[Kapitän]

Fri., 22.12.39 - Northwest of Finisterre

1022 - Qu. B E 9991 - Alarm from French naval aircraft bearing 20° true, on course 235°, E=4000. At A-Meter no bombs. Test dive at A+20.

1102 - Qu. B E 9994 - Surfaced.

1200 - Qu. B E 9995 - Days Run: 188.7 sm - ↗ 173.4 sm - ↘ 15.3 sm
87 cbm. 5 Eto and 8 Ato. SW4, Sea3, light swell from north, clear, >1000mb, light haze, good visibility, 2°C
Sunrise 0940 - Sunset 1830

1402 - Qu. C G 1333 - A pair of French naval aircraft bearing 0° true, on course NE, E=6000. No approach. Boat remains surfaced.

1707 - Qu. C G 2119 - Two smoke plumes bearing 90°, E=9000, seem to be on a NNE heading. Evading outside the field of view. Intercepted radio message on the 600m-Wavelength, which identifies the vessels as being of neutral nationality. No uboat warning sent.

1757 - Qu. C G 2151 - Suddenly a French naval aircraft appears and approaches the boat from 130° true, is already very close.

I order the flak gun to be manned. At the third flyover, the plane drops a single bomb, which falls about 50m to the starboard bow and causes no damage. During the entire time, we steer evasion maneuvers and cover the boat and finally, chase off the airplane, with constant flak fire from the M.G.-2cm-C/30.

1900 - Qu. C G 2155 - A pair of French naval aircraft cross the boats stern at a distance of about 4000m. They are initially, on a southwest heading but then turn and fly off on course NE.

I do not intend to take on two airplanes, so as a precaution, I order the bridge to be cleared. After the planes have disappeared, I order the lookouts back on the bridge and continue the outgoing cruise.

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