U-266 - 2nd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Lost	Date	Days at Sea
St. Nazaire	14 April 1943		15 May 19443	32

 

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Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
5 May 43	21.50	53°09'N, 45°05'W	BONDE	1,570	Norwegian	ONS-5
5 May 43	21.50	53°09'N, 45°05'W	SELVISTAN	5,136	British	ONS-5
5 May 43	21.50	53°09'N, 45°05'W	GHARINDA	5,306	British	ONS-5
			Total = 12,012
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.

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				Kriegstagebuch "U 266".
				Komdt.:  Kaptlt. v.Jessen.
				(Resonstructed by 2.Skl./B.d.U.Op.)
		17.02.43	St. Nazaire	Arrived.
		19.02.43	"        "	To the shipiyard.
		to
		10.04.43	"        "	Shipyard period.
		13.04.43	"        "	Operational readiness.
		14.04.43	"        "	Departed with orders to head for BE 51.
		18.31		From U-266:  Have anchored due to thick fog.
				Escort lost.
		21.02		From U-266:  Lay at anchor at Nanni 2, fog continues.
		15.04.43
		04.26		U-266 continued with escort.
		18.04.43
		12.45	BE 6859	U-266 gave passing report.
		19.04.43
		22.15		From B.d.U.: New objective is AL 15.
		21.04.43
		17.21	BE 2159	From U-266:  Large three smokestack vessel, suspect QUEEN MARY, course 15°, speed 28 knots.  Gave up hunt.
		22.04.43
		17.30		From B.d.U.:  3 boats, Jessen, 7 boats on 25 April 08.00 hours be in reconnaissance line as Group "Amsel" from AK 2966 to AK 6799.  Course 260°, day's run 150 nm.
		23.04.43
		01.09	AL 57	U-266 report weather.
		25.04.43
		03.33		From U-266:  Operational orders cannot be carried out due to weather conditions.
		26.04.43
		19.21		From B.d.U.:  Group "Amsel" with 2 boats, Jessen, 10 boats, be in reconnaissance line on 27 April 08.00 hours from AK 5535 to AK 9576, course 205°, speed so as to pass the position line from AK 8183 to BD 2621 on 28 April at 08.00 hours.
		28.04.43
		07.57	AK 7366	On orders, to operate on U-377-report U-266 reported that up to now nothing was found.
		09.05		From B.d.U.:  U-266 continue searching to the northeast.
		29.04.43
		13.25		From B.d.U.:  New Group "Amsel" in named order 2 boats, Jessen, 12 boats on 1 May 08.00 hours be in patrol line from BC 2622 via 3875 to 1853.  Boat spacing 20 nm.
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	- 1 -
		03.05.43
		18.57		From B.d.U.:  Assignment of Group "Amstell II"  2 boats, Jessen, 2 boats with economical transit speed occupy patrol line from AJ 9761 to BC 3247.
		05.05.43
		16.02		U-266 reports contact on convoy.
		20.19	AJ 8361	U-266 reports convoy course 180°.
		06.05.43
		00.32		Moving off to repair depth charge damage.  Sinking of 1 of 5000 GRT certain, second of 500 GRT likely, because of sinking sounds.  2 further detonations heard perfectly.  Enemy located 21.50 hours AJ 8359, course 200°, 7 knots.  4 Etos, 2 Atos.  (Number of Etos uncertain).
		07.05.43
		12.01		From B.d.U.:  As new Group "Elbe" in order 5 boats,   Jessen, 11 boats on 8 May 08.00 houts be in patrol line from AJ 9421 to BC 6246.
		20.17	AJ 9923	From U-266:  Depth charge failures:  Main ballast tank 3, regulating tanks port, Junkers-compressor, starboard E-motor still out of service.  Am clear to dive.  Return transit 45 cbm.
		22.07		From U-266:  To Wenzel-report:  My position 18.00 hours AJ 9921, during dive attempt Under Water Telegraphy barely audible, could not be distinguished.
		08.05.43
		08.55		From B.d.U.:  Go to U-461 in AK 8769.  Today 18.00 hours switch to Diana Circuit.
		09.05.43
		13.37		U-266 requests bearing signals to meet.
		11.05.43
		23.10		From B.d.U.:  On 12 May 08.00 hours switch to Hubertus Circuit.
		12.05.43		Supply from U-461 completed.
		22.27		From B.d.U.:  On 13 May at 08.00 hours switch to Coastal Circuit.
			There were no further messages from U-266.  Requests from 21 May for arrival reports were unanswered.
			Except for several U-boat sightings by enemy aircraft in BD, BE and BF there is no indication concerning the loss.
			U-266 was declared missing one star with effect from 21 May 1943 on 3 June, on 23 February 1944 missing two stars.
			Total loss is accepted.
				For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote.
				- The Chief of the Operations Department -

 

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