Excerpt of the Radio Log "U-68"
  
 
=======================
  
 
Patrol from 20.08. to 6.12.
  
                                              
 
23.08.42  
08.58 Short Signal
  My position is naval square CG 22
                                                    - Merten -
   
23.08.42 Short Signal
16.55 My position is naval square CG 21
                                                    - Merten -
   
24.08.42  
00.20 2343/23/75:
  1)  Gear is good, detection in fog on 21 August at 23.16 hours in 8215, on 22 August at 03.12 hours and 03.46 hours in 8217 with overcast clear weather 20.03 hours in 8425 at 39° and 39.5°.  No sightings, dived as soon as steady tone.  All BF.
  2)  Missing Serial Nos. 16, 19, 20, from 21 August.
  3)  Question changing Kenngruppenheft [Table for the 2 groups at beginning and end of Enigma Message]
  4)  Naval square CG 21.
                                                    - Merten -
   
27.08.42  
02.28 Short Signal
  My position is naval square CF 8599
                                                    - Merten -
   
09.09.42  
01.56 Short Signal
  Position FE 36, 172 cbm
                                                    - U-68 -
   
14.09.42  
21.15 2002/13/240
  1)  Sank:  12 September TREVILLEY, FF 8588 course 180°, army supplies, transfer of Captain and Chief Engineer as well as 66 captured aircraft hoses for the Reichsmarschall at supply.
  2)  Southerly transit square FF 7838, 155 cbm, 13 + 8 torpedoes, all naval squares.
 
                               
 
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14.09.42  
22.25 2141/14/202
  Darkened armed steamer coal fired, naval square FF 8587, course 290°, 10 knots, question dispatching.  
                                                    - Merten -
   
15.09.42  
02.20 0101/15/210/44/174
  Order carried out.  BREEDIJK sunk with single shot.  Naval square FF 8497. 
                                                    - Merten -
   
07.10.42  
02.40 0137/7/
  Light barrier, success in the Roadstead very questionable.  Heavy through traffic.  Suggest attack free 08.00 hours.
                                                    - Merten -
   
10.10.42  
00.55 2232/9/491
  Heavy traffic in and out, day and night between Cape and mined area, course 160° and 320°, 8 October sank freighter 5000 GRT, large freighter 8000, tanker SWIFTSURE and freighter 6000 GRT.  On 9 October EXAMALIA and freighter 6000 GRT.  Moved off.  Just now downloaded, still 7 Atos, 185 cbm.  
                                                    - Merten -
   
19.10.42  
00.36 2204/18/474
  1) Since 10 October bad weather, advanced to the east up to KY 62.  There heavy westerly traffic through mined area north of 34°10'S.  No attack possibilities due to weather, submerged by day, heavy air.
  2)  Intention:  NW sector due to weather and moon.
  3)  Junkers-compressor out of service since 8 October request from outbounder 2 engine pistons, 2 compressor pistons, stage I-IV with rings and rods, 2 crossheads, 4 toothed rods, fuel pump with gear and 1 spare valve for the E-compressor.
  4)  7 Atos, 161 cbm, square GR 7691, all naval squares.
                                                    - Merten -
   
20.10.42  
00.06 Short Signal
  Yes.
                                                    - U-68 -
 
     
 
     
 
- 3 -
  
 
 
 
26.10.42  
01.49 0037/26/424
  1)  19 October 7525 freighter 5000 GRT, course 55°, submerged two-fan in high Swell unexplained miss, range 400 meters, depth 4 meters, was sighted, shot at with artillery.  During pursuit forced to submerge by air.
  2)  West sector, route in accordance with Officer Only Ysop and north sector up to GJ 72 with very good visibility nothing.  Going west and SW.
  3)  GH 9656, still 5 Atos, 144 cbm, naval squares.
                                                    - Merten -
   
30.10.42  
00.54 Short Signal
  Have begun return transit.
                                                    - U-68 -
   
31.10.42  
00.10 2227/30/469
  1)  Torpedoes heated and continuously ventilated.  Ran well.
  2)  Return transit along the western limit of the operations area intended.
  3.)  Additionally for "Emmermann", in case of agreed together return transit, give meeting point, naval square GQ 9338, course W.
                                                    - Merten -
   
09.11.42  
00.16 2313/8/468
  1)  Sank 6 November GF 3811 CITY OF CAIRO, course 290°, from Cape Town via Pernambuco for England.  Iron, wood, 125 passengers.
  2)  Question how much longer Route "Anton" will be free, since then transit via FL intended.
  3)  Still 3 Atos, 60 Art. 105 cbm, FU 4555.  Naval squares.
                                                    - Merten -
   
19.11.42  
00.14 Short Signal.
  My position is naval square ES 9136.
                                                    - Merten -
   
27.11.42  
21.00 Short Signal.
  My position is naval square DG 5957.
                                                    - Merten -
 
     
 
     
 
- 4 -
  
 
 
 
28.11.42  
11.56 Short Signal
  Suggest meeting point tomorrow 18.00 hours.
                                                    - U-68 -
   
28.11.42  
15.11 1348/28/118
  To "Rüggeberg"
  Course incorrect, consider Adressbook.  Give meeting point.          
                                                    - Merten -
   
04.12.42  
02.56 Short Signal weather report.
   
                                                    - U-68 -
   
04.12.42  
07.55 Short Signal
  Request Lorient Bearing Transmitter I, 19.30 hours.
                                                    - U-68 -