U-boat Archive - U-boat KTB - U-177 1st War Patrol

R A D I O L O G - E X C E R P T " U - 177 ".

Important incoming Radio Message from Control, U-178, U-181

17.09.42	To 5. U.-Flottille:
	U-177, U-441, U-442 at 11.00 hours taken in convoy off Riou. Radio Circuit "KO".

20.09.42	1.) "Hellriegel", "Sturm", "Markworth", "Oelrich" and "Lüth" between 04.00 and 07.00 hours report weather, "Kapitzky" between 24.00 and 04.00 hours.
	2.) "Oelrich", "Gysae" from 21 September at 08.00 hours switch to "Ireland" Circuit, "Essenberg", "Poser" and "Liebe" America II Circuit.

25.09.42	1. "Becker", "Lüth", "Gysae", "Walkerling", "Purkhold" report weather 26 September between 04.00 and 07.00 hours.
	2. On 26 September at 08.00 hours "Heyse", "Ibbecken" switch America II Circuit, "Fechner", "Pfeffer", U-432 Ireland Circuit.
	3. "Wiebe" and "Hartwig" report situation.

29.09.42	New Africa Circuit comes into effect shortly.
	1.) Short Wave Africa I.
	00.00 to 06.00 hours: IW = 7885 Khz, 06.00 to 14.00 hours JP = 13565 Khz, 14.00 to 18.00 hours IQ = 19420 Khz, 18.00 to 24.00 hours JP = 13565 Khz.
	2.) Short Wave Africa II.
	20.00 to 10.00 hours CB = 10818 Khz, 10.00 to 20.00 hours IX = 15880 Khz.
	3.) Very Low Frequency Bordeaux = 15.66 Khz at Program Times:
	05.00 to 06.00 hours, 09.00 to 10.00 hours, 11.30 to 12.00 hours, 14.00 to 15.00 hours, 17.00 to 18.00 hours. From 23.00 to 01.00 hours all messages of the last 24 hours are repeated on Very Low Frequency.

29.09.42	"Lüth" and "Gysae" proceed via DG 90, EH 90, ES 50, GR 80. All naval squares.

01.10.42	"Gysae", "Ibbecken", "Sobe", "Lüth" test antenna amplifier as follows: 1. Compare reception with and without amplifier. 2. In between listen. 3. Reception possibilities on one band, while sending on another band. (Bands are 15-20, 20-30, 30-50 meters)

07.10.42	1.) "Rasch", "Mengersen", "Schäfer, "Makowski" between 04.00 and 07.00 hours report weather. 2) Circuits from 8 October at 08.00 hours

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

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	"Schwartskopff" and "Rigele" Ireland, "Bülow", "Pfeffer", "Deecke" Coastal. "Gysae" Africa. 3.) Löwe brief situation report.

08.10.42	Group "Eisbär" and "Sobe" free to maneuver in area naval square GR 5660.

10.10.42	Have sunk: 08.30 hours in naval square FM 8374 "DUTCHESS OF ATHALL" from Cape Town for England.
	from Ibbecken

18.10.42	Boats in Cape Town Area:
	1.) "Sobe" without regard to own situation report position immediately and/or report situation.
	2.) Other boats new findings and/or successes.

20.10.42	Cape Town boats: 1.) Operations area for U-boats is extended. Eastward limit now runs from JL 2610 via KQ 6110 to KF 53. Naval squares.
	2.) "Ibbecken" free to maneuver in named area according to traffic situation off important harbors.

22.10.42	1.) Italian U-cruiser "CAGNI" is in transit to GR, located about DT 50. Naval squares.
	2.) Appearance: Conning tower similar to German U-boats. Forward and aft each on cannon the forward one slightly raised.

26.10.42	To boats off GR 56:
	1.) As can be seen from situation reports, boats have been operating relatively far from the focal point. With the waning moon close the focal point again. Traffic will restart. See Officer-Only Radio Message. Immediate traffic reports are emphasized.
	2,) For "Poske" and "Witte" if absolutely necessary supply of 30-40 cbm in area DS is anticipated. Free to operate in entire area including KY.
	3.) Do your best. All naval squares.

30.10.42	To "Gysae" and "Lüth" free to maneuver east of the longitude of naval square GR 56 within the entire released area. Each operate according to the defense situation close off the important harbors. The sinking reports of "Poske" and "Witte" are called to your attention.

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02.11.42	Sank 1 Nov "LAURENTIC" square 8530, course 230°, light sea and air. Going to square 53. All naval square KP, 123 cbm. Due to very low acid level strongly irregular Eto run.
	Ibbecken

03.11.42	To "Ibbecken"
	1.) 123 cbm unlikely. A minimum of 223 cbm expected. 2.) Sinking took place in a not authorized area. Southern limit is 40°S. Pay attention to orders. 3.) For the rest, good results.

03.11.42	To Ibbecken
	1.) Acid level can still be sufficient, even if not no longer detectable over the cover plate.
	2.) When there is an opportunity report a) how and in which cells is too low acid level determined, b) in what way irregular Eto run was determined.

04.11.42	To "Ibbecken"
	"LAURENTIC" unquestionably already sunk earlier. When there is an opportunity, report if name perfectly determined or if only similar steamer. Also give estimated tonnage and location of the sinking.

04.11.42	3 November naval square GR 7815 "EAST INDIAN" sunk, did not transmit. Ore from India via naval square KE to New York. Ordered from GR 56: 500 nm SW-course, then Trinidad. Can hardly hear hear wave "JP" by day. Very Low Frequency often heavily distorted. 270 cbm, position 8979.
	"Lüth"

04.11.42	To Southern Boats:
	Over frequencies of the Africa Circuit up to now little success. If over other times of the day communications are bad, during these times observe other frequencies and if they are seen to be usable, add radio report. As far as the military situation allows, occasionally set off during lightness. Since good day communications from boats to the Homeland are of interest.

06.10.42	To Southern Boats:
	Once again you are specifically reminded of observing ordered operations area limits. See Operations Order 53 Paragraph 17.

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08.11.42	Just now naval square KY 6982 6000 tonner, course 280° sunk with torpedo and artillery. 250 cbm.
	"Lüth"

11.11.42	1) Sunk 4 November KP 53 4000 GRT British passenger freighter and "TREKIVE". 2) From 7 to 10 November in square KQ 50 nothing seen except wind and sea. Going to KP 80.
	3) After inspecting photo on the 1st November in KP 8530 not "LAURENTIC" but instead "TALMA-Class" probably coal fired, air escort.
	4) Low acid level in cells found beneath battery doors. Some mold on the cover plate. Acid level of the torpedoes very much below normal. In 3 single shots on the same target with the same good firing data 2 misses.
	5) Frequencies on other circuits not useable. Good reception from 20.00 to 04.00 hours. No reception with antenna amplifier because receiver tube noise is too strong. Very Low frequencies disturbed on the Ireland Circuit. 6) Position KQ 55, 4 plus 9 torpedoes, 135 cbm. All naval squares.
	"Ibbecken"

11.11.42	Radio Message 1945 from "Ibbecken" incompletely received. Use better frequency (Africa I). On Volume report pay attention to the line. Radio repeater jump in.

11.11.42	To "Ibbecken"
	"THALMA" Class was "MENDOZA".

13.11.42	Sank on 10 November in 4681 "K.G. MELDAHL" SE course, from Capetown to Bombay. Cargo aircraft fuselages. Today in 1914 "EXCELLUX", formerly "EXAMINER" course 235° from Suez to Cape Town, 225 cbm. All naval square KZ.
	"Lüth"

17.11.42	1.) Sank: On 13 Nov "LOUISE MOLLER" square KP 9889, Torpedoed 15 November freighter 6000 GRT square KZ 2628. 2 hits center. Ship abandoned by crew. Sinking not observed due to air.

27.11.42	1.) On 15 November square 88 heavy depth charges, damage repaired.
	2.) Sank: square 53 two thousand tonner and "CORINTHIAKOS" with oil for Aden and "ALCOA PATHFINDER", year of construction 42 Cairo - Cape Town. Since 20 November no more departing traffic, traffic running from from NE is difficult to catch, because north border of the operations area is too near. Day before yesterday square 6465 "MOUNT HELMOS". Suez - Cape Town and square 6158 "DORINGTON COURT" course 290°. 3) Bulkhead from the port regulating tank

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	to the negative buoyancy tank completely torn. Transmitted by day in vain. Medium air. 181 cbm, 2 Etos 4 Atos. Position square 63. All KP.
	"Lüth"

27.11.42	On 21 November night two-fan shot square KY 9693 on freighter course 70°. Up to 26 November in area KY 95 to JJ 15 nothing seen. Return transit via GR 76 and FU 75, 145 cbm, 2 plus 4 torpedoes, position JJ 2583. All naval squares.
	"Ibbecken"

29.11.42	1) Sank 27 November "JEREMIAH WADSWORTH" 8000 GRT American new construction. JJ 2557, course 0°, supposedly from "New Orleans to Bombay".
	2) Fuel oil 131 cbm, is enough for return transit at economical speed. Still 1 plus 1 torpedoes. Position GR 8846.
	3) Very Low frequency 15.22 KHZ with all program times no reception. All naval squares.
	"Ibbecken"

30.11.42	On 28 November KP 3742 by torpedo and artillery 4500 tonner, course 240°. There "INHARRIME sighted, neither flag or national emblem illuminated. 2 Etos 3 Atos, 170 cbm, request 40 cbm supply. Position KP 35.
	"Lüth"

30.11.42	To "Gysae"
	Unclear Radio Message solved in all places.
	Officer-Ysop.

01.12.42	Today KP 3525 lightly armed "CLEANTHIS" sank with artillery. Previously undershot with 2 Etos, depth 2 meters, in ballast.
	"Lüth"

04.12.42	1) On 2 December KP 3583 "AMARYLIS" sunk, course 200°. Delayed return transit. 2 Atos, artillery ammunition exhausted. Altogether 12 steamers 57500 GRT. 153 cbm, position KP 91.
	2) In Sea State 4 along with swells, depth keeping poor. Larger diving planes are necessary at least for new construction.
	"Lüth"

06.12.42	"Gysae" On the sinking of "NOVA SCOTIA" report when there is an opportunity: a) What reason did the U-boat have for regarding the ship as an auxiliary cruiser, b) What flag did the ship fly. c) Was the crew recognized as internees or troops before torpedoing. Information required as documentation for propaganda evaluation.

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08.12.42	To U-178, U-177:
	Lüth reports from Sea State 4 along with swells depth keeping is poor. Larger diving planes are necessary at least for new construction. Report own experience.

08.12.42	1.) On 4 December square GQ 5129 circle runner and miss on freighter 5000 GRT, course 60°.
	2.) Experience like "Lüth" cause suspected: a) Larger U-boat length and due to this unfavorable relationship to Sea State length. b) Very sensitive cumbersomeness suggests low lateral stability. c) Difficulty on all courses before and into the seas. d) Effective relief by changing the diving plans expected only with significant enlargement and higher rudder speed.
	2.) With increase of attack depth by one meter significantly better situation determined.
	3.) Out of torpedoes. Position square GF 3957, 111 cbm, all naval squares.
	"Ibbecken"

11.12.42	To "Gysae" and "Lüth"
	Change in Supplemental Operations Order "Eisbar" under mine situation:
	1.) Paragraph 7 e in: 34°15'S, 18°E.
	2.) Paragraph 10 a in: 35°47S, 19°14'E.

13.12.42	"Gysae"
	Return transit possible without supply.

15.12.42	To Serial No. 438 began rapid return transit.
	Transit vis FW 80 given up. 123 cbm, 2 Atos, position GJ 79.
	"Lüth"

16.12.42	Return harbors are: Nazaire for U-465, "Mansek", "Trojer", "Schnoor", "Stiebler". Pallice for "Thurmann". Brest for "Walkerling". "Ibbecken". Bordeaux for "Gysae", "Lüth". Lorient for U-129, "Staats".

24.12.42	From the South Atlantic merry Christmas greetings to all at home. Up to now 58000 GRT sunk. Now a Christmas party in the tropical heat with accordion and home-made fir tree at 30° South.
	"Lüth"

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28.12.42	Accept "Ibbecken" days run 150 nm, meeting 2 January 11.00 hours in DG 3365. Position naval square CF 16. Due to weather increased fuel consumption, 395 cbm.
	"Clausen"

02.01.43	Serial No. 349: Up to now no meeting point ordered. Serial No. full count. Position naval square DG 6391. 49 cbm. Request give by "Lüth or "Gysae".
	"Ibbecken"

07.01.43	On 8 January 08.00 hours "Heyse" switch to Ireland Circuit, "Gysae" America II.

08.01.43	"Gysae"report position, approximate day's run and transit route. "Clausen" from that suggest meeting point as soon as that is foreseen and at reported time take over "Eisbar Order". Experience exchange. After transaction "Gysae" report "Yes".

09.01.43	Suggest meeting 11 January 11.00 hours in EJ 4225, Still 369 cbm.
	"Clausen"

09.01.43	1. "U-177 reports: meeting not possible due to fuel shortage.
	2. Clausen suggest new meeting point accordingly.

09.01.43	Final meeting point "Gysae""Clausen" on 11 January from 18.00 hours in square EJ 3144. No further radio traffic.

12.01.43	"Gysae" report meeting with "Clausen" carried out".

18.01.43	1.) "Geissler", "Scheibe" and "Teichert" report weather by Short Signal between 03.00 and 06.00 hours.
	2.) New objective for "Forstner", "Thurmann", "Rufloff", "Wolf" and "Franke" is naval square AL 97.
	3.) Circuits from 19 January 08.00 hours "Clausen" Africa, "Gysae" and "Scheibe" Coastal, "Schwandke" America II.
	4.) "Bleichrodt" and "Wolfbauer" report by Short Signal "Yes" carrying out of supply.

20.01.43	U-177 will be at meeting point with escort on 22 January 07.00 hours.

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20.01.43	U-177
	Escort positioned 22 January at 08.00 hours Point "Gabel".
	12. U-Flottille

21.01.43	"Gysae"
	Radio Beacon Group 3 runs from now until lightness.
	12. U-Flottille

R A D I O L O G - E X C E R P T " U 177 ".

Outgoing Radio Messages from 17.11.42 to 22.1. 1943.

26.09.42	1.) 23 September Bootsmaat Hennings over board. Noon naval square 9194 aircraft bombs. [position in error 9149]
	2.) Naval square 85 by night horizontally polarized detection 154 cm.
	3.) With current ballast tank distribution strong tendency to undercut before the sea.
	4.) SW 3, 1009 mb, +8°C, overcast, naval square 3929.
	- G Y S A E -

27.09.42	26 September 21.30 hours naval square AL 6540 U-boat hunting group from fast independent with high dummy superstructure and destroyer set out laterally. Both with changing course and speed back and forth in position. Steamer zigzagged with attack each time so that the U-boat was between it and the destroyer. This located on 139 cm horizontally polarized and then ran to the fire lee [between the boat and the steamer]. When approaching the steamer a red light occasionally observed.
	- G Y S A E -

29.09.42	Short Signal weather report: 50°N, 21°W, rising 1012 mb, +14°C, NW 5-6, overcast, Vis. up to 5 nm, high W-Swell.
	- G Y S A E -

11.10.42	01.15 hours naval square EH 3820 American battleship with a destroyer screen, course 330°, 16 knots. After 5 hour hunt shortly before attack detected by searchlight and forced to submerge. Continuing transit.
	- G Y S A E -

05.11.42	1.) Sank 2 November square 1715 ammunition steamer 8000 GRT. Course 130°, Unnoticed. No survivors.
	2.) Otherwise nothing seen. 285 cbm, square 8182, all navel square GR.

	- G Y S A E -

15.11.42	1.) Square KY 6968 empty "CERION" with two day and night approaches undershot. Course 240°, high swell, depth 3 and 3 meters. Checked by marine phosphorescence. Artillery combat broken off after failure of the cannon and defense. No successes.
	2.) Today square KP 8699 passenger steamer "CALIFORNIA" hunted unsuccessfully, course 270°, 16 knots.

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	3.) Boat runs with full switching only 16 knots. Suspect bad fuel.
	4.) Coastal traffic "East London" - "Durban" on the 200-meter line.
	5.) Medium air from KY 68 to KZ 43.
	6.) Square KP 90, all naval squares. 240 cbm.
	- G y s a e -

21.11.42	1. Sank: Yesterday square 9780 large tanker 10000 GRT, with gasoline, course 270°, no survivors. Today square 9910 American "PIERCE BUTLER" course 60° Capetown - Aden with piece goods. 7191 GRT.
	2. 220 cbm, square 90. All naval square KP.
	- G y s a e -

28.11.42	Officer-Only [designation illegible]
	- G y s a e -

29.11.42	1.) Traffic situation "Durban" east sector after last sinkings 5-day traffic break. Strong traffic NE-sector 30-50° via square 8530 observed. There continuous sea patrol. Steamers and groups escorted out and in.
	2.) Auxiliary cruiser course 210°, 14 knots, zigzagging, crew 200 British and 80 South Africans. Mostly dead.
	3.) According to statements: Voyage from Aden to Durban lasted 9 1/2 days. Underway medium enemy traffic. Steamers and escorted groups. No coast of lighthouses seen.
	4.) Square 64, all naval square KP, 195 cbm.
	5.) Used for reception: IF 00.00 - 03.00, 05.00 - 06.00 hours, IT 10.00 - 20.00 hours, CB 03.00 - 05.00, 20.00 - 24.00 hours. Transmitting by day 15.00 - 18.00 hours IZ
	6.) Officer-Only Radio Message Zet from 24 November not solved.
	- G y s a e -

01.12.42	Just now square KP 5925 "LLANDAFF CASTLE" course 205° sunk.
	- G y s a e -

04.12.42	1. Yesterday square 5960 cruiser, course 220°, high speed.
	2. Today steamer hunted up to 8310. Set lights at twilight. Swede "GLIAMAREN", course 220°.
	3. 175 cbm, 2 and 4 torpedoes. All naval square KP.
	- G y s a e -

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11.12.42	1. Sank on 7 December square KP 61 "SARONIKOS" empty from Aden westerly course.
	2. Situation: "Lourenço" 4 days off entrance. Except for neutrals out, nothing seen. City illuminated. Beacons darkened.
	3. Diving planes like Lüth however working.
	4. "NOVA SCOTIA": To a) 3 cannons, many automatic weapons, Mine-measures, bow protection. warship paint with camouflage. Military crew. With certainty auxiliary warship, often related to troop transport.
	To b) No flag. In harbor only a designation signal.
	To c) No,
	5. 4 Atos, 155 cbm, delayed return transit.
	- G y s a e -

13.12.42	1.) Today square 61 "EMPIRE GULL" sunk with torpedo and artillery. In ballast to square 6257 course 220° then west.
	2.) Square 91, 1 Ato, 145 cbm. All naval square KP.
	3.) Counting on 25 cbm supply.
	- G y s a e -

14.12.42	Just now sank naval square KP 8990 "SAWAHLOENTO" empty from Beira to Durban, course 310°. Out of torpedoes. Return transit.
	- G y s a e -

08.01.43	Naval square EJ 64. Day's run 135 nm, 60 cbm.
	- G y s a e -

09.01.43	ßß - Operational orders cannot be carried out due to fuel shortage.
	- U-177 -

09.01.43	Meeting only possible on reported return route. Otherwise tanking necessary. Suggest radio transmission of mine situation Cape area and previously reported traffic situation. Then meeting is no longer necessary.
	- G y s a e -

12.01.43	ßß - " Yes "
	- G y s a e -

20.01.43	ßß - Position 36 hours off meeting point with escort.
	- U-177 -

20.01.43	Unknown U-boat located yesterday 23.00 hours naval square BF 7692.
	- G y s a e -

21.01.43	ßß - Request Radio Beacon Group 3.
	- U-177 -