ObLt z S Heinz Blohme / U-33 /Patrol 2

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Orders for Patrol 2, U-33.

BLOHME: DEPART ON 09, OCT 1939 FOR AL38 AREA AS PART OF GRUPPE "OKTOBERFEST". HUNT FOR CONVOYS AND SINGLE SHIPPING WORKING THE WESTERN APPROACHES. AVOID ALL ENEMY WARSHIP CONTACTS. DO NOT ATTACK CAPITOL SHIPS AT THIS POINT IN THE HOSTILITIES. YOU MAY ENGAGE ENGLISH, FRENCH AND POLISH SHIPPING.

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After a three day delay, U-33 has departed Kiel on 12, Oct 1939 at 1758 hours.

Heinz Blohme
U-33
12.Oct.1939
At sea, enroute to patrol area.

[Laufen zum Ziel]

All messages reviewed.

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U-33 has returned to port at Kiel 11, November 1939 after 30 days at sea.

Of fourteen torpedoes, three were misses due to speed miscalculations, four
were outright duds, six were hits. One ship required two torpedoes to sink.
One torpedo remained on board.

Five British merchant ships were sunk, four with torpedoes and one wth 8.8cm gun. 20,140 tons.

Boat and crew performed well, even after the poor showing of the torpedoes and
lack of convoys.

Area was good for single shipping. Should due well for convoys also in the future.

Weather was terrible for operations for most of the patrol. Three surface vessels were
observed to be sinking due to the heavy sea conditions. Fuel consumtion was excessive
but not a limting factor.
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strangest patrol I have ever taken. Very boring with weather/sea conditions and lack of
targets. Ships I missed were actually slowing to a stop due to wave damage and several
sank. Last steamer I saw I fired my last two torpedoes at - they sped harmlessly out in
front of the stopping ship. ^%$#@!! I pull up next to the stopped ship and can only look
at it as seas were too rough for gunnery. I think one torpedo went under a small merchant
in heavy seas. Looking forward to a better patrol in Dec. :salute:

[Laufen zum Ziel]

All Msg. Reviewed.