KTB Enigma Flotilla September 1939

[smilinicon]

KTB* Enigma Flotilla September 1939
-------------------------------------

At the outbreak of war with England, Engima Flotilla had the following boats ready for action:

U-13, commanded by Hoffler. PATROL COMPLETED
U-15, commanded by Schmitdt. AT SEA
U-33, commanded by Blohme. PATROLS COMPLETED
U-46, commanded by Becker. PATROL COMPLETED.
U-48, commanded by Hunmann. IN PORT
U-59, commanded by Rabe. AT SEA
U-69, commanded by Wittig. PATROLS COMPLETED
U-99, commanded by Schotte. PATROLS COMPLETED
U-102, commanded by Biermann. PATROL COMPLETED.
U-779, commanded by Scheiswetter. IN PORT

U-48 and U-779 remained in port in Kiel due to mechanical issues.

U-13 finished patrol, but was unsuccesful due to poor weather conditions.
5.9.39 - U-33 departed kiel for area BRUNO. 26.9.39 - U-33 returned to port. Reports 50,368 tonnage.
6.9.39 - U-102 departed Kiel for area ANTON. 1.10.39 - U-102 returned to port. Reports 24,551 tonnage.
14.9.39 - U-99 departs Kiel for area CEASAR. 1.10.39 - U-99 returned to port. Reports approx. 34,000 tonnage.
2.09.39 - U-69 departs Kiel for area BF41. 15.10.39 - U-69 returned to port. Reports approx. 16,238 tonnage.
21.08.39 - 12.09.39 U-46 COMPLETES PATROL. 14,068 TONS, NO DUDS.

Enigma Flotilla lost no U-boats for this period vs. 108,625 merchant tonnage sunk.

6 (six) faulty torpedoes were reported by U-102. Torpedo Inspectorate has been notified and does not know
the reason for the failures at this time.

Enemy ASW aircraft: All boats reported light airforce ASW north of Scapa Flow area. Enemy ASW aircraft were
most active in area CEASAR making daytime surface running inadvisable.

One convoy was reported, tracked and attacked most likely traveling the SL or HG travel routes toward Londonderry.
Convoy had screens on each side consisting of Destroyer or Frigate class ships consisting of 4-5 ships. Screen
was easily penetrated by timing the lead escort, then slipping behind and inside the flank escorts. Entering into
the convoy from the rear was not possible.

Light damage was reported by U-99 from ASW aircraft. All subs reported very high morale and crew efficiency.

ASW coverage within Channel allows passage in Sept.

Flotilla training:

Three (3) U-boats were made ready:

U-13, (Hoffler)
U-58, (Wagner)
U-69, (Wittig)

Awards:

Applications for Iron Cross, Second Class for commander and all officers for the succesful patrols.
No other awards authorised**.

(* war diary)
(** please remove U-boat Front Clasp if awarded by SH3)

[dfscott]

Originally Posted by smilinicon

KTB* Enigma Flotilla September 1939
-------------------------------------

Very nicely done!

[Dragunov]

Great work, good job!

[smilinicon]

KTB Enigma Flotilla October/November 1939
-----------------------------------

As of October 1939, Engima Flotilla had the following boats ready for action:

U-13, commanded by Hoffler. IN HOSPITAL
U-15, commanded by Schmitdt. AT SEA (SEPT)
U-33, commanded by Blohme. PATROL COMPLETED
U-59, commanded by Rabe. AT SEA (SEPT)
U-69, commanded by Wittig. PATROLS COMPLETED
U-99, commanded by Schotte. MIA, KIA.
U-102, commanded by Biermann. PATROL COMPLETED.

12.10.39 - U-33 departed kiel for area AL03. 11.11.39 - U-33 returned to port Kiel. Reports 20,140 tonnage.
02.09.39 - U-69 departed kiel for area BF17. 15.09.39 - U-69 returned to port Kiel. Reports 16,238 tonnage.
12.10.39 - U-102 departed for patrol area . 03.11.39 - U-102 returns to port. Reports 34,704 tonnage.


Flotilla Monthly Tonnage: 71,082
Flotilla Total Tonnage: 179,707
Flotilla Losses: One (1) U-boat.

Ten (10) dud torpedoes this month. Torpedo Inspectorate trying different solutions, but none
seem to work.

One U-boat was lost due to mines northwest Scapa Flow. This was confirmed by enemy
reports. Several boats have not responded to position calls but are not considered missing
as of yet.

Flotilla training:

Lt.z.S. Mattias Duske has transfered to the Flotilla and needs to complete message requirements. He plans to sail after a two week delay.


U-Boats made ready for next patrol:


ObLt.z.S. Heinz Blohme has been transfrered from the U-33 to U-64, a long radius U-boat.
ObLt.z.S. Karl Hoffmann and U-345 have been made ready for patrol.
Lt.z.S. Erwin Wittig and U-69 have been made ready for patrol.
ObLt.z.S. Biermann adn U-102 are enroute to Kiel.

Five (5) U-boats remain at sea. Three have been out-of-contact for some time, but not as yet considered lost.

U-13 has reported in! This is very good news as we now have one more U-boat.

[Laufen zum Ziel]

Very well done. It is like we are in 1939.

Thank You Co.o.O.



Ken

[smilinicon]

KTB Enigma Flotilla December 1939
-------------------------------------

A ridge of high pressure brings clear, cold weather with heavy seas to the Atlantic.

As of December 1939, Engima Flotilla had the following boats ready for action:


U-34, Duske. DECEMBER PATROL COMPLETED.
U-46, Becker. DECEMBER PATROL COMPLETED.
U-64, Blohme. DECEMBER PATROL COMPLETED.
U-69, Wittig. DECEMBER PATROL COMPLETED.
U-345, Hoffmann. IN HOSPITAL.
U-54, Heisler. DECEMBER PATROL COMPLETED.
U-102, Biermann, AT SEA.
U-444, Langfeld, IN PORT.

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U-34 has completed December patrol. 35,615 tons.
U-54 has completed December patrol. 42,573 tons.
u-64 has completed December patrol. 58,721 tons.
U-69 has completed December patrol. 46,355 tons


Flotilla Monthly Tonnage: 183,264
Flotilla Total Tonnage:
Flotilla Losses: none

Frequency of convoy contact is increasing in December in all areas around England
except the northern routes, which are closing due to ice. No more northern patrol
until winter breaks. ASW threat increasing.

No dud torpedoes.

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Flotilla training:

Lt.z.S. Heinrich Heisler has transfered to the Flotilla and has completed all training.
Lt.z.S. Albert Langfeld has tranfered to the Flotilla and is ready for patrol.

U-Boats made ready for next patrol:

Next patrol round will start early if all U-boats have returned to port.


W.I.P.

[smilinicon]

Updated through to Jan 1940.

[smilinicon]

KTB Enigma Flotilla February 1940


U-54, Heisler, ORDERS PENDING, IN PORT.
U-64, Blohme. ORDERS RECEIVED. AT SEA.
U-69, Wittig, ORDERS RECEIVED. AT SEA.
U-345, Hoffman, ORDERS RECEIVED, IN PORT.
U-444, Langfeld, ORDERS RECEIVED. IN PORT.

---------

U-13: awaits a new captain. Erich Hoffler is on medical retirement.
U-59: listed as missing.
U-64: four crew members of are KIA after striking a mine. returns to sea.


Flotilla Monthly Tonnage:
Flotilla Total Tonnage:
Flotilla Losses: none


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Flotilla training: