Excerpt of the Radio Log of "U 992"
 
 
from 12 September to 3 October 1944
 
     
                                                                  
 
Norwegian Sea Circuit
14.09.44  
00.03 U 992 (Falke) depart Andfjord 14 September initial objective AA 93.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
27.09.44  
05.55 ßß  Have executed task.
                                                                  - U 992 -
   
07.38 Short signal 0555 about completing task on A 1 mutilated signature.  U 992 (Falke) proceed at 10 knots from AB 72 to AC 43 to extend the patrol line of Group Zorn to the NW.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
17.24 Groups Grimm and Zorn
17.11 1.)  After the PQ-convoy evaded detection likely to the north due to insufficient information, now for fighting the return convoy we have the best coordination with particularly high numbers of boats.
19.41
  2.)  Intentions:  Detect at departure by air, U-Schweiger and renewed Group Zorn.  These attack, report and maintain contact.  Thereafter Group Zorn attempts mass day and night attacks.  Haul out wide in groups while maneuvering ahead for further attempts.  Fight to position approximately 70 degrees north.
  3.)  Behave in accordance with Nordmeer Order No. 8.  Increasing darkness again makes use of Aphrodite possible.  Bearing marks by air contact holders will be requested.  Remaining undetected is a prerequisite for the disposition.  Observe Nordmeer Order No. 5.
  4.)  While maneuvering ahead carrier-based aircraft must be expected out to 60 nm laterally and ahead of the convoy, maneuver ahead accordingly.  At night do not dive on radar detection, use own radar.  If necessary remain surfaced using anti-aircraft defense in accordance with Nordmeer Order No. 10.
  5.)  Employ Fübo [Contact Keeper Buoy] 3 , direction finder frequency Dora.
  6.)  No attacks on escorts, if a successful breakthrough to the ships is still possible.  The Norwegian Sea must deliver a new tonnage war.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
14.09 - Falke -
  1.)  Report installed sensor head readings by sending the two letter tables as short signal AB 60.
  2.)  Announce by radio message in the event of differences in frequency and sending times.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
28.09.44  
01.28 As safety boats for reconnaissance flight 00.00 hours on 29 September make for:  Falke AB 5483, Werner AB 9113.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
10.33 Unverzagt, Falke, Werner: 
  BV 222 takes off at 12.00 hours from Tromsö for ice-reconnaissance from ÄH 8109 to AA 2920 and return.   Boats man direction finding frequency of 447 KHz
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
16.48 Falke, Werner, Unverzagt:
 
                                                                              
 
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- 2 -
 
 
28.09.44  
16.48 Falke, Werner, Unverzagt:
  BV 222 take off expected first on 29 September 03.00 hours.  Man distress bearing frequency 442 KHz.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
  Falke, Werner, Unverzagt:
23.02 Aircraft takes off first on 29 September in the morning.  Time of day follows.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
29.09.44  
06.24 Have sighted carrier-based aircraft in AC 5731.
                                                                  U 956
   
05.26 F.d.U.
  04.00 hours square [AC] 5732 probable location of carrier group, course NW.
                                                                  Mohs
   
09.47 Presume that convoy follows to the east of carrier group reported by Mohs in AC 5732 .  Report any indication of the already running convoy immediately.
  2.)  Group Grimm and Zorn do not operate on messages and remain undetected.
  3.)  Eickstedt's reason for transmitting was wrong.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
11.43 Werner, Falke, Unverzagt:
  BV 222 around 13.00 hours.  Set bearing frequency 442 KHz.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
17.02 Groups Grimm and Zorn
  For convoy operation Fübo [Contact Keeper Buoy] 2 applies contrary to Radio Message of 27 September.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
18.38 1.)  Ice-reconnaissance BV 222 again delayed will presumably be repeated on 1 October.
  2.)  Falke and Werner remain at initial position.
  3.)  "Walter" except for barometer elevation everything functional.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
15.20 Kr Kr  Convoy AC 4526, Course 230, 10 knots, 25 steamers, 1 battleship, 1 aircraft carrier, 3 single shots, 2 hits, 1 T5 miss.
                                                                  Ley
   
21.25 Lost contact, Chase on course W from AC 4519.
                                                                  Ley
   
22.09 Kr Kr   Group Grimm and Zorn
  Operate on "Ley" report of convoy in AC 4526 at 15.20 hours at highest speed.  Rake on course 250, 10 knots.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
22.31 1.)  Falke, Zoller operate on "Ley" report.  Highest speed.
  2.) Werner remain in favorable waiting position.  Keep battery fully charged.
  3.)  Boats belong to Group "Zorn".
                                                                  F.d.U.
 
     
 
     
     
 
- 3 -
 
 
30.09.44  
11.07 1.)  Convoy presumed on 1 October at 00.00 to be in about AB 8310.  Then expected to change course to 230.
  2.) Boats ahead of the convoy pass through position line from AB 8169 to 8524 on 1 October at 05.00 hours.  Order:  Falke Zoller, Wedemeyer, Büchler, Nees, if no other contact with the convoy, remaining boats of Group "Zorn" approach as appropriate for night- or afterwards day attacks.
  3.)  Boats which can not reach the convoy before 70° North, operate against stragglers.
  4.)  Undetected boats get ahead faster than those which remain on the surface for anti-aircraft defense.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
07.50 Carrier-based aircraft approaching from the north repulsed, dived.  Afterwards I attacked 2 destroyers approaching from the north.
  1 reversal shot failed.  Presume convoy is north of AB 6684.
                                                                  Ley
   
13.48 Carrier and destroyer attack 07.50 hours on "Ley" in AB 6680 apparently from the stern escorts.  Boats do not operate on northerly course, first attempt to get ahead.  In the evening own airborne reconnaissance is intended, results to be evaluated for attempting night attack or submerged attacks in the morning.  Boats must make energetic use of the darkness get ahead.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
13.01 Aircraft carrier estimated in AB 5355 at 08.17 hours.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
17.35 Group Grimm and Zorn operate on report by Bentzien 16.58 hours convoy in AC 4775.  Assumed course 230°.  Immediately report other indications of course, speed and composition.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
18.15 Carrier group ahead of convoy course 250, speed 9 knots enemy smoke, AB 9363.
                                                                  Bentzien
   
19.06 ßß  Convoy in square AC 4775
                                                                  U 425
   
  ßß  270, speed 10 knots.
                                                                  U 425
   
19.08 1.)  Bentzien holds contact, reports on convoy perfectly.
  2.)  All other boats respond, but do not give yourselves away.
  3.)  20.00 hours 3 BV 138s start for convoy reconnaissance.  Set bearing frequency Dora.  Provide aircraft weather.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
21.07 All
  Operation against the coast is possible.  U-boats respond.  Continue reports and attacks.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
21.05 Battleship or carrier formation AC 4784 passed out of sight bearing 290.
                                                                  Lehmann
   
21.46 Contact lost AB 9386, suspect zag to the north.
                                                                  Bentzien
 
     
 
     
     
 
- 4 -
 
 
30.09.44  
23.58 1.)  All boats in the vicinity of the convoy continue search from convoy location 21.40 hours in AB 9386.  Northwest zag to shake off the contact keeper possible.  Do not tire, report every indication.
 
2.) Aircraft report vessels and aircraft 22.11 hours in AB 9319.  New reconnaissance with BV 138 taking off to detect the convoy.
  3.)  Farther off boats preposition for day attacks.  Rake on base course of 250° to 230° 10 knots.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
01.10.44  
09.30 F.d.U.
  Nothing found on southerly search courses, suppose sharp NW - turn this morning. Continue operations on 250 from AB 9519
                                                                  U 310
   
10.03 1.)  Air reconnaissance on northwesterly course without success.  Assume the convoy zagged sharply to the north to shake off U-boats in the darkness.
  2.)  If no other indications head at high speed to patrol line AB 8516 to 8669.  Order:  Unverzagt, Falke, Zoller, Wedemeyer, Büchler, Nees, Westphalen, Eickstedt, Schndel, Köhntopp, Klingsporn, Ley, Nickolay, Bentzien, Lehmann, Brasack, Mohs form new Group Grimm.
  3.)  Immediately report the appearance of 4-engined aircraft or flying boats.  Do not delay unnecessarily for aircraft attacks.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
12.14 Group Grimm
  Lehmann, Nikolay return to Andfjord, boats from Bentzien to Unverzagt move to odd positions to the south.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
12.47 Group Grimm
  1.)  Break off convoy operation.
  2.)  Zoller, Klingsporn, Falke, return to Hammerfest.
  3.)  Ley, Nees, Büchler, Wedemeyer, Bentziem, Schandel, Eickstedt, Brasack, Unverzagt, Westphalen, Köhntopp and Mohs to Narvik.
  4.)  The failed operation can not shake us and the orders are only to collect all forces for the next PQ [convoy].
  5.)  Intentions:  to ready as many boats as possible by mid-October.
                                                                  F.d.U.
   
02.10.44  
12.27 ßß   Am 24 hours from objective.
                                                                  U 992.