U-boat Archive - BDU KTB PG30320

F.d.U./B.d.U.'S War Log

16 - 31 March 1943

PG30320

10.March 1943.

Supreme Command of the Navy

Naval War Staff (2nd Div.) B.d.U. Op.

Reg. No. Most Secret 103 S.O. Only.

U-boats as of 1.March 1943.

In commission on 1.2.43:	409
Commissioned in February	21
	430
Lost in February	19	(incl. 1 at home)
	411
Plus foreign submarines	7
in commission on 1 March:	418

Losses in February:

In the Atlantic:	Type VIIc:	U 69, 201, 225, 265, 268, 442, 606, 609, 620, 623, 624	= 11
	Type IX:	U 187, 519, 522	= 3
In the Mediterranean:	Type VII:	U 205, 443, 562, 301	= 4
At home:	Type VII:	U 649	= 1
			19

Details:

VIIc	U 69	-	Graef	Experienced boat, last report 17.1. Presumably convoy E. of Newfoundland.
	U 201	-	Rosenberg	Experienced boat, Commanding Officer's second patrol. Last report 17.2. Presumably convoy E. of Newfoundland.
	U 255	-	Leimkuehler	Second patrol. Last report 7.2. W. of Ireland. Possibly convoy.
	U 265	-	Aufhammer	First patrol. Last report 2.2 S. of Iceland. Possibly convoy.
	U 268	-	Heydemann	First patrol. Last report 18.2 Biscay, presumably by air attack.
	U 606	-	Dohler	Second patrol. Last report 18.2. Presumably convoy N. of Azores.
	U 609	-	Rudloff	Experienced boat. Last report 6.2. Presumably convoy S.E. of Greenland.
	U 620	-	Stein	Second patrol. Last report 12.2 W. of Gibraltar. Presumably convoy.
	U 623	-	Schroeder	Second patrol. Last report 9.2. W. of France, perhaps convoy.
	U 624	-	von Soden	Second patrol. Last report 7.2. S.E. of Greenland. Presumably convoy.
IX	U 187	-	Muennich	First patrol. Last report 4.2 S. of Greenland, presumably convoy.


- 169 -

U 519	-	Eppen	Second patrol. No report.
U 522	-	Schneider	Second patrol.Last report 232 S. of the Azores. Presumably convoy.
U 205	-	Buergel	Experienced boat. No report.
U 562	-	Hamm	Experienced boat. No report.
U 443	-	von Puttkammer	Experienced boat. No report.
U 301	-	Koerner	Experienced boat. No report.
U 649	-	Tiesler	24.2 rammed in the Baltic.

II.

Distribution:

	II	VIIa	VIIb/c	VIId	IXb/c	IXD1	IXD2	XB	XIV	Total

Operational	3	-	157	3	53	1	4	3	5	229
Trials	-	-	89**	-	20	1	7	1	2	120
Training	35	4	21	-	2	-	-	-	-	62

	38*	4	267	3	75	2	11	4	7	411
* 2 temporarily paid off for Black Sea
** 9 temporarily detached.

III.

In February:

Became operational		25
Total number increased by	+	2
Number of operational boats increased by	+	7
Number of boats on trials decreased by	-	5
Number of school boats unchanged	+	0

IV.

Distribution of operational boats on 1.3.1943:

Atlantic	193
Mediterranean	19
Northern Waters	14	(to be raised to 23 during March)
Black Sea	3

- 170 -

During the Atlantic in February:

Daily average at sea	116	boats
of which in operations area	48	boats
on passage	68	boats
of these on return passage	24.3	boats

VI.

Sailed in February :

From home	26,	1 of which for N. Waters
From W. France	48

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

16. March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CF 88	U 190	-	Op(AK 68)	U 440	-	Op(AK 99)	U 598	-	Op(AK 93)
	66	-	CF 75	191	-	Bergen	441	-	Op(BD 33)	600	-	Op(BC 32)
	67	-	Op(CE 62)	196	-	AN 30	445	-	Op(CF 36)	603	-	Op(BC 32)
	68	-	Op(EC 50)	198	-	AF 47	447	-	BE 19	608	-	Op(BD 33)
	84	-	Op(BC 35)	202	-	CF 48	448	-	BD 34	610	-	Op(BD 36)
	86	-	Op(AK 96)	221	-	Op(BD 36)	461	-	CF 37	615	-	Op(BC 32)
	89	-	BC 35	228	-	Op(BD 22)	463	-	BD 24	616	-	BD 24
	91	-	Op(BD 14)	229	-	Op(AK 29)	468	-	Op(AJ 99)	618	-	Op(AK 67)
	103	-	Op(CE 62)	230	-	BD 34	504	-	CF 87	621	-	BD 24
	106	-	Op(CE 60)	257	-	BF 72	506	-	Op(KY)	631	-	Op(AK 92)
	107	-	Op(CG 15)	260	-	BE 60	509	-	Op(GR)	634	-	AL 88
	109	-	Op(CE 62)	305	-	Op(AK 27)	510	-	OP(EP)	638	-	BC 33
	119	-	BD 34	306	-	AE 87	513	-	OP(CE 60)	641	-	Op(AK 38)
	123	-	BE 60	332	-	BE 13	515	-	Op(CF 62)	642	-	Op(AK 53)
	129	-	BE 88	333	-	Op(BD 36)	516	-	Op(KZ)	653	-	BD 15
	139	-	Op(CE 60)	336	-	Op(AK 96)	518	-	Op(FJ)	659	-	BE 54
	134	-	Op(AL 95)	338	-	Op(AK 56)	521	-	Op(CE 62)	663	-	BE 15
	155	-	Op(DM 50)	359	-	BE 46	524	-	Op(CE 62)	664	-	Op(BC 35)
	156	-	Op(EE)	373	-	Op(AK 96)	523	-	Op(AK 29)	665	-	Op(AK 64)
	159	-	Op(CE 62)	377	-	BF 40	526	-	Op(AK 52)	666	-	Op(AK 29)
	160	-	KZ 26	384	-	Op(AK 96)	527	-	Op(AK 27)	704	-	BF 47
	161	-	BE 90	405	-	BD 34	530	-	Op(AK 92)	706	-	BF 91
	163	-	BE 78	406	-	Op(BD 33)	558	-	DH 12	709	-	BE 60
	167	-	Op(CE 62)	409	-	BD 24	564	-	BE 19	757	-	BE 46
	168	-	AF 47	410	-	Op(CG 14)	566	-	BD 34	758	-	Op(BC 22)
	172	-	Op(CE 62)	415	-	AK 38	572	-	BE 18	632	-	BF 54
	180	-	EJ 71	432	-	BD 34	590	-	Op(AK 77)
	182	-	Op(KQ)	435	-	Op(AJ 99)	591	-	AK 89
	183	-	Op(DM 70)	439	-	Op(AK 53)	592	-	AE 87
	185	-	Op(DN 70)
	188	-	AL 22

	On Return Passage: U 89 - 160 - 228 - 230 - 332 - 359 - 377 - 405 - 409 - 432 - 447 - 448 - 461 - 566 - 591 - 608 - 616 - 621 - 634 - 638 - 653 - 659 - 709 - 757.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: U 469 - 635 Kiel; U 105 - Lorient.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy Nos. 17 and 19 see paragraph IVa).
		2)	U 518 situation: In FJ 30 and FC 70, concentrating in square 75, since 5.3. No enemy sightings, except one independently routed ship, course N., 16 knots on 13.3. in FC 7855.

- 171 -

			Argentinean traffic on S and N courses at times, perfect markings. Location transmissions picked up several times at night.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: DN 7655, EC 51, FC 74.
		Presumed U-boat attack in FK 25.
		4 torpedo reports and one SSS, position not given, but probably from Convoy No. 19.
	d)	According to an earlier Radio Intelligence (X) report, HX 229 was to have steered a course of 89⁰ from BC 7518 at 2000/13/3 and an operation by Group "Draenger" was intended. According to a report received today, however, it was in BC 1240 at 2000/15/3. The convoy was steering 350⁰ and was to change to 0⁰ from 51⁰ 5' N. Reasons for rerouting are not disclosed. It is possible that the enemy issued a U-boat situation report for the previous area, which was not intercepted here. On the last course ordered the area between 50 - 54⁰ N and 43 - 49⁰ W is skirted. 12 U-boats were believed to be there.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 17:
		U 106 picked up the convoy at 1233 in CF 6269 and, together with U 103 and U 558, reported it until 0738 in square CF 4694. U 106, 202, 103, 558, 521, 167, 66, 504 and 524 are in the vicinity of the convoy.
		Several boats were observed before they could fire. U 524 made an unsuccessful submerged attack, but at the same time heard several torpedo detonations from another boat and sinking noises. U 103 also reported torpedo explosions and gunfire and flares at the same time.

		Convoy No. 19:
		At 0825/16 U 653 reported a convoy in BD 1491, course 70⁰. 8 boats of Group "Raubgraf" were detailed against it and 2 others coming up from supply; altogether: U 91, 84, 664, 758, 600, 615, 603, 435, 616 and 229. In addition, by A.M. on 17th 11 boats of Group "Stürmer" can reach the convoy, by P.M. 17th 6 boats of Group "Dränger" and 11 others. A total of 38 boats will therefore operate against the convoy.
		This is the scheduled SC convoy, which consist of 49 ships according to Radio Intelligence. During the night 15/16 the weather in the convoy's area was reported as west 10, sea 9, visibility 500 meters and it was therefore to be expected that several ships had become detached from the convoy. P.M. on the 16th 6 independent ships on a N.E. course were reported. Contact was maintained with the convoy and during the day and the following night 8 more boats came up. At 0630/17 it was in BD 1361.
		The convoy was steering a main course of 60⁰, making 6.5 knots. 2 boats reported 20 steamers, weak escort. There was no air escort on the first day. 5 boats out of 8 managed to fire during the night.

- 172 -

Successes:
				Assumed
Boat	Time	Square	Report	Sunk	Torpedoed.

U 603	2300/16	BD 1539	One 5,000 GRT ship torpedoed		1/5,000 GRT
			1 probable hit		1 hit
U 435	0122/17	BD 1379	2 FAT hits at 7,000 GRT tanker		1/7,000
U 91	0407/17	BD 1353	One 10,000 GRT freighter sunk	1/10,000 GRT
			One 8,000 GRT freighter sunk	1/8,000 GRT
U 758	0407/17	BD 1353	One 6,000 GRT freighter sunk	1/6,000 GRT
			One 7,000 GRT freighter sunk	1/7,000 GRT
			One 8,000 GRT freighter sunk	1/8,000 GRT
			One 4,000 GRT freighter torpedoed sinking noises heard	1/4,000 GRT
U 435	0330/17	BD 1386	One FAT hit after 8 mins. 19 secs.		1 hit
			One FAT hit after 8 mins. 19 secs.		1 hit
	0332		1 Pi2 hit at 6,000 GRT, left sinking	1/6,000 GRT
	0333		1 hit on 4,500 GRT sinking not observed	1/4,500 GRT
	0335		1 Pi2 hit on 7,000 GRT tanker. Sank after 1 min.	1/7,000 GRT
U 600	0630/17	BD 1361	7,000 GRT sunk	1/7,000 GRT
			5,000 GRT sunk	1/5,000 GRT
			5,000 GRT left sinking	1/5,000 GRT
			1 hit at medium sized freighter		1 hit

			Total:	12 ships 77,500 GRT sunk.
				6 ships torpedoed

The operation is continuing.

U 229 has been dismissed from Group "Stürmer" and given freedom of action in AD 90. From here she is to report the weather twice daily and reconnoiter the area for homeward bound blockade breakers.

- 173 -

After the sighting report of Convoy No. 19 was received, the 11 most southerly "Stürmer" boats were detailed to operate against it immediately. The northerly boats of the Group were at first to proceed on a course of 160⁰ at 11 knots, so that, if contact was lost, they would be ahead of the convoy and could be disposed in patrol line, or operate against HX 229, which was then still expected. Group "Dränger" was proceeding on its original course to pick up HX 229. When the Radio Intelligence report of the re-routing of the HX convoy was received, this group was also ordered to operate against Convoy No. 19 and to proceed at such a speed as to reach the convoy P.M. of 17.3.

U 161 is now making for square CD 33 to carry out U 163's special operation (rendezvous with homeward-bound REGENSPURG).

U 757 and 359 were approached several times by a Consolidated at 1744 in BE 9281. The a/c turned away when both boats fired. No damage to boats.

U 163 has not reported since she left Lorient. She must be presumed lost. It is not known whether the loss was due to the strong air patrol operating at the time or to mines.

U 130 was operating against Convoy No. 17 and last reported it at 2300/12/3 in CD 8258. At 0100 U 172 saw several flares in CD 8262 and heard several D/C's. It is possible that U 130 was attacked and sunk. She has not replied to several orders to give her position. She must be presumed lost.

IV.

Reports of Success:

U 603			2 ships torpedoed.
U 435			1 ship "
U 91	2 ships	18,000 GRT
U 758	4 ships	25,000 GRT
U 435	3 ships	17,500 GRT
U 600	3 ships	17,000 GRT
U 600			1 hit.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

17. March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	Op(CF 51)	U 188	-	AL 24	U 439	-	Op(BD 21)	U 591	-	BD 21
	66	-	Op(CF 27)	190	-	Op(BD 21)	440	-	Op(BD 31)	592	-	AL 22
	67	-	Op(CF 54)	191	-	AF 79	441	-	Op(BD 34)	598	-	Op(BD 21)
	68	-	Op(EC 53)	196	-	AF 79	445	-	Op(CF 36)	600	-	Op(BD 13)
	84	-	Op(BD 13)	198	-	AE 68	447	-	BE 53	603	-	Op(BD 13)
	86	-	Op(AK 97)	202	-	Op(CF 54)	448	-	BD 34	608	-	Op(BD 37)
	89	-	BD 15	221	-	Op(BD 37)	461	-	CF 31	610	-	Op(BD 67)
	91	-	Op(BD 13)	228	-	Op(BD 13)	463	-	BD 24	615	-	Op(BD 13)
	103	-	Op(CF 54)	229	-	Op(AK 16)	468	-	Op(BD 13)	616	-	Op(BD 13)
	105	-	BF 54	230	-	BD 26	469	-	AO	618	-	Op(BD 21)
	106	-	Op(CF 54)	257	-	BE 93	504	-	Op(CF 54)	621	-	BD 38
	107	-	Op(CG 15)	260	-	BE 55	506	-	Op(KY 67)	631	-	Op(BD 21)
	109	-	Op(CF 54)	305	-	Op(AK 59)	509	-	Op(GR 82)	632	-	BF 45
	119	-	BD 34	306	-	AL 22	510	-	Op(FB)	634	-	BE 28
	123	-	BE 91	332	-	BE 28	513	-	Op(CF 46)	635	-	AO
	129	-	CF 25	333	-	Op(BD 37)	515	-	Op(CF 54)	638	-	BD 15
	134	-	Op(BD 21)	336	-	Op(BD 31)	516	-	Op(KZ)	641	-	Op(BD 21)
	155	-	Op(DM 50)	338	-	Op(BD 13)	518	-	Op(FJ 69)	642	-	Op(AK 94)
	156	-	Op(EE)	359	-	BF 73	521	-	Op(CF 54)	653	-	Op(BD 13)
	159	-	Op(CF 46)	373	-	Op(AK 97)	523	-	Op(AK 91)	659	-	BE 64


- 174 -

U 160	-	(KZ 51)	U 377	-	BF 54	U 524	-	Op(CF 54)	U 663	-	BD 33
161	-	BE 83	384	-	Op(BD 21)	526	-	Op(AK 94)	664	-	Op(BD 13)
167	-	Op(CF 54)	405	-	BD 34	527	-	OP(AK 59)	665	-	Op(BD 21)
168	-	AE 68	406	-	Op(BD 34)	530	-	Op(BD 22)	666	-	Op(AK 83)
172	-	Op(CF 46)	409	-	BD 24	558	-	Op(CF 54)	704	-	BF 47
180	-	ES 12	410	-	Op(CG 14)	564	-	BE 14	706	-	BF 81
182	-	Op(KQ 65)	415	-	BE 14	566	-	BD 34	709	-	BE 66
183	-	Op(DM 70)	432	-	BD 34	572	-	BD 33	757	-	BF 51
185	-	Op(DN 70)	435	-	Op(BD 13)	590	-	Op(BD 34)	758	-	Op(BD 13)

	On Return Passage: U 66 - 89 - 91 - 160 - 228 - 332 - 359 - 377 - 405 - 415 - 435 - 447 - 448 - 461 - 468 - 566 - 603 - 608 - 616 - 621 - 634 - 638 - 653 - 659 - 664 - 709 - 757 - 758.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoys Nos. 17 and 19 see paragraph IVa).
		2)	U 123 sighted 2 destroyers on a S. course, medium speed in CG 1413. She reported later that the destroyers were standing on and off in the area mentioned. Boat continues on her outward passage.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: BF 4711, BE 8475, DN 7656, AK 95, ED 96, AK 9758, AK 9782, AK 89, AK 9766, AK 9749, AM 7615, AN 9198.
		U-boat attack: AK 8847, AK 8657, AK 8878, CE 16, AK 89, AK 8648.
		SSS or torpedo reports from 7 ships probably in convoy No. 19
	d)	There is now a Radio Intelligence (X) report on the small convoy, consisting of 4 ships and 3 escort vessels, which U 43 reported on 12.3. It is probably the TO 2, which is proceeding via EG 1145 - EF 4176 and EE 7476 at 13 knots and should reach Trinidad on 21.3.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 17:
			The convoy was picked up again towards 1300 in CF 5496 and held. The boats shadowed smoke clouds and locations at a distance, as ordered, hauled ahead and tried to make submerged attacks. According to reports, U 558, 167, 524, 202, 521, 504, 106, 103 and 43, were in the vicinity of the convoy.
			U 172 later reported that she had made a submerged attack at the same time as another boat and 2 passenger freighters and 2 freighters, totaling 30,000 GRT had been sunk. She heard at least 4 hits from attacks by other boats and made out sinking noises from 3 other ships in her listening gear. U 167 torpedoed a freighter of 8,000 GRT in CF 5592 at 2034 and heard sinking noises. U 521 sank a stationary freighter of 7,000 GRT at 0600 in square CF 5675. U 558 attacked at 0638 in CF 6719 and probably scored one hit. She reported at the same time that she had probably scored 2 hits during her attack at 0738/17/3 in square CF 4694.

- 175 -

Later in the afternoon air escort arrived and was gradually reinforced. Several boats moved away for a time for repairs. U 66 started on her return passage.

Successes:

U 172	2048/16/3	CF 4525	2 passenger freighters, 10,000 and 8,000 GRT, 2 freighters each of 6,000 GRT sunk.
U 558	0738/17/3	CF 4694	2 hits probable
U 521	0600/18/3	CF 5675	Stationary freighter, 7,000 GRT sunk.

In addition, probably 4 more hits sinking noises of 3 more steamers as the result of an attack by a boat at 2050/16/3 in CF 4525. This boat's own report is still outstanding.

Convoy No. 19:

Weather in the convoy area was reported as WSW 2 and medium visibility at midday on the 17th. During the night wind freshened to NNW 7. According to boat's reports there were definitely 2 separate convoys. The convoy which has so far been pursued by Group "Raubgraf", was making about 8 knots on a main course of 45⁰, whereas 120 miles ahead there was a convoy making 6.5 knots on a main course of 70⁰.

Possibly the first part was still the HX convoy, and the second scheduled SC.

The convoy which has so far been pursued, was reported in BD 2112 at 0900/17. During the day 6 boats came up. At 1730 U 600 reported the convoy in AK 8943, lost contact and no further shadower's reports were received during the night except 3 uncertain hydrophone bearings.

Contact was also maintained all day with the slow section ahead. The boats had been told that this was possibly a separate convoy. The northern boats of Group "Stürmer" and boats of Group "Dränger" which were within reasonable range were ordered to operate. This convoy was pursued from 0900 in AK 8655 until 2300 in AK 9529 and then lost.

The fact that contact was lost with both sections in spite of the many boats is due to the very strong air activity by day on the 17th. Several boats were bombed and probably lagged further and further astern owing to constant air patrol. Radio Intelligence received 8 U-boat sightings on that day.

5 boats made submerged attacks by day. The following successes were scored:

				Assumed
Boat	Time	Square	Report	Sunk	Torpedoed

U 91	0905/17	BD 1334	1 hit at a damaged ship of 6,000 GRT sunk.	6,000 GRT
			Damaged ship of 6,000 GRT blew up of its own accord.	6,000 GRT
	1608/17	BD 1334	1 hit on a 4,000 GRT damaged ship sunk	4,000 GRT
			1 hit on a 7,000 GRT damaged ship	7,000 GRT

- 176 -

U 91	1406/17	AK 8877	Tanker of 7,000 GRT sunk	7,000 GRT
U 384	1405/17	AK 8867	6,000 GRT torpedoed		1 ship 6,000 GRT
			4,000 GRT torpedoed	4,000 GRT
			Sinking noises heard
			2,500 GRT torpedoed	2,500 GRT
			Sinking noises heard
U 228	1658/17	BD 2142	Double fan at 6,000 GRT, 2 explosions probable		1 ship 6,000 GRT
U 338	2215/17	BD 2131	5,000 GRT sunk with 3 single shots	5,000 GRT
			1 single shot at 10,000 GRT		1 ship 10,000 GRT
U 665	1157/17	BD 2113	Double fan, 1 explosion		1 hit

			8 ships totaling 41,500 GRT sunk
			4 ships torpedoed.

Operation is continuing against both convoys. So far the following have broken off: U 468, 91, 435, 638, 653, 89, 758, 664, 603, 665, 616, 600, 6 of these because of lack of fuel.

U 306, 592, 181, 415, 663, 572, 564 and 260 have been ordered to be in patrol line from AK 3152 to 3671, as Group "Seeteufel", at first light on 21/3. Boats are not to take up their positions earlier than ordered in order to prevent their being detected prematurely by enemy aircraft; until then they have freedom of action. U 260 is further off and will therefore reach the line later. It is intended to operate the group against the ONS expected on 22.3 and if this is not intercepted, they will proceed S.W. as reconnaissance line. U 564, 572, and 663 are in the vicinity of convoy No. 19 but they are not to operate against it, as there are already too many boats and are only to make use of any opportunity arising and then proceed on their way to the line ordered.

U 405, 448 and 566 have refueled from U 119 for return passage at economical speed.

None.

Reports of success:

U 172	4 ships	30,000 GRT
U 558			3 hits
U 167	1 ship	8,000 GRT
U 521	1 ship	7,000 GRT
U 91	4 ships	23,000 GRT
U 631	1 ship	7,000 GRT
U 384			1 ship torpedoed
	2 ships	6,500 GRT
U 228			2 hits
U 358	1 ship	5,000 GRT
U 665			1 ship torpedoed
			1 ship torpedoed.

- 177 -

18.March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	Op(CF 83)	U 188	-	AL 18	U 439	-	Op(AK 92)	U 591	-	BD 27
	66	-	CF 23	190	-	BD 21	440	-	Op(AK 94)	592	-	AL 14
	67	-	Op(CE 64)	191	-	AF 72	441	-	Op(AK 94)	598	-	Op(AK 92)
	68	-	Op(EC 50)	196	-	AF 72	445	-	Op(CF 36)	600	-	BD 23
	84	-	Op(AK 92)	198	-	AE 59	447	-	BE 57	603	-	BD 34
	86	-	Op(AK 94)	202	-	Op(CF 68)	448	-	BD 34	608	-	Op(AK 94)
	89	-	BD 27	221	-	Op(AK 92)	461	-	BE 96	610	-	Op(AK 92)
	91	-	BD 27	228	-	Op(AK 92)	463	-	BD 24	615	-	Op(AK 92)
	103	-	Op(CF 68)	229	-	Op(AD 98)	468	-	BD 21	616	-	BD 34
	105	-	BF 48	230	-	Op(AK 92)	469	-	AN 30	618	-	Op(AK 92)
	106	-	Op(CF 68)	257	-	BE 67	504	-	Op(CF 68)	621	-	Op(AK 92)
	107	-	Op(CE 15)	260	-	BE 19	506	-	Op(GR 90)	631	-	Op(AK 92)
	109	-	Op(CE 61)	305	-	Op(AK 92)	509	-	Op(GR 50)	632	-	BE 66
	119	-	BD 34	306	-	AL 14	510	-	Op(EQ 70)	634	-	BE 59
	123	-	CF 39	332	-	BE 61	513	-	Op(CF 42)	635	-	AN 30
	129	-	CF 27	333	-	Op(AK 94)	515	-	Op(CF 83)	638	-	BD 34
	134	-	Op(AK 92)	336	-	Op(AK 94)	516	-	Op(KY)	641	-	Op(AK 94)
	155	-	Op(DN 70)	338	-	Op(AK 92)	518	-	Op(FJ 60)	642	-	Op(AK 92)
	156	-	Op(EE 40)	359	-	BF 52	521	-	Op(CF 68)	653	-	BD 27
	159	-	Op(CF 68)	373	-	Op(AK 92)	523	-	Op(AK 92)	659	-	BE 69
	160	-	(KZ 48)	377	-	BF 52	524	-	Op(CF 68)	663	-	AK 95
	161	-	BE 84	384	-	Op(AK 92)	526	-	Op(AK 92)	664	-	BD 27
	167	-	Op(CF 68)	405	-	BD 43	527	-	Op(AK 92)	665	-	BD 23
	168	-	AE 59	406	-	Op(AK 92)	530	-	Op(AK 92)	666	-	Op(AL 69)
	172	-	Op(CF 45)	409	-	BD 24	558	-	Op(CF 68)	704	-	BE 68
	180	-	ES 61	410	-	Op(CG 14)	564	-	AK 99	706	-	BF 47
	182	-	Op(KQ 60)	415	-	AK 63	566	-	BD 34	709	-	BF 40
	183	-	Op(DM 70)	432	-	BD 34	572	-	AK 99	757	-	BF 52
	185	-	Op(DN 70)	435	-	BD 21	590	-	Op(AK 94)	758	-	BD 27

	On Return Passage: U 66 - 89 - 91 - 160 - 228 - 332 - 359 - 377 - 405 - 432 - 435 - 447 - 448 - 461 - 468 - 566 - 603 - 608 - 616 - 621 - 634 - 638 - 653 - 659 - 664 - 709 - 757 - 758.
	Entered Port: U 337 - 709 - Brest; U 359 - 757 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 174 - Lorient; U 630 - 169 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy Nos. 17 and 19 see paragraph IVa.
		2)	U 621 on her way home comparatively well off for fuel, reported a convoy in BE 6134 at 2100, course 190⁰, speed 8 knots. Boats in the vicinity were ordered to make for the convoy at maximum speed, provided they could reach it during the night. U 634 then reported her position, which was near the convoy. U 632 also tried to get there, but was several times forced to dive by aircraft and then continued on her outward passage. U 621 continued to pursue the convoy through BE 6156, BE 6455 and lost contact at 0530 in BE 6482. Last course 180⁰, speed 11 knots.No further reports were received.
		3)	U 188 was pursued for 9 hours by destroyers with depth charges in AE 8367 on her way through the Iceland Passage. U 592 sighted 3 aircraft on the same route and twice observed Radar location transmission from shore.

- 178 -

		4)	U 155 has so far not encountered any traffic in the sea area of the Florida Straits. She will continue to operate in the center of the Gulf of Mexico during the full moon period.
	b)	No convoys detected.
	c)	1)	U-boat sightings: AK 8948, BF 4653, AL 7148, AK 9320, AK 9310.
		2)	SSS report from FO 8140 (probably attack by an Italian U-boat).
		3)	2 SSS and one attack report from Convoy No. 19.
		4)	American steamer reported an aircraft attack in BE 9783 and later in CG 112.
	d)	1)	The convoy picked up by U 621 is KMS 111.
		2)	According to Radio Intelligence (X) reports several convoys (SC 123 - HX 229 - ON 171) have sailed 2 days earlier than expected. There seems therefore to have been another general alteration in the cycle.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 17:
			During the course of the day the convoy was picked up by U 524. She shadowed until 1800. Strong air escort forced her to remain at a great distance. Although she was 25 miles off, she was constantly approached by aircraft and forced to dive. She reported that she was able to shadow by location transmissions from air and surface escort forces, but could not approach the convoy. Last hydrophone bearing in CF 9345, constant night air activity.
			As the boats cannot attack any more and are so exhausted after 6 days that the reinforced air escort would have good prospects of success, it was decided to break off the operation A.M. on 19th March.
			Convoy's last position at 1130/19/3 was in CG 7286
		2)	Convoy No. 19:
			Weather in the convoy area was reported as NNW 6, snow, visibility varying between 500 and 5000 meters, at midday on the 18th. The night was particularly light, owing to the moon, which made it difficult for the boats to make night attacks.At 0900 U 610 gained contact with the main convoy in AK 9165. Owing to the changing visibility contact could only be maintained by hydrophone bearings. 9 more boats came up to the convoy in the evening and during the night.
			Contact was regained at 0200 in AL 4872 with the SC convoy, ahead of this faster HX. It was lost at 0645 in AL 4867. 1 other boat reported contact with this convoy during the night.
			Escort forces with the SC convoy, against which most boats were operating, appeared to have been considerably reinforced on the 18th. Many boats were detected by destroyers and depth-charged. The very strong air escort made it very difficult for the boats to get ahead. Although several boats got close up to the convoy during the night, no satisfactory results were achieved, probably.

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mainly because of the light night. Nearly all boats were driven off by destroyers when approaching to attack.

U 134 last reported contact with the main section at 0510 in AL 4741.

U 230, 86 and 228 broke off operations. It is intended to continue the operation until A.M. 20th despite the strong air activity expected by day on the 19th.

Successes:

				Assumed
Boat	Time	Square	Report	Sunk	Torpedoed

U 305	2300/17	AK 9529	3 hits. Results not observed.
			1 damaged ship, 8,222 GRT, sunk with finishing shot.	8,222
U 338	0255/18	AK 9284	Finishing shot at damaged ship	5,000
U 221	1643/18	AK 6897	Ship type Clan MacDougal sunk	6,843
			Ship type Salacia sunk	5,495
U 666	0117/19	AK 4867	Probable hit		1 hit
	0645		7,000 GRT sunk	7,000
			2 hits at 4,000 GRT	4,000
			2 hits at 4,000 GRT	4,000

			7 ships totaling 40,560 GRT sunk
			2 further hits scored.

U 107, 445 and 410 are free to operate against the steamer attacked by aircraft.

U 229 has been allocate squares AD 94 and 98 as new reconnaissance area and for weather reporting.

U 129 has been ordered to the Caribbean and is making for DP 70.

It is intended to operate U 123 off Dakar, as so far only one boat has been there for a short time and, according to Radio Intelligence reports, heavy coastal and E-W traffic may be expected. Success is possible if a boat appears suddenly and undetected.

U 180 is meeting an Italian boat on 20.3 in FD 3155 for medical assistance.

Boats have again been reminded of the closing of the 200 mile wide strip, as "Doggerbank" is about to enter port.

Reports of Success:

U 305	1 ship	8,222 GRT	3 hits
U 338	1 ship	5,000 GRT
U 221	2 ships	12,338 GRT
U 666	2 ships	15,000 GRT	1 hit.

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19.March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	Op(CG 47)	U 191	-	AF 47	U 468	-	Op(AK 98)	U 631	-	Op(AL 44)
	66	-	BE 86	196	-	AF 47	469	-	AN 30	632	-	BE 56
	67	-	CE 69	198	-	AE 85	504	-	Op(CF 73)	634	-	BF 44
	68	-	Op(EC 50)	202	-	CF 66	506	-	Op(GR 80)	635	-	AN 30
	84	-	Op(AK 92)	221	-	Op(AL 57)	509	-	Op(GR 10)	638	-	BD 34
	86	-	Op(AL 48)	228	-	Op(AK 92)	510	-	Op(EP 40)	641	-	Op(AL 48)
	89	-	BD 27	229	-	Op(AD 90)	513	-	Op(CF 42)	642	-	Op(AL 48)
	91	-	BD 24	230	-	Op(AK 95)	515	-	Op(CG 71)	653	-	BD 27
	103	-	Op(CF 64)	257	-	BE 81	516	-	Op(KY 93)	659	-	BF 54
	105	-	BE 93	260	-	BE 14	518	-	Op(FJ 60)	663	-	AK 69
	106	-	Op(CF 69)	305	-	Op(AL 57)	521	-	Op(CG 47)	664	-	BD 27
	107	-	Op(CG 15)	306	-	AK 32	523	-	Op(AL 44)	665	-	BD 36
	109	-	CF 19	332	-	BE 66	524	-	Op(CF 93)	666	-	Op(AL 48)
	119	-	BD 34	333	-	Op(AL 48)	526	-	Op(AL 48)	704	-	BE 56
	123	-	CF 64	336	-	Op(AL 48)	527	-	OP(AL 48)	706	-	BF 68
	129	-	CF 45	338	-	Op(AL 48)	530	-	Op(AL 44)	758	-	BD 27
	134	-	Op(AL 48)	373	-	Op(AL 44)	558	-	Op(CF 69)
	155	-	Op(DM 25)	384	-	Op(AL 48)	564	-	AK 69
	156	-	Op(EE 40)	405	-	BE 19	566	-	BE 18
	159	-	Op(CF 57)	406	-	Op(AL 48)	572	-	AK 69
	161	-	BD 98	409	-	BD 27	590	-	Op(AL 45)
	160	-	KY 93	410	-	Op(CG 14)	591	-	BD 27
	167	-	Op(CF 71)	415	-	AK 38	592	-	AL 11
	169	-	AO	432	-	BD 34	598	-	Op(AL 44)
	168	-	AE 82	435	-	Op(AK 97)	600	-	BD 36
	172	-	Op(CF 57)	439	-	Op(AL 48)	603	-	BD 34
	174	-	BF 54	440	-	Op(AL 44)	608	-	Op(AL 44)
	180	-	ES 91	441	-	Op(AL 44)	610	-	Op(AK 99)
	182	-	Op(KQ 60)	445	-	Op(CF 36)	615	-	Op(AL 44)
	183	-	Op(DM 70)	447	-	BE 81	616	-	BD 34
	185	-	Op(DN 70)	448	-	BE 18	618	-	Op(AL 48)
	188	-	AL 15	461	-	BF 72	621	-	Op(AL 44)
	190	-	Op(AL 44)	463	-	BD 27	630	-	AO

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 66 - 89 - 91 - 109 - 160 - 202 - 221 - 228 - 230 - 332 - 405 - 432 - 435 - 447 - 448 - 461 - 468 - 504 - 521 - 634 - 638 - 653 - 659 - 664 - 665 - 758.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: For a Gibraltar convoy in West Biscay.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy Nos. 17 and 19, see para IVa).
		2)	At 0830 U 621 found the convoy again in BE 6737, course 170⁰, speed 9 knots. In the course of the day the boat was driven off by aircraft. Contact was maintained intermittently until 1913 in BE 9431.
			With 17 cbm of fuel U 332 operated for a time against convoy without any success.
			U 504, 521 and 103 on their return passage and probably in about CG when operation against Convoy No. 17 is broken off, are to operate against the convoy as far as fuel stocks permit, without pursuing, as they cannot refuel. The same order goes for U 445, 107 and 410, which are in the N. third of CG. None of these boats got near the convoy however.

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			U 621 broke off at dark and started for home. There was no contact at the time.
		3)	U 665 reported towards 2000 a steamer, course 240⁰, speed 14 knots, in BE 1693 and later recognized her as a Red Cross ship, probably "Solace". At 2250 the boat was located by the hospital ship on 140 cms (wave length) and immediately chased by 3 submarine chasers. She managed to get away at full speed.
		4)	U 564 dived at 1035 in AK 6968 because of a flying boat. She observed a surfaced submarine using echo-ranging gear. She surfaced again and made the R/S challenge, receiving no reply. The submarine looked like a type VIIc, without the 2 cm (wave length) platform and without (venturi tube? Windduese).
		5)	Sightings: U 603, illuminated steamer in BD 3993, course 270⁰, apparently neutral.
			U 172 in CF 5755 independently-routed ship on a W. course, slow speed.
			U 129 in CE 6598 fast destroyer on a S.W. course.
		6)	Situation reports: U 67, off Ponte Delgada, sighted nothing except 3 Portuguese ships close inshore on E and W courses. U 506 is starting her return passage via GH 70. Commanding Officer does not consider the area promising at present. A fast freighter on a N.W. course was sighted in KY 5930 on 15.3 and a good hydrophone bearing of a steamer was obtained on 16.3 in about the same position.
	b)	The convoy reported by U 621 was picked up by aircraft in BE 67.
	c)	U-boat sightings: AL 5718, AJ 18, AL 5851, EE 7471, EP 4448. AL 5758, AL 4893, AL 4723, AL 4490, AK 9360. Depth-charge attack by an aircraft in AL 4488 and in a position not known.
	d)	According to Radio Intelligence (X) reports, the last HX convoy proceeded in two groups. The north route mentioned in the War Log on 12.3 was for HX 229a, while HX 229 kept to the south route and was there also picked up by U-boats.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Final remarks on Convoy No. 17:
			Convoy No. 17 was UGS 6, comprising 45 ships, and was picked up at 2001/12/3 by U 130 about 60 miles north of the expected route.
			Group "Unverzagt", Group "Wohlgemut" and the remaining boats of Group "Tümmler", which were already short of fuel, took part in the operation, a total of 17 boats.
			Good weather, wind force between 1 and 3, sea between 1 and 3, i.e. very good location conditions, favored anti-submarine activity.
			There was strong, well-trained anti-submarine activity by the surface forces. Again there was an efficient, long-range remote escort, which made it very difficult for the boats to shadow and attack. Air escort appeared for the first time at about 1700/17/3 in the area of square CF 59 and was reinforced from then on.
			The convoy often evaded far to the N. to shake off the boats, passed N. of the Azores and then slowly changed back to a course for Gibraltar.

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			During the first days the boats were detected prematurely when making night attacks and did not achieve any success and contact was frequently lost because the shadowers were forced to dive by destroyers.The boats were then ordered to switch on their radio interception gear, to make contact through this and haul ahead and to prefer an underwater attack in order to avoid detection by radar. Later they were ordered to haul ahead outside visual range of the escort forces.
			This procedure, used here for the first time, was successful after the first days without result and should be used again in similar conditions. The disadvantage is that the boats lose their opportunity to attack when the enemy zigzags away, but this is preferable to their being constantly driven off when hauling ahead closer to the enemy and when attempting night attacks.
			With the exception of the independent ship sunk by U 172 at 2158/13/3, which was probably a straggler from the convoy, all the successes were scored in underwater attacks.
			Successes in this convoy were: Sunk: 8 ships, totaling 56,565 GRT, torpedoed, 5 ships, losses 1 boat, U 130.
			Apart from the determined perseverance of the boats taking part in difficult conditions, these successes are to be attributed to the fact that the Radio Intelligence Service was able to provide information in such good time that it was possible to detail boats on their way to the E. coast of N. America. The value of the successes is the greater in that the convoy was carrying supplies for the African front.
		2)	Convoy No. 19:
			Weather was particularly calm in the convoy area on the 19th, boats reported W 2, sea 2, good visibility. Bright moonlight night with a smooth sea surface.
			Contact was lost with the main convoy at 1230 in AL 4755. At 2150 U 631 reported a destroyer and hydrophone bearing 60⁰ true at 0600/20 in AL 5528. No further reports were received of this convoy. After U 666's attack at 0600/19 in AL 4867, contact was also lost with the SC convoy. At 1930 U 642 reported smoke clouds again in AL 5852. No further reports were received.
			Many boats were bombed on the 19th and some depth-charged for a long time and it is probable therefore that more escort forces joined the convoy after the first big coup in the night 16/17 and above all it was surrounded by a very strong air escort. Operation by day on the 20th would already bring the boats too far into the area covered by English shore-based aircraft, they were ordered to break off at first light on the 20th. Any opportunity to make a day submerged attack after dawn was to be taken and the boats were then to move off to the S.W. in case there should be stragglers and damaged ships left on the convoy route.

- 183 -

Successes:

				Assumed
Boat	Time	Square	Report	Sunk	Torpedoed

U 663	1540/19	AK 9655	6,000 GRT sunk	6,000
U 441	0600/19	AL 4716	7,000 GRT passenger freighter sunk	7,000
			5,000 GRT ship left on fire and sinking	5,000
			2 hits (1 heard, 1 seen)		2 hits
U 608	0806/19	AL 4746	1 D-class destroyer sunk	1 destroyer
U 527	1047/19	AL 4935	hit on 5,000 GRT. Sunk by 523 with finishing shot	5,000
U 333	2118/19	AL 4854	5,000 GRT damaged ship sunk	5,000

			5 ships totaling 28,000 GRT sunk
			1 destroyer, 2 other ships torpedoed.

Group "Unverzagt" was broken up at the conclusion of operations against Convoy No. 17. U 504, 521, 43, 558, 202 and 103 are starting for home, owing to shortage of fuel. Of these, U 202, 558 and 43 will first refuel from U 109. U 103, 504 and 521 will try and make contact with the S-bound Gibraltar convoy. U 167, 524, 67, 513, 515, 172 and 109 are to make for DH 87. These boats are to operate against traffic in the Canary Islands area. They are all well enough off for fuel to carry out a long convoy operation. U 106 will deliver her remaining fuel to U 109 and U 515 and then proceed home.

U 191 is proceeding to AE 2233 at high cruising speed. From there she is to obtain information on the ice boundary north of Iceland and in the Denmark Straits. She is to report on this at the latest by 26.3 south of 61⁰ N. She is to remain unobserved as far as possible and is forbidden to attack any ships except troop transports and cruisers and above.

The following have refueled: U 603, 638 and 616 for return passage at economical speed from U 119. U 409 for further operations from U 463.

U 257 has delivered a Metox set to U 447.

None.

Reports of Success:

U 663	1 ship	6,000 GRT
U 441	2 ships	12,000 GRT	2 hits.
U 608	1 destroyer
U 527	1 ship	5,000 GRT
U 333	1 ship	5,000 GRT

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- 184 -

20.March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CF 68	U 183	-	Op(DM 70)	U 439	-	AL 57	U 591	-	Op(AL 55)
	66	-	BE 96	185	-	Op(DN 70)	440	-	Op(AL 45)	592	-	Op(AK 33)
	67	-	CE 93	188	-	Op(AK 33)	441	-	Op(AL 52)	598	-	Op(AL 55)
	68	-	Op(DN 70)	190	-	Op(AL 57)	445	-	BE 98	600	-	BE 16
	84	-	AK 95	191	-	AE 65	447	-	BE 81	603	-	BD 34
	86	-	Op(AL 47)	196	-	AE 65	448	-	BE 52	608	-	AK 96
	89	-	BD 27	198	-	AE 76	461	-	BF 49	610	-	Op(AL 52)
	91	-	BD 27	202	-	CF 53	463	-	BD 27	615	-	AL 47
	103	-	CF 39	221	-	AL 77	468	-	AL 48	616	-	BD 34
	105	-	BE 91	228	-	AL 75	469	-	AL 48	618	-	Op(AL 52)
	106	-	CF 86	229	-	Op(AD 99)	504	-	CF 59	621	-	BF 49
	107	-	BE 97	230	-	AK 97	506	-	GR 58	630	-	AN 35
	109	-	CF 19	257	-	BE 81	509	-	Op(GR 10)	631	-	Op(AL 55)
	119	-	BD 34	260	-	BE 49	510	-	Op(EP 80)	632	-	BE 54
	123	-	CF 92	305	-	Op(AL 55)	513	-	CF 73	634	-	BF 45
	129	-	CE 68	306	-	Op(AK 31)	515	-	CF 94	635	-	AN 23
	134	-	Op(AK 69)	332	-	BE 97	516	-	Op(KY 80)	638	-	BD 34
	155	-	Op(DL 10)	333	-	Op(AL 64)	518	-	Op(FJ 60)	641	-	Op(AL 55)
	156	-	Op(EE 40)	336	-	Op(AL 55)	521	-	CG 14	642	-	Op(AL 58)
	159	-	CF 57	338	-	AL 87	523	-	Op(AL 55)	653	-	BD 27
	160	-	(KY 91)	373	-	Op(AL 14)	524	-	CF 99	659	-	BF 52
	161	-	CD 12	384	-	Op(AL 55)	526	-	Op(AL 48)	663	-	Op(AK 66)
	167	-	CF 99	405	-	BE 52	527	-	Op(AL 54)	664	-	BD 27
	168	-	AE 76	406	-	AL 77	530	-	AK 96	665	-	BE 28
	169	-	AN 36	409	-	BD 27	558	-	CF 64	666	-	Op(AL 55)
	172	-	CF 57	410	-	BE 97	564	-	AK 62	704	-	BE 51
	174	-	BF 48	415	-	Op(AK 33)	566	-	BE 52	706	-	BE 61
	180	-	FD 31	432	-	BD 34	572	-	AK 63	758	-	BD 27
	182	-	Op(KQ 60)	435	-	AL 75	590	-	Op(AL 55)

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 66 - 89 - 91 - 103 - 109 - 160 - 202 - 221 - 228 - 230 - 332 - 405 - 432 - 435 - 447 - 448 - 461 - 468 - 504 - 521 - 558 - 566 - 600 - 603 - 608 - 616 - 621 - 634 - 638 - 653 - 659 - 664 - 665.
	Entered Port: U 659 - Brest.
	Sailed: U 154 - 126 - Lorient; U 195 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: Convoys W. of Portugal.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 19 see paragraph IVa).
		2)	Contact was not regained with U 621's convoy. U 107 and 445 started on their return passage because of fuel. U 410 will be able to operate for one more day with her stocks. She is waiting for the N-bound convoy in BE 9230 reported by aircraft.
		3)	U 119 sighted a small steamer in BD 3477, the neutrality markings of which were not recognizable. U 638 took action and later identified the Irish "Irish Beech". After establishing the name of the ship, the boat heard a lot of ciphered radio traffic on 600 meters wavelength.
		4)	In spite of heavy damage, U 338 chased a NE-bound ship, escorted by a destroyer, in BE 2164. She could not haul ahead even at emergency full speed as the enemy's speed was too high.

- 185 -

		5)	U 603 sighted a W-bound illuminated steamer in BD 3993. She lost contact in a rainstorm after chasing for several hours as far as BD 6233, and continued on her return passage.
		6)	U 198 observed a group of patrol vessels in AE 8538 while on her way through the Iceland Passage from AE 67 to AL 32.
		7)	U 631 and 441 were attacked by aircraft in AL 57 and bombed. Slight damage.
	b)	Our own aircraft sighted a S-bound convoy of 55 merchant ships at 1442 in CF 3337 and at 1400 in CG 1255 2 large ships on a course of 180⁰, with strong escort, also 2 N-bound convoys in CF 3633 and CG 4564 comprising 38 and 16 merchant ships respectively.
	c)	U-boat sightings: CA 6270, CG 1123, AL 4578, AL 6728, AL 5476, EC 32, FC 68, AL 5839, AL 6197.
		English aircraft attacked a U-boat in AL 5410 and believed it had scored 2 hits.
	d)	1)	According to a Radio Intelligence (X) report, the Iceland section of ONS 1 was ordered at 0900/21/3 in AL 2125 to join the main convoy. A new numbering must have come into force for ONS convoys, as according to previous reckoning, this should have been 173.
		2)	The SC was in BB 7959 on 18.3 and may be expected in about AK 78 at 0800/25/3.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Final remarks on Convoy No. 19: The operation against the HX convoy bound for England lasted 4 days from 16.3 - 20.3.1943. The convoy was picked up in very heavy weather A.M. on the 16th in BC 1491. As it was picked up so early in the day nearly all the "Burggraf" boats were able to reach it by the evening of the same day and make surprise attacks. As in so many convoy operations, this surprise attack by many boats in the first night was the most successful. Altogether 38 boats were detailed, all of which could have reached the convoy on the second day or during the second night. Counting boats approaching and leaving there could have been on average of about 20 boats per day in the vicinity of the convoy.
		On the second day the operation was affected by the bad visibility so that unfortunately at the beginning of the second night there were only a few boats near the convoy. At 0300 on the second day a second convoy, probably the SC, which was in the same sea area only 120 miles ahead was picked up. As Operations Control could not know the exact positions of the boats, individual boats were given freedom of action to operate against the convoy nearest to them. This meant that some of the boats were withdrawn from the main convoy and operated against the new convoy.
		Contact was maintained, with only short interruptions, with both convoys. But already on the second day there was a very considerable activity from land-based aircraft and seaplanes. Surface escort forces were also reinforced, so that the boats had a hard fight from the second day on. The particularly calm weather conditions on the last 2 days made things even more difficult for them. In spite of these difficulties however,


- 186 -

		further successes continued to be scored, some of them in underwater attacks by day.
		Altogether 32 ships, totaling 186,000 GRT, and 1 destroyer were sunk and 9 other ships were hit. This is so far the best result obtained in a convoy battle and nearly 50% shared in them.
		After the first surprise coup the enemy increased his anti-submarine forces constantly, but probably no boat was lost. Possibly U 384 may have been picked up by enemy aircraft after operations were broken off. She has not reported since then. 2 boats were heavily damaged by aircraft bombs, so that they had to break off. Nearly all the boats were bombed or depth-charged but without serious consequences except for the above 2.
	b)	1)	To pick up the ONS convoy, which, according to a Radio Intelligence (X) report, is expected A.M. 22.3, U 306, 592, 188, 415, 663, 527, 564, 610, 134, 526, 523 and 598 are being formed into Group "Seeteufel" and will be in patrol line from AD 8769 to AK 3867 from 0800/22.3.
			U 260 will also join this group and will make for AK 01 at economical cruising speed. U 168 is coming from home and is to be in AL 2125 at 0900/21/3 and to try and pick up the expected convoy there. (See para. IIId). If the convoy is sighted, this boat is to shadow for Group "Seeteufel" without attacking.
		2)	The remaining boats which have operated against Convoy No. 19 and are still comparatively well off for fuel, are moving away to the west and will form another patrol line, with some other boats, from AK 4179 to BD 1348 from 0800/25/3. Order: U 305 - 591 - 631 - 86 - 384 - 666 - 618 - 336 - 333 - 530 - 527 - 440 - 373 - 441 - 590 - 641 - 642 and 257. These boats will form Group "Seewolf". SC 123 is expected from 25.3 (See para. IIId).
		3)	U 409 will occupy BC 30 as attack area. She is to make weather reports twice daily from there, so that information may be given to an expected homeward-bound blockade runner.
		4)	U 704, 706 and 632 are to steer for AJ 39. They will operate against one of the 2 convoys mentioned above.
	c)	The following have supplied from U 463: U 591 for further operations, U 89, 758, 664 for return passage. U 653 took over a Metox.
	d)	Because of the homeward-bound blockade runners "Regensburg" and "Karin" attack on unescorted independent ships is forbidden with immediate effect within a 200-mile wide strip, 100 miles either side of a line from CD 32 to AK 13. All independent ships encountered within this strip are to be reported immediately. Further areas will be closed in due course.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- 187 -

21.March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CF 55	U 182	-	Op(KQ 65)	U 435	-	BE 13	U 572	-	Op(AK 35)
	66	-	BF 72	183	-	Op(DM 70)	439	-	AL 88	590	-	AL 48
	67	-	DG 33	185	-	Op(DN 70)	440	-	AK 69	591	-	AK 81
	68	-	Op(EC 50)	188	-	Op(AK 33)	441	-	AL 48	592	-	Op(AK 31)
	84	-	AK 97	190	-	AL 78	445	-	BF 74	598	-	AL 42
	86	-	AK 97	191	-	AE 26	447	-	BE 67	600	-	BE 28
	89	-	BD 63	195	-	AO	448	-	BE 64	603	-	BE 18
	91	-	BD 27	196	-	AE 59	461	-	BF 67	608	-	AL 78
	103	-	CG 12	198	-	AL 39	463	-	BD 27	610	-	AK 63
	105	-	CF 23	202	-	CF 19	468	-	BE 12	615	-	AK 95
	106	-	CF 87	221	-	BD 33	469	-	AF 79	616	-	AL 77
	107	-	BF 74	228	-	BE 13	504	-	BE 94	618	-	AK 68
	109	-	CF 19	229	-	Op(AD 98)	506	-	GR 73	621	-	BF 54
	119	-	BD 34	230	-	BD 25	509	-	Op(GJ 70)	630	-	AN 31
	123	-	DH 23	257	-	BD 66	510	-	Op(EP 40)	631	-	AL 48
	126	-	BF 54	260	-	AK 92	513	-	CF 79	632	-	BF 48
	129	-	CE 82	305	-	AL 44	515	-	DH 25	634	-	(BF 40)
	134	-	AK 63	306	-	Op(AK 31)	516	-	Op(GR 90)	635	-	AF 79
	154	-	BF 54	332	-	BF 48	518	-	Op(FJ 60)	638	-	BE 41
	155	-	Op(DL 10)	333	-	AK 69	521	-	CG 12	641	-	AL 47
	156	-	Op(EE 40)	336	-	AL 47	523	-	AL 15	642	-	AL 48
	159	-	CF 57	338	-	BE 22	524	-	DH 28	653	-	BD 62
	160	-	GR 90	373	-	AK 68	526	-	AL 41	663	-	AK 33
	161	-	CD 32	384	-	AL 54	527	-	AL 48	664	-	BD 37
	167	-	DH 25	405	-	BE 65	530	-	AK 91	665	-	BE 62
	168	-	AE 78	406	-	BD 33	558	-	CF 52	666	-	AL 48
	169	-	AN 31	409	-	BD 12	564	-	Op(AK 35)	704	-	BE 18
	172	-	DH 15	410	-	CG 10	566	-	BE 64	706	-	BE 28
	174	-	BE 93	415	-	Op(AK 33)				758	-	BD 38
	180	-	FD 30	432	-	BD 34

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 66 - 84 - 89 - 91 - 103 - 106 - 107 - 109 - 160 - 190 - 202 - 221 - 228 - 230 - 332 - 338 - 405 - 406 - 410 - 432 - 435 - 439 - 445 - 447 - 448 - 461 - 468 - 504 - 506 - 521 - 558 - 566 - 600 - 603 - 608 - 616 - 621 - 634 - 638 - 653 - 664 - 665 - 758.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: U 404 - St. Nazaire; U 563 - Brest.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: Gibraltar convoys W. of Biscay.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 373 reported a destroyer, course 70⁰, in AK 9177. U 618 sighted the same ship 1 hour later in about the same position.
		2)	U 591 was chased in AK 8442 by a destroyer with location gear.
		3)	U 758 encountered an independent ship steering S.W. in BD 6168 and afterwards identified her as Irish. U 638 examined the "Irish Elm" in BD 6442 and let her go.
		4)	U 523 sank a damaged freighter at 2000/19/3 in AL 4838.
		5)	U 332 urgently requested aircraft assistance in BF 81. She was attacked there, presumably by English aircraft. 4 Ju 88's were sent out, 2 of which were shot down by Beaufighters.

- 188 -

		6)	U 182 operated on a zigzag course as far as KQ 49 and found no traffic there or in KZ 40. In KP 67 individual destroyers were sighted. Boat is continuing to search in the area between KZ 74 - KQ 66.
	b)	Aircraft reported a convoy of 40 merchant ships, course 360⁰, speed 8 knots, in BE 9717. Two further convoys in CG.
	c)	U-boat sightings: DN 8879, EE 8869, BF 7258, BF 4683, BF 7338, BF 4571, BF 8139. Depth charge attack by an aircraft on BF 32.
	d)	According to a new Radio Intelligence (X) report, SC 123 was in BC 4564 at 1100/21/3.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	1)	U 180 could not find the Italian U-boat "J 9" although her position was certain, and she is proceeding on her passage south.
		2)	U 91 has supplied from U 463 for her return passage.
	d)	1)	As the blockade-breaker "Doggerbank" is taking avoiding action, attack is forbidden with immediate effect, on independent ships in CF 30, 60, 90 and in large square CG.
		2)	U 432 was on her way to supply, as she was short of fuel. When Convoy No. 19 was picked up, she proposed to operate against it, as she could have reached it with about 15 cbm fuel remaining. She was nevertheless ordered to proceed on her way to supply. She did not rendezvous with U 119 and has not reported despite several orders to do so. She must be presumed lost.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 523 - 1 ship 5,000 GRT

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

22. March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CF 26	U 182	-	Op(KZ 49)	U 435	-	BE 25	U 590	-	AL 74
	66	-	BF 46	183	-	Op(DM 70)	439	-	BE 22	591	-	AK 73
	67	-	Op(DH 18)	185	-	Op(DN 70)	440	-	AK 67	592	-	Op(AK 31)
	68	-	Op(EC 50)	188	-	OP(AK 33)	441	-	AK 69	598	-	Op(AK 38)
	84	-	BD 31	190	-	BE 13	445	-	BF 72	600	-	BE 61
	86	-	AK 58	191	-	AE 21	447	-	BE 69	603	-	BE 51
	89	-	BE 42	195	-	(AN 30)	448	-	BE 66	608	-	BE 27
	91	-	BD 62	196	-	AE 81	461	-	BF 64	610	-	Op(AK 36)
	103	-	BE 90	198	-	AL 55	463	-	BD 27	615	-	BD 22
	105	-	CF 27	202	-	CF 26	468	-	BE 24	616	-	BE 43
	106	-	CF 87	221	-	BE 15	469	-	AF 73	618	-	AK 85
	107	-	BF 48	228	-	BE 25	504	-	BE 90	621	-	BE 51


- 189 -

109	-	CF 26	229	-	Op(AD 98)	506	-	GR 47	630	-	AN 23
119	-	BD 31	230	-	BD 27	509	-	Op(GJ 40)	631	-	AK 69
123	-	DH 53	257	-	BD 64	510	-	Op(EP)	632	-	BE 17
126	-	BF 49	260	-	AK 56	513	-	DH 18	634	-	BF 55
129	-	CF 79	305	-	AK 64	515	-	CF 87	635	-	AF 73
134	-	Op(AK 36)	306	-	Op(AD 87)	516	-	Op(GR 90)	638	-	BE 43
154	-	BF 48	332	-	BF 48	518	-	Op(FJ 60)	641	-	AK 95
155	-	Op(DL 10)	333	-	AK 83	521	-	BE (90)	642	-	AK 93
156	-	Op(EE)	336	-	AK 68	523	-	Op(AK 38)	653	-	BE 42
159	-	CF 87	338	-	BE 38	524	-	DH 58	663	-	Op(AK 34)
160	-	GR 97	373	-	AK 86	526	-	Op(AK 36)	664	-	BE 41
161	-	CD 32	384	-	AL 47	527	-	AK (68)	665	-	BE 65
167	-	DH 56	404	-	BF 58	530	-	AK 82	666	-	AK 69
168	-	AK 30	405	-	BF 44	558	-	CF 26	704	-	BE 54
169	-	AN 23	406	-	BD 33	563	-	BF 54	706	-	BE 18
172	-	DH 43	409	-	BD 35	564	-	Op(AK 34)	758	-	BD 62
174	-	BF 91	410	-	BE 90	566	-	BE 66
180	-	FD 35	415	-	Op(AK 33)	572	-	Op(AK 34)

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 66 - 84 - 89 - 91 - 103 - 106 - 107 - 109 - 160 - 190 - 202 - 221 - 228 - 230 - 332 - 338 - 405 - 406 - 410 - 435 - 439 - 440 - 445 - 447 - 448 - 461 - 468 - 504 - 506 - 521 - 558 - 566 - 591 - 600 - 603 - 608 - 616 - 621 - 634 - 638 - 653 - 664 - 665 - 758.
	Entered Port: U 461 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: In the sea area W. of Biscay.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 634 sighted a darkened vessel in BF 5546. As there was no ship of our own in the vicinity, this may have been a French trawler.
		2)	U 338 shot down a 4-engined Halifax bomber in BE 6281 and took one prisoner.
		3)	U 332 is able to dive again, though to a restricted extent, after an aircraft attack and is continuing her homeward passage through Biscay without fighter escort.
	b)	Our own Air Force sighted: 2 light cruisers, 1 destroyer and 2 merchant ships, course 160⁰, high speed, at 1309 in BE 3554.
	c)	1)	U-boat sightings: BF 4547, BF 7399, BF 4139, BF 7325, BF 4561, BF 4597, AF 7122, DH 5821, EV 7687, FJ 8733.
		2)	Distress report from FF 2880.
		3)	Allied unit was located in BF 8250 at 0934.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	As the expected ONS had not been picked up by evening, Group "Seeteufel" proceeded in reconnaissance line from 2100, course 250⁰, speed 7 knots. U 168 joined the Group and extended the line to the north, U 260 extended it to the south. The whole Group,

- 190 -

14 boats, remained in patrol line in the position line from AD 7986 to AK 3955 reached at 0900/23. If the Radio Intelligence report is correct the convoy should pass this line during the day.

U 384 having fallen out, the "Seewolf" patrol line ordered for 0800/25/3 will be shortened and will now consist of 17 boats from AK 4428 to BD 1358.

The boats intended for operation in the Canary Islands during the full moon period will occupy the following attack areas for the time being:

U 159	-	DH 44	U 515	-	DH 48	U 67	-	DH 73	U 513	-	DH 84
U 172	-	DH 88	U 167	-	DU 13	U 524	-	DU 21

Boats have been reminded of enemy air reconnaissance.

U 105 is to steer for DH 70.

None.

U 161, which has not so far encountered the ship, has been ordered to operate in the area around BC 96 when "Regensburg" has made her report as ordered. The boat is to be in CD 3733 left bottom A.M. on 26.3. to rendezvous with the Italian homeward-bound blockade runner "PEITRO ORSEOLO".

After she had been asked to give her maximum continuous speed, the state of her engines and other important details, she moved 150 miles to the west and reported. She then continued west.

Route A Sector D is open for attack on independent ships until 24/3 inclusive. From 25.3 to 15.4. inclusive this sector will again be closed.

Reports of Success:

U 338 - 1 Halifax.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

23. March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CF 19	U 180	-	FE 44	U 410	-	BF 48	U 566	-	BF 45
	66	-	BF 40	182	-	Op(KZ 40)	435	-	BE 53	572	-	Op(AK 24)
	67	-	DH 45	183	-	Op(AM 40)	415	-	Op(AK 22)	590	-	BD 31
	68	-	Op(EC 50)	185	-	Op(DN 70)	439	-	BE 53	591	-	Op(AK 41)
	84	-	BD 25	188	-	Op(AK 22)	440	-	AK 82	592	-	Op(AK 22)
	86	-	AK 49	190	-	BD 25	441	-	AK 83	598	-	Op(AK 39)
	89	-	BE 52	191	-	AE 17	445	-	BF 40	600	-	BE 66
	91	-	BE 42	195	-	AN 30	447	-	BF 54	603	-	BE 56
	103	-	BF 72	196	-	AE 76	448	-	BF 45	608	-	BE 61
	105	-	CF 57	198	-	BE 13	463	-	BD 25	610	-	Op(AK 26)
	106	-	CF 87	202	-	CF 19	468	-	BE 52	615	-	BD 25
	107	-	BF 40	221	-	BE 39	469	-	AF 48	616	-	BE 53
	109	-	CF 19	228	-	BE 53	504	-	BF 72	618	-	AK 73
	119	-	BD 31	229	-	Op(AD 94)	506	-	CQ 66	621	-	BF 28
	123	-	Op(DH 83)	230	-	BD 25	509	-	Op(GJ 40)	630	-	AF 76
	126	-	BF 47	257	-	BD 52	510	-	Op(EP 40)	631	-	AK 56
	129	-	DF 33	260	-	AK (39)	513	-	Op(DH 46)	632	-	BD 31
	134	-	Op(AK 28)	305	-	AK 54	515	-	CF 87	634	-	BF 61
	154	-	BF 47	306	-	Op(AK 22)	516	-	Op(GR 90)	635	-	AF 48
	155	-	Op(DL 10)	332	-	BF 91	518	-	Op(FJ 60)	638	-	BE 42


- 191 -

156	-	Op(EE)	333	-	AK 81	521	-	BF 72	641	-	AK 86
159	-	CF 87	336	-	AK 82	523	-	Op(AK 39)	642	-	AK 86
160	-	GR 88	338	-	BF 46	524	-	Op(DH 85)	653	-	BE 52
161	-	CD 30	373	-	AK 76	526	-	Op(AK 28)	663	-	Op(AK 22)
167	-	Op(DH 82)	384	-	AK 67	527	-	AK 83	664	-	BE 43
168	-	Op(AK 22)	404	-	BF 49	530	-	AK 73	665	-	BF 68
169	-	AF 76	405	-	BF 64	558	-	CF 19	666	-	AK 59
172	-	Op(DH 81)	406	-	BE 39	563	-	BF 45	704	-	BE 43
174	-	BE 73	409	-	Op(BC 35)	564	-	Op(AK 24)	706	-	BD 36
									758	-	BE 42

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 66 - 84 - 89 - 91 - 103 - 106 - 107 - 109 - 160 - 190 - 202 - 221 - 228 - 230 - 332 - 338 - 405 - 406 - 410 - 435 - 439 - 445 - 447 - 448 - 468 - 504 - 506 - 521 - 558 - 566 - 591 - 600 - 603 - 608 - 616 - 621 - 634 - 638 - 653 - 664 - 665 - 758.
	Entered Port: U 621 - Brest; U 634 - Lorient; U 405 - St Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 584 - Brest; U 594 - 455 - 662 - 267 - St Nazaire; U 181 - Bordeaux; U 270 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 572 sighted an E-bound destroyer in AK 2631 at 1220. She lost contact in bad visibility, after surfacing.
		2)	U 718 also reported 2 destroyers in BE 4587, course 230⁰. Boat continued on her return passage.
		3)	U 166 is proceeding through the Iceland Passage via AE 6815 and 8715. She sighted 3 drift mines in AF 44, an aircraft in AF 4479 and a flying boat in AE 6783.
		4)	Situation reports:
			U 185: Coastal sailing vessels only observed in EC 11, DM 95 and 88, slight air activity by day; sea patrol off Kingston. Boat intends to operate in DN 75 after full moon.
			U 183: One neutral on course 40 in DL 69 and one, course 310⁰ in DM 79. No night radar, air activity by day only, no sea patrol. Boat intends to operate in the area between DL 69 and DM 43.
			U 516: Stood on and off in CJ 70 from 18-22-3. There she sank an American steamer type C2, 7,000 GRT on 20.3 in GJ 7395. Ship was sailing from Capetown to Bahia with a cargo of oil products. Close inshore night air activity with radar. Boat intends to operate in GJ 12 if the moon is favorable.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	U-boat sightings: FC 82, FJ 87, BF 4819.
		2)	Torpedo report from FA 3719.
		3)	Unidentified steamer with call sign FLTH made an SOS report from BF 7734 at 1418. (Possibly English aircraft shot down).
	d)	None.

- 192 -

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	The expected ONS 1 convoy has not yet been picked up and is now unlikely to arrive. It is not known at present if the convoy circumvented the patrol line or if it sailed earlier than expected. Group "Seeteufel" proceeded in reconnaissance line, course 260, speed 5 knots from 2100. It is intended to form a long patrol line SE of Greenland with Group "Seeteufel" to intercept SC 123 expected in 25.3.
		2)	U 409 has been given freedom of action within 200 miles around AJ 82. She will report weather by short signal twice daily for information of returning blockade runners.
		3)	U 174's new rendezvous with KARIN is BD 8737 left lower edge.
	c)	1)	U 510 has been informed that she cannot supply in DG 40 before April 6.
		2)	The following have refueled from U 463: U 91 and 230 for return passage, U 614 and 84 for further operations. U 190 delivered her remaining fuel to the tanker. U 221 took over fuel from U 406 and U 119 a sick man from U 590.
		3)	U 455 sailed for a special operation (minelaying off Casablanca. See minelaying order.).
	d)	1)	In Route A Sector A will be closed from 0000/25/3 to 2400/1/4. This means that attack on single ships will be forbidden in the whole of Route A.
		2)	U 384 last reported at 0805/19/3 from AL 4764. From 20/3 she was several times ordered to report but did not answer. She must be presumed lost. It is not known whether she was sunk during the day by the convoy escort or by the very strong air escort on the following day.
		3)	U 665 announced herself 36 hours off the escort rendezvous P.M. 21/3. She did not arrive there and did not report again. She must have been sunk by the unusually strong air patrol on 22.3.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 516 - 1 ship 7,000 GRT

VI.	General:
	U 665 is probably the third boat to be sunk off or in Biscay this month (U 665, 163, 87). It is assumed that U 665 and 163 at least were victims of air attack. Altogether 14 boats have been lost by air attack in this area since 1st July 1942, 5 of them in the period 1st February to 23rd March.
	During the period November 1942 to January 1943 enemy a/c A/S activity had little result, but since February its effect has increased to an alarming extent. It is not known whether this is due to improved location gear or to the use of more suitable types of a/c. The fact is that during the last two months there have been more U-boat sighting by English

- 193 -

	aircraft, and more U-boats have been attacked.
	G.O.C. Atlantic Air Forces gives the following information on English air operations in his Reg. No. Most Secret 853/43:
	"Average sortie of enemy sea reconnaissance during the last 3 months was 35 - 40 planes daily from the following bases:
		Beaulieu (near Southampton) - unknown number of Halifaxes and Liberators
		Talbenny (near Milford Haven) - 23 Beaufighters
		Chivenor (Cornwall) - 36 Whitneys and Wellingtons
		St. Eval, Trevose Head - 73 Wellingtons
		Mount Batten - 14 Sunderlands
		Pembroke Dock - 12 Sunderlands
		Poole - 12 Sunderlands
	Concentration by day W. of 10⁰ W, by night in inner Biscay. Largest number of aircraft during the afternoon. When convoys were sailing N. and S. between Gibraltar and England reconnaissance was reinforced to about 50 aircraft daily. English reconnaissance aircraft keep radio silence S. of 49⁰ N., so that it is not possible to discover in what areas they are concentrating.
	no particular increase in activity observed during the last few weeks."
	It should be noted here that when convoys are going through it is almost impossible for U-boats to operate on the surface owing to constant air activity.
	Experience shows that aircraft A/S activity increases when there are a number of U-boats on return passage through Biscay after major convoy operations. Action by Ju 88's type C6, available to G.O.C. Atlantic Air Forces, against A/S aircraft is possible only to a restricted extent.
	G.O.C. Atlantic Air Forces states in his Reg. No. 853/43, para. 4):
	"The Ju 88 C6 is inferior to the Beaufighter (a further 2 Ju88's lost on 22 on U-boat escort off the Spanish coast) and no longer superior to modern A/S aircraft Boeings and Fortress II. Reasons: too slow, unsuitable armament, water-cooled engines sensitive to gunfire".
	It is clear from G.O.C. Atlantic Air Forces' report that no improvement can be expected in the near future in countermeasures to the ever increasing enemy aircraft anti-submarine hunts, which are now making themselves felt immediately off our own bases. There will be further losses.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

24. March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CF 19	U 181	-	BF 92	U 415	-	Op(AK 25)	U 572	-	Op(AK 25)
	66	-	BF 52	182	-	Op(KZ 50)	435	-	BE 66	584	-	BF 54
	67	-	DH 73	183	-	Op(DM 70)	439	-	BE 66	590	-	Op(AK 79)
	68	-	Op(EC 50)	185	-	Op(EB 21)	440	-	Op(AK 76)	591	-	Op(AK 44)
	84	-	BD 24	188	-	Op(AK 22)	441	-	AK 82	592	-	Op(AK 22)
	86	-	Op(AK 47)	190	-	BD 24	445	-	BF 40	594	-	BF 58
	89	-	BE 64	191	-	AD 55	447	-	BF 28	598	-	Op(AK 39)
	91	-	BE 51	195	-	AF 79	448	-	BF 58	600	-	BF 45
	103	-	BF 40	196	-	AL 29	463	-	BD 24	603	-	BE 65
	105	-	CF 84	198	-	BE 42	455	-	BF 58	608	-	BE 66


- 194 -

106	-	CF 87	202	-	CF 19	468	-	BE 64	610	-	Op(AK 26)
107	-	BF 40	221	-	BE 43	469	-	BE 66	615	-	BD 24
109	-	CF 19	228	-	BE 65	504	-	BF 52	616	-	BE 65
119	-	BD 33	229	-	Op(AD 98)	506	-	GQ 37	618	-	Op(AK 48)
123	-	DH 88	230	-	BD 24	509	-	Op(GJ 40)	630	-	AF 73
126	-	BE 68	257	-	BD 16	510	-	Op(EP 20)	631	-	Op(AK 54)
129	-	DF 33	260	-	Op(AK 39)	513	-	DH 84	632	-	AK 94
134	-	Op(AK 26)	267	-	BF 50	515	-	CF 87	635	-	AE 66
154	-	BF 92	270	-	AO	516	-	Op(GH 93)	638	-	BE 51
155	-	Op(DL 10)	305	-	Op(AK 45)	518	-	Op(FJ 80)	641	-	Op(AK 87)
156	-	Op(EE)	306	-	Op(AD 22)	521	-	BF 40	642	-	Op(AK 87)
159	-	CF 87	332	-	BF 68	523	-	Op(AK 37)	653	-	BE 64
160	-	CR 72	333	-	Op(AK 72)	524	-	DU 21	662	-	BF 58
161	-	CD 30	336	-	Op(AK 73)	526	-	Op(AK 37)	663	-	Op(AK 25)
167	-	DH 88	338	-	BF 64	527	-	AK 81	664	-	BE 53
168	-	Op(AD 79)	373	-	Op(AK 76)	530	-	Op(AK 72)	666	-	Op(AK 57)
169	-	AF 73	404	-	BF 47	558	-	CF 19	704	-	BE 15
172	-	DH 88	406	-	BE 43	563	-	BE 66	706	-	AK 98
174	-	BD 96	409	-	AJ 86	564	-	Op(AK 26)	758	-	BE 49
180	-	Op(FE 70)	410	-	BF 40	566	-	BF 51

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 66 - 84 - 89 - 91 - 103 - 106 - 107 - 109 - 119 - 160 - 190 - 202 - 221 - 228 - 230 - 332 - 338 - 406 - 410 - 435 - 439 - 445 - 447 - 448 - 468 - 504 - 506 - 521 - 558 - 566 - 591 - 600 - 603 - 608 - 616 - 638 - 653 - 664 - 758.
	Entered Port: U 447 - Brest; U 66 - 504 - Lorient; U 338 - St. Nazaire; U 332 - La Pallice.
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Reports from and orders to Group "Seeteufel" see para. IVa).
		2)	U 103 sighted a white light on the surface at 0400 in BF 4883, like a life buoy light. Boats on homeward passage which can do so without making a long detour are to pass through the position given.
	b) -	d)	None.

IV.	Current Conditions:
	a)	U 572 reported a destroyer, course 240⁰, in AK 2517 at 1937. Visibility was bad, with fog banks in parts and she pursued in vain. U 306 also sighted a W-bound destroyer at 2114 in AK 1169. Reconnaissance to contact was lost in the fog. U 592 had 2 hydrophone bearings in AK 1411 and later a receding bearing in 160⁰.
		All these sightings pointed to the presence of a convoy and the northern boats of the line, U 592, 188, 168 and 415 were ordered to operate on U 306's sighting report, and U 663, 572 and 564 against U 572's destroyer sighting. Rest of Group "Seeteufel" was to proceed on at 7 knots on a course of 250⁰.
		U 632 and 706 joined the Group and extended the line to the S. by 20 miles each. No further shadowers' reports had been received by morning. The search continues.

- 195 -

	b)	U 84 and 615 will extend Group "Seewolf's" patrol line to the south. The boats will then be in line from AK 4428 to BD 1628 at 0800/25/3 with 19 boats.
	c)	It is intended to supply U 155, 185, 183 and 156 as well as 68 from 15.4.43 in DF 50. Boats are to start on their return passages accordingly. U 518 is to make for DG 50.
	d)	1)	U 161 encountered "Regensburg" on 23.3 in the position arranged and reported as ordered.
		2)	Contrary to present instructions Portuguese ships are not for the present to be stopped for the purpose of removing enemy nationals of military age. This does not cancel the general instructions for occasional examination of these ships for contraband.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

25. March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CF 19	U 180	-	FM 10	U 410	-	BF 40	U 566	-	BF 52
	67	-	Op(DH 73)	181	-	BF 82	415	-	Op(AK 15)	572	-	Op(AK 17)
	68	-	Op(EC 49)	182	-	Op(KZ 38)	435	-	BF 52	584	-	BF 45
	84	-	Op(BD 16)	183	-	Op(DM 70)	439	-	BF 45	590	-	Op(AK 79)
	86	-	Op(AK 47)	185	-	Op(EB 20)	440	-	Op(AK 76)	591	-	Op(AK 44)
	89	-	BE 66	188	-	Op(AK 15)	441	-	Op(AK 79)	592	-	Op(AK 13)
	91	-	BE 56	190	-	BD 39	445	-	BF 40	594	-	BF 49
	103	-	BF 55	191	-	AD 82	448	-	BF 64	598	-	Op(AK 51)
	105	-	DH 18	195	-	AF 73	463	-	BD 55	600	-	BF 40
	106	-	CF 87	196	-	AL 45	455	-	BF 49	603	-	BF 51
	107	-	BF 61	198	-	BE 48	468	-	BE 66	608	-	BF 45
	109	-	CF 19	202	-	BF 51	469	-	AE 67	610	-	Op(AK 18)
	119	-	BE 16	221	-	BE 55	506	-	GQ 22	615	-	Op(BD 16)
	123	-	DU 18	228	-	BF 44	509	-	Op(GJ 40)	616	-	BF 58
	126	-	BE 83	229	-	Op(AD 94)	510	-	EF 86	618	-	Op(AK 48)
	129	-	DG 37	230	-	BE 19	513	-	Op(DH 84)	630	-	AF 45
	134	-	Op(AK 01)	257	-	Op(BD 13)	515	-	CF 87	631	-	Op(AK 44)
	154	-	BE 86	260	-	Op(AK 51)	516	-	Op(GR 60)	632	-	AK 58
	155	-	Op(DL 10)	267	-	BF 49	518	-	Op(FJ 90)	635	-	AE 67
	156	-	Op(EE)	270	-	AN 36	521	-	BF 40	638	-	BE 64
	159	-	CF 87	305	-	Op(AK 44)	523	-	Op(AK 01)	641	-	Op(AK 79)
	160	-	GR 47	306	-	Op(AK 13)	524	-	Op(DU 21)	642	-	Op(BD 12)
	161	-	BC 96	333	-	Op(AK 72)	526	-	Op(AK 01)	653	-	BE 66
	167	-	Op(DU 13)	336	-	Op(AK 72)	527	-	Op(AK 75)	662	-	BF 49
	168	-	Op(AK 11)	373	-	OP(AK 76)	530	-	Op(AK 72)	663	-	Op(AK 15)
	169	-	AF 45	404	-	BE 68	558	-	CF 19	664	-	BE 65
	172	-	Op(DH 88)	406	-	BE 55	563	-	BE 28	666	-	Op(AK 57)
	174	-	BD 94	409	-	Op(AJ 86)	564	-	Op(AK 17)	704	-	BD 35
										706	-	AK 82
										758	-	BE 59

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 84 - 89 - 91 - 103 - 106 - 107 - 109 - 119 - 160 - 190 - 202 - 221 - 228 - 230 - 406 - 410 - 435 - 439 - 445 - 448 - 468 - 506 - 510 - 521 - 558 - 566 - 591 - 600 - 603 - 608 - 616 - 638 - 653 - 664 - 758.
	Entered Port: U 435 - 566 - Brest; U 107 - Lorient; U 448 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 613 - Brest; U 571 - La Pallice; U 532 - Kiel.

- 196 -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Reports from U 592 see paragraph IVa.
		2)	U 564, belonging to Group "Seeteufel", saw search lights flashing at 0755/25/3 in AK 1712 and afterwards observed machine-gun fire. She pressed on in vain. She observed an iceberg in AJ 3633.
		3)	U 190 encountered a camouflaged small steamer, zigzagging around a S.W. course, in BE 1881. The boat suspected a Q ship. She continued on her return passage.
		4)	On her way through the Iceland Passage U 635 sighted a drift mine in AF 8746 and a Whitley in AF 4456.
		5)	As ordered, U 191 has reconnoitered the ice boundary N. of Iceland and in the Denmark Straits. The boundary runs from AE 2231 via AE 2284 to AD 2931 and thence bearing 240⁰. Nature: pack-ice barriers with drift-ice in parts. Very thick fog in the Denmark Straits. Drift mine sighted in AD 2931, otherwise no patrol or Radar. Fired on by destroyer at 1700/25/3.
		6)	U 509 has been off Columbia and Saldanha since 18.3. There she sighted 4 ships on N - S courses by day on the 100 meter line. No further successes scored.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: KZ 17, ED 1247, CC 3791, AE 8479, AF 7963.
	d)	At 2000/21/3 convoy RS 3 was in DH 1395, course south, speed 7.3 knots. This is a convoy plying between Rabat and Freetown.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Report from U 592:
		U 592 sighted a large vessel with 2 destroyers, course 30⁰, at 1500 in AD 9845. According to an earlier Radio Intelligence (X) report there was a damaged whale-factory ship in this area and U 168 and 306 of Group Seeteufel" and U 229 were detailed to operate. U 592 pursued the ship as far as AD 9394 and lost contact in a squall. The boat believes she made a leg to 290⁰. Except for a few hydrophone bearings nothing further was observed until morning.
	b)	1)	Search for enemy units reported yesterday by U 306 and 572 was successful. Group "Seeteufel" has therefore been ordered to be in patrol line in the old order from AD 9746 to AK 4634 at 0800/26/3, including U 632 and 706. Boats are to arrange their course and speed so as to pass the position line from AJ 2354 to AK 4576 at 0800. Further details see paragraph VI.
		2)	Group "Seeteufel" will leave at 1000 on a course of 150⁰, speed 5 knots and will remain in patrol line at the position line reached from AK 4736 to BD 2714 at 2200.

- 197 -

			The patrol line is being transferred because of U-boat situation reports received. For further details see paragraph VI.
		3)	To pick up the RS 3 convoy mentioned in a Radio Intelligence (X) report, which may be in DH 90, U 67, 513, 172, 167 and 524 will be in patrol line from DH 9768 to DH 9898 at 1700/26/3. U 159 and U 123 will make for DU 2290 and are to be there at 0800/27/3. U 515 has refueled and is proceeding to DH 98.
			U 123 was originally to have operated off Dakar and this patrol will now be taken over by U 105.
		4)	U 563, 465, 404, 584, 662, 267, 594, 613 and 571 are to make for AK 69.
		5)	It is known from reliable sources that several ships have put into Lourenco Marques recently. U 182 has been ordered to concentrate off this port during the new moon period, if there is no traffic in her present area.
			"Seehund" boats are to remain in the southern area as long as possible, as there is still a stream of independent ships there on E and W courses. It is intended to supply these boats in the southern third of DG.
	c)	The following have refueled: U 159 and U 515 from U 106, U 558, 43 and 202 from U 109.
	d)	"Seewolf" and "Seeteufel" boats have been reminded once more of the ban on attack on independent ships in the 200-mile wide strip N. of Route A, because of "Regensburg".

V.	Reports of Success: None.

VI.	General:
	According to an American U-boat situation report on 24.3, by inaccurate radio D/F bearings, 10 - 15 boats were believed to be patrolling in the area 56 - 61⁰ N and 28 - 36⁰ W, and 15 - 20 boats patrolling in the area 49 - 56⁰ N and 34 - 41⁰ W. Group "Seeteufel", with 14 boats, was in patrol line from AK 7986 to AK 3955 until 2100/23/3. Group "Seewolf" has orders to be in patrol line with 18 boats from AK 5179 to BD 1348 and was therefore still scattered over the area mentioned at the time in question.
	In the former area no boat used her radio or had any contact with the enemy. There is also no information of sightings by aircraft. There is some reason for thinking that this is pure conjecture on the part of the enemy, in that he assumes that all boats coming out from home are disposed in the area S.W. of Greenland which is favorable for intercepting convoys.
	Up to 19.3 a convoy was pursued by several boats in the area of AL 50. After breaking off operations all boats reported their position and remaining fuel, so that there were a great many radio messages made from this area.
	From the enemy's point of view it would be only reasonable to suppose that these boats had been reassembled and redisposed. The area in which the Americans believed them to be disposed is the area which is least subject to enemy air activity and through which convoys must pass if they do not want to make a considerable detour.

- 198 -

26.March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	CF 19	U 181	-	BF 73	U 415	-	Op(AJ 32)	U 584	-	BE 66
	67	-	Op(DH 73)	182	-	Op(KZ 30)	439	-	BF 40	590	-	Op(BD 13)
	68	-	Op(FC 50)	183	-	Op(DM 70)	440	-	Op(AK 79)	591	-	Op(AK 48)
	84	-	Op(BD 16)	185	-	Op(EB 20)	441	-	AK 79	592	-	Op(AD 94)
	86	-	Op(AK 72)	188	-	Op(AJ 32)	445	-	BF 57	594	-	BF 47
	89	-	BF 45	190	-	Op(BE 51)	463	-	BD 55	598	-	Op(AK 42)
	91	-	BE 65	191	-	AK 22	455	-	BF 72	600	-	BF 68
	103	-	BF 61	195	-	AF 45	468	-	BF 45	603	-	BF 28
	105	-	DH 48	196	-	AL 75	469	-	AE 82	608	-	BF 40
	106	-	DH 14	198	-	BE 78	506	-	GH 74	610	-	Op(AJ 36)
	109	-	CF 19	202	-	BF 28	509	-	Op(GJ 40)	613	-	BF 51
	119	-	BE 28	221	-	BE 64	510	-	BF 67	615	-	Op(BD 24)
	123	-	DU 48	228	-	BF 40	513	-	Op(DH 84)	616	-	BF 64
	126	-	BE 84	229	-	Op(AD 94)	515	-	DH 17	618	-	Op(AK 72)
	129	-	DF 52	230	-	BE 52	516	-	Op(GH 60)	630	-	AE 66
	134	-	Op(AJ 39)	257	-	Op(BD 16)	518	-	Op(FJ 90)	631	-	Op(AK 49)
	154	-	CF 23	260	-	Op(AK 43)	521	-	BF 61	632	-	Op(AK 46)
	155	-	Op(DL 20)	267	-	BF 47	523	-	Op(AJ 39)	635	-	AE 82
	156	-	Op(EE 40)	270	-	AN 30	524	-	Op(DU 21)	638	-	BE 65
	159	-	Op(DH 44)	305	-	Op(AK 47)	526	-	Op(AJ 39)	641	-	Op(BD 13)
	160	-	GQ 62	306	-	Op(AD 97)	527	-	OP(AK 76)	642	-	Op(BD 16)
	161	-	CD 34	333	-	Op(AK 75)	530	-	Op(AK 76)	653	-	BF 44
	167	-	Op(DH 88)	336	-	Op(AK 72)	532	-	AO	662	-	BF 47
	168	-	Op(AD 97)	373	-	Op(AK 79)	558	-	CF 19	663	-	Op(AJ 36)
	169	-	AE 66	404	-	BE 59	563	-	BE 19	664	-	BF 44
	172	-	Op(DH 88)	406	-	BE 64	564	-	Op(AJ 36)	666	-	Op(AK 72)
	174	-	BD 87	409	-	Op(AJ 82)	571	-	BF 91	704	-	AK 96
	180	-	FM 19	410	-	BF 40	572	-	Op(AJ 36)	706	-	Op(AK 43)
										758	-	BF 68

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 84 - 89 - 91 - 103 - 106 - 109 - 119 - 160 - 190 - 202 - 221 - 228 - 230 - 406 - 410 - 439 - 445 - 468 - 506 - 510 - 521 - 558 - 591 - 600 - 603 - 608 - 616 - 638 - 653 - 664 - 758.
	Entered Port: U 603 - Brest; U 521 - 103 - Lorient; U 616 - 202 - St. Nazaire; U 600 - La Pallice.
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: In the area W. of Portugal.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 20 see para IVa.
		2)	At 1235 U 168 reported the large steamers, with one destroyer previously sighted by U 592. She was ordered to sink the ship but reported 3 hours later that it had been an iceberg which looked like a steamer with 2 destroyers. It is suspected that all boats were caught like this. U 168, 592 and 306 then made for their position in the "Seeteufel" patrol line at high speed. U 229 remained in her present area.
		3)	U 68 situation: 17.3. sighted a tanker, course 70⁰, in EB 99 and heard a fast convoy, course 250⁰, by night in her hydrophones. No action possible. 22.3. in EB 96 double miss at fast independent ship with air escort, course 230⁰. A/c radar observed at night. Boat requests a new operations area as her METOX is unserviceable.

- 199 -

	b)	A/c reported a convoy of 35 ships and 4 escort vessels at 1213 in CF 6669, course 0⁰, speed 8 knots.
	c)	U-boat sightings: DN 7559 and EP 25 (possibly attack).
	d)	1)	The convoy sighted by a/c is SL 126.
		2)	According to a Radio Intelligence (X) report, SC 12 was ordered to be in BC 7763 at 2000/22/3 and from there to steer 23⁰.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 20:
		U 564 sighted a convoy, course 250⁰, in AJ 3581 at 1845/26/3. Group "Seeteufel" was ordered to operate, excluding the most northerly boats which are over 100 miles off.
		U 564 then reported the convoy again at 2109 in AJ 3552, with air escort and 3 escort vessels to starboard, convoy's course 340⁰. At 2142 the boat lost contact and reported the enemy's course as 10⁰ when last sighted. At 2100 U 663 also reported the convoy in AJ 3552, including one a/c carrier. She did not give the convoy's course.
		As it was not known whether this was a SE or NE bound convoy, these 2 boats were asked to give the course. Schmid reported at 0500 that he had observed the convoy's course as 180. He saw a number of mastheads for a short time and definitely an a/c carrier of the "Illustrious" class. With regard to the course of 10⁰, U 564 said that the enemy had zig zagged to 10⁰.
		Apart from these reports U 415 reported a destroyer course 200 in AJ 3561 at 0045. There were therefore 3 clear reports in favor of a SW course and only one for a NE. Group "Seeteufel" boats were therefore instructed to operate on a SW course. This must be ON 174 (or ON 2) which could be in this area according to dead reckoning. Operation was made difficult by a very variable visibility. No further reports were received of the convoy by A.M. 27th.
	b)	1)	After Group "Seeteufel" had been detailed against the convoy reported by U 564, Group "Seewolf" proceeded north, course 340⁰, speed 10 knots. It was suspected that the SC or HX convoy expected was using the northern route. This area has been left unoccupied and Group "Seewolf" is therefore to move 150 miles to the north and if possible to intercept both convoys.
		2)	The S-bound convoy expected by Group "Seegräuber" was not picked up. The boats left at 0100, course SW, high speed and were to be in a new patrol line from DU 2194 to DU 2625 at 0800/27/3. As, in the previous patrol line, the boats were only 15 miles apart, it is hardly likely that the convoy passed undetected. It is more possible that it passed between the islands.
		3)	The following temporary attack areas are to be occupied, in order to provide patrol for the returning blockade-runners and pick up the ship's crew in case of enemy attacks: U 191 - AK 39, U 635 - AK 53, U 469 - AD 84.

- 200 -

		4)	U 198, 181 and 196 are to steer for square GR for operations in the Capetown area and the Mozambique Channel.
	c)	None.
	d)	Sector C in Route A (15 - 30 N.) is open for attack on independent ships with immediate effect until 29.3 inclusive.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

27. March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	BE 86	U 181	-	BF 74	U 415	-	Op(AJ 34)	U 584	-	BE 64
	67	-	Op(DH 97)	182	-	Op(KQ 70)	439	-	BF 51	590	-	Op(BD 12)
	68	-	Op(EC 60)	183	-	Op(DM 70)	440	-	Op(AK 79)	591	-	Op(AK 48)
	84	-	Op(BD 16)	185	-	Op(DM 99)	441	-	Op(AK 79)	592	-	Op(AJ 26)
	86	-	Op(AK 72)	188	-	Op(AJ 34)	445	-	BF 64	594	-	BE 65
	89	-	BF 91	190	-	BE 56	463	-	BD 55	598	-	Op(AK 41)
	91	-	BF 47	191	-	AK 37	455	-	CG 14	608	-	BF 40
	105	-	DH 71	195	-	AE 66	468	-	BF 68	610	-	Op(AJ 38)
	106	-	CF 83	196	-	BE 14	469	-	AE 76	613	-	BF 45
	109	-	BE 88	198	-	CF 19	506	-	CG 68	615	-	Op(BD 19)
	119	-	BE 65	221	-	BF 58	509	-	AE 76	618	-	Op(AK 72)
	123	-	Op(DU 22)	228	-	BF 40	510	-	EF 39	630	-	AE 67
	126	-	BE 78	229	-	Op(AJ 22)	513	-	Op(DH 98)	631	-	Op(AK 48)
	129	-	DF 49	230	-	BF 64	515	-	DH 46	632	-	Op(AK 45)
	134	-	Op(AJ 63)	257	-	Op(BD 16)	516	-	Op(GJ 40)	635	-	AK 38
	154	-	CF 23	260	-	Op(AK 44)	518	-	Op(FJ)	638	-	BF 47
	155	-	Op(DL 38)	267	-	BE 69	523	-	Op(AK 41)	641	-	Op(BD 13)
	156	-	Op(GH 40)	270	-	AN 23	524	-	Op(DH 98)	642	-	BD 51
	159	-	Op(DU 22)	305	-	Op(AK 47)	526	-	Op(AK 41)	653	-	BF 40
	160	-	GQ 29	306	-	Op(AJ 28)	527	-	Op(AK 76)	662	-	BE 68
	161	-	CD 34	333	-	Op(AK 75)	530	-	Op(AK 76)	663	-	Op(AJ 34)
	167	-	Op(DH 98)	336	-	Op(AK 72)	532	-	AN 36	664	-	BF 54
	168	-	Op(AJ 34)	373	-	Op(AK 79)	558	-	BE 94	666	-	Op(AK 72)
	169	-	AE 67	404	-	BE 54	563	-	AL 77	704	-	AL 44
	172	-	Op(DH 98)	406	-	BE 69	564	-	Op(AJ 37)	706	-	Op(AK 44)
	174	-	BD 87	409	-	Op(AJ 52)	571	-	BF 81	758	-	BF 47
	180	-	FM 58	410	-	BF 61	572	-	Op(AJ 37)

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 84 - 89 - 91 - 106 - 109 - 119 - 160 - 190 - 221 - 228 - 230 - 406 - 439 - 445 - 468 - 506 - 510 - 410 - 558 - 591 - 608 - 638 - 653 - 664 - 758.
	Entered Port: U 445 - St. Nazaire; U 468 - La Pallice; U 410 - Lorient.
	Sailed: U 124 - Lorient; U 71 - St. Nazaire; U 487 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: In the area W. of Portugal.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy Nos. 20, 21 and 23 see paragraph IVa.

- 201 -

		2)	U 123 reported a single smoke cloud in DU 2459, course south, at 0846. She was dismissed from the patrol line for independent action and later identified the target sighted as a Spanish steamer.
			U 173 also sighted an independent ship in DU 2613, course S.W. No further reports. It is intended to leave Group "Seeräuber" in its present line for the moment.
		3)	U 598 reported an independent ship (freighter) in AJ 3883. A little time after U 631 reported what was probably the same ship.It may possibly be "Regensburg". Boats are forbidden to attack.
		4)	U 182 situation: Nothing sighted for 3 days N. of the line KZ 74 - KQ 66. She intends to return at the beginning of April owing to the state of the boat.The boat suspects that there are 12 ships steering E - W E of the Mozambique Channel and 3 ships probably in the Channel.
	b)	Aircraft reported a convoy of 32 merchant ships, 4 escort vessels and 1 cruiser, steering NE, in CF 3385 at 1510.
	c)	U-boat sighting in CF 33
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 23:
			Boats in favorable positions were to operate against the convoy reported by aircraft at 1510 in CF 3385 on a N. course and to make use of chances to attack. U 404 then reported from BE 57, U 267 from BE 6464 and U 181 from CF 3685. The latter searched for the convoy in vain until afternoon.No further reports were received.
		2)	Convoy No. 20:
			Visibility continued bad. U 564 reported a destroyer at 1117 in AJ 2663. By reason of R/T traffic U 632 suspected the convoy in AJ 3475 and later obtained weak hydrophone bearings twice. The convoy itself was not found again.
			After Convoy No. 21 was picked up, this operation was broken off. Boats were ordered to operate against No. 21. There were no successes in No. 20.
		3)	Convoy No. 21:
			The ON convoy was picked up on 26.3 by Group "Seeteufel" and the whole Group was detailed to operate. After the prospects of intercepting the expected HX 230 by Group "Seewolf" had been reviewed, it was decided to draw "Seewolf" as far north as possible. It was suspected that the HX, which should have been in about AJ 56, would, when it observed U-boat radio traffic in the area of the ON approaching it, endeavor to skirt this area by altering course to the E. This assumption proved correct, because at 1500/27 the HX was reported by U 305 in AJ 3873. On this first report all boats of Group "Seeteufel" and 10 of Group "Seewolf" were ordered to operate against this convoy. Altogether: U 168, 306, 592, 188, 415, 572, 564, 610, 134, 526, 523, 598, 260, 706, 632, 305, 591, 631, 86, 618, 336, 333, 530, 440. Weather in the convoy area was reported towards evening as WSW 4, sea 3, and bad visibility.

- 202 -

			U 305 shadowed until 2153. She then lost contact after she had made beacon signals and then reported hydrophone bearings of the convoy again at 0227. At 2306 U 631 reported that she had made contact. This boat last reported the convoy on a hydrophone bearing at 0254. At 0400 U 591 reported flares over the convoy in AK 1954. At 0458 she was forced to dive by a destroyer was depth-charged and lost contact. No further reports were received.
			The convoy was making 9.5 knots and steering 25⁰. There were no reports on the strength of the escort forces. Operation continues.
	b)	1)	Group "Seewolf" halted as patrol line, with 18 boats, at 1100 in the position line reached from AJ 3857 to AK 8714. As it was assumed that U 592, 306 and 168 were not operating against Convoy No. 20, these boats are to occupy squares AJ 3810 and 3840 to extend the "Seewolf" line.
		2)	As her METOX is out of order U 68 will occupy DO 60 and 90 and DP 40, 50, 70 and 80 as attack area. Single ship traffic, NW bound destined for america, is believed to sail through this area.
		3)	Numerous steamer reports (Radio Intelligence (X) Reports) indicate that there is heavy traffic in Zone "P", believed to be in Guinea Bay, SL - convoys, which had not been picked up for 6 months, have also appeared again. U 154, 126 and 124 have been detailed to operate against this traffic and are steering for ET 50.
	c)	Boats of Group "Seewolf" and "Seeteufel" which are short of fuel are to supply from U 463 in BD 2235. U 441 and 663 are at present on their way there.
	d)	1)	The following additional areas are closed for attacks on single ships. Squares AD and AE, N third, because of "Regensburg" CE 20 and 30 and CF 10 and 20 because of "Pietro Orseolo".
		2)	U 161 has rendezvoused with "Pietro Orseolo" and reported as ordered. She is now on her way to operate off the American coast.
		3)	U 174 and "Karin" have not so far rendezvoused. U 174 has been at the rendezvous for 2 days.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- 203 -

28.March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	BE 92	U 174	-	BD 87	U 439	-	BF 50	U 591	-	Op(AK 10)
	67	-	Op(DU 20)	180	-	FM 97	440	-	Op(AK 48)	592	-	Op(AJ 30)
	68	-	Op(EC 65)	181	-	CF 63	441	-	Op(AK 73)	594	-	BE 28
	71	-	BF 58	182	-	Op(KQ 64)	455	-	CG 44	598	-	Op(AK 10)
	84	-	Op(AK 76)	183	-	Op(DL 71)	463	-	BD 51	608	-	BF 92
	86	-	Op(AJ 30)	185	-	Op(DM 71)	469	-	AE 74	610	-	Op(AJ 30)
	89	-	BF 60	188	-	Op(AK 10)	487	-	AO 48	613	-	BE 62
	91	-	BF 40	190	-	BF 44	506	-	GG 29	615	-	OP(AK 87)
	105	-	DH 78	191	-	Op(AK 39)	509	-	Op(CR 25)	618	-	Op(AK 10)
	106	-	CF 61	195	-	AE 67	510	-	DR 11	630	-	AE 83
	109	-	BE 95	196	-	BE 41	513	-	Op(DU 20)	631	-	Op(AK 10)
	119	-	BF 44	198	-	CF 48	515	-	DH 98	632	-	Op(AK 10)
	123	-	Op(DU 10)	221	-	BF 50	516	-	Op(GJ 47)	635	-	Op(AK 53)
	124	-	BF 54	228	-	BF 58	518	-	Op(FJ)	638	-	BF 40
	126	-	CF 18	229	-	Op(AK 14)	523	-	Op(AJ 30)	641	-	Op(AK 76)
	129	-	DF 71	230	-	BE 66	524	-	Op(DU 20)	642	-	BD 51
	134	-	Op(AK 10)	247	-	Op(AK 74)	526	-	Op(AK 43)	653	-	BF 81
	154	-	CF 27	260	-	Op(AK 10)	527	-	Op(AK 48)	662	-	BE 53
	155	-	Op(DL 38)	267	-	BE 67	530	-	Op(AJ 30)	663	-	AK 43
	156	-	Op(EE 45)	270	-	AF 76	532	-	AN 28	664	-	BF 50
	159	-	Op(DU 20)	305	-	Op(AK 10)	558	-	BF 54	666	-	Op(AK 10)
	160	-	GQ 21	306	-	Op(AJ 30)	563	-	AK 69	704	-	AK 61
	161	-	CD 27	333	-	Op(AJ 30)	564	-	Op(AJ 30)	706	-	Op(AJ 30)
	167	-	Op(DU 10)	336	-	Op(AK 10)	571	-	BF 40	758	-	BF 40
	168	-	Op(AJ 30)	373	-	Op(AK 72)	572	-	Op(AJ 30)
	169	-	AE 83	404	-	BE 83	584	-	BE 29
	172	-	Op(DU 20)	406	-	BF 40	590	-	Op(AK 73)
				415	-	Op(AK 10)
				409	-	Op(AJ 83)

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 84 - 89 - 91 - 106 - 109 - 119 - 160 - 190 - 221 - 228 - 230 - 406 - 506 - 510 - 558 - 591 - 608 - 638 - 642 - 653 - 704 - 706 - 758 - 664.
	Entered Port: U 439 - Brest; U 664 - Lorient; U 221 - St. Nazaire; U 89 - La Pallice.
	Sailed: U 178 - Bordeaux.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy Nos. 21, 22 and 23 see para IVa.
		2)	U 518 sank the Dutch "Mariso" 7,659 GRT, course 110⁰, 12 knots on 20.3. in FJ 9181 the British "Industria" 4,861 GRT course 200⁰, speed 12 knots. Boat is returning because of fuel.
		3)	U 630 is proceeding through the Iceland Passage via AF 4532, AE 5984 and AL 2462. She sighted a 4-engined a/c in AF 45.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: ED 9763, ED 25, BF 18, AK 5514, EC 89, EB 7267, BF 4617, DB 64.

- 204 -

		SSS report in unidentified position. U-boat attack in AJ 3995.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 21:
			Weather deteriorated during the 28th to a gale from the S.W. and visibility was reduced to 1 mile. This meant that most of the convoy dispersed and the individual ships proceeded W. on their own . 5 boats reported independent ships in the course of the afternoon in AK 0190, all on an E. course. U 523 reported at 2030 in AK 0277 that she had been surprised by 2 destroyers. At 0700/29 U 610 sighted star shell in AK 3979. No further reports of the convoy were received.
			Operation against the convoy will continue, as it is expected that, with so many boats, more independent ships will be found. U 666, 188 and 526 have broken off because of lack of fuel. 22 boats are still operating.
		2)	Convoy No. 22:
			Group "Seeräuber" was in patrol line from DU 2194 to 2625, with the following boats: U 123, 159, 67, 513, 172, 167, 524, later U 515, 105. The expected RS 3 was reported by U 167 in DU 2378 at 0807/28/3. U 167, 172 and 513 shadowed until 0006 in DU 2723. Stragglers with destroyers and escort vessels were reported by U 67 and U 123 in DU 2463 - 2493 from 1711 - 2049.
			The convoy consisted of a small number of ships, large steamers in the center escorted by corvettes and destroyers.
			3 out of 9 boats managed to attack, 2 of them making an underwater day attack. 4 boats were bombed or depth-charged, and U 172, 67 and 159 had to move away for repairs. Several boats reported aircraft with Radar during the night, which made it difficult for them to get ahead.
			U 167 sank a freighter of 6,500 GRT at 1247, U 159 a 9,000 GRT ammunition steamer at 1448 and U 172 a passenger freighter of 7,000 GRT at 0006.
			U 172, 67 and 159 broke off because of lack of fuel, depth-charge damage and lack of torpedoes.
		3)	Convoy No. 23:
			U 267 sighted a light cruiser, course 10 at 1616 in BE 8666. She lost contact soon after. As no further sighting reports were received, U 404 and 267 were ordered to continue on their outward passage.
	b)	1)	U 527, 373, 641, 663 are on their way to supply or on their return passage because of lack of fuel. U 257, 84, 615 are making for AJ 78 and will later be formed into a patrol line there with other boats.
		2)	U 183 has been given freedom of action within the Caribbean.

- 205 -

		3)	U 563 is occupying AK 68 as temporary attack area.
		4)	U 778 is to make for GR, U 161 for CA 39. U 174 is also to make for CA 39 when she has carried out her special operation. U 630 is steering for AK 63.
	c)	None.
	d)	As Operation "Elisabeth" is about to begin, attention has again been called to the closing of routes in BF and BE.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 518 - 2 ships 12,520 GRT
	U 167 - 1 ship 6,500 GRT
	U 159 - 1 ship 9,000 GRT
	U 172 - 1 ship 7,000 GRT

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

29. March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	BF 46	U 174	-	BD 87	U 409	-	AJ 83	U 584	-	BE 21
	67	-	Op(DU 20)	178	-	BF 91	415	-	Op(AK)	591	-	Op(AK 20)
	68	-	Op(BC 60)	180	-	FT 36	440	-	Op(AK 20)	590	-	AK 88
	71	-	BF 40	181	-	CF 92	441	-	AK 84	592	-	Op(AK 20)
	84	-	AK 83	182	-	Op(KQ 64)	455	-	CG 72	594	-	BE 21
	86	-	Op(AK 20)	183	-	Op(DM 70)	463	-	BD 51	598	-	Op(AK 20)
	91	-	BF 61	185	-	Op(DM 90)	469	-	AD 85	608	-	Op(AK 20)
	105	-	DT 38	188	-	Op(AK 20)	487	-	AN 35	610	-	Op(AK 20)
	106	-	CF 36	190	-	BF 61	506	-	GG 22	613	-	BE 60
	109	-	BF 71	191	-	Op(AK 20)	509	-	Op(GR 25)	615	-	AK 83
	119	-	BF 45	195	-	AE 83	510	-	DR 76	618	-	Op(AK 20)
	123	-	Op(DU 20)	196	-	BD 93	513	-	Op(DU 20)	630	-	AL 14
	124	-	BF 40	198	-	CF 78	515	-	DU 13	631	-	Op(AK 20)
	126	-	CF 48	228	-	BF 64	516	-	Op(GJ 47)	632	-	Op(AK 20)
	129	-	DE 98	229	-	AD 98	518	-	FK 14	635	-	Op(AK 20)
	134	-	Op(AK 20)	230	-	BF 45	523	-	Op(AK 20)	638	-	BF 40
	154	-	CF 73	257	-	AK 82	524	-	Op(DU 40)	641	-	AK 88
	155	-	Op(DL 30)	260	-	Op(AK 20)	526	-	Op(AK 20)	642	-	BD 51
	156	-	Op(EE 40)	267	-	BE 55	527	-	AK 84	653	-	BF 80
	159	-	Op(DU 20)	270	-	AF 47	530	-	Op(AK 20)	662	-	BE 24
	160	-	GG 92	305	-	Op(AK 20)	532	-	AF 76	663	-	AK 58
	161	-	CD 17	306	-	Op(AK 20)	558	-	BF 52	666	-	AK 81
	167	-	Op(DU 20)	333	-	Op(AK 20)	563	-	AK 65	704	-	AL 41
	168	-	Op(AK 20)	336	-	Op(AK 20)	564	-	Op(AK 20)	706	-	Op(AK 20)
	169	-	AE 84	373	-	AK 88	571	-	BD (67)	758	-	BF 91
	172	-	Op(DU 20)	404	-	BE 54	572	-	Op(AK 20)
				406	-	BF 91

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 84 - 91 - 106 - 109 - 119 - 160 - 190 - 228 - 230 - 373 - 406 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 510 - 518 - 526 - 527 - 558 - 590 - 591 - 638 - 641 - 642 - 653 - 663 - 666 - 704 - 758.
	Entered Port: U 558 - Brest; U 91 - Lorient; U 228 - St. Nazaire; U 608 - Bordeaux.
	Sailed: - . -

- 206 -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy Nos. 21, 22 and 23 see para IVa.
		2)	U 527 sighted 2 patrol boats on her way to supply in AK 8465.
		3)	U 510 reported 2 Spanish tankers, course 240⁰, in EG 12.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: FJ 32 - AL 4124 - BE 5899 - DN 46 - BB 78 - ED 25.
		U-boat attack in DC 73.
		SSS and torpedo report from ET 76 and an unidentified position respectively.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 21:
			Weather conditions continued very unfavorable for the boats in the convoy area during the 29th and the night 29/30. SW 9 sea 8 was reported at midday and towards evening the wind freshened to W 10 - 11. There were heavy seas and a westerly gale during the night. At 1015 U 591 reported a convoy group of 7 ships and 5 destroyers in AK 0379. She was driven off by a/c and lost contact. U 632 reported a tanker with air escort at midday in AK 6332. She also lost contact. At 1723 U 618 reported a freighter and a destroyer.
			Reports from these boats show that some of the ships were making up to 10 knots, in spite of the heavy weather. It is of course possible that the boats estimated the speed too high in the prevailing west weather. Boats have however been told again that they must get ahead at all costs so that they will be able to intercept individual ships when the weather improves.
			It is intended to break off the operation against this convoy on the 30th, as the boats have already reported constant strong air escort on the 29th and air activity may be expected to increase on the 30th.
		2)	Convoy No. 22:
			Weather in the convoy area was extremely favorable, N.E. trade wind, sea 3 - 4.
			As contact had been lost since 0600/29/3, boats were ordered to give their position and were informed at the same time that the convoy might have altered course south along the 100 meter line.

- 207 -

			At 0915 U 167 reported a corvette in DU 2727, and U 515 another corvette at 1550 in 4368. It was not until 2025 in 4693 that U 105 reported contact with the convoy, she lost it again at 2206 in 4937.
			Boats did not manage to attack owing to strong air escort. They were forced to dive and driven off by day by aircraft and by night owing to Radar locations.
			U 105 - 515 - 123 - 513 and 167 are still operating against the convoy.
			It is intended to break off on 30.3 as the boats cannot attack owing to constant air escort by day and night and it no longer seems possible for them to haul ahead.
		3)	Convoy No. 23:
			The operation was continued after U 404 obtained a hydrophone bearing of 300⁰ from BE 8321 and was forced to dive by an aircraft.
			U 571 sighted 2 destroyers and several steamers on a N. course at 1740 - in BE 5942. At 2120 U 662 reported the convoy in BE 5687, course 30. U 404 was brought up and shadowed for the whole night. At 0749 the convoy was in BE 6148. At 2400 the boat sighted flares over the convoy, and it can therefore be assumed that one boat attacked. U 404 attacked herself in BE 5653 and scored a hit on a steamer of 4,500 GRT. She could not observe sinking owing to anti-submarine activity.
			U 571 did not reach the convoy. Weather was reported as W 3, misty.
			The operation is continuing.
	b)	Boats will occupy the following attack areas until a new patrol line is formed: U 188 - AJ 58, U 257 - AJ 59, U 84 - AJ 91, U 615 - AJ 92. U 563, 584, 594, 613 and 627 will make for AJ 67 as will also U 404, 662 and 571 at the conclusion of the convoy operation.
	c)	None.
	d)	U 174 reported that she has not yet found "Karlin".

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 404 - 1 ship torpedoed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

30. March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	BF 55	U 174	-	BD 87	U 406	-	BF 93	U 572	-	Op(AL 01)
	67	-	Op(DT 34)	178	-	BF 81	409	-	Op(AJ 80)	584	-	AL 87
	68	-	Op(ED 24)	180	-	FU 44	415	-	Op(AL 01)	590	-	BD 22
	71	-	BF 47	181	-	CF 97	440	-	AK 64	591	-	Op(AL 01)
	84	-	AJ 92	182	-	Op(KQ 40)	441	-	BD 22	592	-	Op(AL 01)
	86	-	Op(AL 01)	183	-	Op(DL)	455	-	DJ 11	594	-	AL 87
	105	-	Op(DU 72)	185	-	Op(DM 90)	463	-	BD 51	598	-	Op(AL 01)
	106	-	BE 98	188	-	AK 41	469	-	Op(AD 80)	610	-	Op(AL 01)
	109	-	BF 49	190	-	BF 61	487	-	AN 31	613	-	BE 83
	119	-	BF 46	191	-	Op(AK 63)	506	-	FU 95	615	-	Op(AJ 92)
	123	-	Op(DU 72)	195	-	AE 84	509	-	Op(GR 20)	618	-	Op(AL 01)
	124	-	BE 93	196	-	BD 99	510	-	DR 58	630	-	Op(AK 38)
	126	-	CF 79	198	-	DG 39	513	-	Op(DU 72)	631	-	Op(AL 01)
	129	-	DQ 21	229	-	Op(AD 98)	515	-	Op(DU 72)	632	-	Op(AL 01)


- 208 -

U 134	-	Op(AL 01)	U 230	-	BF 51	U 516	-	GJ 40	U 638	-	BF 92
154	-	DH 11	257	-	AJ 68	518	-	FC 88	641	-	BD 22
155	-	Op(DM 10)	260	-	Op(AL 01)	523	-	Op(AL 01)	642	-	BD 51
156	-	Op(EE 40)	267	-	BF 57	524	-	Op(DU 72)	653	-	BF 92
159	-	Op(DU 72)	270	-	AE 66	526	-	AK 46	662	-	BE 61
160	-	GG 59	305	-	Op(AL 01)	527	-	AK 88	663	-	AK 91
161	-	CC 37	306	-	Op(AL 01)	530	-	Op(AL 01)	666	-	AK 85
167	-	Op(DU 72)	333	-	Op(AL 01)	532	-	AF 72	704	-	AL 16
168	-	Op(AL 01)	336	-	Op(AK 63)	563	-	Op(AK 68)	706	-	Op(AL 01)
169	-	AE 79	373	-	BD 22	564	-	Op(AL 01)	758	-	BF 93
172	-	Op(DT 34)	404	-	BF 61	571	-	BF 53

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 84 - 106 - 109 - 119 - 160 - 190 - 230 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 406 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 510 - 518 - 526 - 527 - 590 - 591 - 638 - 641 - 642 - 653 - 663 - 666 - 704 - 758.
	Entered Port: U 190 - Lorient; U 758 - 406 - Bordeaux.
	Sailed: U 413 - Brest.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: Area W. of Biscay.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 20, 21 and 23 see para IVa.
		2)	U 185 reported reinforced patrol in the area W of Cuba and Jamaica. She was bombed in EB 22 and observed constant air activity and sea patrol off Kingston. On 30.3. she was bombed at periscope depth by an airship. Boat intends to operate in EC 13.
		3)	U 155 sighted nothing in the Gulf of Mexico except 2 neutrals. She is continuing operation in the Florida Straits.
	b)	1)	A/c sighted a large merchant ship with a destroyer at 1431 in BE 5253, course N. It is probably a damaged ship from Convoy No. 23.
		2)	Another a/c reported 3 heavy cruisers, 4 destroyers and 2 a/c carriers in CF 3596 at 1600 on a southerly course. According to a later report the size of the ships was overestimated and probably a small S-bound convoy was sighted.
	c)	U-boat sightings in ED 23. U-boat detected in CC 53 (U 161)
		S.O.S. from British "Manchester Commerce" 5,343 GRT in BE 9688 (Blockade runner "Himalaya")
		Torpedo report from unidentified position, probably Convoy No. 23.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 23:

- 209 -

			U 662 made several attacks during the night 29/30. She fired a quadruple F.A.T. and a Pi2 at 2250 and scored 2 hits on a ship of 5,000 GRT, and one on another ship. In her second attack she torpedoed a 4,000 tonner at 2300 and a 6,000 tonner with a Pi2 hit at 0407 in BE 5635. In the prevailing weather conditions it can be assumed that 2 ships, totaling 11,000 GRT, were sunk and the others counted as torpedoed. U 404 sank a 6,000 tonner in BE 6146. While attacking she sighted at least 8 steamers, 2 destroyers and 1 escort vessel, a sign that the convoy's escort is comparatively weak.
			After losing contact the boat continued on her passage west. The convoy was not found again. At 1100 U 662 encountered a damaged ship adrift in BE 6481, escorted by a destroyer. Unfortunately this ship disappeared out of sight in the dark. During the night U 662 and 571 broke off pursuit and proceeded west.
			Altogether 3 ships, totaling 17,000 GRT, were sunk in this convoy and 3 ships torpedoed.
			Final Remarks:
			The successful cooperation between U-boats and aircraft in this convoy operation is particularly gratifying. 5 boats took part. 2 of these, U 181 and 267, continued on their outward passage during the first and second nights respectively. U 571 had contact for a short time but did not score any successes.
			U 404 and 662 pursued the convoy with commendable perseverance for nearly 4 days and scored the successes in an area in which hardly any convoy action had taken place recently. The comparatively small escort force showed that the English regarded this area as safe.
			It would be satisfactory if this success and further constant air reconnaissance forced the enemy to transfer his convoy route further to the west. It would then be possible to conduct more intensive operations against Gibraltar convoys.
		2)	Convoy No. 21:
			Weather conditions on the 30th continued very unfavorable for the boats. West 7, sea 6, very variable visibility. U 631 reported a group of 3 steamers and one destroyer at 1100 in AL 2957. She lost contact soon after owing to constant activity of flying boats and land-based aircraft over the convoy which made it impossible for the boat to shadow on the surface. U 610 reported that she had scored one hit at a 10,000 GRT steamer at 2340/29 and had later sunk this ship with a finishing shot.
			Operation against the convoy was broken off A.M. on the 30th and the boats were instructed to search for stragglers west wards along the convoy route. After operations had ended all boats taking part reported their positions.
			Final Remarks on Convoy No. 21:
			The operation against the HX convoy lasted for 4 days from 27-30.3.43, covering 650 miles, 28 boats were detailed against the convoy, 2 of which had to break off each day owing to lack of fuel. From the first day the operation was adversely affected by a heavy gale. The lowest wind force reported was W 7 on the last day. Visibility was bad all the time.
			Owing to heavy gale, the convoy was dispersed to a large extent at the beginning of the operation, and small groups or individual ships continued on their passage E. alone.

- 210 -

		One group of 7 vessels was reported, but otherwise mostly independent vessel.
		It was particularly difficult for the boats to shadow these ships in poor visibility. During the first days it was to some extent possible as there was not too much air activity in the convoy area, but during this time the boats could not fire owing to heavy seas, rising at times to 9. When the weather becomes a little calmer on the third and last day, very strong air escort appeared over the convoy, which prevented the boats from shadowing.
		All things considered therefore, no better results than the one 10,000 GRT steamer could be expected from this convoy.
		No boat was lost during the operation, nor was any boat badly damaged.
		In spite of the small results, the operation cannot be considered wrong even after the event. Even a slight improvement in the weather would have raised the chances of success considerably and weather forecasts cannot be regarded as so reliable that they can be taken as a basis for breaking off an operation.
	3)	Convoy No. 22:
		Contact was not regained with the convoy. All boats reported that constant day and night air activity made it impossible for them to haul ahead. The operation was broken off on 30.3. For new operations areas see paragraph IVb. One boat, U 524 did not report again despite several orders to do so.
		Final Remarks on Convoy No. 22:
		The operation against the RS 3 convoy lasted 3 days from 28-30.3.43, covering 300 miles. 9 boats took part, of which 1, U 524, did not report after the beginning of the operation. 2 boats did not join Group "Seeräuber" until the second day. Weather conditions were very favorable for attack the whole time.
		On the first day 4 out of 7 boats managed to fire, 3 of them successfully. During the night of 28/29/3 air escort was suddenly increased and reinforced again on the following day, so that the boats could no longer haul ahead and attack.
		Nearly all boats were bombed and depth-charged, 3 of them had to haul off because of severe damage. U 524 may have been lost before the operation began.
		Altogether 3 ships, totaling 22.500 GRT were sunk. In the circumstances better results were not possible.
b)	1)	Groups "Seeteufel" and "Seewolf" are to be dissolved. Many boats will have to return home or proceed to supply owing to lack of fuel. Boats with about 20-30 cbm fuel remaining will be allocated temporary attack areas and will be refueled for further operations from about 9 April from the tanker U 487 coming from home. U 598 will therefore occupy AK 03, U 134 - AK 36, U 415 - AK 37, U 306 - AK 63, U 631 - AK 38.

- 211 -

		U 592, 572, 706, 168, 260, 632, 191, 635, 564 and 530 which are still well off for fuel, are proceeding west at economical speed and are to operate against independently-routed ships suspected N. of the last convoy route. Later it is intended to form a patrol line with these and other boats and conduct another convoy operation.
	2)	Group "Seeräuber" is being dissolved at the conclusion of the convoy operation (No. 22). The boats will be distributed over the various operations areas according to their fuel stocks. The following attack areas will be occupied: U 515 : DH 9673, U 177 : DH 9593, U 67 : DH 9836, U 513 : DH 9575.
		Small and large convoys close inshore and fast independent ships can still be expected in this area.
		U 159 is to operate in EK 40, concentrating off Dakar. Inward and outward bound traffic and N - S traffic is suspected here.
		U 123 is to occupy the area off Freetown between the sectors of 45⁰ and 305⁰.
		U 105 has been allocated an attack area around FE 33, depth of sweep 300 miles.
		According to Radio Intelligence (X) reports there is NW - SE bound single ship traffic in the latter areas. Independent ships and SC and SL convoys put into Freetown.
	3)	U 129 was to have operated in the sea area off Colon. She cannot operate here however, owing to too high battery temperatures and is therefore making for the sea area off Cape Hatteras via Bermuda. There has been no boat there for 6 months.
c)	1)	U 172 has encountered U 67.
	2)	U 463 is lying hove to in BD 22 with U 642. Supply has not so far been possible owing to bad weather.
	3)	U 594 was damaged by 2 unexplained explosions at 40 meters while test diving on 28.3. Flotillas have been instructed to ensure better protection against sabotage for ships in the dockyard and to have the boats thoroughly examined before they sail. It is not impossible that sabotage had a hand in boats which were lost through unknown causes.
d)	1)	The outward-bound Italian ship "Himalaya" reported at 2200: "stopped by enemy warship in BE 9688, taking to the boats". U 71, 124, 106 and 178 were given orders to proceed to the supposed position of sinking at maximum speed to pick up the crew. As 2 of these boats are quite near, the rescue operation is likely to be successful.
	2)	U 469 left Kiel on 16.3 and has not reported since then. According to a Radio Intelligence report English aircraft reported a U-boat in AF 7122 on 22.3 and one in AE 84 on 25.3. In both cases it could have been U 469. Possibly she was attacked and sunk by the aircraft.
	3)	U 156 last reported on 7.3 from EE 45. Several orders to give her position, and the situation remained unanswered. On 8.3 a U-boat was attacked by an aircraft in EE 91. According to dead reckoning, only U 156 could have been there at the time. She must be presumed lost.

- 212 -

Reports of Success:

U 662	2 ships	11,000 GRT	2 ships torpedoed.
U 404	1 ship	6,000 GRT
U 610	1 ship	10,000 GRT.

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31. March 1943.

I.	U 43	-	BF 61	U 172	-	Op(DT 26)	U 373	-	BD 22	U 564	-	AL 41
	67	-	Op(DT 34)	174	-	BD 87	404	-	Op(BE 28)	571	-	Op(BE 34)
	68	-	Op(ED 20)	178	-	BF 75	409	-	Op(AK 44)	572	-	AL 63
	71	-	BE 96	180	-	FU 84	413	-	BF 46	584	-	AL 84
	84	-	Op(AJ 91)	181	-	DH 28	415	-	AL 51	590	-	BD 22
	85	-	AL 44	182	-	Op(KQ 40)	440	-	AK 91	591	-	AL 42
	105	-	DU 78	183	-	Op(DL 70)	441	-	BD 22	592	-	AL 42
	106	-	BE 96	185	-	Op(DM 90	455	-	DJ 10	594	-	AL 74
	109	-	BF 40	188	-	AJ 65	463	-	BD 22	598	-	AL 41
	119	-	BF 55	191	-	Op(AK 39)	487	-	AF 87	610	-	AL 51
	123	-	DU 77	195	-	AL 22	506	-	FU 83	613	-	BE 57
	124	-	BE 95	196	-	CE 39	509	-	Op(GR 26)	615	-	Op(AJ 92)
	126	-	DH 17	198	-	DG 69	510	-	DR 61	618	-	AL 41
	129	-	DP 36	229	-	Op(AD 92)	513	-	DU 41	630	-	AK 02
	134	-	AL 51	230	-	BF 52	515	-	DU 45	631	-	AL 01
	154	-	DH 41	257	-	Op(AJ 59)	516	-	Op(GJ 40)	632	-	AL 61
	155	-	Op(DM 10)	260	-	AL 41	518	-	FC 58	635	-	Op(AK 03)
	159	-	Op(DT 30)	267	-	BE 45	523	-	AL 45	638	-	BF 93
	160	-	GG 51	270	-	AE 67	524	-	Op(DU 84)	641	-	BD 22
	161	-	CC 28	305	-	AL 42	526	-	AK 81	642	-	BD 51
	167	-	DU 41	306	-	AL 52	527	-	BD 22	653	-	BF 93
	168	-	AK 62	333	-	AK 69	530	-	Op(AL 42)	662	-	Op(BE 53)
	169	-	AL 21	336	-	AK 68	532	-	AF 44	663	-	AK 99
							563	-	Op(AK 68)	666	-	BD 22
							704	-	AL 23	706	-	AL 42

	On Return Passage: U 43 - 84 - 106 - 109 - 119 - 160 - 230 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 510 - 518 - 526 - 527 - 590 - 591 - 638 - 641 - 642 - 653 - 663 - 666 - 704.
	Entered Port: U 230 - Brest; U 43 - Lorient; U 653 - 638 - La Pallice.
	Sailed: U 117 - 438 - Brest;U 381 - St. Nazaire.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: Area west of Portugal.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	None.
	b)	Aircraft sighted a convoy of 27 merchant ships at 1415 in CG 1272, 8 escort vessels, and 3 cruisers, course E, speed 6 - 8 knots.
	c)	1)	U-boat detected or sighted in DN 78 and DM 23.
		2)	Lifeboat with inmates reported in AL 2981.
	d)	None.

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IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	The convoy sighted by aircraft was reported by boats on outward and return passage. Contact was not made. No operation.
		2)	From today a NE-bound convoy is expected in the area between AJ 58 and 92.
	b)	1)	U 618 will occupy AK 66 and U 306 AK 63 as temporary attack areas until they have used up their fuel. U 610 which was hitherto in the latter areas, is proceeding to supply.
		2)	U 67 is still suffering from major damage even after repairs. She will deliver her fuel to U 515 and then start on her return passage.
			U 515 will then occupy the attack area ordered for U 159, EK 40, concentrating off Dakar. U 159 is badly out of trim and has other damage which prevents her operating near the coast. She has therefore been given freedom of action in squares EJ 10 - EJ 20 - 40 - 50 (Cape Verde Islands). There may be traffic to and from the Coaling stations there.
			In the area between the African mainland and the Canary Islands, U 513 will operate N.W. of the line DH 9832 to 9395 and U 167 S.E. of it.
	c)	1)	U 642 has refueled from U 463 and is starting on her return passage.
		2)	U 117 sailed for a special operation in accordance with the attached minelaying order.
	d)	1)	"Himalaya" is not sunk and has now put into a port in W. France. Boats detailed for the rescue operation are continuing on their passage.
		2)	U 524 was operating against Convoy No. 22 and probably had contact.Her last radio message was dated 20.3. It is possible that the boat was attacked and sunk by an English aircraft on her way from CG 70 to DH 90, as a U-boat was reported in DH 5821 on 22.3. She must be presumed sunk.

V.	Reports of Success: None.



			(Signed): GODT.
			Chief of Operations Department.
			For B.d.U.

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		Copy No. 2.
S.O. Only
By hand of Officer only.

B.d.U.
Reg. No. Most Secret S.O. Only 100 A2.
		8 March 1943.

Minelaying Order for Casablanca and Fedala
for U 117.

1)	Task: A second minelay is to be carried out in the harbors of Casablanca and Fedala. Mines are to be laid in widely scattered Groups of 4 to 6. A tracing is attached as a guide for the distribution of the mines (for the boat only).

2)	Material: 66 SMA with 400 meters mooring rope, time setting 80 days, safety mechanisms set to flood in shortest time, delay clock work 6 hours, depth setting minus 15 meters, period delay mechanism one actuation. Maximum depth at which mines may be laid 350 meters, minimum 50 meters, minimum distance apart 400 meters.

3)	Execution: The position indicated in the tracing (11 sections about 2 miles long, each of 6 SMA) is to serve only as a guide. The Commanding Officer is free to modify it in accordance with conditions observed or information transmitted to him.

	Avoid laying in places where there is steeply sloping sea bottom or a lot of surf. Individual sections should be about 5 miles apart where possible, so that only one section can be swept at a time. The time of laying is left to the discretion of the Commanding Officer after surveying the area.

4)	Geographical limits: The mines are to be laid between 7⁰ and 8⁰ W and 34⁰ N.

5)	Enemy Situation: The approach to Casablanca is protected by a minefield, the passage gap is closed at night. At dusk many of the freighters lying in the harbor leave on a N. course and anchor about 2 - 3 miles north of Casablanca. Casablanca harbor is illuminated by night, lights are on, the city is blacked out. There may be enemy mines inside the 50 meter line.

6)	Reporting: A report is to be made by short signal UDWF as soon as possible after the minelay has been completed, but from at least 100 miles away.

		(Signed): GODT.
		Chief of Operations Department.
		For B.d.U.

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