U-141 - 3rd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol.  You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file.  Download Google Earth here

Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
26 Jul 41	03.35	55°39'N, 9°35'W	BOTWEY	5,106	British	OS-1
26 Jul 41	03:35	55°39'N, 9°35'W	ATLANTIC CITY (damaged)	5,133	British	OS-1
			Total = 10,239
Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
				"U 141"
				from 14 July 1941 to 1 August 1941
				3rd War Patrol.
				Kommandant:  Oberleutnant zur See Schüler.
				Distribution: 2 x O.K.M. Skl.U.   1 x B.d.U. -Op-   1 x B.d.U. -Org.-   1 x 3.Uflottille   1 x U-141.
				© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
			Harbor Period from 27.6.41 - 13.7.41
		27.06.41	Lorient	Work duty.
		28.06.41
		11.30		Muster of the crew with B.d.U.
				Half of the crew is on leave until 11.7.41.
		29.06.41	"	Duty according to Sunday routine.
		30.06.41	"
		08.00	"	Boat shifted to the dry-dock
				Work duty.
		01.07.41	"	Work duty.
				Boat lay in the dock
		02.07.41	"	Work duty
				Boat lay in the dock.
		03.07.41	"
		04.07.41	"
		12.00		Boat undocked and shifted to the charging station.
		05.07.41	"	Work duty.
		06.07.41	"	Duty according to Sunday routine.
		07.07.41	"	Work duty.
		08.07.41	"	Cast off from the charging station, made fast MARTINIERE.
		09.07.41	"	Work duty
		10.07.41	"	Work duty.
		11.07.41	"	Cast off - Sea trial - diving test - radio direction finder calibration - degaussing.
		12.00
		20.00		Made fast.
		12.07.41	"	Provisions loading, took over the boat.
		13.07.41	"	Duty according to Sunday routine.
				Continued outfitting.
		14.07.41	"
		21.00		Work duty and fresh provisions loading.
				Ready for sea.

	- 2 -
				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				======================
				" U  141 "
				from 14 July 1941 to 1 August 1941.
		14.07.41	Lorient
		21.00	Lorient	Ready for sea.  Cast off AUDACIEUSE.
		21.22 - 21.45		Trim test.
				Outbound transit in accordance with Standing War Orders.
		24.00	Weather:  SW 5, Sea 5-6, 5/10, Vis. good
		[15.07.41]
		12.00	BF 6473	Day's run:  Surfaced          66 nm
				Submerged      10 nm
				Total                76 nm
		16.00	BF 6475
		16.20		Surfaced.
		20.00	BF 5594
			Weather:  WNW 6, Sea 6, 5/10, Vis. good
		24.00	BF 5584	Transit to the west.
			Weather:  WbyN 6, Sea 6, 6/10, Vis. good
		16.07.41	Northern Bay of Biscay
		04.00	BF 5496
		08.00	BF 5485
			Weather:  NW 5, Sea 4-5, 5/10, Vis. very good
		11.20		Dived.
		12.00	BF 5475	Day's run:  Surfaced        124 nm
			Weather:  NW 5, Sea 3-4, 3/10, Vis. good	Submerged        9 nm
				Total              133 nm
		14.00		Surfaced.
		16.00	BF 4662
		20.00	BF 4386
			Weather:  NW 2, flat Swell, 2/10, Vis. very good
		21.15	BF 4382	Crash dive for aircraft abeam to port.
		22.00		Surfaced.
		24.00	BF 4357
			Weather:  NW 2, flat Swell, 3/10, Vis. very good

	Sun and Moon Data 14.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.07.41

	- 3 -
		17.07.41	South of Ireland
		04.00	BF 4312
		08.00	BF 1947
			Weather:  SW 3, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. good
		08.50	BF 1945	Crash dive for aircraft astern to starboard.
		10.20		Surfaced.
		12.00	BF 1919	Day's run:  Surfaced         166 nm
				Submerged         8 nm
				Total               174 nm
		16.00	BF 1656
		20.00	BF 2446
			SW 4, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. moderate
		20.45	BF 2454	Crash dive for aircraft astern to starboard.
		22.50		Surfaced.
		24.00	BF 2456
			Weather:  SW 3-4, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. medium
		18.07.41	Isles of Scilly
		03.35	BF 2517	Blinking beacon in sight, identification:  flash with 10 second recurrence.
		04.00	BF 2517	Beacon distinguished as a black cone shaped lighted buoy bearing 200°T, 3 nm away off Lizzard.  Back and forth on changing courses close under land.
		06.30	BF 2517	Dived.
		08.00	BF 2517
			Weather:  SW 3, Sea 2-3, 10/10, Vis. moderate
		09.23	BF 2517	Two-smokestacked channel steamer with barrage balloon and a destroyer of the L-class escort in sight, course 240°, high speed of advance, range 200 meters.  Quickly passed out of sight.
		12.00	BF 2517	Day's run:  Surfaced         146 nm
			Weather:  SW 3, Sea 2-3, 8/10, Vis. moderate, at times hazy	Submerged       15 nm
				Total               161 nm
		12.15	Vis. bad	Surfaced, ventilated the boat.
		12.36	BF 2517	Crash dive.  In suddenly disappearing haze a strongly escorted convoy in sight bearing 90°T range 3000-4000 meters.  Distinguished:  3 destroyers of the L-class, 2 corvettes, 3 escort vessels (fishing trawlers), 10 escorted vessels, mainly coastal steamers up to 1500 GRT.  Among them 1 tanker of 6000 GRT, 1 three masted schooner and a motor sailer.  A fighter aircraft above the convoy.
		13.30	BF 2517	Turned away, because a corvette ran towards the boat at target angle 0°.  For the small convoy a dammed strong escort.  Closing is not possible any longer, even though the convoy proceeds at only 5 knots (estimated).

	Sun and Moon Data 17.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.07.41

	- 4 -
		continued
		18.07.41		Convoy including escort vessels had barrage balloons deployed.  Balloons approximately 300 meters high.
				Convoy ran on general course 300° towards Land's End.
		14.30		Convoy out of sight.
		16.00	BF 2439
		20.00	BF 2439
		23.00		Radio Message to "U-141":  On 19 July, about 05.00 hours a convoy will pass Land's End from the north to the east.
				B.d.U.
		24.00	BF 2517	Surfaced.
			Weather:  SW 2, Sea 1-2, 10/10, Vis. good
		19.07.41	Mount's Bay
		00.10		Abeam to port Morse signal FR with a red lamp in several groups.
		03.40		Lizzard beacon is on.  Flash with 3 second recurrence.
		03.44		Beacon extinguished.
				Aircraft with set lights over Mount's Bay.
		03.55	BF 2515	Crash dive for destroyer, which ran towards the boat in target angle 0°.  Was unseen.
		04.20	BF 2515	Surfaced.
			Weather:  SW 3, Sea 3, 9/10, Vis. good
		06.00	BF 2517	Dived.
		08.00	BF 2517	Reported convoy was not met.
		12.00	BF 2515	Day's run:  Surfaced          12 nm
				Submerged      36 nm
				Total                48 nm
				Because the visibility is very good and we are close under land ventilating the boat is not possible.  Up to now no traffic except for a few small fishing cutters.
				At periscope depth back and forth in position south of Lizzard.
		13.40	BF 2518	A strongly escorted convoy in sight bearing 300°T, had an easterly course.
				Distinguished:  Approximately 10 escort vessels among them 3 destroyers of the L-class (L 46), torpedo boats and fishing trawlers. Convoy consists of 9 very small steamers and 1 tanker of 6000 GRT.
				Because there were no valuable targets and a destroyer ran in at target angle 0° at high speed, turned away.  Nearly all vessels had barrage balloons set.
				Enemy speed 6 knots.
		14.30	BF 2518	Convoy out of sight.
		16.00	BF 2518

	Sun and Moon Data 18.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 19.07.41

	- 5 -
		continued
		19.07.41
		18.45	BF 2517	Sound bearing in 330°T. Destroyer of the L-class distinguished, zigzagging to the east at high speed.
		20.00	BF 2517	Set off from the coast to surface earlier.
				Independent traffic not determined so far.
		23.06	BF 2541	Surfaced.
		24.00	BF 2544
			Weather:  NW 2, Sea 1-2, 1/10, Vis. good
		20.07.41	Mount's Bay
		02.50	BF 2541	Crash dive for low flying aircraft.  Had set lights.  Aircraft traffic observed over land.
		03.20		Surfaced.
				Back and forth in position again close under the coast.  Charged the battery, filled air bottles.
		04.00	BF 2518
		06.25	BF 2544	Dived.
		08.00	BF 2542
		11.00	BF 2518	Convoy in sight bearing 30°T.  Range 5000 meters.
				Recognized:  1 destroyer, 3 torpedo boats, 3 escort vessels (fishing trawlers), several fighter aircraft, 3 small steamers and 2 tankers of 6000 GRT.  While attempting to close, the periscope or boat shadow was probably seen by an aircraft.  Aircraft flew around close-by the periscope.  Moved off.  About from . . .
		11.30		destroyer propeller sounds bearing 350°T and 20°T, which quickly came closer.  Listening pursuit and brief ineffective S-gear locating.
		13.30	BF 2518	Last sound bearing.
		12.00	BF 2518	Day's run:  Surfaced          35 nm
			Weather:  NW 2, Sea 1-2, 2/10, Vis. very good	Submerged      40 nm
				Total                75 nm
		16.00	BF 2517
		20.00	BF 2462
		21.55		Surfaced.  Transit around Scilly's to Land's End.
				Because up to now day submerged attack has not been possible, and there is no traffic at night at Lizzard, will attempt to attack convoys at night at Land's End.
		22.00		Radio Message from B.d.U. to "U-141"
				In the period from 21 July 16.00 hours to 22 July 06.00 hours at Land's End 1 from north to east and 1 reverse running convoy is expected.    B.d.U.
		24.00	BF 2453
			Weather:  NW 1-2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 19.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.07.41

	- 6 -
		21.07.41	Isles of Scilly
		04.00	BF 2413
		06.10	BF 2421	Crash dive for aircraft, was unseen.
				Proceeded submerged.
		08.00	BF 2188
		09.25	BF 2188	Convoy in sight bearing 100°T, 6000 meters away.  Course 220°. Distinguished:  1 destroyer, 6 small steamers, several fighter aircraft.  Could not attack, forced to submerge by aircraft, additionally range too great.  Was probably not seen by the aircraft because no listening pursuit was initiated.  Back and forth in position on various course off Land's End.
		12.00	BF 2197	Day's run:  Surfaced          64 nm
			Weather:  SW 1, light flat W-Swell, 1/10, Vis. good	Submerged      32 nm
				Total                96 nm
		15.15		Surfaced.  Ventilated the boat.  Coast is vaguely seen in the haze.  The daily, many-hour submerged cruise gets tiring over time.
		15.30		Dived.  Also now aircraft everywhere.
		16.00	BF 2197
		16.33		Patrol vessel (fishing trawler) with barrage balloon course 60° passed close by.
		20.00	BF 2186
		23.00		Surfaced.
		23.12	BF 2431	Crash dive for aircraft abeam.
		23.45		Surfaced.
		24.00	BF 2431
			Weather:  Wind 0, Sea 0, 4/10, Vis. good
		22.07.41	Isles of Scilly
		04.00	BF 2189	Up to now nothing is seen of the reported convoys.
		06.00	BF 2189	Since no traffic is detected, I believe that  neither independents nor convoys proceed by night.  Because by day there are only the strongest escorted convoys composed of small vessels, I believe the ful commitment of the boat is not sensible here due to attack limitations.  Therefore I have decided to shift my operations area to the North Channel.
		07.20	BF 2187	Crash dive for aircraft bearing 350°T.
		08.00	BF 2179
		09.35		Surfaced.
		09.45	BF 2179	Crash dive for aircraft bearing 240°T.
		10.35		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 21.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.07.41

	- 7 -
		continued
		22.07.41
		12.00	BF 1399	Day's run:  Surfaced          65 nm
			Weather:  NE 1, Sea 0, 3/10, Vis. good	Submerged      34 nm
				Total                99 nm
		16.00	BF 1375	Transit to the west.
		20.00	BF 1283	Short Signal to B.d.U.:
				Shifting operations area to AM center part.
				- U-141 -
				Despite sending twice the Signal was not confirmed.
		24.00	BF 1271
			Weather:  NE 2, Sea 1, 6/10, Vis. very good
		23.07.41	South of Ireland
		04.00	BF 1151
		08.00	BE 3331
			Weather:  SW 1, flat Swell, 9/10, Vis. very good
		10.45	AM 7967	Crash dive for aircraft bearing 90°T.
		12.00	AM 7967	Day's run:  Surfaced          220 nm
			Weather:  SW 1, flat Swell, 9/10, Vis. very good	Submerged          5 nm
				Total                225 nm
		14.30		Surfaced.
		16.00	AM 7937
		20.00	AM 7667
		22.00		Radio Message to B.d.U.:  Shifting operations area to AM center part.    - U-141 -
		24.00	AM 7394
			Weather: SW 3, Sea 3, 9/10, Vis. good
		24.07.41	West of Ireland
		04.00	AM 7332
		08.00	AM 4962
			Weather:  S 5-6, long high Swell, 10/10, occasional rain, Vis. moderate
		12.00	AM 4933	Day's run:  Surfaced          194 nm
			Weather:  S 5-6, high long Swell, 10/10, Vis. moderate	Submerged          4 nm
				Total                198 nm
		16.00	AM 5473
		20.00	AM 5461

	Sun and Moon Data 22.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 24.07.41

	- 8 -
		continued
		24.07.41
		24.00	AM 5278	In English warning area.
			Weather:  S 2, flat long Swell, 10/10, Vis. medium
		25.07.41	West of the North Channel
		04.00	AM 5258	Back and forth in position on various courses in the English restricted area.
		08.00	AM 5522
			Weather:  SW 1, light Swell, 9/10, Vis. good
		08.15		Aircraft ahead to port.
		08.25	AM 5522	Crash dive for aircraft bearing 90°T, was unseen.
		12.00	AM 5525	Day's run:  Surfaced         133 nm
				Submerged       10 nm
				Total               143 nm
		12.47		Surfaced.
		16.00	AM 5526
		20.00	AM 5286
			Weather:  W 1, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. very good
		20.05	AM 5286	Smoke cloud in sight bearing 0°T.  Closed at high speed.
		21.50		Turned away because a patrol vessel (fishing trawler) was distinguished.  Ran from on course 180°.
		24.00	AM 5258
			Weather:  W 1, Sea 0, 8/10, Vis. very good
		26.07.41	West of the North Channel.
		00.10	AM 5258	Smoke cloud in sight to port bearing 90°.  Turned towards.
		00.50	AM 5282	Made out a convoy, approximate course 250°.  About 20 vessels in 4-5 columns.  Enemy ran at low speed.  Tried to maneuver ahead at GF on the dark SW horizon and wait for greater darkness.  In so doing the enemy came up slowly.  Meanwhile determined that there were 4-5 columns with at least 40 large, some very large ships.  Ships were partially loaded.  Ahead of the convoy 3 destroyers, on the port side 2 destroyers, screen to the starboard side and aft not distinguished.  Within the convoy columns individual escort vessels, probably corvettes and fishing trawlers.
		01.46	AM 5276	To Action Stations, all tubes ready.  Ran in.  Because a destroyer came towards the boat at target angle 0°, moved off and maneuvered ahead again.

	Sun and Moon Data 24.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 25.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 26.07.41

	- 9 -
		continued
		26.07.41
		02.25	AM 5275	Enemy runs on course 250°, speed 7-8 knots.
				Ran in.
				Radio Message report not yet sent because striving for exact data.
		03.28	AM 5276	Sweeper passed the boat to port at a distance of 600 meters.  Tube II fired at a large 6000 GRT steamer proceeding in ballast in the 2nd column with bow left, target angle 50°, speed 8 knots, range 1200 meters, depth 4 meters.
				After the shot turned away over the starboard bow because a destroyer approached at a sharp target angle.
				Ran off for a moment and then turned back again.
		03.35	AM 5276	Fired tube I on a steamer with 4 masts and 1 smokestack of at least 10000 GRT. Steamer was positioned in the first column.  Bow left, target angle 90°, speed 7 knots, range 600 meters, depth 4 meters.
				Tube III fired at a steamer of the 3rd column of about 5000-6000 GRT.  Bow left, target angle 90°, speed 7 knots, range 1000 meters, depth 4 meters.
				1st hit on a 6000 GRT steamer of the 2nd column.  Crew went into the boats.  Several lights on deck which moved to the center of the ship.  Later noticed a 2nd detonation, probably a boiler explosion.  Sinking not observed because other ships covered the target.
				2nd hit center on 4-master which quickly heeled over to starboard.  Final sinking not observed, however likely.
				3rd hit aft on a steamer of the 3rd column.  Normal explosion column, afterwards an enormous detonation, the ship was engulfed in a single gray explosion cloud.  Steamer flew into the air.
				After taking the 3rd shot turned away hard to port.  Aft destroyer of the flank screen was quite close to the boat.  After the first hit white signal rockets were fired from the hit steamer.  Destroyer, which had turned towards us at target angle 0° turned away again.  At the 3rd hit the destroyer shot Star Shells.  Because the destroyer was a ways off attempted to moved off on the surface on course 160°.  When the destroyer turned towards the boat again, crash dived.
		03.45	AM 5276	Went to depth T = 75 meters [actual depth 150 meters] in 5 minutes.
		03.50		8 depth charges over the boat.  Depth setting at least T = 60 meters [120 meters].  Severe concussion in the boat, all depth meters failed, boat remained tight.
				Up to 10.00 hours there followeddepth charge series at only intervals of 1/2 - 1 hours, which were always very close to the boat.  2-3 enemy vessels stuck with the boat.  Strong S-gear locating and depth sounding with small explosive charges.  All efforts to get away from the locating were unsuccessful.  The boat drove between T = 75 and T = 100 meters [150 and 200 meters].  From the avoidance maneuvers and rising of

Sun and Moon Data 26.07.41

	- 10 -
		continued
		26.07.41		the boat to T = 60 meters [120 meters], carried out to pump, the battery was strongly discharged.  After each pumping there followed a depth charge attack.  My estimate was that the depth charges were set deeper than T = 60 meters [120 meters], at T = 80-90 meters [160-180 meters] the boat was so badly shaken that switches and fuses failed.
				In order not to be starved [exhaust the battery], I want to put the boat on the bottom at a suitable location.  Since pursuit has not diminished and evasive maneuvers are not working, moved off in 140° at T = 80-90 meters [160-180 meters].
				Despite the severe attack the boat remained very tight.  Major failures were not determined.  A few frames are lightly bent.  Battery was nearly empty so the boat could only be held [at depth] by blowing.  The question, whether we would reach bottom in time or would have to blow and abandon ship, was more grueling than any depth charge attacks.  The crew, which was perfectly clear as to the situation, held up excellently.  The boat was ready for destruction.  In particular, the radio men served excellently, calmly giving their listening reports while making repeated repairs to the failed G.H.G.
		10.30	AM 5287 lower-left	The last depth charges fell exactly over the boat.  Thereafter continual locating and blind runs.
				From . . .
		11.30		propeller sounds were fainter and more distant temporarily.  It seemed that the enemy had lost us on the locating gear, because the water depth was slowly decreasing.  The morale rose.  The battery was nearly empty.
		12.05	AM 5521	Grounded in T = 95 meters [190 meters].  The boat was set on the bottom at this depth because the motors can barely make any RPM.  I now intend to remain on the bottom only until darkness, in the hope that the enemy has given up the search.  Except for the bottom watch all men rest with potassium cartridges.  120 kg of compressed air ensured a safe rise from the bottom.
				Listening pursuit, S-gear locating and depth charge series continued in the immediate vicinity of the boat.  Boat was no longer overrun.  Therefore the enemy had lost contact on the boat with listening gear, however continued to search.
		16.00 - 21.30		Aircraft bombs very close, further depth charge series at greater range.  The boat lies very well on the bottom.
		23.30		Last sound bearing, very far away.

Sun and Moon Data 26.07.41

	- 11 -
		27.07.41
		00.00	West of the North Channel	All men are issued life-vests and rescue gear.  I intend to blow at 00.30 hours.
		00.15		All men in the control room.  A short briefing on the situation and behavior, if on surfacing, the boat is caught by the enemy and must be sunk.  A second lying on the bottom is not possible because there is not enough air for a second blowing.
		00.35		Blew.
		00.45		Boat was raised from the bottom and rose quickly.
		00.55	Weather:  Wind calm, flat sea, 7/10, quite dark, Vis. good	After 10 minutes, the boat surfaced.  Nothing is seen of the enemy.  Moved off on westerly courses.  For the present the boat is not clear to dive because the battery is completely exhausted and there is only 30 kg of compressed air remaining.
		01.30		2-engined aircraft 300 meters above us, we were unseen.
		02.00		Radio Message from B.d.U. to U-141:
				English aircraft reported on 26 July 1941 at 12.00 hours a suspicious oil slick in square AM 5521.
				The position matches ours exactly, probably the external tanks leak.
		02.00		Star shell bearing 230°T.
		02.30	AM 5516	Enormous oil slick on the water surface.
		03.30	AM 5515	Parachute flare bearing 180°T, the enemy is still searching.
		04.00	AM 5514
			Weather:  SW 2, Sea 1, 10/10, Vis. good
		05.15	AM 5435	2 patrol vessels bearing 330°T.  Moved off to the SW.
		08.00	AM 5428	Battery is half charged, boat is ready to dive again.  Since lightness strong air surveillance.
		08.25	AM 5427	Crash dive for 4 aircraft.
		09.41		Surfaced.
		10.41	AM 5427	Crash dive for an aircraft astern.
		11.30		1 aircraft bomb.
		12.00	AM 5419	Day's run:  Surfaced          56 nm, Submerged         5 nm
			Weather:  SW 2, Sea 1, 10/10, Vis. good	Total:  61 nm
				Up to now no serious damage was detected except for the oil trace.  The boat held up wonderfully.  Failed fuses and minor damage were nearly all quickly repaired.  Fire control system and engine telegraphs remain out of service, cannot

Sun and Moon Data 27.07.41

	- 12 -
		continued
		27.07.41
				be repaired with on board means.  Radios were temporarily out of service because of water entry in the antenna ducts.
				I intend to move off to the west, to bring the boat completely in order and give the crew some relaxation and recovery if possible.
		14.48	AM 5419	7 aircraft bombs far off.
		16.00	AM 5419
		17.25		Surfaced.
		20.00	AM 4663
			Weather:  SW 3-4, Sea 3, 10/10, fog, Vis. bad
		24.00	AM 4651
			Weather:  NNW 6-7, Sea 5, 10/10, fog, Vis. bad
		28.07.41
		04.00	AM 4532
		08.00	AM 4281	Determined that the exhaust gas valves are probably out of service.  After grinding the outer exhaust gas valves leak very heavily while cruising on the surface.  Intend a test dive in the afternoon.
		12.00	AM 4163	Day's run:  Surfaced        137 nm
			Weather:  WNW 3, short Swell, 9/10, Vis. good	Submerged        4 nm
				Total              141 nm
		15.10	AM 4122	Test dive to T = 25 meters.  Determined that the outer exhaust gas valves leak completely.  Large amounts of water entered, full outboard pressure at the inner exhaust gas valve and drain valves.  Boat is only cleared for diving to shallow depths.
		16.10	AM 4122	Surfaced.  Substantial oil trace determined.  Therefore I decided to break off the patrol.  Came to southerly course.
		20.00	AM 4181	Radio Message transmitter is in service again.
		22.00		Radio Message to B.d.U.:
				26 July 03.00 hours outbound convoy 5275, 8 knots, course 270°, 40 ships, strong escort.  20-hour depth charge pursuit.  3 steamers 21000 GRT.  Main exhaust gas valve leaks.  2 Etos.  Request return transit Lorient.    "U-141"
		23.00		Radio Message to "U-141"
				"U-141" begin return transit to Lorient.    B.d.U.
		24.00	AM 4434
			Weather:  NW 4, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 27.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.07.41

	- 13 -
		29.07.41	West of Ireland
		01.00		Radio Message to "U-141"
				"U-141" Bravo!    B.d.U.
				Great joy all over at recognition.
		04.00	AM 4491
		08.00	AM 4737	Radio Message:
				Return harbors are:  Brest for "U-561",
				Lorient for "U-68 and "U-141",
				Nazaire for "U-203".    B.d.U.
		08.43	AM 4761	Dived.  Worked on the torpedoes.
		12.30	AM 4767	Day's run:  Surfaced       =   174 nm
			WNW 5, Sea 4, 6/10, Vis. good	Submerged   =        8 nm
				Total             =    182 nm
		16.00	AM 7137
		20.00	AM 7197
		24.00	AM 7467
			Weather:  W 3-4, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. good
		30.07.41	Southwest of Ireland
		04.00	AM 7761
		06.40	AM 791	Came to course 130°.
		08.00	BE 3133
		12.00	BE 3249	Day's run:  Surfaced      =   230 nm
			Weather:  NW 4, Sea 3, 5/10, Vis. good	Submerged  =       1 nm
				Total                 231 nm
		16.00	BE 3538
		20.00	BE 3657
		24.00	BF 1477	Short Signal to B.d.U.:  Position 36 hours off return harbor.
			Weather:  NNW 4, Sea 4, 7/10, Vis. medium	B.d.U.
		31.07.41	Bay of Biscay
		04.00	BF 1756
		08.00	BF 4212
		09.30	BF 4216	Crash dive for aircraft.  2 aircraft bombs in the vicinity.
		10.30		Surfaced.
		10.45	BF 4227	Crash dive for aircraft.
				Radio Message from B.d.U.:  The following convoys will be at Point L 2 on 1 August:
				08.00 hours for "U-68" and 12.00 hours for "U-141"
				B.d.U.
		12.00	BF 4228

	Sun and Moon Data 29.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 30.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 31.07.41

	- 14 -
		continued
		31.07.41
		12.00	BF 4228	Day's run:  Surfaced       =  220 nm
				Submerged   =     10 nm
				Total             =  230 nm
		13.05	Weather:  NNW 4-5, Sea 4, 8/10, Vis. good	Surfaced.
		13.50	BF 4229	Crash dive for aircraft.
		15.00		Surfaced.
		15.40	BF 4264	Crash dive for aircraft.
		16.45		Surfaced.
		18.50	BF 4344	Crash dive for aircraft.
		19.20		Surfaced.
		20.00	BF 4345
		24.00	Weather:  N 3, Sea 3, 8/10, Vis. good
		01.08.41	Bay of Biscay	Transit to Lorient.
		14.15		Taken in convoy.
		16.00		Released escort.
		16.30	Lorient	Made fast.
				Day's run:  Surfaced       =   240 nm
				Submerged   =     10 nm
				Total             =   250 nm
				= = = = = = = = = =
			From 14.7. - 1.8.41 total nautical miles covered:
				Surfaced       =  2282 nm
				Submerged   =    241 nm
				Total            =   2523 nm
				= = = = = =

	Sun and Moon Data 31.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 01.08.41

	- 15 -
			Special War Experiences:
			= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
		Isles of Scilly.       1.) Each day a convoy, either from east to west or vice versa.  Traffic only by day.  No independents.  In convoys medium to small vessels.   2.) Very strong escort of 3-5 destroyers, corvettes, torpedo boats and fishing trawlers.  Escort by fighter and bomber aircraft.  S-gear.  Each vessel of the convoy including escorts carries barrage balloons.   3.) Convoys passed at a distance of 2-3 nm from the coast, ran over own barrier between Scilly's - Land's End and Scilly's - Lizzard.   4.) Bearing 200°T, 3 nm from Lizzard black spar lighted buoy.  Identifier:  repeats every 10 seconds.   5.) Attack against a convoy in these shallow waters and with the strong escort promises only slight tonnage at the same time with full commitment of the boat.       North Channel.       1.) During depth charge pursuit on 26 July the boat  held well at depth up to T = 100 meters. [200 meters]     It was impossible to pump at depths over T = 65 meters. [130 meters]     Usable means of pumping at great depths must be established.   2.) Setting for depth charges were at least T = 65 meters [130 meters], probably still deeper.           During the outbound and inbound transit the boat was often hunted in the in the area of the French coast by English aircraft.  At the same time none of our own aircraft were noted!                                                                                                      Oberleutnant zur See and Kommandant

	Comments of the B.d.U.  :
	An outstanding patrol.  The Kommandant exhausted all available possibilities in the attack as well as during pursuit, and so achieved success and brought the boat back home well.
		For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
		The Chief of the Operations Department.

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