[Kapitän]

Thu., 21.12.39 - Biscaya

1043 - Qu. B E 6988 - French naval aircraft type Latecoere flying over the boat. The plane approached out of the rising sun but did not drop any bombs.

While the airplane is turning around astern to approach the boat again, I'm ordering the M.G.-2cm-C/30 to be manned. At a distance of about 2000m, Bts.Mt. & Nr.3 Ewald "Rudi" Fischer, shoots down the airplane, with 14 rounds of the Flak gun.

After investigating the crash site and finding nothing, I head off on a southerly course.

1200 - Qu. B E 9322 - Days Run: 177.1 sm - ↗ 171.2 sm - ↘ 5.9 sm
91 cbm. 5 Eto and 8 Ato. SW4, Sea3, light swell from north, clear, >1000mb, light haze, good visibility, 0°C
Sunrise 1021 - Sunset 1834

1205 - Right after lunch, the Ob.Strm. is just taking a navigational fix, the boat has to dive from two french naval planes, bearing 65° true, on course WSW, E=8000. At A-Meter no bombs.

1210 - The soound operator reports a contact of a slow steamer, bearing 30°, on northerly course, E=14000.
Boat remains submerged and goes into position for a submerged attack.

1300 - The ship is identified as a Spanish motor vessel of about 5903 ts. Breaking off the attack.
Torpedo maintenance at A-50.

1555 - Qu. B E 9328 - Surfaced and continued outgoing cruise.

Finally, we have better weather! And even though, that with the improved weather the enemy air surveillance makes its presence known, there is good reason for hope, that we will come across many rewarding targets.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.