	Op-16-FA-4
	Op-16-P
	Op-16-W
	Op-20-G
	Op-23-C
	SONRD
	Lt. Cdr. V. R. Taylor
	C.O. Naval Unit, Tracy, Calif.
	Lt. J. I. Eiband (CSDIC, AFHQ)
	Lt. S. R. Hatton (CSDIC, AFHQ)
	Lt. J. T. Rugh, Jr., (JICA ME)
	Lt. (j.g.) R. J. Mullen (4th Fleet)
	COMASDEVLANT
	CINCLANT
	COM8THFLEET
	Op-16-1-V

	24 August 1944

	S E C R E T

S E C R E T

TABLE OF CONTENTS

			Page
CHAPTER	I.	INTRODUCTION	1

	II.	DETAILS OF U-616	3

	III.	CREW OF U-616	9

	IV.	EARLY HISTORY OF U-616	13

	V.	FIRST PATROL OF U-616	14

	VI.	SECOND PATROL OF U-616	16

	VII.	THIRD PATROL OF U-616	18

	VIII.	FOURTH PATROL OF U-616	19

	IX.	FIFTH PATROL OF U-616	21

	X.	SIXTH PATROL OF U-616	22

	XI.	SEVENTH PATROL OF U-616	23

	XII.	EIGHTH PATROL OF U-616	25

	XIII.	NINTH AND LAST PATROL OF U-616	26

	XIV.	SINKING OF U-616	28

ANNEX		CREW LIST OF U-616 AND U.S. EQUIVALENTS OF GERMAN NAVAL RANKS AND RATINGS.

S E C R E T




	CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION

	U-616, a 500-ton U-boat built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, was sunk at 0808, 17 May 1944, in position 37.47 N. - 00.16 E. The U-boat was the victim of a relentless 76-hour hunt conducted by escorts of convoy UGS-39, destroyers of COMCORTDIV 45, COMDESRON 10 and COMDESDIV 10. Various Coastal Command aircraft and planes of French Squadron 2-S played important parts by frequently detecting U-616 on the surface, forcing her to dive and thus preventing adequate charging of her batteries.

	Oberleutnant zur See Siegfried Koitschka was U-616's commander. He was considered one of Germany's U-boat aces in the Mediterranean by claiming the sinking of about 45,000 tons of merchant shipping, nine destroyers, two submarines and two landing ships. The Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross had been awarded him after completion of U-616's seventh patrol in February 1944. (O.N.I. Note: It has been impossible to identify and substantiate any of the claims of Oberleutnant Koitschka with the possible exception of the sinking of two Allied destroyers and the torpedoing of three merchant ships.)

	The entire crew of six officers and forty-seven men was rescued and brought to Oran. The preliminary interrogation conducted in North Africa was completed by 24 May 1944. Most prisoners reached the United States interrogation center about one month later, several others arrived in July, but the last three had not been interrogated by late August 1944. Prisoners were security conscious

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	and were strengthened in this attitude by their belief of the exaggerated claims of sinkings as well as by the long interval between the sinking of their boat and the final interrogation.




























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	CHAPTER II. DETAILS OF U-616

	TONNAGE

	500 tons.

	TYPE

	VII-C

	COMMISSIONED

	Early April 1942.

	BUILDING YARD

	Blohm & Voss, Hamburg.

	FIELD POST NUMBER

	M-45101

	COLOR

	GRAY

	INSIGNIA

	Red Devil with Pistol in hand.

	FLOTILLA

	29th at Toulon. While at St. Nazaire late March to mid April 1943, U-616 was attached to the 6th Flotilla. From 18 May to 18 August, she was part of the 29th Flotilla based on La Spezia.

	COVER NAME

	RACKOGEL (only while at St. Nazaire late March to

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	mid April 1943).

	STRUCTURAL DETAILS

	Standard for VII-C type U-boats.

	BRIDGE STRUCTURE AND UPPER-DECK ARMAMENT

	(a) First and Second Patrols:
	88-mm. gun forward of conning tower, one 20-mm. cannon on platform I.

	(b) Third to Fifth Patrols:
	Platform I lengthened in order to accommodate two Breda machine guns, the 20-mm. cannon having been removed.

	(c) Sixth to Ninth Patrols:
	88-mm. gun forward of conning tower and both Breda machine guns on Platform I removed. New standard bridge structure fitted with Platforms I and II. Two twin 20-mm. cannons on Platform I; one 20-mm. quadruple mount fitted on Platform II.

	MACHINE GUNS

	Four MG-15 demountable machine guns on conning tower.

	PRESSURE-PROOF AMMUNITION CONTAINERS

	Two fitted on Platform I; two on Platform II.

	TORPEDOES

	On ninth and last patrol ten torpedoes were carried stowed as follows:

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	Tube No. 1 - T-3 FAT-2.

	Tube No. 2 - T-5.

	Tube No. 3 - T-3 FAT-2.

	Tube No. 4 - T-3 FAT-2

	Tube No. 5 - T-5.

	In forward torpedo compartment three T-3 and one T-5 torpedoes. In stern torpedo compartment one T-5. Note: T-5 torpedoes were first carried on U-616's sixth patrol. Six T-5 torpedoes were carried on the sixth and seventh patrols.

	S.B.T. (Submarine Bubble Target)

	Fitted.

	DIESELS

	G.W. Diesels.

	SCHNORCHEL (Extensible Diesel Air Intake and Exhaust)

	Not fitted.

	SUPERCHARGER

	Kapselgebläse (Rootes' type).

	ELECTRIC MOTORS

	Other U-boats of this series have been fitted with Brown-Boveri motors and switchboard.

	BATTERIES

	Lead-acid type: 62 cells per battery.

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	COMPRESSORS

	One Junkers, one electric compressor.

	CONVERTERS

	(a) 6 KVA.

	(b) 1.5 KVA.

	(c) 0.3 KVA.

	RADAR

	Not fitted, but a mattress aerial was built in on port side of conning tower fairing.

	SONAR

	Not fitted.

	G.S.R. (German Search Receiver)

	(a) Wanz G-2.

	(b) Borkum.

	(c) Naxos.

	G.S.R. AERIALS

	(a) Fixed-basket type aerial.

	(b) "Fleige" Naxos aerial - as described in G/Serial 36, Chapter III - mounted between periscopes.

	(c) "Finger" type Naxos aerial.

	D/F GEAR

	Standard Lorenz long-wave D/F gear fitted (Längstwellen-Peilüberlagerungsempftänger).

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Click this text to proceed to G/Serial 36 (the interrogation report for U-515/68)




	TRANSMITTERS

	(a) 200-watt short-wave transmitter.

	(b) 150-watt long-wave transmitter.

	(c) 40-watt emergency transmitter.

	RECEIVERS

	(a) "Main" receiver.

	(b) All-wave receiver.

	U.K. GEAR

	Not fitted.

	UNDER-WATER TELEPHONE

	Fitted.

	HYDROPHONES

	Multi-unit hydrophones (G.H.G.).

	ECHO SOUNDER

	Atlas Echo Sounder fitted.

	R.D.S. (Radar Decoy Spar Buoys)

	Not carried.

	R.D.B. (Radar Decoy Balloons)

	40 - 50 R.D.B. carried on last patrol.

	FRESH WATER DISTILLER

	Siemens Distiller fitted. 10 - 15 liters per hour capacity. Seldom used due to short duration of patrols.

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	RUBBER BOATS AND RAFTS

	One large rubber boat; one-man rafts for each crew member.































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CHAPTER III. CREW OF U-616

The crew of U-616 consisted of 53 men, divided as follows: four regular officers, two extra officers, sixteen petty officers and thirty-one enlisted men.

OFFICERS

(a) At commissioning (April 1942)

Commanding Officer:	(1) Kapitänleutnant Johann Spindlegger (1935 Term).

Executive Officer:	Oberleutnant Wolfgang Seiler (October 1939 Term).

Second Watch Officer:	Leutnant Dieter Bornkessel (2) (December 1939 Term).

Engineer Officer:	(2) Oberleutnant (Ing.) Wilhelm Lukasczyk (October 1937 Term).

(b) Second trials to fourth patrol (Fall 1942 - September 1943).

Commanding Officer:	Oberleutnant Siegfried Koitschka (April 1937 Term).

Executive Officer:	Oberleutnant Wolfgang Seiler.

Second Watch Officer:	Leutnant Werner Schauer (October 1940 Term).

Engineer Officer:	Oberleutnant (Ing.) Helmold Kalinke (December 1939 Term).

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Commanding Officer:	Oberleutnant Siegfried Koitschka.

Executive Officer:	Leutnant Werner Schauer.

Second Watch Officer:	Leutnant Heinz Nixdorff (October 1940 Term).

Engineer Officer:	Oberleutnant (Ing.) Helmold Kalinke.

(d) Eighth patrol (mid February - mid March 1944).

Commanding Officer:	Oberleutnant Siegfried Koitschka.

Executive Officer:	(3) Leutnant Werner Schauer.

Second Watch Officer:	Leutnant Helmut Ihle (May 1941 Term).

Engineer Officer:	Oberleutnant (Ing.) Helmold Kalinke.

(e) Ninth and last patrol.

Commanding Officer:	Oberleutnant Siegfried Koitschka.

Executive Officer:	Oberleutnant Johann Friedrich von Hanneken (October 1939 Term).

Second Watch Officer:	Leutnant Helemut Ihle.

Engineer Officer:	Oberleutnant (Ing.) Karl Fredrich Nieke (October 1939 Term).

ADDITIONAL OFFICERS CARRIED

(a) On third and fourth patrol:

Assistenzarzt Klemens (not in G.N.L.)

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	(b) On fifth patrol:

	An unidentified midshipman (Medical Corps - Unterarzt).
	An extra watch officer, unidentified; rank Leutnant).

	(c) On eighth patrol:

	von Hanneken was carried on the eighth patrol as extra watch officer.

	(d) On ninth and last patrol:

	An extra watch officer, Leutnant Joachim Jaworski (January 1941 Term)
	An extra engineer midshipman, Oberfähnrich (Ing.) Helmut Gobisch (not in G.N.L.)


	(1) No reason could be obtained for Spindlegger's detachment from his command.

	(2) It was stated that Lukasczyk became ill. Bornkessel was said to have left the boat at the same time.

	(3) Reported to have left in order to attend commanding officer's school.

	All in all, the officers taken prisoners from U-616 were among the most disagreeable ever seen in the United States. The prize specimen no doubt was the executive officer von Hanneken who combined Nazi boorishness with the conceit of a West Prussian Junker. Even some of his fellow officers disliked him.

	ENLISTED MEN

	The entire crew of U-616 was stubborn and security conscious. Many of them had served with Koitschka since 1942 and had

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	been imbued with his spirit of brashness. However, the fact that the crew of U-371 (most of them ex. U-410) with whom U-616 had been on very friendly terms had preceded them to this country, mellowed some of them.






























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	CHAPTER IV. EARLY HISTORY OF U-616

	COMMISSIONING

	U-616 was commissioned early April 1942 at the Blohm & Voss Yard, Hamburg. Her commander was then Kapitänleutnant Spindlegger.

	TRIALS AND EXERCISES

	The usual trials and exercises in the Baltic were completed without unusual incidents. U-boats participating in the tactical exercises in the summer of 1942 included U-410, UD-3, U-441, U-Wolf and U-Breithaupt. The U-boat returned for overhaul to the Germania Werft, Kiel, in the fall of 1942. Soon thereafter, Kapitänleutnant Spindlegger was succeeded by Oberleutnant Koitschka. The result of this change in command was the repetition of various of the standard exercises. New trials under the Active Service Training Group were necessitated by the replacement of the engineer officer of U-616.

	SECOND AND FINAL OVERHAUL

	U-616 returned to Kiel for her second and final overhaul in January 1943. She was ready to leave on her first patrol early in February. She carried fourteen torpedoes, including two torpedoes in the upper deck containers.












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	CHAPTER V. FIRST PATROL OF U-616

	DEPARTURE

	U-616 sailed from Kiel on her first patrol at 0815, 6 February in company with several unidentified U-boats. Having reached Kristiansand at 1530, 8 April, U-616 proceeded the next day to Egernsund where she arrived at 1600, 9 April. On 10 April, the U-boat left Egernsund and proceeded into the North Atlantic via the Rosengarten.

	SINKING OF A STRAGGLER

	It appears that U-616 operated independently and did not belong to any of the groups of U-boats then rampant in the North Atlantic.

	A diary records a depth-charge attack on 7 March and sixteen aircraft bombs on 9 March. (O.N.I. Note: Neither of these could be identified. On 10 March 1943 a Britain-based airplane attacked a U-boat in position 57.42 N. - 20.21 W.) The next day an independent ship of about 7,000 tons, with one escort vessel, was sunk with four torpedoes. This was the only success of U-616 on her initial patrol. (O.N.I. Note: In approximate area 58 N. - 22 W. the following three stragglers from convoy SC-121 were lost on 10 March: MILOS (Swedish), EMPIRE LAKELAND (British) and LEADGATE (British).

	RETURN TO BASE

	U-616 returned to St. Nazaire 26 March 1943 and was assigned

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	to the Sixth Flotilla. Three weeks later she was ready for her next patrol.




























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	CHAPTER VI. SECOND PATROL OF U-616

	U-616 PASSES THROUGH THE STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR

	U-616 left St. Nazaire 18 April 1943 and reached the approaches to the Strait of Gibraltar without incident. The exact date of passing through the Strait could not be determined, but it is believed to have been during the first days of May. The passage was uneventful and was made at night while the U-boat was on the surface. Control was advised promptly.

	OPERATIONAL AREA

	U-616 operated off Oran and at some time prior to 13 May, five torpedoes were fired at a destroyer. Detonations were heard but due to the absence of breaking-up noises, no sinking was claimed. (O.N.I. Note: This attack has not been identified.)

	U-616 IS ATTACKED

	On 13 May, U-616 was subjected to an accurate and heavy depth-charge attack while on her way to her assigned base at La Spezia. Prisoners assert that several Allied warships must have taken part in the attack which lasted about three hours, and in the course of which well over 50 depth-charges were dropped. The damage was extensive. Diesel engines and electric motors were temporarily out of commission, several battery cells were cracked and the entire radio equipment was out of order. An explosion close to the bow threw all four torpedo tubes out of line and made further use impossible.

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	Employing all his skill, U-616's commander was able to draw away from the pursuing ships, which, however, continued dropping depth-charges in the vicinity of the U-boat's earlier position. (O.N.I. Note: It has been impossible to identify this attack.)

	RETURN TO BASE

	U-616 entered La Spezia 18 May 1943. Repairs lasted about two months and included the installation of new forward torpedo tubes.





















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	CHAPTER VII. THIRD PATROL OF U-616

	DEPARTURE

	U-616 left La Spezia 28 July 1943 and proceeded to an operational area in the Western Mediterranean. It appears that she was unsuccessful in finding suitable targets until toward the end of the patrol.

	SINKINGS CLAIMED

	About early to mid August, the U-boat made a night attack from the surface on a convoy. All five torpedo tubes were fired and she immediately submerged without, however, being able to observe accurately. The following claims, however, were made: One landing ship and one freighter sunk; one cruiser damaged.

	No counter-attack was made on the submerged U-boat. (O.N.I. Note: No record of these attacks has been found.)

	RETURN TO TOULON

	U-616 was ordered to return to Toulon where she made fast 18 August 1943.













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CHAPTER VIII. FOURTH PATROL OF U-616

DEPARTURE

The deterioration of the Italian situation cut short U-616's stay at Toulon and she left 8 September 1943.

UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO INTERCEPT ITALIAN FLEET

Prisoners asserted that U-616 proceeded at full speed towards La Spezia to prevent units of the Italian Fleet from escaping. However, it was stated that she was two hours late in arriving off La Spezia and consequently failed in this part of her mission.

OPERATIONS IN GULF OF SALERNO

U-616 was then ordered to proceed down the Italian coast towards the Gulf of Salerno which she reached about 11 September. A captured diary records the following:

0320	-	12 September	-	depth charges.

1635	-	12 September	-	depth-charges.

1710	-	12 September	-	three bombs from aircraft.

1002	-	13 September	-	depth-charges.

1025	-	13 September	-	depth charges.

0708	-	14 September	-	four bombs from aircraft.

0410 to 0650	-	15 September	-	depth-charges and aircraft bombs.

It was apparently on this last date that U-616 claimed hits on a large tanker, a destroyer and an auxiliary aircraft

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	carrier. One prisoner commented that the destroyer claimed sunk was the only destroyer which was definitely confirmed sunk out of the many destroyers which were claimed during the U-boat's career.

	In this attack, U-616 expended all her ten torpedoes composed of T-3 and/or T-3 FAT-2. Five to six explosions were heard in all. (O.N.I. Note: There is no record of any ships sunk by submarines in the Gulf of Salerno 15 September 1943.)

	RETURN TO BASE

	U-616 returned to Toulon at 0800, 18 September 1943. Two weeks later she wa again ready to continue her patrols.




















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	CHAPTER IX. FIFTH PATROL OF U-616

	DEPARTURE

	U-616 sailed from Toulon 3 October 1943, apparently again headed for the Gulf of Salerno. A diary records an aircraft attack at 0730, 4 October 1943. (O.N.I. Note: This attack could not be identified.)

	SINKINGS CLAIMED

	Prisoners stated that a convoy was attacked and that one American destroyer of the "BUCK" class, as well as two freighters, were sunk in position 39.57 N. - 14.28 E. (O.N.I. Note: U.S.S. BUCK was sunk 9 October 1943.)

	ENCOUNTER WITH BRITISH SUBMARINE

	Shortly before returning to Toulon, A British submarine fired torpedoes at U-616, but it appears that they detonated before reaching the U-boat. (O.N.I. Note: At 0703, 15 October 1943 H.M. Submarine UNTIRING fired three torpedoes at a German U-boat off Toulon, but missed.)

	RETURN TO BASE

	U-616 returned to Toulon the same date. She remained in port longer than usual due mainly to changed in her bridge structure.






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	CHAPTER X. SIXTH PATROL OF U-616

	DEPARTURE

	U-616 sailed from Toulon 20 November 1943 on her sixth patrol which took her to the Tyrrhenean Sea.

	U-616 CLAIMS FURTHER SINKINGS

	According to a captured diary, the only activities on this patrol occurred on 8 and 9 December. At 0302, 8 December, two ships were claimed sunk and another was left burning. The attack was made while U-616 was on the surface. It was stated that the burning freighter was not sunk by the U-boat, due to the presence of aircraft and a counter-attack by a destroyer. The total tonnage of the three ships was estimated at 24,000 tons.

	The following day at 2005, U-616 claimed the sinking of a destroyer; this attack was delivered submerged. (O.N.I. Note: None of the sinkings claimed on 8 or 9 December have been verified.) In two days U-616 had fired seven torpedoes, four of which were T-5's.

	RETURN TO BASE

	U-616 returned to Toulon 12 December 1943 with three torpedoes in her tubes of which two were T-5 torpedoes.







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	CHAPTER XI. SEVENTH PATROL OF U-616

	DEPARTURE

	The seventh patrol of U-616 started on 3 January 1944 and her operational area was off Algiers and Bone.

	SINKING OF TWO BRITISH SUBMARINES

	On 9 January 1944 when off Algiers, U-616 wa proceeding at periscope depth when four submarines, presumably British, were sighted proceeding in line escorted by one destroyer. Four torpedoes were fired at 1440 and three or four detonations were heard. Two of the submarines crash-dived, but the other two submarines were believed hit and sunk. (O.N.I. Note: This claim has not been substantiated.)

	THREE SHIPS AND A DESTROYER TORPEDOED

	At 0110, 13 January, U-616 fired four torpedoes at three large ships and one destroyer. The diary records that the torpedoes were aimed by means of the hydrophones. This, however, could not be confirmed in direct questioning. Three explosions and breaking-up noises were heard, giving conclusive proof to the crew that ships had been hit and sunk. (O.N.I. Note: No record of such attacks has been found.)

	RETURN TO BASE

	U-616 returned to Toulon 15 January 1944 with two torpedoes remaining. Her commander was awarded the Knight's Cross to the Iron

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	Cross. The crew celebrated this event together with the crew of U-410 which was also in port. Repairs to the boat included an overhaul of the Diesel engines.

























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	CHAPTER XII. EIGHTH PATROL OF U-616

	DEPARTURE

	U-616 sailed from Toulon 19 February 1944. Her operational area was believed to have been off North Africa.

	CLAIMED SINKINGS

	Towards the end of February U-616 claimed the torpedoing of two Allied destroyers believed to have been on escort duty. During the early days of March another destroyer was claimed sunk at night. A diary records a counter-attack by destroyers and airplane bombs. (O.N.I. Note: H.M.S. INGLEFIELD, destroyer, was sunk 25 February 1944 at 41.27 N. - 12.37 E. No other sinking can be identified.)

	RETURN TO BASE

	It is believed that U-616 returned to Toulon 16 March 1944, just five days after a successful air raid on this base during which several U-boats were seriously damaged.












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	CHAPTER XIII. MINTH AND LAST PATROL OF U-616

	DEPARTURE

	U-616 left Toulon on her last patrol at 2400, 3 May 1944. Her operational area was to be off the North African coast.

	PREVIOUS FALSE STARTS

	Two earlier false starts were made by U-616 before she finally sailed from Toulon at 0745, 1 May; the reason for the return was a faulty Junkers air compressor. After obtaining another air compressor, U-616 again left Toulon 2 May. Her deep diving trials came off satisfactorily and she proceeded submerged from 0450 to 2130. Soon thereafter, the cooling line of the Junkers air compressor burst and it was again decided to return to port where she arrived during the morning hours of 3 Mat. Repairs were made immediately and the U-boat was topped up with drinking water whereupon she left Toulon at 2400, 3 May on her ninth and final patrol.

	PASSAGE TO OPERATIONAL AREA

	A diary records the day of arrival in her operational area off Algiers as 10 May 1944. The passage had been uneventful and U-616 had spent an average of four hours on the surface and twenty hours submerged each day.

	FIRST AND COUNTER-ATTACK

	On 11 May U-616 claimed the torpedoing of an unidentified

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	ship; breaking up noises were heard. Following this, searching escort vessels dropped eight depth-charges which, although being placed fairly accurately, caused no damage. The U-boat then went to periscope depth for observation but the horizon was empty. (O.N.I. Note: It has been impossible to identify this action.)

	Later during the day, after the torpedo tubes had been reloaded, a torpedo from tube No. 2, containing a T-5, was fired at what was believed to be an LST. A detonation was heard but due to the presence of destroyers which were towing noise-making buoys, the results of the attack could not be observed. (O.N.I. Note: No identification of the supposed sinking has been possible.)

	LAST SUCCESS OF U-616

	About 0400, 14 May 1944, propeller noises were heard and U-616 surfaced only to find herself in the middle of a convoy. It appears that Control had not advised them of the presence of this convoy. A freighter estimated about 500 yards astern fired ineffectually at the surfaced U-boat. A T-5 torpedo was then shot from No. 5 tube and U-616 submerged to periscope depth. Soon thereafter, a T-5 from tube No. 2 was fired and the U-boat then dived to a greater depth. (O.N.I. Note: At about 0430, 14 May 1944 M/V Fort FIDDLER, British freighter, and G.S. WALDEN, U.S. tanker, both in convoy GUS-39, were torpedoed in approximate position 36.43 N. - 00.54 E. Both reached port under their own power. Shortly before these attacks, U.S.S. BIBB had dropped depth-charges on a sonar contact.)

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	CHAPTER XIV. SINKING OF U-616

	ATTACKS ON U-616 14 MAY 1944

	The fact that U-616 had been detected by escort vessels was taken lightly among the crew of the U-boat. This attitude was strengthened by the slight and inaccurate counter-attacks which developed about noon. Just before, at 1033, a diary records an attack on and the sinking of a destroyer. (O.N.I. Note: No record of such an attack can be found.)

	At about 2135, U-616 attempted to surface in order to charge her batteries. However, she was quickly sighted by an airplane and opened fire with her guns, but she could not prevent the dropping of four depth-charges which exploded close to her hull but caused no damage. She then submerged and further depth-charges were heard exploding in the distance.

	ATTACKS ON 15 MAY 1944

	U-616 did not surface throughout the morning and afternoon of 15 May 1944. (O.N.I. Note: Hunting surface craft noticed an oil slick of considerable length on the morning of 15 May. Prisoners were unable to explain its origin and could only surmise that the attack delivered by a Coastal Command aircraft the previous night, had ruptured one of the external fuel tanks. Detailed interrogation could not clarify this point.) At night she again surfaced to charge batteries which were running dangerously low. It appears she was on the surface for only 15 minutes when an airplane

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	was again sighted, thus forcing her to dive after a short exchange of fire.

	ATTACKS ON 16 MAY 1944

	Sometime after midnight, U-616 attempted for the third time in as many days, to charge her batteries and if possible make good an escape on the surface. Again she was forced to dive before she could accomplish any effectual charging of her batteries by the sighting of another plane. By this time the crew was expressing considerable pessimism as they realized they were being hunted relentlessly and could now imagine the screen of destroyers surrounding their suspected position.

	At about 2100, U-616 surfaced and remained undetected for about an hour. Again she was forced to dive by the presence of another airplane at about 2200.

	ATTACKS ON 17 MAY 1944

	Shortly after midnight, U-616 surfaced again, determined to find an opportune time and position to replenish her batteries which were very low. She was soon discovered by destroyers and was then caught in a search light beam; she was able to dive before fire from the destroyers took effect. Prisoners state that, at this time, a T-5 torpedo was fired but that no detonation was heard. There was a brief burst from the quadruple machine guns fired just before she dived.

	There after the U-boat was under continuous depth-charge

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	attack, but all survivors were positive in their statements that no damage was caused. One prisoner stated that he had been able to sleep through the many depth-charge attacks, but that the noise of the "singing saw" was nerve shattering. He likened it to the psychological effect of sirens on Stukka bombers. (O.N.I. Note: This apparently refers to FXR gear.)

	The violent evasive tactics requiring bursts of high speed soon exhausted the already weak batteries, and at about 0800 17 May 1944, U-616 was forced to surface and was immediately abandoned by her crew. No message of the sinking was sent to Control. All vents were opened, but no scuttling charges were set. By this time the surfaced U-boat had been detected by the searching destroyers and before U-616 sank, she received two direct hits.

	ACTION REPORT

	Following the torpedoing of FORT FIDDLER and WALDEN four destroyers were detached from the convoy escort group. They were able to locate the U-boat shortly after noon 14 May 1944, but contact was lost after two attacks. Thereafter, the escorts returned to the convoy and were relieved by seven other destroyers which formed a box search. At 2148 a fully surfaced U-boat was detected 30 miles to the westward by a Coastal Command airplane. The U-boat dived after she had been attacked with depth bombs. About one hour later U.S.S. ELLYSON and three other destroyers carried out attack on a sonar contact after which the contact was lost.

	- 30 -




	Next morning an oil slick of considerable length was sighted. At about 2330, 15 May the U-boat was again detected on the surface by a Coastal Command airplane. She was attacked with depth bombs and forced to dive.

	About two and a half hours later, at 0200, 16 May, another airplane sighted the U-boat which dived before an attack could be carried out.

	Twenty hours passed before contact could be regained. At 2200, 16 May, a Coastal Command plane found the U-boat on the surface and forced it to dive. She surfaced again soon afterwards and was illuminated by searchlight of U.S.S. MACOMB when the destroyers had reached the area. The U-boat dived after a short exchange of fire.

	Contact was now held successfully and six of the seven destroyers attacked the U-boat.

	At 0808, 17 May the U-boat surfaced and was immediately taken under the combined fire of all the destroyers.













	- 31 -

ANNEX. CREW LIST OF U-616 AND U.S. EQUIVALENTS

OF GERMAN NAVAL RANKS AND RATINGS.

Name	Rank and Rating	U.S. Navy Equivalent	Age

	Kapitan z. S.	Captain
	Fregattenkapitän	Commander
	Korvettenkapitän	Lieut. Commander
	Kapitänleutnant	Lieutenant
KOITSCHKA, Siegfried	Oberleutnant z. S.	Lieutenant (j.g.)	27
VON HANNEKEN , Joh.-F'drich	Oberleutnant z. S.	Lieutenant (j.g.)	25
IHLE, Hellmt	Leutnant z. S.	Ensign	21
NIEKE, Karl Friedrich	Oberleutnant (Ing.)	Lieutenant (j.g.) (Engineering duties only)	24
JAWORSKI, Joachim	Leutnant z. S.	Ensign	21
GOBISCH, Helmut	Oberfähnrich (Ing.)	Midshipman	21
BOCH, Karl	Obersteuermann	Warrant Quartermaster	31
BONANATI, Johannes	Oberbootsmaat	Boatswain	24
ERNST, Günther	Oberbootsmaat	Boatswain	24
MÜLLER, Rudolf	Oberbootsmaat	Boatswain	31
ALBERT, Heinz	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl .	23
APPLER, Seigfried	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl .	20
DITTMAR, Erwin	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl .	21
ECKERT, Josef	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl .	21
EISENMANN, August	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl .	20
KELM, Fritz	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl .	20
KRETSCHMER, Alfred	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl .	21
KUNDE, Heinz	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl .	22
NOBIS, Rudolf	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl .	24
DÖGE, Willy	Matrosengefreiter	Seaman 2cl.	21
NOVAK, Waldemar	Matrosengefreiter	Seaman 2cl.	19
SCHROD, Martin	Matrosengefreiter	Seaman 2cl.	19
FALK, Heinz	Obermaschinist	Machinist	25
MASPOHL, Robert	Obermaschinist	Machinist	29
ZÄPFEL, Franz	Obermaschinist	Machinist	30
GRUBER, Michael	Maschinenobermaat	Machinist Mate 2cl.	25
PETERS, Friedrich	Maschinenobermaat	Machinist Mate 2cl.	25
STEINMANN, Werner	Maschinenobermaat	Machinist Mate 2cl.	26
BARTH, Gerhard	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl.	23
KORLEK, Kurt	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl.	23
BOSLAU, Heinz	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	20
COOL, Hans	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	23
FRANZEN, Karl	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	23
HENTSCHEL, Willi	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	20
KNOCHE, Christian	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	23
NIEZURAWSKI, Bruno	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	24
PETERMAN, Walter	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	21
RAUCH, Fritz	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	22

Name	Rank and Rating	U.S. Navy Equivalent	Age

REICHLING, Helmut	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	23
SCHNEIDER, Anton	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	23
STAHL, Gerhard	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	22
WROBEL, Friedrich	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	23
ZILLER, Arthur	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl.	21
GOLDA, Walter	Obermechanikermaat	Torpedoman's Mate 2cl.	23
ABSMAIER, Eberhard	Mechanikerobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl.	20
WAWRUTSCHKA, Franz	Mechanikerobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl.	20
DUNZELT, Rolf	Mechanikergefreiter	Seaman 2cl.	21
JAHN, Walter	Oberfunkmaat	Radioman 2cl.	24
ZENTES, Oskar	Oberfunkmaat	Radioman 2cl.	26
DAHL, Hans	Funkobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl.	25
GRUNACK, Alfred	Funkobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl.	20
SCHMITT, Heinz	Funkobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl.	20
WICKBOLDK, Alfred	Obersanitatsmaat	Pharmacist's Mate 1cl.	26

(Ing.) denotes engineering duties only.