Rough Report of U-2326's Operation from 19th/27th April. |
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Ran out of Stavanger at 2300 on the 19th and were escorted as far as Sveinane. Dived at 0100 on the 20th and proceeded across the North Sea. While at 50 meters we ran into an English minefield and were obliged to dive deeply. On the afternoon of the 23rd at about 1400 I sighted a convoy from Aberdeen escorted by several frigates and smaller escorts. As the convoy was too far away no attack was carried out. on the way south we had an alarm at about 1730. At 1830 4-5 Depth charge explosions were heard every 10 minutes. Proceeded southwards in the direction from which the explosions were coming, at 20 metres, as I suspected that this was the position of the convoy. At 2100 we heard noises on the hydrophones. There was still nothing to be seen through the periscope. The noises were those of screws turning at high speed. At 2130 I saw two corvettes and a Liberty ship of about 9000 tons. The inclination was quite large (about 90) and its outline clear. Estimated speed of the enemy was 10 knots. Submerged attack had to be broken off at 2245 as it had become too dark. At 2250 we surfaced and followed the merchant vessel. The distance between the boat and the target was gradually closing. Found that the merchant vessel was not being escorted by two corvettes but being towed by two tugs. In spite of bright moonlight I decided to remain surfaced. The target's outline was very clear and it seemed as though it had grown to love me. At about 2355 I fired both torpedoes but at the moment of firing the merchant vessel altered course 80 degrees to starboard. Both torpedoes missed on account of this. On the 24th at about 0010 I crash-dived ahead of an escort which had been gaining on me from the northward, and got away at best speed towards the minefield west of us. Our depth was then 50 metres as it had been beforehand. Only a few Depth charge explosions were heard quite a long way away from us. I immediately made my way back to Stavanger, which we reached at 0800 on the 27th April. |
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General Remarks: |
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Because of the short duration of the voyage no special observations of convoy traffic were made. In the period from 23/iv to 0900 on the 24th about 180 Depth charge explosions were heard. There were no defects nor was there any communication by W/T. |
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Rough Translation of Report of U.2326's Operation from 4th/20th May. |
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Left Stavanger on the 4th May at 0100 and was again escorted as far as Sveinane. Then dived to 50 meters and went across the North Sea and the English minefield just north of Aberdeen. In order to charge the batteries we snorkeled every day between 2300 and approximately 0330. We also ventilated the boat for 10-15 minutes between 1200 and 1400. Just about half way from Aberdeen to Peterhead we altered course to the southward on the British convoy course. That was at about midday on the 7th. |
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It had been impossible until then to fix our position as the weather had been drizzly and soundings did not give an accurate fix. On the 8th we were abreast May Island. The clouds broke for a short while and the Island was quite clearly visible. At midday I was run over by two destroyers which were coming from the East on route up the Firth of Forth. The boat was not detected. During the night of the 8th/9th May we bottomed in 60 metres near May Island. In the forenoon of the 9th we heard noises of ships' screws on the hydrophones. We came off the bottom and proceeded in the direction of the noise. Through the periscope I saw that a corvette and a frigate had already passed over me. Inclination was very great (160-180). About five minutes later a small escort ship passed along my port side about 200 metres away. This was too short a range at which to fire so I did not attack. Astern of the convoy, - a tanker of 1500 tons and a small coaster of 500-800 tons - were two more frigates. One of them turned towards me. I dived to 40 metres and made off south-wards towards Abbs Head. In the evening at 2200 I surfaced, both to charge the batteries and to try to get W/T reception. |
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As I had heard no depth charge explosions nor W/T messages, I decided to go north to Aberdeen and then eastwards into the North Sea. I hoped to hear W/T messages as I approached Norway. On the morning of the 10th May at 0010 I heard the news by Norwegian Radio that Germany had capitulated. At 0230 I passed a big convoy coming from the north but as I was not sure whether the Norwegian station ha spoken the truth or not I did not attack the convoy. Our position was then between the convoy course and the English minefield. I altered course to the northward. At this time the batteries were fully charged. I proceeded further north at slow speed. At about 0430 we sighted a 10,000 ton tanker which was being escorted northward by a frigate. I had still had no orders by W/T. The frigate attacked me and I crash dived when she was 300 metres away. No depth charges were dropped. At about 1430 I was on the surface between Aberdeen and Peterhead. I then went eastwards through the minefield. |
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On the 11th of May I surfaced in order to wait for orders from operations. The English station gave us news of our surrender and said that German submarines in our area were to make for German Ports. In Kiel they said the British Admirals Flag was flying. As I was already far into the North Sea and only knew the position of the minefields in the northern part of the North Sea near the Skagerrak and Kattegat I decided to make for Kiel. On the evening of the 11th and the morning of the 12th we had our first complete W/T instructions. On the 10th was had heard that all W/T transmissions were to cease. I had a black flag placed next to our ensign and told the crew of the instructions in the signal. The transmission of my P.C.S. was not heard by the British Station. At 0700 on the 12th A Liberator flew over us and demanded my number. This I gave and again proceeded. Further flashing was very difficult for we could only read part of what was sent. The Liberator flew very low over us, circled and then dropped a bomb. After about two minutes I was ordered to steer 270. I turned to this and proceeded at best speed. This aircraft was later relieved by another. By this time the British Station GZZ 110 had heard our P.C.S. signal and told us to make for Loch Eriboll. The |
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last we heard from the aircraft was "See you in Dundee". From this I took it that I should go to Dundee. During the night of the 12th and 13th of May we had no aircraft escort. I went westwards on the surface. On the morning of the 12th the destroyer L.33 came to meet me. O told him my number and my intentions of steering for Dundee. I was told to go to Edinburg. On the afternoon of the 13th I sighted the defense vessel at one end of the minefield, and as I did not know my position I went straight up to him and said "I have orders to go to Edinburg and wish to know my position". I was told to steer a westerly course. At the same time, along came an R.A.F. rescue launch, and told us to follow him to Dundee. I took up station astern of the launch. On the 14th of May I waited in the proximity of Bell Rock for further instructions. The launch returned at 0500 and took me into Dundee where I secured alongside King George Wharf. The boat was searched and all firearms were removed. All secret code books etc., were given up and scuttling charges handed over. On the morning of the 16th we left Dundee to fire our Type T IIIA torpedoes near the minefield. THis was done under the supervision of the Commanding Officer of P 34. At 1900 we left for Loch Eriboll with two officers, 1 P.O. and a signalman from P.34 on board. We were escorted by a frigate and made fast alongside another in Loch Eriboll on the morning of the 18th. In the afternoon the boat was visited by the Senior British Officer present. Escorted by a frigate we left for Loch Alsh and on the 19th K483 escorted us to Londonderry. |
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General Remarks: |
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The W/T communications were very bad in both operations. Submerged, using the Snorkel aerial, and on the surface using both main and auxiliary aerials it was almost impossible to receive anything. Neither long nor short waves could at any time be received over the D/F aerial. Pressure when using the Snorkel varied from 250-280 millibars. This had no adverse effect on the crew's ears, but it was very damp. The Commanding Officer and 1st Lieutenant were fully cross-examined by Captain Keay in Dundee. |
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Signed Tobst |
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Ob.Lt.zs.u.Kmqt. |
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U.2326 |
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