U-701 - 2nd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

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
6 Mar 42	23.06	61°05'N, 13°20.5'W	HMS RONONIA	213	British
7 Mar 42	23.15	63°11'N, 13°20.5'W	NYGGJABERG	349	Faroes
9 Mar 42	00.39	63°05'N, 13°20.5'W	HMS NOTTS COUNTY (FY 250)	541	British
11 Mar 42	02.12	64°53'N, 13°20.5'W	HMS STELLA CAPELLA (FY 107)	507	British
			Total = 1,610
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.

	- 1 -
		K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
		======================
		" U-701 "
			Commander:    Kapitänleutnant  D  e  g  e  n  .
				Beginning:   10.02.42.
				Ending:       01.04.42
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 2 -
		10.02.42	St. Nazaire	Shipyard pier:  Torpedo and artillery offload.
		11.02.42	St. Nazaire	Bunker:  Repair work
		12.02.42	St. Nazaire	Bunker:  Repair work
		13.02.42	St. Nazaire	Bunker:  Repair work
		14.02.42	St. Nazaire	Bunker:  Repair work
		15.02.42	St. Nazaire	Bunker:  Repair work
		16.02.42	St. Nazaire	Bunker:  Repair work
		17.02.42	St. Nazaire	Bunker:  Repair work
		18.02.42	St. Nazaire	Bunker:  Repair work
		19.02.42	St. Nazaire	Shipyard pier:  Artillery and fuel oil loading.
		20.02.42	St. Nazaire	Shipyard pier:  Shipyard testing.
		21.02.42	St. Nazaire	Bunker:  Repair work
		22.02.42	St. Nazaire	Sea trial, diving test.
		23.02.42	St. Nazaire	Shipyard pier:  Torpedo loading.
		24.02.42	St. Nazaire	Shipyard pier:  Provisions loading, degaussing.
		25.02.42	St. Nazaire	Shipyard pier:  Provisions loading, direction finder calibration.

	- 3 -
		26.02.42
		17.30	St. Nazaire	Departed with escort.
				(together with "Mannstein" and "Hinsch")
		19.35		Reached N 1, released from escort.
				Proceeding on route "Tannennadel" at 12 knots.
		20.00	NW 3/4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good	Route "Tannennadel".
		24.00	BF 6473
		27.02.42
		04.00	BF 5834
		07.36		Dived (test dive).
		08.00	BF 5811
		08.55	NW 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. medium	Surfaced.
		09.45		Crash dive for training.
				Proceeding submerged, combat exercises.
		12.00	BF 5732	Proceeding submerged.  Course 280°.
				Day's run:  156.3 nm
				Surfaced      149.7 nm
				Submerged      4.6 nm
		16.00	BF 5731	Proceeding submerged.
		20.00	BF 5723	Proceeding submerged.
		20.20	SSW 1, Sea 1, few clouds, Vis. very good
		24.00	BF 4686	Course 280°, 10 knots.
			Moonlit night
		28.02.42
		04.00	BF 4593	Course 280°, 10 knots.
			SSW 6, Sea 5/6, overcast, Vis. medium

	Sun and Moon Data 26.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.02.42

	- 4 -
		continued
		28.02.42
		08.00	BF 4546
			SSW 6/7, Sea 6, overcast
		08.23		Crash dive for training (test dive).
		09.12		Surfaced.  Course 290°, 10 knots.
		12.00	BF 4462	Day's run:  181 nm
			S 6, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. moderate, rain	Surfaced      164 nm
				Submerged    17 nm
		14.15	Vis. very good, partly cloudy	Crash dive proceeding submerged.
		16.00	BF 4424	Proceeding submerged.
		20.00	BF 4416	Proceeding submerged.
		20.25	W 4, Sea 4, partly cloudy, Vis. very good	Surfaced.  Course 300°, 10 knots.
		24.00	BF 6395
			Moonlit
		01.03.42
		01.17		Radio Message sent:  Short signal:
				My position is BE 63.
				"U-701"
		02.14		Radio Message received:
				Degen gave passage report from naval square BE 63 on 54 meters received with strength 4/5.
		04.00	BE 6346	Course 300°, 9 knots.
			W 2, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, moonlit
		08.00	BE 6235

	Sun and Moon Data 28.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.03.42

	- 5 -
		continued
		01.03.42
		08.25		Test dive.
		09.05		Surfaced.
		12.00	BE 3876	Day's run:  174.2 nm
			WNW 6, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. good	Surfaced      161 nm
				Submerged  13.2 nm
		15.55		Radio Message received:
				Enemy convoy in sight naval square 6862, steering westerly course, speed 8 knots.
				"Prätorius"
				Can be at convoy in 36 hours at 14 knots.
		16.00	BE 3769	Operating on convoy.  300° 14 knots.
			NW 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good
		16.18		Radio Message received:
				Enemy position square 6832, steering SW-course, speed 8 knots.
				"Prätorius"
				Even more favorable, can be at the convoy in 24 hours.
		17.x4		Radio Message received:
				To boats near the "Prätorius" convoy.  Attack only with favorable opportunity.  In any case continue transit to the north tomorrow before dawn.
				For me the convoy is finished.
		20.00	BE 3727	Course 300°, 10 knots.  Combat exercises.
		21.38		Crash dive for training.

Sun and Moon Data 01.03.42

	- 6 -
		continued
		01.03.42
		21.45		Surfaced.
		21.36		Radio Message received:
				"Varendorff", "Scholz", "Flachsenberg", "Liebe", "Ites", "Degen" report weather between 01.00 and 05.00 hours.
		24.00	BE 2694	Course 0°, 10 knots.
		02.03.42
		03.28		Radio Message sent:
				Wind SSW 6, Sea 5, medium SW-swell, 10/10 overcast (altostratus) occasional rain, +13°, 1030 mb falling.
				"U-701"
		04.00	BE 2629
		07.38		Test dive.
		08.00	BE 2395	Surfaced.
		08.05	SSW 5, Sea 4, partly cloudy, Vis. good
		12.00	BE 2323	Day's run:  216 nm
				Surfaced      214 nm
				Submerged      2 nm
		13.40		Radio Message received:
				Occupy as attack area:
				1.)  Prätorius . . . . . . . .
				2.)  Degen sea area AE 50 and AE 60 occasional advances under the coast.
				3.)  Finished . . . . . . . .

	Sun and Moon Data 01.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.03.42

	- 7 -
		continued
		02.03.42
				4.)  Attention is called to the Commander's Handbook Paragraph 354.
				5.)  Radio silence except for tactically important messages.
		16.00	AL 9926	Course 0°, 7 knots.
		20.00	AL 9695
			S 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. medium
		24.00	AL 9638
		03.03.42
		04.00	AL 9395
		08.00	AL 9338
		09.10		Crash dive!  (test dive).
		09.45		Surfaced.
		12.00	AL 6992	Day's run:  184 nm
			S 6, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good	Surfaced      182 nm
				Submerged      2 nm
		15.50	SSE 7/8, Sea 7, overcast, Vis. moderate	Crash dive for training.
		16.00	AL 6935	Proceeding submerged to stow torpedoes.
				(Storm tie downs have broken)
		17.10		Surfaced.
		20.00	AL 6668
		24.00	AL 6638

Note:   Paragraph 354 of the Commander's Handbook:  "A submarine may leave its area of attack when special circumstances or particularly efficient counteraction of the enemy, make it impossible for it to stay there.  The evacuation of the attack area must then be reported as soon as possible."

	Sun and Moon Data 02.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.03.42

	- 8 -
		04.03.42
		04.00	AL 6367	Heavy weather.
			SE 8/9, Sea 8, overcast, rain
		08.00	AL 6335
		09.15		Test dive.
		10.35		Surfaced.
		12.00	AL 0391	Day's run:  158 nm
				Surfaced      151 nm
				Submerged      7 nm
		16.00	AL 0337
		20.00	AL 3894
		24.00	AL 3861
		05.03.42
		04.00	AL 3697	Course 0°, 7 knots.
		08.00	AL 3664
		12.00	AL 3497	Day's run:  148 nm.
			SE 5, Sea 4, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good
		16.00	AL 3464	Attack periscope has been fogged up for three days and all available means have not removed the water between the reflecting prisms of the traveling prism carriage.
		20.00	AL 3431
			SE 7,/8, Sea 7, overcast, rain, Vis. bad
		23.15		Test dive.
		23.43		Surfaced.  Course 20°, 7 knots.
		24.00	AL 3267

	Sun and Moon Data 04.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.03.42

	- 9 -
		06.03.42
		04.00	AE 8782
		08.00	AE 8753	Course 20°, 6 knots.
			ESE 7, Sea 6, partly cloudy, intermittent driving snow, Vis. medium
		10.45	AE 8496	Steamer in sight, on an easterly course.  A vessel of about 1000 GRT.
				Maintained contact.
		12.00	AE 8734	Day's run:  146 nm.
			ESE 7, Sea 6, overcast, snow and hail showers, Vis. moderate	Vessel zigzagged every 30 minutes from 90 to 170°, running at 7 knots in the heavy seas.  May be an escort vessel.
		16.00	AE 8818	As a smoke trail comes into sight astern, I suppose a remote escort ahead of a convoy.  Closed the smoke trail for 1 hour at high speed.  Without success, smoke trail out of sight.  Resumed pursuit of the escort.
		20.00	AE 8851	In the approaching darkness I could just see him, it was almost too late.  Now approached from the north side, assembled firing data, enemy's holds his general course.
			E 7, Sea 6, medium-high swell, intermittent driving snow, otherwise Vis. good
		22.30		General course 130°, enemy speed 7 knots.
		23.06	AE 8895	Shot from Tube I.  Hit amidships.
			E 7, Sea 6, medium-high swell	(Running time 18 seconds = 280 meters, depth 2 meters.
				Black-red explosion column, escort vessel breaks in the middle.  Immediately afterwards a second violent detonation, very bright, magnesium white tongue of flame. (Likely ammunition).  Then nothing more is to be seen.  Ran off.
		24.00	AE 8891

Sun and Moon Data 06.03.42

	- 10 -
		07.03.42
		00.18		Dived to reload.
		01.55		Surfaced.  Course 0°, 7 knots.
		04.00	AE 8861
		07.30	AE 8597	2 big, brightly-illuminated steamers in line ahead formation. Course 240°, high speed. Swedish neutrality markings. The after steamer is a tanker.  (about 10000 GRT).
		08.00	AE 8594
			ESE 7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. good
		08.30	AE 8594	Fishing trawler on northwesterly course, running into the sea at 12 knots.
		12.00	AE 8556	Day's run:  155 nm
				Surfaced      147 nm
				Submerged      8 nm
		13.40		Again a fishing trawler.  Dived, avoiding only possible with high speed.
		15.30		Surfaced.
		16.00	AE 8255	Course 0°, 6 knots.
		20.00	AE 8259
			E 5, Sea 4, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good
		20.28	AE 8256	Steamer in sight to the SE, maintained contact and maneuvered ahead.  He is on course 120°, 10 knots heading for the British Isles.
		21.00		Steamer sets navigation lights at the coming of darkness, an "innocent" fellow.  Closed, matched speed.  120°, 10 knots about 1500 GRT.  Shows no neutrality markings.
		23.15	AE 8265	Shot from Tube II.  Hit forward 20 meters.  (running time 44 seconds = 680 meters, depth 2 meters) black-red explosion column.  Steamer sinks after 2 minutes.
			E 5, Sea 4, lightly cloudy, Vis. good, heavy northern lights	Ran off, reloaded.
		24.00	AE 8262	Course 20°, 9 knots.

Sun and Moon Data 07.03.42

	- 11 -
		08.03.42
		04.00	AE 5977	Reached attack area.
		05.00		English floating mine.
		08.00	AE 5945	Course 40°, 7 knots.
			NE 3, Sea 3, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good
		10.00		Land in sight, white mountains of Iceland to port.
				Headed for the coast.
		12.00	AE 5911
			NE 3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good
		13.41		Smoke trail in sight (345°T).  Closed.
		14.30		2 vessels in sight, off the east coast of Iceland running to the south.
				Maintained contact.
		14.50		Crash dive for aircraft.  (Sea-based aircraft, very difficult to see against the high mountains).  Ran submerged on a collision course with the steamer to observe in the periscope.  Intend pursuit and night attack.
		16.00	AE 5596	Attack periscope still out of service, observed from 400 meters distance with the air search periscope:  2 patrol vessels (U-boat hunters) cannon on the forecastle and stern, depth charge launcher on the after edge of the forecastle and stern several depth charges in a launching rack.
		17.30		Surfaced, chased after on course 180°.
		18.50		Floating mine.
		19.00		Patrol vessel again in sight.
				At nightfall approached from the west, matched speed.

Sun and Moon Data 08.03.42

	- 12 -
		continued
		08.03.42
				Enemy speed 11 knots, course 180°.
				Boats are in staggered formation, distance of approximately 400 meters.  Across distance of approximately 300 meters.  Every 2 hours "N" (numbers change), from time to time lively Morse traffic with blue-dimmed portable lantern.  On one of the boats a large, dark red light is to be seen at nightfall at the height of the bridge.  It shines abeam on me, goes out several times.  Whole duration: 10 min, distance: 8000 meters. Attack from the W.  Formation stands in starboard echelon. Want to shoot at both vessels, Tactical No. 1 with target angle 80°, range = 1000 meters and Tactical No. 2 following with target angle 70°, range 500 meters.
		09.03.42
		00.38	AE 8268	Shot from Tube I on Tactical No. 1.  Missed.
		00.39	NNE 2, Sea 2, Vis. very good	Shot from Tube 2 on Tactical No. 2.  Hit amidships.
				(running time 43 seconds = 670 meters, depth 2 meters)
				Black-red explosion column, patrol vessel sinks after 2 minutes.  1 minute later heavy detonation from sinking depth charges.  The second boat goes to the scene of the disaster and calmly helps survivors with floodlight.  Attack is not possible because the enemy constantly maneuvers.
		01.25		Continued to the south.
		03.06		New attack, it is very bright (Northern Lights) .
				Shot from Tube 3.  Missed.
				(Range = 1000 meters too far from the small target)
				It is getting dark again, new attack.
		03.45	AE 8532	Shot from Tube 4.  Missed undetermined.
			N 2, Sea 1	(Range = 400 meters)
				While running off I see that the enemy turned off to the west. It is likely that he heard me as I turned away at high speed.  However the torpedo should have hit before.
		03.55		Patrol vessel throws depth charges (about 10).  I don't want to sacrifice a third torpedo.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.03.42

	- 13 -
		continued
		09.03.42
				Broke off pursuit.  Returning to the attack area.  Reloaded tubes 1 - 4.
		04.00	AR 8532
		08.00	AE 8345
		12.00	AE 8325	Day's run:  242 nm
			N 7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. good	Surfaced      234 nm
				Submerged      8 nm
		12.01		Floating mine.
		12.13		Floating mine.
		16.00	AE 5985
		20.00	AE 5955	Course 350°, 4 knots.
			N 8/9, Sea 7/8, high swell, Vis. good
		22.08		Dived.  Want to remain submerged during darkness, because weapons are useless.
		24.00	AE 5951
		10.03.42
		04.00	AE 5924
		08.00	AE 5921
		08.40	N 6, Sea 5/6, overcast, Vis. good	Surfaced, remaining off the coast.
		12.00	AE 5644	Day's run:  90 nm
				Surfaced      66 nm
				Submerged   24 nm
		12.47		Crash dive for aircraft.  (Sea-based aircraft in the east)
		13.20		Surfaced.
		13.24		Crash dive for aircraft (Aircraft turned).
		14.31		Surfaced.
		14.32		Crash dive for aircraft.  (Always the same aircraft).
		16.00	AE 5617
		16.30		Surfaced.
		16.35		Crash dive for aircraft.  (the aircraft remains in the air constantly).
		20.00	AE 5617
		20.01		Surfaced.
		20.03		Crash dive for aircraft.

	Sun and Moon Data 09.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.03.42

	- 14 -
		continued
		10.03.42
		20.45		Surfaced with the coming of darkness.
				The aircraft is still flying and is lost from sight in the darkness. Suppose an airfield in the Seydis fjord.
				Heading for the Seydis fjord and want to see what goes on there.  All lights burn darkened.
		22.20		Small shadow in sight, just before the fjord.
		22.30	AE 5563	Heavily smoking vessel in sight to the south before the bright evening horizon.  Ran off to the south.  Pursued this vessel.
				Patrol vessel!  (U-hunter type) steering 170°, later 230°.
				Proceeding to sea and maneuvering for a stern attack.
		24.00	AE 5569	Matched speed.  Enemy course 230°, 11 knots.
				(Black-white camouflage has a glaring effect in the bright northern lights)
		11.03.42
		01.00		It is very bright (northern lights).
		01.45		Took position ahead of the enemy on his courseline, ready for a stern attack.
		02.12	AE 5568	Shot from Tube 5.  Hit aft 20 meters.
			NNE 2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good	(running time 55 seconds = 840 meters, depth only 1 meter because of the last miss)
				Torpedo broke the surface shortly before the target, the patrol vessel shot a red star at the moment of the hit, however, I firmly believe the red star (built in signal device) was released by the torpedo detonation because everything took place almost at the same moment.  Patrol vessel sinks in 2 minutes 30 seconds, followed 40 seconds later by detonation of the sinking depth charges.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.03.42

	- 15 -
		continued
		11.03.42
				Ran off unnoticed.  No counter-measures take place.  Fires continue to burn.
		04.00	AE 5596	Ran off to sea.
		08.00	AE 5681	Unloaded torpedoes from the overdeck.  Duration 4 hours.
			SE 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good
		12.00	AE 5659	Advance to the northeast corner of my attack area.
				Will later return to the coast.
		12.29		Floating mine.
		15.20		Floating mine.
		16.00	AE 6442
		16.50	Vis. 500 meters, fog, driving snow.	Dived.
		20.00	AE 6424
		20.33		Surfaced.
		24.00	AE 6189	Attack periscope again in operation.  It was necessary to remove the prisms from the traveling prism carriage to get rid of the water.  The heater had not been successful.
			ESE 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. moderate
		12.03.42
		04.00	AE 6271
		08.00	AE 6255
		12.00	AE 6261	Day's run:  153 nm
			NE 6, Sea 5, Vis. very good	Surfaced      145 nm
				Submerged      8 nm
		16.00	AE 6321
		19.21		Radio Message received:
				To "York""  Air reported at 16.00 hours 5 destroyers, 1 search aircraft in naval square AF 4951.  Course 10 to 20°, 18-23 knots.
		20.00	AE 6331

	Sun and Moon Data 11.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.03.42

	- 16 -
		continued
		12.03.42
		21.34		Radio Message received:
				Air reconnaissance reports at 13.00 hours in naval square AF 7297, 6 destroyers on northern course with fighter protection.  Aircraft carrier and cruiser believed to be nearby.
		21.46		Radio Message received:
				1.)  Degen, Prätorius, Hinsch, Thurmann from now form group "York".  Orders for these boats by group North on Ireland Circuit.
				2.)  With high speed Degen occupy square AE 93 . . .
		22.32		Radio Message received:
				To Group "York":  air reports:
				1.)  18.00 hours naval square AF 8413 heavy anti-aircraft fire, enemy not recognized because of snow showers.
				2.)  18.30 hours naval square AF 5125 4 destroyers and 4 4 smaller units, perhaps mine layers, course east.
				Group North.
		24.00	AE 6354	Steering for ordered attack area.
		13.03.42
		04.00	AE 6627
		08.00	AE 6688
			ENE 8/9, Sea 7/8, overcast, Vis. good
		08.30		Test dive.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.03.42

	- 17 -
		continued
		13.03.42
		09.05		Surfaced.
		12.00	AE 6967	Day's run:  211 nm
				Surfaced      209 nm
				Submerged      2 nm
		12.24		Floating mine.
		12.35		Radio Message received:
				To Group "York"
				Air reconnaissance reports:  Enemy formation apparently 7 destroyers 09.25 hours naval square AR 2759, course W, 20 knots.
		16.00	AE 9339
		1x.28		Floating mine.
		20.00	AE 9393
		21.35		Crash dive for training.  (Torpedo charging)
		23.45		Surfaced.
		24.00	AE 9369
		14.03.42
		04.00	AE 9336
		08.00	AE 9336	Eastern edge of the attack area back and forth.
			ESE 7, Sea 6/7, overcast, rain
		12.00	AE 9369	Day's run:  158 nm
				Surfaced      153 nm
				Submerged      5 nm
		16.00	AE 9336
			SE 8, Sea 7, overcast, rain
		16.28		Radio Message received:
				Group "York":
				Swedish hospital ship "HALLAREN" departing 13 March 24.00 hours AN 2556 further to AF 8476 to the Faroes.
				Group North.

	Sun and Moon Data 13.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.03.42

	- 18 -
		continued
		14.03.42
		17.20		Radio Message received:
				Group "York"
				Hospital ship "HALLAREN" 14 March 24.00 AF 7585.
		20.00	AE 9363
			Continuous rain
		22.45		Radio Message received:
				At the suggestion of the Commander in Chief, the Führer has recommended me for promotion to Admiral.  I see in this promotion thanks to and acknowledgment for you, my U-boat men.
				Befehlshaber.
		23.28		Test dive.
		24.00	AE 9366	Surfaced.
		15.03.42
		04.00	AE 9399
		08.00	AE 9369
		12.00	AE 9365	Day's run:  157 nm
				Surfaced      155 nm
				Submerged      2 nm
		14.00	Fog, Vis. 800 meters	Dived.
		16.00	AE 9362
		19.35		Surfaced.
		20.00	AE 9392
		24.00	AE 9635
			S 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. moderate
		16.03.42
		04.00	AE 9632
		08.00	AE 9333
		08.50	Fog, Vis. 500 meters	Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.03.42

	- 19 -
		continued
		16.03.42
		11.10	Vis. 3 nm	Surfaced.
		12.00	AE 9336	Day's run:  133 nm
				Surfaced      118 nm
				Submerged    15 nm
		12.23	Fog, Vis. 1000 meters	Dived.
		16.00	AE 9363
		19.33		Surfaced.
		20.00	AE 9368
		24.00	AE 9633
		17.03.42
		04.00	AE 9363
		08.00	AE 9333
		09.03	Fog	Dived.
		12.00	AE 9339	Day's run:  119 nm
				Surfaced      98 nm
				Submerged   21 nm
		14.09	Vis. 2 nm	Surfaced.
		16.00	AE 9365
		1x.15		Floating mine.
		20.00	AE 9391
			ESE 7/8, Sea 6, overcast, rain
		24.00	AE 9319
		18.03.42
		04.00	AE 9318
		08.00	AE 9324
		12.00	AE 9332	Day's run:  140 nm
			SE 6/7, Sea 6, overcast	Surfaced     137 nm
				Submerged     3 nm
		12.37		Floating mine.
		16.00	AE 9339
		16.12		Floating mine.
		1x.36		Floating mine.
		20.00	AE 9393

	Sun and Moon Data 16.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.03.42

	- 20 -
		continued
		18.03.42
		23.30		Test dive.
		23.45		Surfaced.
		24.00	AE 9393
		19.03.42
		04.00	AE 9333
		08.00	AE 9363
		12.00	AE 9396	Day's run:  161 nm
			S 5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good	Surfaced     160 nm
				Submerged     1 nm
		16.00	AE 9369	Floating mine.
		17.10		Floating mine.
		18.15		Floating mine.
		20.00	AE 9333	Floating mine.
		22.50		Floating mine.
		23.37		Test dive.
		23.55		Surfaced.
		24.00	AE 9369
			S 3, Sea 4, overcast, rain, Vis. good
		20.03.42
		04.00	AE 9369
		08.00	AE 9366
		10.26		Floating mine.
		11.40		Floating mine.
		12.00	AE 9333	Day's run:  172 nm
			SE 5, Sea 4, overcast, rain, Vis. good	Surfaced     171 nm
				Submerged     1 nm
		13.09		Floating mine.
		16.00	AE 9363
		20.00	AE 9392
		22.17		Radio Message received:
				To Thurmann, Degen, Prätorius and Hinsch.
				When return transit is necessary, go to western France.
		24.00	AE 9368
			S 4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 18.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.03.42

	- 21 -
		21.03.42
		04.00	AE 9363
		08.00	AE 9395
		12.00	AE 9338	Day's run:  85 nm.
			S 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good
		16.00	AE 9335
		17.55		Floating mine.
		20.00	AE 9367
		24.00	AE 9367
			WSW 2/3, Sea 2, overcast, rain, Vis. good
		22.03.42
		04.00	AE 9367
		08.00	AE 9364
		08.32		Test dive.
		09.22		Surfaced.
		12.00	AE 9356	Day's run:  79 nm
			SW 5, Sea 5, overcast, rain, Vis. moderate	Surfaced     77 nm
				Submerged    2 nm
		13.10		Floating mine.
		16.00	AE 9344
		18.50		Floating mine.
		20.00	AE 9352
		24.00	AE 9329
			SW 7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. good
		23.03.42
		04.00	AE 9334
		08.00	AE 9335
		12.00	AE 9337	Day's run:  59 nm.
			SW 7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. moderate

	Sun and Moon Data 21.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.03.42

	- 22 -
		continued
		23.03.42
		15.52	Vis. 1000 meters	Dived.
		16.00	AE 9357
		19.38		Surfaced.
		20.00	AE 9349
		24.00	AE 9359
			SW 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good
		24.03.42
		04.00	AE 9364
		08.00	AE 9365
		08.56		Floating mine.
		12.00	AE 9367	Day's run:  83 nm.
			SW 6, Sea 4/6, overcast, Vis. moderate
		16.00	AE 9384
		17.18		Floating mine.
		17.25		At last a navigation update.  90°T, 54 nm.
		20.00	AF 7411	The wind increases considerably.
			SW 8, Sea 7, overcast
		23.10	WSW 9/10, Sea 8, high swell, squalls	Dived, no visibility, weapons unusable.
		24.00	AF 7178
		25.02.42
		04.00	AF 7177
		08.00	AE 9399
		09.16	WNW 9, Sea 7/8, overcast, hail squalls	Surfaced, heavy weather.
		12.00	AE 9394	Day's run:  77 nm
				Surfaced     57 nm
				Submerged  20 nm
		16.00	AE 9356
		17.04	Vis. bad	Dived.
		20.00	AE 9355

	Sun and Moon Data 23.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.03.42

	- 23 -
		continued
		25.02.42
		21.05	Vis. bad	Surfaced.  Weapons unusable.
		22.40	N 8/9, Sea 7/8	Dived.
		24.00	AE 9353
		26.03.42
		04.00	AE 9352
		08.00	AE 9351
		09.14	N 6, Sea 5, Vis. good	Surfaced.
		11.20		Faroe Islands in sight.
		11.36		Radio Message received:
				Thurmann, Degen, Hinsch return to western France at highest possible speed.
		12.00	AE 9348	Began return transit.
			N 5, Sea 4, overcast	Day's run:  76 nm
				Surfaced     51 nm
				Submerged  25 nm
		18.45		Radio Message sent:
				Large square AE 50 coastal areas very strong air and patrol vessels.  Assume that there is an airfield in the fjord, not confirmed because of lack of time.  A freighter 1500 GRT, a patrol vessel, two U-boat hunters sunk.  Dark red light, like Kelbling, no echo location.  Area "York" nothing, many floating mines.  Still 7 Torpedoes 50 cbm.  Baggage, boat assignment to 7.U-Flottille after return harbour requested.  N 5, Sea 5, 1024 mb steady, overcast, Vis. medium, +1°, GX 92.
				Degen.
		19.15		Floating mine.
		20.00	AE 9195
		24.00	AE 9416

	Sun and Moon Data 25.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.03.42

	- 24 -
		27.03.42
		04.00	AE 8692
		08.00	AE 8916
		12.00	AE 8896	Day's run:  247 nm.
			E 6/7, Sea 5, overcast, snow showers
		16.00	AM 1245
		17.41		Radio Message received:
				Return harbour is Brest for Degen . . . . etc.
		20.00	AM 1411
		24.00	AM 1474
			ESE 5, Sea 3/5, overcast
		28.03.42
		03.42		Radio Message received:
				1.)  To all boats east of 29 proceed at high speed to BF 6510 at high speed.
				2.)  English landing at Nazaire.
		04.00	AM 1647
		07.35		Radio Message received:
				English conducted an attack by destroyers and speedboats.  Was repulsed.  Air reconnaissance at first light.  Further orders based on results.
		08.00	AM 1844
		11.25		Passed Rockall-Rock to the west 100 meters distant.
				Day's run:  241 nm.
		12.00	AM 1871
			SSE 3, Sea 3, partly cloudy, Vis. good
		16.00	AM 0147

	Sun and Moon Data 27.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.03.42

	- 25 -
		continued
		28.03.42
		20.00	AM 4255
		22.14		Crash dive (test dive).
		23.37		Surfaced.
		24.00	AM 4524
			S 3, Sea 3, lightly cloudy
		29.03.42
		04.00	AM 4834
		08.00	AM 4887
		xx.x0		Boat positioned off Porcupine Bank.
		12.00	AM 7284	Day's run:  280 nm
			SW 5, Sea 4, clear, Vis. very good	Surfaced     276 nm
				Submerged     2 nm
		16.00	AM 7584
		20.00	AM 7881
		23.3x		Radio Message received:
				Report weather on 30 March between 01.00 and 05.00 hours:  Schulte, Clausen, Degen, Liebe, Löser.
		24.00	BE 3258
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. good, bright night
		30.03.42
		03.32		Radio Message sent:
				50°N 13°W, 1008 mb steady, +11°, SW 3, after drizzle at the moment overcast, Vis. 10 nm, low swell.
				"U-701".
		04.00	BE 3681
		08.00	BE 3932	Correction after navigation fix:  315°, 40 nm.
		12.00	BE 3955	Day's run:  318 nm.
			SW 3, Sea 2/3, overcast, Vis. very good
		16.00	BF 1797	Fog, no air hazard, proceeding on the surface.

	Sun and Moon Data 28.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.03.42

	- 26 -
		continued
		30.03.42
		18.23		Radio Message received:
				Forster, Degen, Liebe and Löser report weather on 31 March between 01.00 and 05.00 hours afterwards switch Coastal Circuit.
		19.45		Radio Message sent:  Short Signal:
				Position 36 hours off escort meeting point.
				"U-701".
		20.00	BF 4246
		21.00		Test dive.
		21.26		Surfaced.
		21.32		Radio Message received:
				Degen position 1 April 08.00 hours off meeting point with escort.
		24.00	BF 4375
		31.03.42
		02.56		Radio Message sent:
				47°N, 08°W, 1020 mb rising, +13°, SW 3/4, low S swell, 6/10-9/10 clouds with heavy overcast, without precipitation, cumulonimbus with or without mid-level or high clouds, Vis. 5 nm.
				"U-701".
		04.00	BF 5417
		08.00	BF 5469	Did not proceed submerged, low cloud deck.  Slight danger from air.  Vis. 1-2 nm.
		12.00	BF 5863	Day's run:  281 nm.
		12.35		Several fishing vessels in sight, avoided.
				Rudder jams to starboard 5°.  Lubrication results in deflection of only port 10° - starboard 10°.
		16.00	Route Tannennadel
		19.17		Radio Message received:
				1.)  Boats for which Brest is ordered as return harbour call for the present at Lorient as intermediate port, proceed by day along the coast.  Report by short signal

	Sun and Moon Data 30.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 31.03.42

	- 27 -
		continued
		31.03.42
				36 hours from line 2.
		20.10	Route Tannennadel	Hazy, Vis. bad.
		20.30	Point 34
		21.18		Radio Message sent:
				Position Belle Isle propose night transit to Point 32, request orders if not in agreement.
				Degen.
		21.37		Radio Message received:
				To Degen:  Proceed via Point 33 C, RB 1, L 2, L 8, Point 32 I to Point 32.  Information concerning escort follows.
		21.39		Radio Message received:
				To Degen:  Be taken under escort 1 April 08.00 hours at Point 32, expect fighter cover.
		21.59		"Belle Ile" in sight.
				Proceeding on Route Rosa.

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the Kriegstagebuch of U-701 from 10.02.42 - 01.04.42.
	1.) A well executed patrol.     2.) With the lack of traffic, it was correct to use every opportunity for success.
	Signed in draft:   D ö n i t z .
	Validized:
	Leutnant zur See and Adjutant.

	Sun and Moon Data 31.03.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.04.42

Note:  BdU's comments were placed over the last page of the KTB and obscure the remainder of the text.

	Enclosures to U-701's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track chart covering sortie and return to St. Nazaire        26 February - 1 April 1942
Sketch	Combat Sketches        6, 7, 9 and 11 March 1942
Radio	Excerpt from the Radio Log

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