U-boat Archive - U-487 - Interrogation Report


	U. S. SECRET - BRITISH MOST SECRET
	Op-16-Z


	NAVY DEPARTMENT
	OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
	WASHINGTON





	O.N.I. 250 - G/Serial 20


	REPORT ON THE
	INTERROGATION OF SURVIVORS FROM U-487
	SUNK ON 13 JULY 1943










	21 September 1943


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter	I.	INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

	II.	DETAILS OF U-487

	III.	CREW OF U-487

	IV.	EARLY HISTORY OF U-487

	V.	FIRST PATROL OF U-487

	VI.	2nd AND LAST PATROL OF U-487

	VII.	SINKING OF U-487

	VIII.	SUPPLYING BY U-487

	IX.	BASES, YARDS AND SCHOOLS


ANNEX	A.	TRANSLATION OF NOTE BOOK FROM U-487

ANNEX	B.	CREW LIST OF U-487

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	Chapter I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

	U-487, a 1600-ton German supply U-boat, was sunk on her 2nd patrol by planes from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Core, at 1700 Z, 13 July 1943, at position 27⁰ 15' N - 34⁰ 18' W.

	U-487's Commander Officer, Oberleutnant z. S. der Reserve Helmut Metz* was killed in the action. Of the crew of 58, three officers, one midshipman and 29 men were rescued by the U.S.S. Barker, but two of the men died of their wounds before reaching land and were buried at sea.

	Seventeen others needed immediate medical attention for machine gun wounds, burns, and internal injuries caused by depth charge explosions while the men were in the water. The doctor aboard U.S.S. Tarazed, to which the rescued prisoners were transferred, had to amputate the arm of one of the men.

	Upon arrival in the United States, the 17 wounded men were hospitalized. The remainder were interrogated at the port, and five were brought to an interrogation center.





	__________________________________________________________________________
	* For U.S.N. equivalents of German Navy ranks, see Annex B.



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	Chapter II. DETAILS OF U-487

	TONNAGE.

	1600 tons.

	TYPE.

	XIV (Supply boat).

	BUILDING YARD.

	Built at Deutsche Werke, Kiel.

	FLOTILLA.

	12th Flotilla, Bordeaux.

	C/T DEVICE.

	A whale.

	DIMENSIONS.

	Length -- 67 meters; beam -- about 8 meters; pressure hull -- survivors estimated 20 mm. and about 5 meters in diameter. Survivor stated that space between pressure hull and upper deck was 1.00 to 1.5 meters. Saddle tanks each were 1 to 1-1/2 meters at greatest width. Frames variously estimated 80 cm. to 1 meter apart.

	ARMAMENT.

	One 20 mm. A/A gun forward; one 20 mm. A/A gun on Platform I; triple 20 mm. A/A gun on a platform abaft the c/t, called the "Atlantik Wall"; 4 M.G.'s on bridge, 4 held in reserve.

	TORPEDOES.

	None carried.

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SCUTTLING CHARGES.

Scuttling charges were not set. They were kept in a magazine.

DIESELS.

2 G.W.; 6-cylinders, 950-1,350 H.P. each.

Revolutions:

A.K.	460-470 r.p.m.
G.F.	400-420 r.p.m.
K.F.	200-220 r.p.m.
L.F.	260 r.p.m.

DIESEL OIL.

Survivor estimated 600 tons were carried, of which about 200 tons were intended for own use.

CYLINDER LINERS.

Diesel cylinder-liners for other U-boats were carried in vertical water tight container in upper deck. Inverted U-frame and chain hoist used for removal.

TOP SPEED.

Surfaced -- 16 knots; submerged -- 5 knots.

A survivor stated that U-487 could run 24 hours at emergency speed.

MOTORS.

2 Siemens -- 500 H.P. each.

Revolutions:

A.K.	300 r.p.m.
G.F.
K.F.	150-200 r.p.m.
L.F.	60 r.p.m.

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	BATTERIES.

	162 cells, lead-acid type. Capacity per cell, 9,000 to 13,000 ampere hours, depending upon age and state of charge.

	COMPRESSOR.

	1 Junkers 4-stage compressor in Diesel compartment.
	1 electric compressor in motor compartment.

	WORKSHOP.

	Carried lathe, drill-press, grinder, electric welder and oxy-acetylene for own use. Flasks carried in upper deck; connections on bridge. Did no repair work for other U-boats.

	RADAR.

	Not fitted.

	RADAR DECOY BALLOONS.

	Carried but never used.

	G.S.R.

	METOX R600, covering wave length 150-250 cm.; demountable "Southern Cross" aerial.

	RADIO.

	Principal transmitter -- 200-watt Telefunken, covering waveband 20-80 meters.

	Emergency transmitter -- 40-watt Telefunken.

	HF transmitter for under-water telegraphy. This transmitter had a range of four miles. It had two antennas, each consisting of a

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	circular disk of a copper-zinc alloy, six inches in diameter and one-eighth inch in thickness. One disk was attached to the outside of the pressure hull amidships on the port side, and the other in the same position on the starboard side. A lead-in wire ran from the center of each disk into the transmitter in the radio room.

	All-wave receiver -- Telefunken.

	Short wave receiver -- Telefunken, covering wave-lengths from 10 to 200 meters.

	DF -- low frequency only.

	CALL SIGNALS.

	A radioman explained that every U-boat has two call signals(Rufnamen):

	1. Visual ("optischer Rufname", also "Flaggenname") which is used for semaphore or flag signaling. It usually remains unchanged but might be changed after a year or so. U-487's visual signal was Ulli Viktor Gustaf.

	2. Radio call signal (Funkname). This changes frequently, sometimes daily. U-487's radio call signal on the day of her sinking was Ida Ida Viktor.

	S.B.T.

	Fitted.

	G.H.G.

	Fitted.

	K.D.B.

	Not fitted.

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	STEERING GEAR.

	A.E.G. remote control push button gear. A portable switch box for the bridge was carried in the conning tower.

	GYRO COMPASS.

	In addition to the usual gyro compass and repeaters, a portable repeater for the bridge was carried in the conning tower.

	RUBBER DINGHIES.

	Three stowed under forward deck. Each 2 meters long. These were not used for transferring supplies.

	OUTBOARD MOTOR.

	Outboard motor carried on 1st patrol for rubber dinghy; stored in upper deck container.

















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	Chapter III. CREW OF U-487

	OFFICERS.

	All the officers of U-487 were reservists. The Commanding Officer, Oberleutnant z. See d.R. Metz, was killed by machine gun fire on the bridge of his boat during the fatal attack. He was in his late 30's. He was well liked by his men and described as a good commanding officer: competent, firm and affable.

	Metz lived in Hamburg where, in civil life, he conducted a successful whaling business. At one time, survivors said, he owned and operated three whaling ships. Presumably this accounts for the whale conning tower badge used by U-487. Metz was married in Hamburg several years ago, and was the father of a 2-year-old boy.

	Little is known of the engineer officer, Leutnant (Ing.) d.R. Köhler, or the ship's doctor, Oberassistenzarzt Schmidt, who also were casualties.

	The other officers were rescued: the Executive Officer, Leutnant z. See d.R. Hans Fross, age 28; the 2nd Watch Officer, Leutnant z. See d.R. Günther Burose, age 32; and the 2nd engineer officer, Leutnant (Ing.) d.R. Ernst Karl Niegemann, age 24.

	Leutnant d.R. Frese's home is in Hamburg. He was an officer in the merchant marine, serving with the Deutsch-Afrika Linie, before entering the German Navy after the war began. Both Burose and Niegemann were quiet and friendly men, but, like Frese, extremely security conscious.

	A midshipman Oberfähnrich z. S. Joachim Krug, age 32, had worked up from the ranks. He was severely wounded in the action, and was not available for interrogation.

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	MEN.

	The crew as a whole had no particular characteristics to distinguish it from most U-boat crews. All but a few of the men were extremely security conscious, but it was noteworthy that three of the exceptions were petty officers.

	About half of the crew were serving in their first U-boat. Their youth and inexperience were balanced, however, by older petty officers. One Obermaschinist had served on a U-boat in the last war. Another of the older crew members had been broken from petty officer's rank to apprentice seaman (Matrose) for kissing an officer's girl and for minor peculations of canteen stores.

	One crew member was Polish, born and educated in Posen. He was drafted to the German armed services.











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	Chapter IV. EARLY HISTORY OF U-487

	LAID DOWN.

	Probably autumn 1941.

	STANDING BY.

	Crew members began arriving at the yards in August 1942, to stand by during the final building phases.

	LAUNCHED.

	U-487 was launched 17 September 1942 at the Deutschewerke, Kiel, where she was built.

	COMMISSIONED.

	She was commissioned 21 December 1942.

	WORKING UP.

	U-487 spent only two months working up, from late December to late February. Survivors said this was not considered an unusually brief period for supply U-boats. U-487 followed generally the same program, in abbreviated form, in the Baltic as other U-boats. Tests were conducted by the U.A.K.

	U-487 moved to the Gulf of Danzig for tactical exercises and diving trials, to Hela for the Active Service Training Group ("Agru-Front"), and to Rönne for silent running tests. She also practiced transferring oil to another U-boat.

	Artillery drill was brief. During her working-up period, U-487 carried a 3.7 cm. gun forward, a 3.7 cm. gun aft, and a 20 mm. on the platform.

	FINAL OVERHAUL.

	U-487 returned to Kiel late in February for her final overhaul. The principal alteration was the substitution of a 20 mm. A/A gun for the forward 3.7 cm. gun, which Metz considered too heavy and of less use than

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	an A/A gun. During her final week in Kiel, U-487 did more diving exercises and was depermed.
























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Chapter V. FIRST PATROL OF U-487

DEPARTURE FROM KIEL.

U-487 sailed on her first patrol at 0900, 27 March 1943. Admiral von Friedeburg's adjutant saw her off. She was out about six weeks.

OFFICERS.

Her officers on this patrol were:

C.O.	Olt.z.S.d.R.	Helmut Metz
I.W.O.	Lt.z.S.d.R.	Hermann v. Bothmer
2.W.O.	Lt.z.S.d.R.	Hans Frese
3.W.O.	Lt.z.S.d.R.	Gunther Burose
L.I.	Lt.(Ing.) d.R.	Köhler
W.I.	Lt.(Ing.) d.R.	Böhm
Doctor	Oberassistenzarzt	Schmidt
(For training)	Fähnr.	Stang
(For training)	Fähnr.	Nieland

KRISTIANSAND.

A minesweeper accompanied U-487. They put into Kristiansand Fjord for about four hours -- only long enough to top up with fresh water and oil. Survivors saw no other U-boats there at the time.

TO OPERATIONAL AREA.

The minesweeper accompanied U-487 for three or four hours northward along the coast of Norway, then they parted company. U-487 proceeded into the Atlantic, probably through the Rosengarten, between Iceland and the Faeroes. (One survivor from U-487 said he believed their course was through the Shetland Straits. This was denied by several of his shipmates, however.) About two weeks were spent in the uneventful passage to the operational area.

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OPERATIONAL AREA.

A radioman 2/c said that U-487 operated off the tip of Greenland.

GRUPPE SPECHT.

From about 20 to 26 April, she operated as part of the pack known as "Gruppe Specht" in which there were 8 to 10 U-boats. She had orders to avoid action, however, and to serve only as a supply source.

SUPPLY ACTIVITIES.

U-487 supplied about 15 U-boats on this patrol, most of them 500-tonners. Survivors could not provide a complete list, seemingly because of lack of interest at the time of supplying, and forgetfulness. The following U-boats were mentioned, however:

U-MÜLLER	also supplied again on U-487's 2nd patrol. (O.N.I. Note: This was U-662, under Kapitänleutnant Heinz-Eberhard Müller.)

U-STAHL	believed to be U-648.

U-OTTO	U-487's doctor went aboard U-OTTO to treat a crew member who had broken his arm.

U-WINKLER	a Radioman 2/c denied statements of others that U-WINKLER had been supplied.

U-v.TROTHA	was a member of Gruppe Specht. Was supplied about 20 April.

U-UPHOFF	was supplied about 20 April.

U-BÜLOW	Bülow, commanding U-404, was supplied en route home, shortly after Berlin claimed that he sank the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ranger. Metz had his cook bake a cake for Bülow in honor of his reported feat.

U-boat whose device was an elephant.

U-boat whose c/t device was Prien's Steer. (O.N.I. Note: This is the device of the 7th Flotilla based on St. Nazaire.)

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	One petty officer survivor said U-487's doctor boarded one U-boat which was met at sea, to treat the commanding officer for a nervous breakdown. None of the survivors would admit knowing who the commander was.

	U-487 met, but did not supply another supply U-boat, commanded by Vowe. (O.N.I. Note: Vowe commanded U-462.)

	A/C ATTACK IN BAY OF BISCAY.

	U-487 left her operations area in the first week in May for Bordeaux. While passing through the Bay of Biscay, she was surprised by an aircraft. Three bombs fell about 50 yards distant before Metz could dive. Several light bulbs were broken, but otherwise the U-boat escaped damage.

	INTO BORDEAUX.

	Not far from land, U-487 met two Sperrbrecher which she had been informed by radio would await her to escort her into port. She arrived in Bordeaux about 15 May and tied up in Pen No. 8 Survivors said that among the other U-boats in the pens at that time were:

	1 500-tonner

	1 minelayer with mineshafts forward (O.N.I. Note: Probably either U-117 or U-119, 1600-ton minelayer-supply U-boats.

	2 Italian U-boats.

	U-487 underwent a routine overhaul during her month in Bordeaux.

	The only major alteration was the removal of the 3.7 cm. gun abaft the conning tower, and, in its place, the construction of a 3-foot high gun platform, called the "Atlantic Wall", upon which was placed a triple-mount 20 mm. A/A gun. This platform was connected with Platform I by a catwalk. This change in armament was made at Metz' express wish.

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CHANGES IN PERSONNEL.

The following officers were transferred from U-487 in Bordeaux:

I.W.O.	v. Bothmer
W.I.	Böhm
Fähnrich	Stang
Fähnrich	Nieland

The following new officers came aboard:

Lt.(Ing.)	d.R. Ernst Niegemann
Oberfähnrich	Joachim Krug.

CREW LEAVE.

Those of the crew who did not receive enough leave to go home to Germany spent four days at Arachon. Two groups went at different times.

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Chapter VI. 2nd AND LAST PATROL OF U-487

DEPARTURE FROM BORDEAUX.

U-487 left Bordeaux on her 2nd and last patrol early in the afternoon 14 June 1943. Oil had been embarked from a small tanker. The Flotilla commander had come aboard for a brief conference, but there had been no ceremony.

OFFICERS.

Officers on this patrol were:

C.O.	Olt. d.R.	Metz
I.W.O.	Lt. d.R.	Frese
2.W.O.	Lt. d.R.	Burose
3.W.O.	Oberfähnr.	Krug
L.I.	Lt.(Ing.) d.R.	Köhler
W.I.	Lt.(Ing.) d.R.	Niegemann
Doctor	Oberassistenzarzt	Schmidt

TO PAUILLAC AND LE VERDON.

A pilot came aboard at Bordeaux to take U-487 down the river. That evening the U-boat tied up at the Pauillac for the night. She slipped her mooring the following morning at 0600. Upon arrival at Le Verdon, the pilot was dropped and a minesweeper escort was picked up.

TO OPERATIONAL AREA.

The escort parted company in the afternoon, 15 June, and U-487 continued through the Bay of Biscay submerged most of the way. She dived several times upon aircraft alarms while recharging batteries but she was not attacked. For the first five days through the Bay of Biscay, Metz kept his chart covered, so the crew at no time knew their exact position.

U-487 reached the general area of her operations, about 700 miles southwest of the Azores, on or about 1 July.

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SUPPLYING ACTIVITIES.

U-487 supplied five boats on her final patrol. According to prisoners' statements they were:

U-UHLIG	(U-527)	About 1 July
U-FÖRSTER	(U-359)
U-THÄTER	(U-466)
U-WITTE	(U-509)
U-MÜLLER	(U-662)	Also supplied on U-487's previous patrol

The last four boats were all supplied within a period of two days, several days before U-487 was sunk. One survivor said that one of them, a 500-tonner with an Elephant painted on the c/t, was supplied 12 July.

One of the five was said by a survivor to have been a 750-tonner whose conning tower device was a coat of arms of a city, bearing three towers. The survivor said he had seen this boat at the Deutsche Werke in Kiel, ready to leave for its trials as U-487 was departing on her 1st patrol late in March 1943.

About a week before U-487 was sunk, one of U-487's crew was told by a shipmate that a friend of his was aboard the 500-tonner being supplied at that time. Metz overheard the remark and immediately told the youth to row over and see his friend, which he did.

The last U-boat U-487 met before her sinking was supplied with a G.S.R. set with the "Southern Cross" antenna.

OCEAN SWIM.

During a lull in their duties 8 or 10 days before the sinking, the men obtained Metz' permission to have a swim. Only 8 or 10 were allowed to go in at a time.

DAILY DIVE.

Every day Metz took his boat down in a practice crash dive.

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	Survivors said, however, that until the day she was sunk, no planes actually were sighted.
























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	Chapter VII. SINKING OF U-487

	FLOTSAM.

	Early in the morning 13 July 1943, U-487 was proceeding slowly on the surface, course 115⁰. The last man of the new bridge watch had just taken his post then several men on the deck spied a piece of flotsam floating nearby. They spent several minutes fishing it aboard. It turned out to be a bale, or box, of cotton or some material resembling cotton, survivors were not sure. The bale was unpacked on the bridge and some of the material was carried below. The bridge watch, according to survivors, showed more interest in the salvage activities than in the business of looking out for planes.

	SURPRISE ATTACK.

	It was precisely at this moment, when the attention of the bridge watch was diverted, that two planes dived unnoticed toward U-487 and attacked. The first stick of bombs straddled the boat, survivors said, and fatally crippled the U-boat.

	A list to starboard immediately developed. Some survivors advanced the theory that a starboard oil tank was punctured. The lights in the boat went out and the emergency light system was turned on. The electric motors failed. The radio transmitters were put out of order. The U-boat continued to make headway slowly, on the Diesels.

	FIRE BREAKS OUT.

	Meanwhile, the material from the recovered flotsam burst into flames in the control room. So suddenly did the fire start, that one survivor speculated on the possibility of its having been a trap tossed into the sea by the Allies. How the fire started could not be ascertained

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	by interrogators. One survivor maintained that the first bombs ignited the material. Another said he believed the flames started from spontaneous combustion a few seconds before the attack, and actually were extinguished by water thrown down the conning tower hatch by the first bombs.

	In any case, the fire was quickly put out, but its momentary violence was evidenced by the fact that several survivors badly burned their hands.

	The blaze in the control room filled the central part of the U-boat with heavy smoke which one man described as unbearable.

	U-487 FIGHTS.

	A survivor said that the first orders from Metz he remembers having heard after the attack began were "Flak klar" (man the A/A/ guns) and "Schotten zumachen" (close bulkheads). Metz himself rushed above decks and manned the 20 mm. gun on Platform I. One survivor said Metz was the only man on the boat, who controlled his excitement.

	Several more planes joined the battle. One survivor believed that four attacks were made by planes flying in from the port side. One of the planes was said to have been shot down by the 20 mm. guns.

	An engine room rating told interrogators that the first attack so disabled U-487 that she was unable to submerge.

	ABANDON SHIP.

	Apparently, as soon as Metz realized that he could not save his boat, he gave the order to abandon ship. The crew inflated three rubber boats with bellows on the deck and tossed them overboard. One later was punctured by bomb fragments, and sank.

	In all, 8 to 11 bombs were dropped, survivors believed. The

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	last two bombs were said to have been direct hits on the bow and on the foredeck.

	Metz himself was riddled by machine gun fire from the planes. Some of his men saw him die on the bridge. U-487 sank bow first, at a 45⁰, angle about half an hour after the attack began.

	(O.N.I. NOte: At 1621Z, a TBF-1 plane, on search ahead of a convoy GUS 9 with an F4F-4 from U.S.S. Core, sighted a white wake 10 miles distant and approached in cloud cover to investigate. The U-boat's course was seen to be about 130⁰T, and her speed estimated at 12-14 knots.

	The F4F-4 made a strafing run, approaching the U-boat's starboard bow. The TBF-1 followed about 10 seconds later, releasing from 250 feet four Mark 47 depth bombs set for 25 feet. Explosions of the first and second bombs straddled the U-boat's bow about 35 feet forward of the conning tower.

	The planes then went to about 3500 feet to observe the results of the attack. They reported by radio to the U.S.S. Core.

	The U-boat went into a tight right-hand circle, and gradually slowed to a stand-still. Oil from a leak covered the area bounded by the U-boat's turning circle. The U-boat's crew began firing their anti-aircraft guns.

	The two planes then made another run for photographs, the fighter strafing.

	Meanwhile, four additional TBF's, a second F4F-4, and the U.S.S. Barker were dispatched to the attack.

	Just before help arrived, the first F4F-4 made its third run, to investigate white water aft of the U-boat. When a few hundred feet from the U-boat's port quarter, the fighter suddenly swerved left, its

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	nose dropped, and it plunged into the water about 100 feet off the U-boat's port bow. A thorough search revealed no trace either of pilot or plane.

	The second F4F-4 arrived to see the first fighter crash, and it immediately made a strafing run from the U-boat's stern.

	At that moment, still a third F4F-4, from another section on search, arrived and began a strafing run. It had to withhold fire, however, because of the other attacking planes.

	A TBF made a bombing run, at 1658Z, dropping from 100 feet four Mk 47 depth bombs set for 25 feet. All bombs exploded close aboard or under the U-boat from starboard to port quarter. The water thrown by the explosions appeared to lift the U-boat vertically about 10 feet before enveloping her entirely. When the spray cleared, about 30 feet of the U-boat's stern protruded at a 45⁰ angle. About five seconds later, she slid under the surface.

	The U.S.S. Barker later rescued 33 men from two life rafts.)











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	Chapter VIII. SUPPLYING BY U-487

	HOSES.

	U-487 carried three hoses for supplying other U-boats; one each for:

	1. fuel oil,

	2. lubricating oil, and

	3. fresh water.

	Each hose was 120 meters long, and divided into 20 sections, each section six meters long. The sections were connected by bronze screw couplings.

	The fuel hose was stated to have been 15 cm. in diameter. The lubricating oil and water hoses were stated to have been 6 or 7 cm. in diameter.

	When not in use, the hoses were faked and fastened down on the afterdeck, alongside the oil and water connections.

	REFUELING.

	U-487 would pass a hose to a U-boat she was to supply in one of two ways:

	1. A line would be dropped with a float attached. The U-boat to be supplied would pick up the line and haul the hose over.

	2. A line would be fired across to the other U-boat by pistol, and the hose hauled over.

	During refueling, the two U-boats would move at slow speed.

	It was possible for U-487 to supply two U-boats simultaneously, one with fuel and one with lubricating oil, survivors stated, but the practice was to supply one U-boat at a time.

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	U-487 was stated to cary 600 tons of oil, of which about 200 tons were intended for her own use.

	An Obermaschinist had charge of the oil transfer.

	CONNECTIONS.

	The fuel oil and lubricating oil connections were in the same hatch about eight meters from the after overall. The water supply connection hatch was six meters forward of the oil connections.

	FRESH WATER.

	Fresh water was supplied to other U-boats either directly by hose, or in canisters filled by hose on deck.

	A survivor recounted that one time when a U-boat asked for more water than Metz thought she was entitled to, Metz cut the connection when he had given her what he considered her allotment, and shouted across that his water pump had broken down.

	PROVISIONS.

	Supplies of food sufficient for 150 days were carried for other U-boats in addition to U-487's own provisions. Provisions were nearly all in cans, and were pulled over to other U-boats on lines, a survivor stated. Cases of canned goods were stored throughout U-487 in all available space.

	OTHER SUPPLIES.

	Among the various supplies carried for other U-boats were: six "Southern Cross" aerials for G.S.R.; repair parts for radios, motors, and Diesels; tools; medical supplies; and cigarettes.






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Chapter IX. BASES, YARDS AND SCHOOLS.

BLOM UND VOSS.

A survivor stated that Blohm und Voss, early in 1943, was launching a U-boat every five days.

DANZIG.

A survivor from U-487 confirmed the burning and sinking of the depot ship Lo Fjord in Danzig. He attributed the burning to sabotage. He said some men who were trapped in the burning ship were shot to end their suffering.

KIEL.

Survivors said the two tenders in Kiel, one named Monto Sarmiento, had burned. He did not know the dates of the burning.

WEZEP.

It was stated that in January 1942, a Kapitänleutnant Machner was commander of the 1st company of the recruit school in Wezep.

GOTENHAFEN.

A survivor stated that in the summer of 1941 the U-boat school in Gotenhafen was divided as follows:

Companies 3, 5, 7	Seamanship
Companies 4, 6, 8	Technical
Company 9	Mixed.

He confirmed that Kapitänleutnant Erich Topp was commanding officer of the school.

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PILLAU.

A survivor stated that in early 1941 the 1st division of the U-boat school was divided as follows:

Companies 3, 5, 7	Seamanship
Companies 2, 4, 6, 8	Technical
Company 9	Mixed.

He stated that technical companies contained about 180 men.

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	U. S. SECRET - BRITISH MOST SECRET

	ANNEX A

	The following translation of a note book from U-487, probably that of a Petty Officer or Warrant Officer, is presented for the purpose of showing every-day repair problems, work to be done at overhaul, precautions and directions.

	--- --- ---

	Expelling bilge water at great depth 325 meters(?) or pressure (?)) blow center diving tank - diving bunker #5 - with 25 to 30 atmospheres. Upon surfacing close diving bunker, must be vented into ----(Illegible)

	- - - - -
	Do not let fresh water still - - - - (illegible)- - - - dry.
	- - - - -
	Overhaul (?) hydroplanes - stern
	- - - - -
	Drain periscope shaft continuously
	- - - - -
	- - - - at Z.d.M. 26 for refrigeration gauge vanes.
	- - - - -
	Condition A
	Ventilating --motor circuit open in operating condition.
	- - - - -
	M 49344
	- - - - -
	Pressure reducer
	- - - - -
	Regulating valve on low pressure manifold
	- - - - -
	Main blowing
	- - - - -
	"Tyfun" hull valve - overhaul at yard.
	- - - - -
	Exchange CO2 measuring (Träger) apparatus.
	- - - - -
	Wrench for stuffing box, cooler for sharp freezer.
	- - - - -
	Flowers of sulphur
	Packing for filter
	1. Stern capstan, through hull - - - works hard
	2. "Tyfun" hull valve in c/t.
	3. Voice tube cock in c/t.
	Depth gauge - grind in 200 cock
	Pressure reducer control room forward.
	Drill cooling vanes on switch shafts.
	Open up inlet pipe main bilge pumping line bow compartment.
	Center W.C. cock

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	- - - - -
	Remove gear main bilge line in bow compartment.
	- - - - -
	Bow compartment - flap for hydroplane motor.
	- - - - -
	Sounding pipes trimming tanks fore and aft.
	- - - - -
	Weld on pipes in bow compartment.
	- - - - -
	Latch on oilskins locker - control room.
	- - - - -
	Wrench for stuffing box control room cooling.
	- - - - -
	Oil filter for port electric compressor.
	- - - - -
	Overhaul forward circulating ventilator at yard.
	- - - - -
	Raise stern compartment air inlet grill 10 cm.
	- - - - -
	Packing. Hull valve forward connection diving tank 8.
	- - - - -
	Pack fuel supply valve - control room.
	- - - - -
	Pack hull valves A-bunker gauging.
	- - - - -
	Blowing diving tanks 3 and 4.
	- - - - -
	Exchange 1 doz. pipe wrenches.
	- - - - -
	Move exhaust air grill in Warrant Officers' and Officers' mess and install new air inlet grill.
	- - - - -
	Grind in at yard venting of negative buoyancy tanks.
	- - - - -
	Renew luminous paint in boat.
	- - - - -
	Hand on stdb. trim gauge sticks.
	- - - - -
	Overhaul cut-off valve on pressure reducer.
	- - - - -
	Adjust safety valve on electric compressor.
	- - - - -
	Renew rubber gasket on cover of outboard motor container.
	- - - - -
	Overhaul rods on anchor capstan. Mount grease cup.
	- - - - -
	Overhaul bow compartment bulkhead.

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	U. S. SECRET - BRITISH MOST SECRET

	- - - - -
	Overhaul W.C. - hull cock leaks.
	- - - - -
	Overhaul main rudder
	- - - - -
	Water catcher over lathe.
	- - - - -
	Build three lockers each side, port and starboard, in workshop for spare parts for supplying.
	- - - - -
	New switch on grinder support.
	- - - - -
	Attend to clinometer dial removal appliance.
	- - - - -
	Gland for main rudder
	- - - - -
	Install drainage for level gauges on athwartships trimming tanks.
	- - - - -
	Mount handles on W.T. door.
	- - - - -
	Rebush gland for main rudder.
	- - - - -
	Overhaul steering gear. Thrust bearing noisy and gets warm.
	- - - - -
	Assorted sizes blank flanges.
	- - - - -
	Rubber rings for pressure reducer.



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Annex B. CREW LIST OF U-487

SURVIVORS

Officers	Rank	U.S.N. equivalent(1)	Age

Freese, Hans	Leutnant z. See d.R.	Ensign, Naval Reserve	28
Burose, Günther	Leutnant z. See d.R.	Ensign, Naval Reserve	32
Niegemann, Ernst	Leutnant (Ing.) d.R.	Ensign (Eng. duties only)	24
Krug, Joachim	Oberfähnrich z. S.	Midshipman	27

Men

Schoenfeld, Erich	Obermaschinist	Warrant machinist	29
Harras, Gustav	Bootsmann	Boatswain's mate 1cl	27
Rehrock, Herbert	Maschinist	Machinist's mate 1cl	43
Murza, Freiderich	Oberfunkmaat	Radioman 2cl	26
Domschat, Heinz	Bootsmaat	Coxswain	23
Baden, Helmut	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl	23
Böhm, Werner	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl	22
Hummel, Heinrich	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl	21
Meinel, Gerhard	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl	22
Albrand, Heinz	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl	20
Blasz, Erich	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl	23
Kaminsky, Arno	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl	22
Kauzor, Arno	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl	20
Hinkelmann, Louis	Matrosengefreiter	Seaman 2cl	20
Käbberich, August	Matrosengefreiter	Seaman 2cl	21
Kastenholz, Clemens	Matrosengefreiter	Seaman 2cl	19
Poetter, Bernhard	Funkgefreiter	Seaman 2cl	20
Reich, Heinz	Funkgefreiter	Seaman 2cl	19
Bruessow, Wiliy	Mechanikergefreiter	Seaman 2cl	19
Brosch, Hans	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl	19
Haas, Willy	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl	21
Heiser, Hermann	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl	20
Rood, Kurt	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl	20
Vitzthum, Max	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl	19
Vorstadt, Heinz	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl	19
Wollny, Gerhard	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl	19
Wahls, Hans	Matrose	Apprentice seaman	33

CASUALTIES

Officers

Metz, Helmut	Oberleutnant z. See d.R.	Lieutenant (j.g.)
Köhler	Leutnant (Ing.) d.R.	Ensign (Eng. duties only)
Schmidt	Marineoberassistenzarzt	Lieutenant (j.g.) Med. Corps

_________________________________________________________________________
1 (Not on U-487)	Kapitänleutnant	Lieutenant

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Men	Rank	U.S.N. equivalent

Stein, Hans	Oberbootsmann	Boatswain
Breuer	Obermaschinist	Machinist
Roggata, Gunther	Obermaschinist	Machinist
Wiedermann, Johan	Bootsmaat	Coxswain
Winter, Georg	Bootsmaat	Coxswain
Fischer, Heinrich	Funkmaat	Radioman 3cl
Bruns, Edmond	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl
Dieling, Rolf	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl
Meier, Werner	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl
Schroder,	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl
Schüssler, Richard	Maschinenmaat	Fireman 1cl
Aussenhofer	Matrosenobergefreiter	Seaman 1cl
Assmann, Willy	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl
Bürger, Ludwig	Maschinenobergefreiter	Fireman 2cl
Gensch, Alfred	Matrosengefreiter	Seaman 2cl
Köhler, Joseph	Matrosengefreiter	Seaman 2cl
Ruse, Adolf	Matrosengefreiter	Seaman 2cl
Wilkens,	Matrosengefreiter	Seaman 2cl
Kiss,	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl
Ludwig, Ulrich	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl
Moltzau, Arno	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl
Skutta,	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl
Wiedenbrocker, Bernhard	Maschinengefreiter	Fireman 3cl
Heidorn,	Sanitätsgefreiter	Seaman 2cl Med. Corps

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OTHER U-BOATS

U-187	A prisoner who had served on the salvage vessel Kophammel in Gotenhafen from October 1941 to July 1942 claimed to have knowledge of the ramming of another U-boat by U-187 during tactical exercises. He believed the other boat was lost with all hands and never raised because of the depth of the water. (O.N.I. Note: Previous information indicated that the rammed U-boat was either U-525 or U-526. However, U-525 left Kiel with U-357 15 December 1942 and U-526 ran on a mine and sank in Lorient April 1943. U-187 was sunk on her first patrol 4 February 1943 in the North Atlantic.)

U-358	The ramming of U-358 by a torpedo boat was described by a prisoner. All hands were rescued except one man who could not swim. (Ability to swim is now necessary for promotion in the German Navy.) (O.N.I. Note: It was previously reported that U-358 rammed the Scharnhorst and was subsequently rammed by another U-boat. Apparently she was rammed by a torpedo boat. She is now thought to be used as a schoolboat.)

U-469	It was confirmed that this boat was a 500-ton U-boat built at the Deutsche Werke, Kiel. She left Kiel two days before U-487 (i.e. late March 1943). Since the men on U-487 had not heard from their friends on U-469 and, in fact had heard rumors of the loss of the boat, they were convinced that their friends were missing. The name of the commanding officer was said to be similar to Strokmeier or Steinhausen, (O.N.I. Note: Possibly

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	Steinhoff of the 1934 naval term, ex-commanding officer of U-511, or Rolf Steinhaus of the 1936 term, though the latter was still in Gotenhafen early March 1943 and was not expecting to leave before 1 April or 1 May 1943.)

U-488	While the crew of U-487 was standing by their boat during the final stages of construction in Kiel, September - December 1941, U-488 also was under construction there. She was launched about 1 October 1941.
U-510, U-511, U-512	A prisoner who had served on U-511 during her first patrol furnished some information on that boat. She was launched some time before September 1941, when the crew was standing by in Hamburg for the final stages of construction. They lived in barracks in or near the building yards of the Deutsche Werft, with the crews of U-510 and U-512. U-511 was commissioned 8 december 1941. Shortly afterwards she was frozen in at Kiel until April 1942. During this period the crew lived in barracks back of Wik harbor.

	While on trials which lasted 8 days, she was assigned to the 4th Flotilla at Stettin. She spent 2 days at Danzig for emergency speed trials, 3 days at Gotenhafen, then to Hela, to Gotenhafen again, finally to Stettin. There followed a period at Kiel for repairs to the vibration damper.

	In June 1942 U-511 underwent her final overhaul in Hamburg, the crew living on a small river ferry near the yards of the Deutsche Werft. At that time the crews of 4 or 5 other

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	U-boats were living on the depot ship General Artigas during the final overhaul of their respective boats.

	The officers for the first patrol of U-511 were said to have been as follows: C.O. Kapitänleutnant Steinhoff of the 1934 term; first Watch Officer, Oberleutnant Ohling of the 1937 A term; second Watch Officer, Oberfähnrich Pahls (O.N.I. Note: Possibly Leutnant z. See Heinrich Pahls, of the October 1939 term, promoted to Leutnant z. See in March 1942.); and Engineer Officer Oberleutnant (Ing.) Hauss. (O.N.I. Note: Not in German Navy List.) This patrol began 12 July 1942 from Kiel, with a stop at Kristiansand. The patrol area was off the South American coast, probably in the Trinidad area. It was claimed that she sank two freighters and one tanker, totaling 23,000 tons, all with torpedoes and all on the evening of the same day late in August 1942. She had one rendezvous with a supply U-boat in order to transfer a sick petty officer, but took on no supplies. The patrol ended in October at Lorient, where U-511 was attached to the 10th Flotilla.

U-582	Some information concerning this boat was furnished by a prisoner who had served on her through her early patrols. Her device was said to be a fist with thumb down. The prisoner stood by for 14 weeks during the final stages of construction at the Blohm und Voss yards in Hamburg. The crews of U-581, U-583 and of 5 other U-boats were there for the same purpose during this period. It was stated that Blom und Voss had no slips facing the Elbe up to August 1941.

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	The launching of U-582 took place about 7 August 1941, and the commissioning in mid-September. The usual trials, including the use of the floating pressure dock near the Schwentine River, began with an 8-day stop at Kiel. She then moved on to the eastern Baltic, where the commanding officer first put into Danzig, because he wanted to spend a day ashore. The crew stayed on the depot ship Hamburg. There followed a 2-day stop at Hela for night exercises and then a 10-day period off Gotenhafen for tactical exercises.

	Ramming by another U-boat under the command of Gericke caused only slight damage. Several other U-boats, including U-581, participated in the tactical exercises. Torpedo exercises at Warnemünde required 3 days. During the period of an overhaul at the Danziger Werft, Danzig, the boat was photographed and studied, as, survivors stated, she was the first Blohm und Voss boat to be seen there. The crew lived on Lo Fjord, alias Black Prince, later burned out.

	The prisoner gave the following list of officers: C.O., Schulte (Klt. Werner Schulte of the 1931 term); first Watch Officer, Leutnant Rossmann (of 1937 B term), who left the boat after the second patrol and went to the training school for commanding officers; the second Watch Officer was Leutnant (Ing.) d.R. Cort (not in the German Navy List); von Trotha (Claus von Trotha of the 1936 term) was a student commander on one patrol.

	The first patrol of U-582 began 18 December 1841. She stopped at Trondheim for 2 days, where the compressor was worked

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	on by a repair ship. Her operational area was in the North Atlantic around Newfoundland, and she claimed 26,000 tons, made up of one tanker and three freighters, all stragglers sunk by torpedoes. One fast ship of 32,000 tons was attacked, but due to the commanding officer's error the torpedo missed. When U-582 put into Brest 16 February 1942 and joined the 1st Flotilla, she underwent a 20-day overhaul.

	The next patrol began in mid-march 1942. Five ships were claimed, including 2 tankers. These attacks used up all but 3 or 4 of their torpedoes. It was rumored on board that the U-boat of Johan Mohr had been near them when off Cape Hatteras during this patrol. (O.N.I. Note: This well-known commander was on U-124, which is known to have been operating with success off the American coast during this period. U-124 was sunk in the spring of 1943.)

	U-582 was said to have G.W. diesels and Brown-Bovari motors. Her armament was given as 8.8 cm. forward, 3.7 cm. aft, and one 2 cm.

U-BOAT IDENTIFIED BY DEVICE

A 500-ton U-boat supplied by U-487 in April 1943 had on the conning tower a tiger's head device together with Prien's Bull of Scapa Flow. (7th Flotilla device.) (O.N.I. Note: A tiger's head device was seen on the U-boat that torpedoed and sank the small Polish freighter Rozewie on 6 August 1942, in position 11⁰ 00'N. - 57⁰ 30' W. The Polish Captain was taken aboard as a

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	prisoner.) This boat was said once to have been rammed off Danzig, and, at the time her damages were repaired at the Danziger Werft, an extra platform was added abaft the bridge.

	Since U-487 was homeward bound, she took mail off the 500-tonner after refueling her.

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