[Kapitän]

Wed., 27.12.39 - In front of the Gibraltar Strait

1200 - Qu. C G 8561 - Days Run: 59.4 sm - ↗ 2.2 sm - ↘ 57.2 sm
77 cbm. 3 Eto and 6 Ato. N7, Sea6, medium swell from north, clear, >1000mb, light haze, medium visibility, 2°C
Sunrise 1001 - Sunset 1938

1510 - Qu. C G 8537 - Surfaced for venting the boat, replenishing the air supply and charging of batteries.

2010 - Qu. C G 8294 - Incoming F.T.: Shipping Report:
In position Marqu. C G 8222, on course SE, medium speed. Estimated contact in Marqu. C G 8265, 2400h.

2210 - Qu. C G 8268 - Incoming F.T.: Shipping Report:
Contact now in Marqu. C G 8261, on course 139°, speed 9 kn. Estimated contact in Marqu. C G 8265, 2300h.

2310 - Qu. C G 8265 - Diving for sonar check. Contact with single steamer bearing 344°, E=10000, approaching slowly. The boat is already positioned windward. Superb navigation!

I go to A-50 to prepare for a submerged attack. It's a starry night of the new moon. The attack has to be done with the B-Periscope. Torpedo running depth should be 6m or deeper.

2340 - Periscope depth. Battle stations! The target is a Standard Merchant of about 6311 ts. - 2343 - Tube IV and III flooded.

2346 - Single shot with tube IV (G 7 a, Pi-1, K-a, magnetic fuse, Vt 30, running depth 8.8m):
E=550, inclination red 90°, enemy speed 6 knots, aim-off red 5°, own course 231°:
Torpedo failure! The torpedo is heard to hit the side of the ship at the pre-calculated time but fails to detonate!

2347 - Single shot with tube III (G 7 e, Pi-1, K-b, magnetic fuse, running depth 8.8m):
E=550, inclination red 90°, enemy speed 6 knots, aim-off red 30°, own course 231°:
Torpedo failure! The torpedo detonates prematurely after 14 Sec.!

2348 - Single shot with tube II (G 7 e, Pi-1, K-b, magnetic fuse, running depth 8.8m):
E=550, inclination red 90°, enemy speed 6 knots, aim-off red 70°, own course 231°:
Torpedo failure! The torpedo detonates prematurely after 14 Sec.!

2350 - Broken off attack and retired to A-30 for torpedo reloading.

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