Sailor Steve's Patrol Logs

[Sailor Steve]

I've finally decided to start adding the Patrol Logs for my different Kaleuns. They aren't great stories like some have posted; they're just simple logs, charting my commanders' progress through the war. Following is the first log, for a poor captain who was assigned to go out before the war started but found himself delayed. Don't expect too many screenshots; I'm trying to limit them to representing actual photographs.

I'll be putting a new one up every week or so.

[Crash Dive]

Can't wait!

[Sailor Steve]

Günther Berke

Patrol 1: August 19, 1939

Lt. z.S. Günther Berke was born September 30, 1912 in Göttingen, Germany.
He was inducted into the Kriegsmarine on April 1, 1933, age 20.
Became Officer SeeKadett January 12, 1934.
Promoted Fähnrich zur See October 1, 1934. Served as clerk and later assistant trainer at Torpedoboot school, Kiel.
Assigned post as junior Gunnery Officer aboard KM Destroyer Richard Beitzen (Z4), March 13, 1936. Made Communications Officer August 12, 1936.
Promoted Oberfänrich z.S. March 1, 1937.
Transferred to KM Destroyer Wolfgang Zenker (Z9) as Gunnery Officer while ship was outfitting.
Promoted Leutnant z.S. September 1, 1937, while ship still outfitting.
Ship commissioned to fleet on July 2, 1938, under KorvettenKapitan H. Ponitz, with Lt. Berke as Third Officer.
Applied for U-boat training September 9, 1938.
Assigned U-boat Flotilla Weddigen for U-boat command training on February 6, 1939.
Assigned as 1WO aboard U-48, Wilhelmshaven, Flotilla Saltzwedel, April 23, 1939. 1 patrol, April 30-June 17, 1939.
Assigned command of U-52 on August 1, 1939.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/64.jpg
Lt. z.S. Günther Berke

U-52: Flotilla Saltzwedel, Wilhelmshaven

U-52 crew, August 19, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Günther Berke
Chief: Leutnant z.S. Ernst Petersen
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Viktor Witte
2WO: Leutnant z.S. Georg Lobin
Medic: Oberfähnrich z. S. Axel Bargsten
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Otto Steinmetz

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Harro Staats
Helmsman: Bootsmann Heinz Kläbisch
Assistant to Chief: Stabsoberbootsmann Ulrich Folkers
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Hans Maddaus
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Kurt Mohr
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Reinhart Kraus

General Petty Officers:
Stabsbootsmann Werner Piening
Bootsmann Victor Schmidt
Bootsmann Frantz Vogel
Bootsmann Reinhard Eppen
Bootsmann Fritz Claussen
Bootsmann Manfred Reckhoff
Bootsmann Viktor Zinke
Bootsmann Alfred Schacht
Bootsmann Werner Trojer
Bootsmann Rolf Eckerman

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Wiebe
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Hans Hirtl
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Miedza
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Karl Hölzer

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Eisen
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Frentzen
Matrosenobergefreiter Carl Soden
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Radloff

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Frank
Matrosengefreiter Hans Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Horst Leidig
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Baur
Matrosengefreiter Alfred Eick
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Anton Bielig
Matrosengefreiter Jost Panknin
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Wagner
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Brandi
Matrosengefreiter Gunther Kraus
Matrosengefreiter Hannes Muder
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Janz
Matrosengefreiter Ernst Soden
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Balke
Matrosengefreiter Georg Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Johannes Lasch
Matrosengefreiter Heinz Schönerr
Matrosengefreiter Walter Merten
Matrosengefreiter Karl Forstner
Matrosengefreiter Robert Reche
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Kilimann

8/19/39
0200 Underway from Wilhelmshaven docks, bound for North Atlantic, Grid AM11. Everyone exited; rumor is that several boats have been sent out at once.
Nobody knows why.
0208 Passed inner harbor lighthouses.
0339 Passed outer reaches.

8/20/39
0200 First Position Report: AN63. Fuel 98%. Overcast, Raining, Sea Calm.

8/21/39
0200 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 96%. Raining, Sea Calm.
1428 Chief Petersen reports problems with port diesel. Running very rough. They are attempting repairs.
1612 Repairs to port diesel completed. Running on both now.
1648 Loud banging sound heard throughout boat. Port diesel now inoperative. Engineers to conduct complete stripdown to see what's wrong.
1932 Chief reports diesel has thrown a piston-rod. Will take several hours to replace. Proceeding on starboard diesel only.

8/22/39
0200 Position Report: AF79. Fuel 94%. Raining, Sea Moderate.
1126 Chief reports diesel crankshaft showing multiple cracks, probably from sudden stop when rod broke. He advises that crankshaft will almost certainly shatter if we attempt to run port deisel.
1135 Radioed OKM for advice on situation.
1301 Radio: OKM ordered us to return to Wilhelmshaven for replacement of diesel. Not the news we wanted for our first patrol, but what can we do?

8/23/39
0200 Position Report: AN39. Fuel 92%. Running at Full Speed on starboard diesel, maintaining 11 knots.

8/24/39
0200 Position Report: AN64. Fuel 90%.
2012 Entered Wilhelmshaven outer harbor.
2136 Entered inner harbor.
2152 Docked at Wilhelmshaven repair dock.

Crew unhappy, but spirits are high. We're told the engine will be replaced in four to five days. Two more for tests and we should be ready to go.

[Bluewings]

What a bad luck Günther ... :(

Hopefully , U-52 will be back into shape very soon as we need all the boats we can get .

How is life in Wilhelmshaven ? I haven 't been there for a looong time .
...

(excellent read :up: )

B. Goelf out .

Cheers .

[SteamWake]

Nice job Steve.

Just like a crew to be dissapointed about not haveing to stare death in the face !

No worries your fate awaits you :)

[donut]

Hi steve,patroled CA54 yet? Sandy Hook area is full of DE's,stay south, water is shallow also,boat took a beating. Decoys saved my hide! :sunny:

[Sailor Steve]

Naw, for the sake of realism (in my own fevered mind anyway) I always go where they send me.

I'm surprised that no one's commented on the fact that this patrol started and ended before the war began. Poor Berke missed out on his chance to be at sea when war was declared.

It's okay, though; I'm running three different side-by-side careers, one from each flotilla, and one of them also went out on August 19, and has had some interesting adventures.

[Sailor Steve]

Bruno Asche

Patrol 1: September 1, 1939 Game played December 25-28, 2005

Lt. z.S. Bruno Asche was born November 8, 1912 in Essen.
He was inducted into the Kriegsmarine on April 1, 1934, age 21.
Became Officer SeeKadett December 1, 1934.
Promoted Fähnrich zur See November 1, 1935, one week before his 23rd birthday.
Promoted Oberfänrich z.S. May 1, 1937.
Served as Navigator aboard Type IIA U-4 from September 13, 1937 to February 22, 1938.
Promoted Leutnant z.S. October 1, 1937.
Assigned to U-Boat Flotilla Wedigen June 3, 1938 for command training.
Served as 2WO aboard Type IIB U-19 from August 6, 1938 to November 12, 1938, completing two training patrols.
Served as 1WO aboard Type IIA U-6 from January 9, 1939 to July 22, 1939, completing three patrols.
Assumed command of Type IIB U-14 August 12, 1939.
Was preparing for shakedown cruise with new crew when war started on September 1. Assigned immediate war patrol, departing as soon as possible. Since boat had just been preparing for cruise anyway, immediate departure was not a problem.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/11.jpg
Lt. z.S. Bruno Asche


U-14: Flotilla Wedigen, Kiel
U-14 crew, September 1, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Bruno Asche
Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. Günther Loh
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Werner Scholz
2WO: Leutnant z. S. Heinz Schmidt
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Erich Steimle

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsman Emil Stephan
Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer
Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr

General Petty Officers:
Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen
Bootsmann Hans Mohr
Bootsmann Henning Hessler
Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt Böhling
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Dietrich Priller
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt
Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Brehme
Matrosengefreiter Rolf Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Siegfried Poske
Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel
Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen
Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen
Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn

9/1/39
0013 Underway from Kiel docks, Ahead Slow.
0029 Passed inner harbor lighthouses, increased speed to 1/3.
0103 Passed Kiel outer bar. Following Swedish merchant.
0124 Spotted Schnellboot on patrol.
0138 Exited Kiel Bay. Opened orders-we are to patrol in grid AN81, off the southeastern English coast.
0256 Have lost sight of Kiel lighthouses.
0256 Our Swedish friend is gone. He changed course to the north about half an hour ago.
0350 Last sight of land. Sky is growing light.
0425 Smoke spotted in distance, bearing 152.
0431 More smoke to the southeast, bearing 280.
0449 Still more smoke, bearing 072.
0510 Ship at 280 now at 320, close enough to identify as a destroyer. Unable to tell type; almost certainly one of ours.
Ship at 052 now at 085, appears to be a small trawler or tug.
Ship at 072 now at 110, small merchant of some type.
0557 Land spotted, bearing 305-Gulstav point, southern tip of Langeland.
0601 Radio: We are at war with Poland. Apparently they attacked one of our border stations.
0739 Entered Langelands Bält.
1232 Rounded Langeland, entered Store Bält.
2249 Lt. Scholz thinks he saw a ship far astern. I can't see anything in this darkness.

9/2/39
0000 First Position Report: AO72. Fuel 95%. Sky Clear. Sea State 3, Wind 10 m/s, waves about one-half meter high.
0143 Entered Kattegat.
1018 Rounded Laesø Island.
1543 Rounded Hirtshals Point, the northernmost tip of Denmark, about 14 km NE of Skagen. We are now in the Skagerak.

9/3/39
0000 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 90%. Clear with a slight mist. Sea 4, wind 12 m/s, waves about one meter.
1256 Radio: War with Britain! Life is about to get interesting.
1400 Storm front moving in. Clouds building, waves rising.
1735 Position 110 km S of Kristiansandked-we have now enter the North Sea.
1753 Radio: Possible war with France-situation unclear. Do not attack French ships, fight only if attacked first.

9/4/39
0000 Position Report: AN38. Fuel 85%. Overcast, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, two-meter waves.
1201 Radio: Do not attack passenger liners-period!

9/5/39
0000 Position Report: AN66. Fuel 80%. Overcast, Sea 5.
1000 Weather has intensified-heavy going.
2351 Entered AN81. Set Ahead Slow for patrol.

9/6/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 75%. Overcast, Sea 10, Winds 30 m/s, nine-meter waves. Not deep enough to safely dive.
1142 Radio: Situation with France still unclear-do not stop French ships.
1400 Storm has passed, sky is clearing, waves still heavy.
1419 Radio: Distress call from SS Rio Claro, 46-30 North, 12-00 West; off the Bay of Biscay. Was it a storm or a U-Boat?
1426 Attacked by two British fighter-bombers. No time to evade, nowhere to dive to. Luckily both were wide of the mark.

9/7/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 72%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 25 m/s, six-meter waves.
1201 Radio: Merchant ships only targets-do not attack capital ships-Führer trying to negotiate peace with Britain.

9/8/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 8.
0001 Matrosengefrieter Arnold called out a ship at 231 degrees, but none of us could see anything.
0005 Dove for sound check.
0010 Nothing on hydrophones. Surfaced.
0741 Ship spotted, bearing 045.
0744 It's a small merchant. Ordered Ahead Flank.
0747 Can't make more than 10 knots in these waves; having trouble overtaking.
0750 Set course 090. Range is 5800.
0755 Range now 5200.
0800 Range 4600.
0805 Range now 4000. Ordered periscope depth, set course 150.
0815 Unable to obtain proper range through periscope, or keep the boat trimmed-sea to rough. Surfacing.
0816 Set course 060. Range 2400.
0817 He's seen us! Turning away.
0820 Range 2300, Bearing 062.
0825 Range 2200, Bearing 072. Set course 090.
0830 Range 1600, Bearing 051. He's definitely British.
0835 Range 1000, Bearing 060.
0836 Set course 125, Ahead Standard.
0839 Firing tubes 1 and 2. First torpedo missed. Second porpoised and exploded prematurely.
0840 Can't shoot in this weather. Returning to course, Ahead Slow.
0906 It took 27 minutes to load tube 1! Everyone's tired, fighting the sea as well as the British.
0930 Only took 24 minutes for tube 2. Sending as many to rest as possible.
1141 Radio: Set magnetic pistols back 2 stages. Only use impact pistols on ships of 3000 tons or less. Now they tell us.

9/9/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 8.

9/10/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 63%. Clear, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9 meters high. Impossible to rest, bottom too shallow, can't get deep enough to help.
1200 Following sea, boat is wallowing like a pig in mud.
1316 Radio: Convoys north of Brest may be attacked even if they have French escorts.

9/11/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 60%. Clear, Sea 10.
0900 Finally! The wind is dying. Sea is starting to calm.
1200 Conditions quite calm now. Enjoying the sun.
2029 Ship spotted, bearing 302. Set course 165, Ahead 1/3.
2040 Can now see him without binoculars. Moving across our bow. Set course 210, Ahead Standard.
2045 Whatever he is, he's a small one.
2050 It's a fishing boat! Returning to course, Ahead Slow.

9/12/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 57%. Clear, Sea 1, almost no wind, only small ripples on the water.
1700 Another storm moving in!

9/13/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 54%. Overcast, Sea 10.
2200 Several operational messages throughout the day, none of them concerning us.

9/14/39
1400 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 51%. Overcast, Sea 10.
1310 Radio: U-35 reports being attacked by British forces in BF33.
1600 Radio: Steamship Ida Drake rescuing survivors of SS British Influence. Looks like somebody's doing his job!

9/15/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 48%. Overcast, Sea 10.

9/16/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 45%. Overcast, Sea 10.
1508 Ship spotted! Bearing 243. Changed course to 060, Ahead Standard.
1511 Identified as small merchant, range about 8100 meters. Can't attack, sea too rough.
1600 Seas starting to calm down.
1700 Storm has pretty much passed.
1728 Aircraft! Gave order to dive to periscope depth, but too late. Luckily he missed us.
1730 Returning to course, staying submerged.
2200 Surfaced.

9/17/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 41%. Clear, Sea 0. Wind 2 m/s, almost dead calm.
0149 Ship spotted, bearing 282. He's heading right for us!
0150 Set up UZO.
0155 Medium sized cargo ship, range 3300.
0156 Sky is starry, moon is out; decided to attack submerged. Took down UZO, ordered Periscope Depth, Ahead Standard.
0200 Range now 2500. There's another ship far behind, can't tell what or who.
0204 Set course 270, coming about for attack run.
0206 Range 1600, Bearing 052.
0207 Speed Ahead 1/3.
0210 Range 700, speed Ahead Slow.
0211 Damn! He's Norwegian! They're neutral-can't shoot him!
0212 Turned north to check out the other one.
0221 Have lost sight of other ship. He must have been crossing our path. Returning to patrol.
0228 Sound Contact: merchant, bearing 278.
0230 Surfaced.
1202 Radio: Russia has joined us in the fight against Poland. An ally at last!
1542 Radio: U-27 reports two premature torpedo detonations.

9/18/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 39%. Sky clear, Sea 0.
1200 Weather has changed again; now overcast, sea moderately heavy.

9/19/39
0000 Position Report: Fuel 37%. Overcast, Sea 7, wind 22 m/s, waves about 4 meters high.
1646 Ship spotted! Bearing 086. Ahead Standard, Course 096.
1652 Changed course to 100.
1653 Medium-sized freighter, heading across our course, range about 7000.
1655 New course 110, Ahead Flank.
1658 Set course 120.
1700 Range 5200.
1701 Getting too close. Changed course to 150.
1705 Range now 3900, bearing 318.
1710 Range 2800, bearing 313.
1715 Range 1800, bearing 315. NO! Another Norwegian! Are they all moving to England for the winter?! Returning to course, Ahead Slow.

9/20/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 34%. Overcast, Sea 7.
1502 Radio: U-34 has sunk two merchants, totalling 11,000 tons! Great to hear!

9/21/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 31%. Overcast, Sea 10. Heading for home, Ahead 1/3.

9/22/39
0000 Position Report: AN66. Fuel 26%. Clear, Sea 10.
1625 Radio: U-53 also heading home, low on food.

9/23/39
0000 Position Report: AN38. Fuel 21%. Sky clear, Sea 10.

9/24/39
0000 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 16%. Sky clear, Sea 10.
1400 Radio: French ships are now to be treated the same as British.
1528 Radio: Merchants using radios when stopped by U-boats may be sunk or taken as prizes.
1547 Rounded Hirtshals Point; back in Kattegat.
1600 Radio: Passenger liners carrying 120 people or less may be sunk.
2218 Rounded Laesø.

9/25/39
0000 Position Report: AO47. Fuel 11%. Partly Cloundy, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, 6-meter waves.
0752 Rounded Grenå.
1153 Smoke spotted, bearing 068. Must be either friendly or neutral, not changing course to investigate.
1542Can see land to East, almost certainly point off Kalundborg. Estimate 9 km to point, 36 km to port.
2223 Rounded North tip of Langeland.

9/26/39
0000 Position Report: AO76. Fuel 6%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8.
0413 Rounded Gulstav Point.
0441 Smoke spotted, bearing 301.
0456 It's a destroyer, likely one of ours.
0736 Ship spotted ahead.
0740 Another destroyer.
0806 Land spotted.
0833 More smoke dead ahead.
0912 Small merchant coming our way.
0933 He's Swedish; just passed us.
0947 Can make out the buildings at Kiel-almost home.
1001 Passed into Kiel Bay; wind has dropped considerably. It's quite pleasant now.
1040 Passed outer bar.
1106 Passed lighthouse into inner harbor. Reduced speed to Slow.
1125 Tied up at Kiel.

All in all a useless patrol. We were attacked twice by enemy planes, failed to sink one ship. Still, crew are in good spirits, anxious for a few days at home, but wanting to get to sea again.

September 26, 1939
1. Heinrich Liebe..........16,698
2. Herbert Schultze......14,777
3. Wilhelm Rollmann.....13,138
4. Günther Prien.............8,270
Bruno Asche**......................0
Günther Berke*.....................0
Berthold Cranmer*................0

[Bluewings]

Excellent Report Kaleun .

I wish you better luck for your next Patrol :)

Cheers .

[iambecomelife]

I liked them a lot. :up: You manage to keep them interesting even though there isn't much combat taking place ... yet.

[Sailor Steve]

Berthold Cranmer

Patrol 1: August 19, 1939 Game played January 7-9, 2006

Lt. z.S. Berthold Cranmer was born June 22, 1911, in Bojendorf.
He was inducted into the Kriegsmarine on April 1, 1934, age 22.
Became Officer SeeKadett January 23, 1935.
Promoted Fähnrich zur See August 1, 1935.
First posting: Training School, Assistant Navigation Instructor.
Promoted Oberfänrich z.S. September 1, 1937.
Promoted Leutnant z.S. January 1, 1938.
Navigation and Weather Instructor, March 17, 1938.
Assigned U-boat Flotilla Weddigen for U-boat command training on May 19, 1938.
Assigned IWO of U-13, Kiel, Flotilla Weddigen, May 19, 1938. 2 patrols, May16-June 7, 1939 and June 13-July 2, 1939.
Tansferred to Flotilla Wegener, Kiel, and assigned command of U-74 on August 1, 1939.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/53.jpg
Lt. z.S. Berthold Cranmer

U-74: Flotilla Wegener, Kiel
U-74 crew, August 19, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Berthold Cranmer
Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. Karl Schewe
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Heinz Renken
2WO: Leutnant z. S. Alfred Moehle
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Günter Göseke
Torpedo Officer: Oberfähnrich z. S. Albrecht Zapf

Senior Helmsman/Third Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Peter Jenisch
Helmsman: Bootsmann Emil Brehme
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Günther Blank
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Otto Röther
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Gerhard Hentrop

General Petty Officers:
Stabsoberbootsmann Gerhard Kilimann
Bootsmann Herbert Stephan
Bootsmann Friederich Goldbeck
Bootsmann Hans Sporer
Bootsmann Heinz Wissmann
Bootsmann Fritz Jungmann
Bootsmann Arend Baltz
Bootsmann Joachim Blaudow
Bootsmann Johan Reckhoff
Bootsmann Horst Richter
Bootsmann Hans Thurmann

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Heinz Schäfer
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Lothar Arnold
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Walter Kühn
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Walter Kühn

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Rolf Hertin
Matrosenobergefreiter Paul Folkers
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinrich Mitter
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Jungmann

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Hermann Bleek
Matrosengefreiter Adolf Scholz
Matrosengefreiter Rudolf Hartmann
Matrosengefreiter Curt Schmidt
Matrosengefreiter Dietmar Krech
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Babel
Matrosengefreiter Werner Gante
Matrosengefreiter Julius Wiebe
Matrosengefreiter Karl Pröchnow
Matrosengefreiter Paul Hänsel
Matrosengefreiter Heinrich Sander
Matrosengefreiter Robert Rasch
Matrosengefreiter Karl Hölzer
Matrosengefreiter Hans Heuer
Matrosengefreiter Hartwig Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Ludwig Bilstein
Matrosengefreiter Friederich Ganzer
Matrosengefreiter Wilhelm Metzler
Matrosengefreiter Ludwig Clausen
Matrosengefreiter Wilhelm Bülow
Matrosengefreiter Reinhart Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Max Manke

8/19/39
1848 U-74 Departed Kiel docks.
1859 Passed inner harbor lighthouse.
1914 Passed inbound Americant merchant.
1926 Passed outer bar. Set 1/3 Speed. Moon just rising ahead as sun sets behind.
2023 Left Kiel outer bay.

8/20/39
0015 Entered Langelandsbält.
0426 Entered Store Bält.
1900 Position Report: AO47. Fuel 98%. Clear skies, Sea State 3, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1/2 meter.

8/21/39
1900 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 96%. Clear, Sea 3, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 1/2 meter.

8/22/39
1900 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 94%. 84 km SW Arendal. Fuel 92%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 4 meters.

8/23/39
0942 Ship spotted, British merchant. Exchanged greetings in passing.
1900 Position Report: AN38. Fuel 92%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 23 m/s, Waves 4 meters.

8/24/39
1900 Position Report: AN66. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 4 meters.

8/25/39
1900 Position Report: AN82. Fuel 88%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 4 meters.

8/26/39
1900 Position Report: AN84, 160 km E Harwich. Fuel 86%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

8/27/39
1813 Entered English Channel.
1900 Position Report: AF33. Fuel 84%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

8/28/39
1900 Position Report: BF32, 80km S Portsmouth. Fuel 82%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

8/29/39
1200 Cruising in company with British destroyer.
1650 Our 'escort' has broken off to go his own way.
1900 Position Report: BF26. Fuel 80%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

8/30/39
1900 Position Report: BF25. Fuel 78%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 9 m/s, Waves 2 meters.
2230 Have left Channel, entered Atlantic.

8/31/39
1900 Position Report: BF19. Fuel 76%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

9/1/39
0602 Radio: OKM reports we are at war with Poland. All Polish ships are to be considered valid targets, and may be sunk at commander's descretion. Good, we don't have to wait for permission. Apparently Polish troops attacked a border radio station. Curious timing, though-right after a number of U-boats are assigned to Atlantic stations.
1900 Position Report: BF18. Fuel 74%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

9/2/39
1900 Position Report: Fuel 72%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

9/3/39
0317 Arrived BF17. Ahead Slow for patrol.
1255 Radio: OKM reports we are at war with Britain. We may wage war on British shipping in accordance with international prize regulations.
1359 Radio: London Protocols must be obeyed. We must stop and search suspect ships, therefore attacks should be concentrated on troopships and ships carrying
war materials.
1403 Radio: Prize regulations must be observed only if enemy ship is unarmed. If armed, it may be sunk without warning.
1552 Radio: FdU: We are officially at war with England-do not wait to be attacked first.
1753 Radio: France has declared war on Germany, but situation is unclear. For the time being do not attack French ships.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 71%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

9/4/39
1159 Radio: FdU: Passenger ships may not be attacked or searched whether alone or in convoy. They have a free pass.
1347 Radio: Restriction on Passenger Liners does not apply to cargo ships-suspect ships must be searched, ships obviously carrying war materials may be sunk without warning.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 70%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

9/5/39
1900 Position Report: Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0, Waves 0.

9/6/39
0800 Storm moving in. Wind freshening, waves building, clouds increasing. Feels like it might be a big one.
1217 Ship spotted, Bearing 264
1223 Radio: FdU: French situation still unclear. French ships are not to be stopped for any reason.
1224 Looks like a destroyer, probably British.
1248 Lost sight of him in the increasing fog.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 68%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 31 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50 meters to escape the motion.

9/7/39
1300 Surfaced to recharge batteries and clear air.
1423 Radio: FdU: Due to attempts to negotiate peace with Britain, British warships are not to be attacked-merchants only.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 67%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50 meters again.

9/8/39
1300 Surfaced
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 31 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving again.

9/9/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 65%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters.

9/10/39
1055 Sound Contact: Merchant, Bearing 285. Ordered periscope depth.
1058 There he is, Range 5900.
1100 Range 4800. Ahead Flank.
1105 Range 4000, Bearing 330. Ordered crew to attack stations.
1108 Range 3600, Bearing 328.
1110 Range 3300, Bearing 327.
1112 Range 3000, Bearing 327. He's a big one. Set torpedo depth to 8 meters.
1114 Range 2700, Bearing 326.
1116 Range 2500, Bearing 325.
1118 Range 2200, Bearing 325.
1120 Range 2000, Bearing 325.
1122 Range 1700, Bearing 326.
1124 Range 1300, Bearing 331.
1126 Range 1100, Bearing 334.
1127 Range 900, Bearing 336.
1128 Range 765, Bearing 340.
1129 Range 625, Bearing 345.
1130 Firing tube 1, Range 550.
1131 Missed! Firing tube 2, Range 465.
1132 Hit! Firing tube 3, Range 420.
1133 Missed again! Firing 4.
1134 Hit! Target listing heavily.
1138 Target sank.
1139 Returning to course, Ahead Slow.
1500 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 64%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 34 m/s, Waves 10 meters. Diving to 50.

9/11/39
0350 Sound Contact, Merchant, Bearing 011. Surfacing, Course 135, Ahead 1/3.
0415 Spotted him, Bearing 015. Set course 155.
0440 Set course 180, Ahead Standard.
0500 Range about 4000, hard to tell in the approaching dawn.
0510 Range 2600.
0520 Range 1300. Turning to attack.
0524 Firing 1, Range 350.
0525 Missed!
0527 Firing 2, trailing shot, Range 315.
0528 Missed again! This one gets away. Lesson learned: don't try to attack in this weather.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 63%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50.

9/12/39
1300 Surfaced to recharge.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 62%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving again.

9/13/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 61%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50 m.

9/14/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 60%. Partly cloudy, Sea 11, Wind 36 m/s, Waves 10 m. Diving.

9/15/39
1300 Surfaced
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 59%. Partly cloudy, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 10 m. Diving to 50 m.

9/16/39
1300 Surfaced.
1322 Radio: Convoy in BF15, 235 km NW our position, headed W. Intersect point 90 km N. We're late-message originally sent 0847.
1323 Course 000, Ahead Standard.
1710 Arrived intersect point. Course 090, Ahead Slow. Given earlier problems, don't know if we can attack in this weather, but against a full convoy we'll try.
1900 Position Report: BF14. Fuel 57%. Overcast, Sea ranging from 6 to 10, highly variable, Winds from 20-35 m/s, Waves unpredictable. Diving to 50 m.

9/17/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF15. Fuel 56%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50 m.
1901 Apparently we've missed them. Returning to BF17, Course 220.
1911 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 071. Rudder amidships, leveling off at 25 meters.
1914 No further contact. Turning to 180 to see if he was in our forward baffles.
1915 Nothing. Returning to 220.
1934 Contact-Merchant, Bearing 054. Seems likely it's the same one. Again it's only one, not a convoy.
1935 Set Course 270.
1937 Ahead Standard. Contact immediately lost.
1938 Course 260.
1939 Contact not regained. Ahead Slow, Periscope Depth. Let's see if we can see anything.
1942 Nothing to be seen, still no sound contact. Returning to course 220, 50 meters.

9/18/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF18. Fuel 55%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 34 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50.

9/19/39
0844 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 058.
0846 Set Course 060.
0900 No further contact.
0918 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 016.
0919 Contact immediately lost.
1000 No further contact. Returning to patrol course.
1300 Surfaced to recharge.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 54%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 8 meters. Back to 50.

9/20/39
1300 Surfaced. Weather calmed considerably.
1500 Radio: U-34 reports 2 ships sunk for 11,000 tons. Good to hear someone having luck.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 53%. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 4 meters. Staying surfaced.

9/21/39
1134 Radio: New warning not to attack French shipping.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 52%. Onercast, Sea 7, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 4 meters.

9/22/39
0838 Radio: Convoy in BE39, 148 km WNW our position, and heading W. Too bad, there's no way we could catch them.
1430 Weather has picked up again.
1829 Radio: Second request in as many days for U-39 to report in. Afraid they might be lost.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 51 %. Heavy Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Back to routine of diving deep. 50 meters.

9/23/39
1300 Surfaced to recharge.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 50%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50 again.
2212 Sound Contact-Merchant, Bearing 080. Weather too heavy to attack.

9/24/39
1300 Surfaced.
1357 Radio: Full war now authorized against France.
1445 Radio: U-34 reports capturing S.S. Hanonia in North Sea; taking her to Kiel as prize.
1528 Radio: Any shipped using radio when stopped for search may be sunk or taken as prize.
1549 Radio: Convoy 40 km ESE our position, heading WNW. Set Course 060, Ahead Standard.
1559 Radio: Passenger ships may now be sunk, but only if carrying 120 people or less.
1719 Have reached intersect point. Set Course 150, diving to 30 meters, Ahead Slow.
1721 Multiple contacts, Bearing 038. This is it.
1722 Set Course 240, Ahead 1/3.
1728 Contact general direction now 309.
1729 Periscope Depth.
1732 Can see nothing in these driving waves and winds. Contacts now ranging from 306 to 312.
1733 Surfaced.
1745 Have seen nothing. Periscope Depth for Sound Check.
1746 Contact, Bearing 322.
1747 Surfaced, Course 210.
1800 Sound Check.
1805 Five minutes with no contact. Surfacing, Course 270, Ahead Standard.
1806 Sound Contact, Bearing 301. We dive and hear nothing, but once we surface we plunge deep enough to hear something.
1807 Back to Course 240.
1808 I'd hate to be on a surface ship in this weather.
1810 No reason to dive for a sound check; getting plenty of contacts anyway.
1841 Ship Spotted, Bearing 012.
1845 Set Course 270.
1847 All we can see are three small merchants. Tough to target them.
1853 Can see more ships now. Mixed bag, some are neutrals, appears to be no escort.
1855 Have a small British coaster in our sights, Range 900, Bearing 343.
1858 WHAT?! There's a big British merchant heading the wrong way, against the convoy. Must be having steering problems. Left Full Rudder.
1859 Midships, Course 210. Target Range 1100, Bearing 025.
1900 More ships seem to be in trouble. Some of the smaller ones are plunging quite deep.
1901 Range 790, Bearing 010. Setting eels to run deep. Hope magnetics work.
1902 Firing 1. Hit! Firing 2.
1903 Hit! Target listing heavily, down by stern.
1905 Target sank fairly level, slightly stern first.
1908 Set Course 270; going after small tanker.
1913 Big merchant about 1800 meters ahead. Saw him earlier; think he's neutral.
1922 Pulling ahead of tanker. Funny: we're surfaced, they can surely see us but don't seem to be reacting. Perhaps it's all they can do to fight this weather.
1920 Ach! Suddenly realized the big one right next to us is British! Only 200 meters to our starboard!
1930 Right Full Rudder, Speed 2 knots.
1932 Midships. Firing 3. Firing 4.
1933 Hit! Ahhh! Explosions! Must be ammunition ship! Another hit! Ship breaking into several pieces.
1934 Target sank quickly. Diving to 50 meters, turning away from convoy. Funny, sometimes it takes two or three to sink a ship, sometimes you fire two only to find out one did the trick and the other was wasted.
2100 Surfaced.
2105 Filed report: BF17. Fuel 48%. 2 more ships sunk.
2106 Returned to 50 meters.


9/25/39
1300 Surfaced.
1500 Sky is clearing, partly cloudy now.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 47%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. No torpedoes forward, two aft. Can't load externals.

9/26/39
0800 Surfaced to enjoy sunshine.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 46%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50.

9/27/39
0800 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 45%. Overcast, Sea 11, Wind 36 m/s, Waves 10 meters. Diving to 50 meters.

9/28/39
1300 Surfaced.
1711 Radio: Italian, Russian Japanese and Spanish ships may be stopped to check papers, but may not be sunk or captured.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 44%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving.

9/29/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 43%. Raining, Sea 6, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 3. Diving anyway-who needs the rain?
2340 Sound Contact-Merchant, Bearing 014.
2341 Surfaced, Course 230.
2350 Can't see 100 meters in this rain. Diving to 50 again.

9/30/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 42%. Rain, Sea 6, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 3. Diving.

10/1/39
1300 Surfaced to recharge.
1731 Radio: Convoy in our grid. We have no means to attack. Using only stern tubes in this weather not a good idea with possible escorts.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 41%. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 4 meters. Diving to 50.

10/2/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 40%. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 4 meters. Diving.

10/3/39
1300 Surfaced to find dead calm sea and clear skies.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 39%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0, Waves 0.
2300 Turned out crew for external torpedo transfer.
2305 Boat stopped, hoist rigged, beginning transfer.
2342 Transfer complete.
2347 Hoist stowed. Set ahead slow.
2354 Tube 1 loaded.

10/4/39
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 38%. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 3 m/s, Waves 5cm ripples.

10/5/39
0330 Radio: Lone ship 95 km S of us, heading ENE. Set course 120, Ahead 1/3. Sky clouding up.
0450 Course 240, Ahead Slow.
1200 We must have missed him in the rain. Returning to course.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 37%. Rain, Sea 5, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

10/6/39
1148 Radio: Poland has surrendered; Polish ships are still to be considered hostile.
1431 Radio: All boats are to report any incorrect procedure on the part of neutral ships.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 36%. Rain, Sea 5, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

10/7/39
0206 Radio: Ship just 26 km SSW our position, heading ENE. Set Course 210.
0335 Diving for Sound Check.
0344 Contact, Bearing 247. Set Course 115, Ahead Flank.
0400 Contact now Bearing 330. Set Course 060.
0401 Bearing 020. Set Course 080.
0403 lost contact, Bearing 020. Must be forward baffles.
0405 Tried Observation periscope. Rain has stopped, can see smoke ahead. Surfaced, Ahead Standard.
0406 There he is, dead ahead.
0407 Set up UZO; too far to tell anything.
0408 Ahead Full.
0420 Have lost sight of him.
0430 He seems to have vanished. Either he was making more than 14 knots, or he just disappeared. I guess it's just one of those great mysteries of life.
0431 Returning to course, Ahead Slow.
1900 Position Report: BF17, Fuel 35%. Clear, Sea 4, Wind 7 m/s, Waves 1 meter. Heading for home (certainly NOT through the channel this time), Ahead 1/3.

10/8/39
1900 Position Report: AM87. Fuel 33%. Clear, Sea 4, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 1 m.
2055 Lt. Moehele ordered dive to periscope depth. Destroyer spotted, Bearing 012.
2056 Ahead Slow.
2057 It's a C-class destroyer, Range 4400.
2105 Range 3700, Bearing 068.
2110 Range 4300, Bearing 096.
2115 Range impossible to determine in evening dusk, probably about 5000. Will stay submerged until copletely dark.
2300 Surfaced.

10/9/39
1900 Position Report: AM54. Fuel 31%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 2 m.

10/10/39
0700 Wind has freshened, waves rising.
1900 Position Report: AM27. Fuel 29%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 26 m/s, Waves 5m.

10/11/39
1900 Position Report: AM33. Fuel 27%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 9m.

10/12/39
0700 Wind has died again. Scattered clouds.
1900 Position Report: AN11. Fuel 25%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 1, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.
2100 Radio: Some merchant reporting picking up survivors from another one.

10/13/39
1900 Position Report: AF78. Fuel 23%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 2, Wind 7 m/s, Waves 1/4 meter.
2145 Radio: Incomplete message; U-42 reports "sinkings". Is he in trouble, or did he sink multiple ships?

10/14/39
0730 Radio: U-45 reports convoy in BE33.
1145 Radio: BdU ordering U-45 to attack.
1400 Storm moving in fast.
1900 Position Report: AN23. Fuel 21%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m.

10/15/39
1900 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 18%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 9m.

10/16/39
1900 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 15%. Heavy Rain, Sea 9, Wind 27 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.
2108 Sound contact-Merchant. Probably friendly or at least neutral. Too heavy to attack anyway.

10/17/39
1300 Surfaced. Weather unchanged.
1900 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 14%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50.

10/18/39
0702 Water getting shallow. Coming to 30 meters.
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 13%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 30.
2250 Water getting shallower. Coming up to 20 meters.
2310 Getting too shallow altogether. Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.

10/19/39
0700 Storm has lifted. Smooth sailing now.
1113 Ship spotted. Friendly destroyer.
1900 Position Report: AO75. Fuel 11%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 3m.

10/20/39
0232 Land spotted!
0328 Entered Kiel Bay.
0357 Passed outer bar.
0416 Passed into inner harbor, Speed 5 knots.
0433 Tied up at recieving dock. U-74 home safely.


Confirmed Sinkings:
9/11/39: British merchant S.S. Solør; 6,993 tons.
9/24/39: British merchant S.S. McDowell; 5,690 tons.
...............British merchant S.S. Meacham; 5,218 tons.
Total: 17,901 tons.

October 20,1939
1. Herbert Schultze..................51,930
2. Günther Prien......................37,420
3. Werner Hartmann................21,198
4. Berthold Cranmer**.............17,901
5. Heinrich Liebe.......................16,698
6. Wilhelm Rollman...................16,391
7. Joachim Schepke....................2,348
8. Otto Kretschmer.........................876
Bruno Asche*.....................................0
Gunther Berke*..................................0

10/22/39
Happy day! Chief Engineer Schewe and I have both been promoted!

[Sailor Steve]

Günther Berke

Patrol 2: September 3, 1939 Game played December 30, 2005-January 6, 2006

Sent on first patrol August 19, 1939, Grid AM11. Two days out port diesel broke down completely. After a full day trying to repair, radioed for permission to return to Wilhelmshaven. Permission granted and we turned back. The engine had to be completely replaced. This accomplished in 7 days; ready for sea again on August 31. While awaiting new orders we found ourselves at war. On September 2 we recieved orders to put out the following evening.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/64.jpg
Lt. z.S. Günther Berke

U-52: Fotilla Saltzwedel, Wilhelmshaven
U-52 crew, September 3, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Günther Berke
Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. Ernst Petersen
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Viktor Witte
2WO: Leutnant z.S. Georg Lobin
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Otto Steinmetz
Medic: Oberfähnrich z. S. Axel Bargsten

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Harro Staats
Helmsman: Bootsmann Heinz Kläbisch
Assistant to Chief: Stabsoberbootsmann Ulrich Folkers
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Hans Maddaus
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Kurt Mohr
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Reinhart Kraus

General Petty Officers:
Stabsbootsmann Werner Piening
Bootsmann Victor Schmidt
Bootsmann Frantz Vogel
Bootsmann Reinhard Eppen
Bootsmann Fritz Claussen
Bootsmann Manfred Reckhoff
Bootsmann Viktor Zinke
Bootsmann Alfred Schacht
Bootsmann Werner Trojer
Bootsmann Rolf Eckerman

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Wiebe
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Hans Hirtl
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Miedza
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Karl Hölzer

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Eisen
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Frentzen
Matrosenobergefreiter Carl Soden
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Radloff

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Frank
Matrosengefreiter Hans Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Horst Leidig
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Baur
Matrosengefreiter Alfred Eick
Matrosengefreiter Hans Schael
Matrosengefreiter Anton Bielig
Matrosengefreiter Jost Panknin
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Wagner
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Brandi
Matrosengefreiter Gunther Kraus
Matrosengefreiter Hannes Muder
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Janz
Matrosengefreiter Ernst Soden
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Balke
Matrosengefreiter Georg Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Johannes Lasch
Matrosengefreiter Heinz Schönerr
Matrosengefreiter Walter Merten
Matrosengefreiter Karl Forstner
Matrosengefreiter Robert Reche
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Kilimann

9/3/39
2350 Underway from Wilhelmshaven docks.

9/4/39
0001 Passed out of inner harbor.
0006 Set course 075, Ahead 1/3.
0039 Set course 000.
0057 Set course 325, into the Jade.
0101 Spotted schnellboot on harbor patrol
0108 Spotted small U-boat, Type II, 2 km off port bow, inbound.
0112 Spotted friendly destroyer, inbound.
0211 Passing Schillighörn, out of the Jade, into North Sea. Opened orders: We are assigned grid AM32, south of the Faroe Islands. We'll be blockading the passage from the North Sea to the Atlantic.
0250 Passing Wangerooge. On our own now.
0251 Or not. Spotted another friendly U-boat.
0404 Spotted destroyer. In morning gloom we didn't see him until he was only 6 km away.
0600 Passed 6 km west of Helgoland.
1201 Radio: Do not attack passenger liners under any circumstances.
1345 Radio: Orders on merchant ships unchanged.
2300 First Position Report: AN38. Fuel 98%. Sky Clear, Sea 3, 1/2-meter waves, wind 10 m/s.

9/5/39
1016 Ship spotted, bearing 033. Set course 020, Ahead Standard.
1019 Cargo ship, roughly 12,000 meters.
1021 Set course 030, Ahead Flank.
1025 Range now 10,000.
1030 Range 8000. Set course 060. She's medium size, probably 6000 tons or so.
1035 Range 6000.
1040 Range 4500.
1045 Range 2700.
1050 Can see flag now; she's Norwegian. Returning to course, Ahead 1/3.
1158 Radio: SS Pluvoise stopped by U-boat, reporting position. Probably French from the name. Does this mean we should sink them instead?
2300 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 96%. Raining, Sea 10, 9-meter waves, wind roughly 30 m/s. Diving to 70 meters, Ahead Slow.
2353 Sound contact-Merchant. No use trying to attack a lone ship in this weather.

9/6/39
1700 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
1942 Radio: French situation unclear, do not attack or stop French ships.
2300 Position Report: AN23. Fuel 94%. Sky clear, Sea 10. Diving to 70 meters, Ahead Slow.

9/7/39
1700 Surfaced, 1/3 speed.
2042 Radio: Attack only British merchants-no capital warships. Führer trying to negotiate peace with British.
2300 Position Report: AF79. Fuel 92%. Sky clear, Sea 10. Diving to 70 meters, Ahead Slow.

9/8/39
1700 Surfaced to clear skies and good weather. Ahead 1/3.
1924 Ship spotted, bearing 085. Set course 010, Ahead full.
1927 There! I see him now.
1928 Set up UZO.
1929 Small merchant, range about 6500 meters. Set course 000, Ahead Full.
1930 Range now 5900.
1935 Range 3800.
1937 Water washing over deck-not safe for gun crew. Will attack with torpedoes.
1937 Periscope depth, Ahead Flank.
1940 Set course 330.
1042 Set course 270.
1943 Range now 1200
1945 Range 970.
1946 Range 880.
1947 Range 730. The sun is behind him-can't make out flag.
1949 Range 600.
1950 Range 490. I can see her flag clearly now-she's definitely British!
1951 Firing Tube 1, steam torpedo, range 450.
1952 Missed!
1955 Firing Tube 2, range 370. Hit! Right at the stern!
1956 Target sank almost immediately. Credit for first sighting goes to matrosengefreiter Hertin.
2300 Position Report: AF79. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 5, 2-meter waves, wind 13 m/s. Staying on surface.

9/9/39
0940 Radio: Single ship contact report: 70 km south of us. Ignoring, continuing to patrol grid.
2300 Position Report: AF77. Fuel 89%. Clear, Sea 6, 3-meter waves, wind 17 m/s.

9/10/39
1416 Radio: French may be attacked if in convoy and north of Brest.
1814 Entered Patrol Grid AM32. Ahead Slow to conserve fuel.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 88%. Clear, Sea 5, 2-meter waves, wind 12 m/s.

9/11/39
1501 Radio: Another Tommie has gone to the bottom. Picked up a report of a merchant called Royal Sceptre being sunk.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 87%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/12/39
0241 Ship spotted-Merchant, bearing 019. Set course 140, Ahead Standard.
0250 With the moon shining down we saw him at almost 3000 meters.
0255 Set course 120, Ahead Full.
0300 Range 7500. Set Course 110.
0305 Range 5900. Set Course 060.
0310 Range 3900. Ordered crew to Attack Stations.
0315 Range 2500.
0320 Range 1200. Set Course 145, Ahead 1/3.
0321 Firing tube 3, Range 670.
0322 Hit! My God, what were they carrying?! Huge explosions tearing the ship apart! Don't see how anyone could have survived that.
0335 Tube 3 reloaded in just 12 minutes. Good job!
0400 Have spent the last half hour searching for survivors; no luck. Returning to course, Ahead Slow.
0951 Radio: Returning Atlantic boats report when off Norderney or Abelö.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 86%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/13/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 84%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 27 m/s, Waves 8 meters.

9/14/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 82%. Clear, Sea 9.

9/15/39
0659 Radio: Convoy report from U-31. He gives his grid coordinates, but not the grid itself! I guess FdU knows where he is.
0858 Radio: FdU ordering U-29, U-34 and U-53 to join in the attack. They must know where they are. I sure don't!
1520 Radio: Condor reports a ship 23 km SE of us, heading our way. Set course 225, Ahead Standard.
1551 There he is! Set up UZO.
1553 Medium-sized merchant, 7600 meters off.
1554 Set Course 330, Ahead Flank.
1600 Range 5600.
1603 Ordered Periscope Depth.
1605 Range 4200.
1610 Range 3200, Bearing 275.
1615 Range 2240, Bearing 270.
1620 Range 1260, Bearing 260. Ordered Action Stations.
1622 Range 875. Set Course 240.
1623 Range 518, Bearing 290.
1625 Firing tube 4, Range 300. Hit!
1629 Firing tube 1, Range 328. Hit!
1630 Target down to 4 knots, listing slightly to starboard. He's down to 1 knot-TOO CLOSE! Right full rudder! Dive! Dive!
1631 Somehow we missed him.
1633 Returned to Periscope Depth.
1634 Target stopped, still listing.
1637 Tube 4 loaded.
1649 Tube 1 loaded.
1800 Merchant crew has abandoned ship, lifeboats safely away.
1805 Surfaced.
1806 Opening up with deck gun.
1813 Target sinking after 13 rounds.
1815 Made sure merchant crew safe, radioing position to British. Funny, this sinking ended up being almost exactly the same spot as the last one.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 81%, Slight mist, otherwise clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

9/16/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 80%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 6 meters.

9/17/39
1158 Radio: Russia has joined us in the struggle against Poland!
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 79%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8.

9/18/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 78%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 70 meters to escape storm.

9/19/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 77%. Overcast, Sea 10. Diving to 70 meters.

9/20/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 76%. Overcast, Sea 10. Back to 70 meters.

9/21/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 75%. Overcast, Sea 10. 70 meters dive.

9/22/39
0941 Sound contact; Merchant, bearing 315. Coming to periscope depth, Ahead 1/3.
0946 No contact, no sighting. Diving to 30 meters, Ahead Slow.
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32 Fuel 74%. Overcast, Sea State 10. Back to 70 meters.

9/23/39
1700 Surfaced to clear skies and calm seas. After four days the storm has passed.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 73%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

9/24/39
1401 Radio: France is now to be treated the same as Britain. French merchants are targets, warships are not.
1527 Radio: Any stopped ship using radio to report are to be sunk or taken as prizes.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 72%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/25/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 71%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/26/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 70%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9 meters.

9/27/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 68%. Clear, Sea 10.

9/28/39
1201 Radio: Our forces have surrounded Warsaw.
1712 Radio: Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish ships are to be stopped and investigated, but not sunk or taken as prizes.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/29/39
0848 Radio: Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish ships are not to be stopped at all.
1030 Radio: Task Force spotted in AM42. They shouldn't bother us, being more than 1200 km away.
2018 Watch Officer Lobin ordered a quick dive, rousting me from my bunk. They had spotted two British warships not too far away.
2020 Two light cruisers, about 6000 meters away, with no escort. Ordered Ahead Standard, Course 005.
2025 Range 7500, making 30 knots away from us. No hope of an intercept.
2030 Range now 8400. It doesn't look like they'll be turning back this way.
2033 Lost sight of them. Surfacing, returning to course.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 64%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/30/39
1426 Radio: Prize regulations to cease in Baltic and North Seas. Ships in those areas may be sunk without warning.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 63%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 36 m/s. Ordered 70 meters dive.
2400 My birthday passed without incident, and no one knew. I consider this a good thing.

10/1/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 62%. Weather unchanged. Celebrated our fourth week at sea by diving to 80 meters.

10/2/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 61%. Clear, seas still extremely heavy, winds 29 m/s. Diving to 70 meters.

10/3/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 60%. Weather even worse, winds to 35 m/s. 70 meters.

10/4/39
1700 Surfaced to beautiful weather.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 59%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

10/5/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 58%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

10/6/39
1148 Radio: Poland has surrendered. With the war in the East over, perhaps we can negotiate with the British and French.
1427 Radio: We are ordered to report any neutrals who do not follow correct procedures.
2300 Position report: AM32. Fuel 57%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 15 m/s, 2-meter waves.

10/7/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 56%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

10/8/39
0800 Wind has freshened again. We may never get to load that external torpedo.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 55%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s. Waves up to 6 meters.

10/9/39
1441 Radio: British warship spotted, AN15. That's 600 km away, but he is heading in our general direction.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 54%. Clear, Sea 8, Winds 27 m/s, Waves 7 meters.

10/10/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 53%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6 meters.

10/11/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 52%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8 meters.

10/12/39
0920 Radio: Merchant spotted, AN13. 160 km east of us, heading away. Not much use to try to chase him in this weather.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 51%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters.

10/13/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 50%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 8 meters.

10/14/39
0727 Radio: U-45 reports convoy in BE33, about 1400 kilometers SE of us. It will turn into the channel and never come near us.
1142 Radio: BdU has ordered U-45 to go ahead and attack them.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 49%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 35 m/s, Waves 10 meters. Any worse and we dive.

10/15/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 48%. Sky Overcast, heavy rain, Sea 10, Wind 34 m/s, 10-meter waves. That's it, ordering 70-meter dive.

10/16/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge batteries and refresh air in boat.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 47%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 8 meters. Diving to 70 meters.

10/17/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 46%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 70.

10/18/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 45%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 70 meters.

10/19/39
1700 Surfaced.
2016 Radio: Stopped merchants are no longer to be boarded; let them send a boat. Papers may be examined. Ships may be stopped by gunfire, but sunk only with torpedoes. Under no circumstances are we to engage armed merchants in gun duels.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 44%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 35 m/s, Waves 10 meters. Diving to 70.

10/20/39
1700 Surfaced. Tenth day of storm.
2138 Radio: Warning: Torpedoes are running 2 meters deeper than set, adjust depth settings accordingly.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 43%. Sky clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving again.

10/21/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 42%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Back to 70.

10/22/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 41%. Overcast, Sea 11, Wind 36 m/s, Waves 11 meters. If we didn't need to recharge the batteries I'd never surface in this weather.

10/23/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 40%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 70 again.

10/24/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 39%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 35 m/s, Waves 11 meters. Diving again.

10/25/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 38%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Back to 70.

10/26/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 37%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 8 meters. Diving again.

10/27/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
1759 Radio: Enemy using liners as troopships. May attack liners travelling in convoys
2000 Radio: Repeat of previous order-ships may no longer be boarded-they must send a boat to us or be sunk.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 36%. Rain, Sea 10.

10/28/39
1700 Surfaced.
2000 Radio: Convoy in CG22, far south of us.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 35%. Raining, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving again, and heading for home.
2302 Sound contact, Merchant, bearing 345. First contact in weeks, and the weather prevents us from doing anything about it.

10/29/39
1700 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AE99. Fuel 34%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8 meters. Diving to 70.

10/30/39
1700 Surfaced...and NOW the sky is clear and the seas are relatively calm!
2250 Radio: Warship in grid AM35-far behind us.
2300 Position Report: AF77. Fuel 33?%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 21 m/s, waves 3 meters. Smooth going for the voyage home, at least.

10/31/39
0551 Radio: U-25 reports malfunctions with contact pistols.
1230 Just back from a turn on the bridge; it's so good to enjoy the sun again.
2300 Position Report: AF78. Fuel 30%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, waves 2 meters.

11/1/39
2300 Position Report: AN23. Fuel 28%. Clear, Sea 4, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1 meter.

11/2/39
0450 Radio: Condor reports lone merchant, 34 km SW of our position, heading NNE. Set course 220, Ahead Standard.
0534 Ship spotted, bearing 018. Set course 225. Spotting credit goes to matrosegengefreiter Schönerr.
0545 Ordered periscope depth.
0546 Range 4300.
0548 Range 3600. Ahead Slow.
0550 Range 2600.
0552 Range 2100.
0554 Range 1500. Set course 150.
0555 Range 1150.
0557 Range 745, Bearing 040.
0558 Range 535, Bearing 025.
0559 Range 414, Bearing 010. Can see flag clearly now-definitely British. Firing tube 2.
0600 Missed! Right Full Rudder, Ahead Flank, course 085.
0602 Range 500, Bearing 015.
0608 Firing tube 3. Miss!
0609 Firing tube 4. Missed again!.
0610 Firing tube 1. Missed!
0611 Surfaced.
0612 Attacking with deck gun. Weather is a bit heavy, but our speed is slow and the boys are willing to face it, anxious to sink this one.
0616 Tube 2 is loaded again, the only one we have left forward.
0619 18 rounds fired so far, 16 hits, 2 misses. Range is about 300 meters. The sun has just peeped up ahead of us.
0630 36 rounds fired, 30 hits, 6 misses.
0632 Target stopped. Ordered cease fire.
0634 Crew is abandoning ship. 1 lifeboat in water so far.
0635 Target is capsizing. Crew in trouble. Unable to get any closer while ship is still sinking.
0636. Ship gone. only one lifeboat-many men in the water. Putting out rubber boats in attempt to help.
0652 28 survivors out of a crew of 37. Have decided to take lifeboat and our boats under tow-130 km to Norway coast.
0700 Set course 090, speed 3 knots, towing 1 lifeboat and 2 rafts. This way they have room to be comfortable, and if we're attacked we can cut them loose quickly.
2300 Position Report: AN29. Fuel 27%. Clear, Sea 0, wind 4 m/s.

11/3/39
0212 Land spotted ahead. Intend to drop them at a small fishing village called Kopervik.
0249 Ship spotted, Bearing 245. Setting up UZO.
0252 Some kind of big fishing boat; can't tell anything else about him in the dark.
0317 He's passing behind us, about 5000 meters away.
0351 Have lost sight of him.
0445 Have entered Kopervik Bay, speed 1 knot.
0520 Have stopped at Kopervik, cutting boats loose.
0530 All British sailors ashore; the locals will take care of them. Recovering rubber boats. Would like to reload the external torpedo, but don't want to risk offending the Norwegian authorities. They might try to insist on interning us, and that could turn ugly.
0531 Reverse slow, have to back out of tiny bay.
0540 Ahead 1/3, Right Full Rudder. On our way again.
0630 Ship spotted, Bearing 073. Another fisherman, or the same one. Ignoring him and continuing on our way.
1418 Ship spotted, Bearing 027. Looks pretty big. Set Course 180 to intercept.
1420 Fair-sized cargo ship, Range about 6000. 1 eel forward, 2 aft, plus two externals, but no time now to bring them aboard.
1422 Periscope Depth.
1424 Range 4800.
1426 Range 4200.
1428 Range 3550. Ahead Slow.
1430 Range 2900.
1432 Range 2250.
1434 Range 1450.
1435 Set Course 255.
1437 Range 890.
1438 Range 600. Can see his flag; he's Norwegian. Turning for home.
2000 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 26%. Clear, Sea 1 Wind 3 m/s, small wavelets only sea activity.
2338 ALARM! Ship, right off our port bow! Emergency dive, but only to 30 meters.
2340 Returned to Periscope Depth.
2341 It's a big cargo ship, still headed right for us, but range about 2100 meters. We were in no immediated danger, but still a good call by Leutnant Witte.
2342 Ordered Ahead Flank to get out of his path. Don't think he ever saw us.
2343 Ahead 1/3. Readying tube 5.
2344 Range 1075. Ahead Slow.
2345 Range 990.
2346 Range 930.
2347 He's another Norwegian. Returning to homeward course.

11/4/39
0009 Have finally lost sight of him
0011 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
0047 Radio: U-25 reports broken torpedo hatch, returning home.
2300 Final Position Report: AN93. Fuel 24%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0, dead calm.

11/5/39
0652 Ship spotted, Bearing 333.
0753 It's one of our destroyers, Range about 7000. A good sight to see.
0827 Spotted land. We're almost home.
0936 Passed Wangerooge.
1012 Passed Schillighörn, entered the Jade.
1023 Spotted schnellboot, heading full speed right for us!
1026 He turned at the last minute, passed less than 100 meters behind us. Show-off!
1028 Ah! The seagulls have finally found us.
1036 U-boat approaching.
1037 It's a type II. Probably going out for guard duty or training.
1135 Exited the Jade, Entered Wilhelmshaven Bay. Ordered crew to man all stations for homecoming.
1152 Can barely make out buildings in the low mist.
1228 Ahead 1/3, Entering Harbor, speed 5 knots.
1233 Approaching docks. Speed 2 knots.
1248 Tied up at Wilhelmshaven docks. Patrol over.

Confirmed Sinkings:
9/8/39: British merchant S.S. Tate; 3,458 tons.
9/12/39: British merchant S.S. Oranjestad; 2,612 tons. Some question on this one at first. Dutch name but flying British flag. OKM confirms British registry.
9/15/39 British merchant S.S. Marslew; 5,031 tons.
11/2/39 British merchant S.S. Moira; 2,676 tons.
Total: 13,777 tons.

November 6, 1939
1. Herbert Schultze.................51,930
2. Günther Prien......................37,420
3. Werner Hartmann...............35,306
4. Wilhelm Rollman .................29,684
5. Berthold Cranmer*..............17,901
6. Heinrich Liebe......................16,698
7. Günther Berke**.................13,777
8. Viktor Schütze.......................5,874
9. Joachim Schepke...................2,348
10. Otto Kretschmer ....................876
Bruno Asche*...................................0

[Sailor Steve]

Bruno Asche

Patrol 2: October 20, 1939 Game played January 10-12, 2005

U-14's first patrol lasted 25 days, from September 1 to September 26, 1939. During our time in port Matrosenhauptgefreiter Dietrich Priller was promoted to Bootsmann and transferred ashore for special training. His replacement is a young sailor fresh out of submarine school, Gerhard Römer.

U-14 was ready for sea on October 16, and received orders to put out on October 20.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/11.jpg
Lt. z.S. Bruno Asche

U-14: Flotilla Wedigen, Kiel
U-14 crew, October 20, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Bruno Asche
Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. Günther Loh
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Werner Scholz
2WO: Leutnant z. S. Heinz Schmidt
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Erich Steimle

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Emil Stephan
Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann
2nd Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer
Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr

General Petty Officers:
Bootsmann Hans Mohr
Bootsmann Henning Hessler
Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt Böhling
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt
Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Brehme
Matrosengefreiter Rolf Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Siegfried Poske
Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel
Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen
Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen
Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn
Matrosengefreiter Gerhard Römer

10/20/39
1833 Underway from Kiel docks. After 25 days in port we're finally putting out to sea again.
1847 Passed inner harbor lighthouse. Ahead 1/3 for cruising.
1917 Passed outer bar, opened orders. We have a special assignment: we are to patrol AF87, north of Bergen, and report any British movements in the area. We can sink ships if we find any, but the main thing is to watch for possible troopship movements, or excess warships where they shouldn't be.
2004 Departed Kiel Bay.

10/21/39
0101 Entered Langelandsbält.
0608 Entered Store Bält.
1800 Position Report: AO72. Fuel 95%. Sky clear, Sea State 3, Wind 10 m/s, 1/2 meter wavelets.

10/22/39
1800 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 3 Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1/2 meter.

10/23/39
1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 85%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 30 meters.
2112 Sound contact, merchant, bearing 190.
2113 Periscope depth, Ahead Standard, course 240.
2118 Ahead Flank.
2130 We've lost him. Returned to 30 meters, Ahead Slow, course 300.
2138 Sound picked him up again. Surface, course 180, Flank speed.
2140 Course 170.
2150 Diving for sound check.
2152 Contact. Surfaced.
2215 Sound check.
2218 Contact. Surface, course 210.
2230 Sound check.
2236 Contact. Surface, course 240.
2300 Can't seem to catch him. Breaking off chase. 30 meters, Ahead Slow, course 300.
2312 Contact, ahead of us this time. Surface, Flank Speed, course 260.
2345 Nothing. 30 meters, Ahead Slow, returning to course 300.

10/24/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 80%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 30.
2218 Sound contact, ahead and closing. Surfaced, course 280.
2304 Spotted him! Closing.
2305 Small Norwegian coaster. Diving to 30 meters, returning to course.

10/25/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1554 Ship spotted.
1600 Periscope depth, Flank Speed, course 210.
1605 He's making 9 knots. We'll never catch him submerged. Surfaced.
1607 Another Norwegian. Returning to course.
1800 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 76%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 6m.

10/26/39
0623 Ship Spotted, another Norwegian.
1800 Position Report: AN29. Fuel 71%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 6m.

10/27/39
0346 Ship spotted! Set course 020.
0357 I'm starting to feel like a Norwegian customs inspector. Returning to course 300.
1026 Entered Patrol Grid AF87.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 6m.
1802 Radio: British are using Ocean Liners as Troopships. All liners in convoys are now valid targets and may be sunk withour warning.

10/28/39
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 68%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 5m.

10/29/39
1201 Radio: North Sea restrictions forbidding searching of stopped ships now extended to west of Orkney Islands.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 5m.

10/30/39
1200 Waves are all wrong for this type of cruising in this boat. Following sea, boat wallowing badly. Crew starting to suffer from "Mal de Mer"-seasickness.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 68%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 26 m/s, Waves 8m.Course change has made the going a little easier.

10/31/39
0327 Ship spotted.
0331 Course now 260, Standard Speed.
0334 Flank Speed ordered.
0335 There he is again! Set course 295.
0340 Another small coastal merchant. have to get closer to identify.
0350 Range 2300. This has become a long stern chase.
0355 Range now 1900.
0400 Range 1650.
0405 Range 1450.
0410 Range 1250.
1415 Range 1000.
0420 Range 700. Still can't see his flag.
0425 Of course-another Norwegian! Breaking off chase, diving to 30 meters to escape weather.
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 67%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 27 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving again.

11/1/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving.

11/2/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF 87. Fuel 65%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 30.

11/3/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 64%. Overcast, Sea 10, Waves 9m. 30 meters.

11/4/39
0338 Sound contact-merchant. Surfaced, set course 005, Ahead Standard.
0400 Sound check.
0415 No further contact. Returning to course 125, ahead slow, 50 meters.
0416 Contact! Surfaced, Ahead Standard, course 030.
0417 AAAH! He's only 400 meters away! Relief, he's not heading for us, but on reciprocal course.
0418 He's a medium-sized merchant, Norwegian of course. We pass at a distance of less than 200 meters. The Norwegians wave at us as we go by.
0420 30 meters, Ahead Slow, Course 125.
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 63%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving to 30 meters.

11/5/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 61%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 31 m/s, Waves 9m. 50 meters.

11/6/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 60%. Raining now, Sea 10,Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Dive to 30 meters.

11/7/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 59%. Heavy driving rain, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 30 meters.

11/8/39
0900 The crew surprised me with a small cake and a bottle of wine smuggled aboard by Matrosengefreiter Poske, whose father apparently owns a restaurant right in Kiel. I hadn't even thought about my birthday! Today I am twenty-seven.
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 58%. Rain, Fog, Heavy Seas. 30 meters.

11/9/39
0931 Sound Contact-merchant. Surfaced, Ahead Standard, course 030.
0945 Dove for Sound Check.
0957 Contact. Surfaced, course 035.
1011 Brief contact. Course 045.
1027 Another brief contact-he's slipping by us! Course 135, Flank Speed!
1045 Sound Check.
1047 Contact. Surfaced, Course 245.
1100 Sound Check.
1102 Contact. Surfaced, Course 200.
1115 Sound Check.
1118 Contact. Surfaced, Course 215.
1130 Sound Check.
1200 We've lost him. Surfaced, Ahead Slow, Patrol Course.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 55%. Raining, Sea 10. 30 meters.

11/10/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1234 Radio: All boats are ordered to set magnetic pistols again. This is our first radio reception in 13 days.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 54%. Still raining, still foggy, Sea State still 10, waves still running 9 meters high, still diving to 30 meters to escape it.

11/11/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 53%. Rain, Sea 10. 30 meters.

11/12/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: Fuel 52%. Rain, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters.

11/13/39
0623 Sound contact. Surfacing, Standard Speed.
0627 Weather still high. We'll never catch him. Dive to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.
0824 Another contact, moving away. Not a thing we can do about it until this weather lifts.
0921 Contact. This one closing. Surface, Ahead Standard, Course 005.
0928 Course 010.
0945 Sound check.
0950 Contact. Surface, Course 015.
1000 Sound check.
1002 Contact, bearing 096. He's off to starboard! Surface, Ahead Flank, Course 110.
1015 Sound Check.
1016 Contact, bearing 105, moving away. He got by us. Set 50 meters depth, Ahead Slow, returning to patrol course.
1200 Surface to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 50%. Raining, Sea 10. Diving to 50 meters.

11/14/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 49%. Weather unchanged. 50 meters.

11/15/39
0906 Sound contact, moving away. We can't catch him.
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: Fuel 48%. Rain, fog, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters.
1814 Contact. Closing. Surfaced, Ahead Standard, Course 200.
1830 Sound Check.
1834 Contact. Surfaced, Course 215.
1845 Sound Check.
1846 Contact. Surfaced, Ahead Flank, Course 300.
1900 Sound Check.
1901 Contact. Surfaced, Course 250.
1915 Sound Check.
1916 Contact. And another one gets away. 30 meters, Ahead Slow, returning to patrol course.

11/16/39
0037 Contact, closing. Surfaced, Course 010.
0054 Blinding rain, black as...well, night.
0100 Sound Check.
0105 No contact.
0124 Contact. Surfaced, Course 015.
0130 Sound Check.
0135 No contact.
0150 We've lost him. Returning to course, set 30 meters depth.
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 46%. Rain, fog, Sea State 10, 9 meter waves. Returning to course, 30 meters.

11/17/39
0436 Contact. Closing. Periscope depth.
0441 Contact lost.
0446 Diving to 30 meters.
0456 Contact regained.
0527 No contact for some time. Returning to course.
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: Fuel 45%. Rain Sea 10. Dove to 30 meters. Heading for home.

11/18/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AN23 Fuel 44%. Raining, Sea 10. 30 meters.

11/19/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AN27. Fuel 43%. Rain, fog, heavy seas. 30 meters.

11/20/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AN27. Fuel 42%. Rain, Sea 10 (or higher). 30 meters.

11/21/39
0718 Contact. Closing. Surfaced, Ahead Standard, Course 355.
0721 Broke surface, and it's stopped raining! Sea still quite heavy, though.
0730 Sound Check.
0753 Picked him up again, after more than 20 minutes listening.
0755 Contact lost again.
0758 Dove to 20 meters, Ahead Slow.
0808 Contact. Surfaced, Ahead Flank, Course 270.
0815 Sound Check.
0817 Nothing. Ahead Standard, making 360 degree circle.
0820 Still nothing. Return to course 210, 50 meters.
1200 Surface to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AN42. Fuel 41%. Overcast, Sea 10. 30 meters.

11/22/39
1200 Surface.
1800 Position Report: AN45. Fuel 40%. Diving to 30 meters.

11/23/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AN46. Fuel 39%. Overcast, Sea 10. Dive to 30.

11/24/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 38%. Overcast, Sea down to 5, 2 meter waves. Staying surfaced.

11/25/39
1800 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 34%. Overcast, Sea 5.

11/26/39
1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 30%. Overcast, Sea State 4, 1 meter waves.

11/27/39
1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 26%. Overcast, Sea 4.
2311 Ship spotted. Set course 010, Ahead Standard.
2342 Another Norwegian. Turning for home again, Ahead Slow.

11/28/39
1800 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 22%. Overcast, Sea 4.

11/29/39
1800 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 18%. Overcast, Sea 5.

11/30/39
1800 Position Report: AO72. Fuel 14%. Overcast, Sea 7, 4 meter waves.

12/1/39
1635 Spotted fishing trawler in middle of Langelandsbält. He's riding these waves better than we are!

12/2/39
0123 Entered Kiel Bay.
0232 Passed outer bar.
0308 Passed lighthouse to inner harbor. We have illustrious company: Two heavy cruisers are tied up in Kiel as we return.
0327 Tied up at recieving dock.

Patrol summary: No sinkings, never even saw an enemy ship. We must have done something important, though: I was congratulated by Admiral Dönitz himself.

December 2, 1939
1. Herbert Schultze .................58,266
2. Günther Prien......................37,420
3. Werner Hartmann................35,306
4. Wilhelm Rollmann.................32,860
5. Berthold Cranmer*...............17,901
6. Heinrich Liebe.......................16,698
7. Günther Berke*....................13,777
8. Viktor Schütze........................5,874
9. Joachim Schepke ....................2,348
10. Otto Kretschmer ......................876
11. Hans Jenisch............................500
12. Ernst Baur................................345
Bruno Asche**...................................0

[Sailor Steve]

Bruno Asche

Patrol 3: December 7, 1939 Game played February 2-5, 2006

U-14's second patrol lasted from October 20 to December 2, 1939; a total of 43 days. I was disappointed over my lack of success in meeting, let alone sinking any enemy shipping, but I was later informed by those in the highest places that our patrol in the area was of utmost importance, and was congratulated accordingly. Our assignment was to patrol Grid AF87, and to keep watch on the area north of Bergen, as it was suspected the British might be scouting the area in preparation for a possible invasion of Norway. Since U-14 only had to resupply only food and fuel, and not weapons, her turn-around time in port was only 5 days. We were ready for sea on December 7, and already had orders for immediate departure.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/11.jpg

U-14: Flotilla Wedigen, Kiel
U-14 crew, December 7, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Bruno Asche
Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. Günther Loh
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Werner Scholz
2WO: Leutnant z. S. Heinz Schmidt
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Erich Steimle

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Emil Stephan
Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander
Helmsman: Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann
2nd Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer
Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr

General Petty Officers:
Bootsmann Hans Mohr
Bootsmann Henning Hessler

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt Böhling
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt
Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Brehme
Matrosengefreiter Rolf Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Siegfried Poske
Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel
Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen
Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen
Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn
Matrosengefreiter Gerhard Römer

12/7/39
2133 Departed Kiel docks.
2140 The harbor is quite pretty this time of year-everything is frozen and covered in ice, including the two cruisers, who are still with us.
2204 Passed the outer bar and into the upper bay.
2219 Left Kiel bay for the open sea (or at least the lower Kategat). Cruising at 1/3-Speed is a waste of fuel, but a neccessary one: they want us on station as quickly as possible. Our destination-AN18, off the Moray Firth, leading to Inverness, and south of Scapa Flow. Again, we're watching for troopships and escorts amassing in the area. And again we can sink ships if we desire, just to let the British know we're watching them.

12/8/39
2200 First Position Report: AO47. Fuel 95%. Sky Clear, Sea 3, 1/2-meter waves, wind 5m/s.

12/9/39
2200 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 3.

12/10/39
1403 Matrosengefreiter Suhren reports smoke on the horizon. No one else has seen anything; maybe he saw something, maybe not.
1425 Suhren again called out smoke in the distance. This time Watch Leader Stephan confirms it-smoke at 170 degrees relative.
1426 On Stephan's confirmation set course 065 degrees, Speed Ahead Standard.
1430 Went to periscope depth, Ahead Slow.
1440 It's some small merchant, not even worth a torpedo. Range 1300, end-on to us. Set course 080, Ahead Standard.
1445 Ahead Slow. He's passing us now, making a good 9 knots.
1448 He's flying the Polish flag! Gave order to head away from him so we can come around on the surface without being seen. Submerged we'll never catch him.
1450 Range 1300 and increasing. We'll surface and circle around in front of him. What's a Polish ship doing in these waters now? Poland surrendered weeks ago. My guess is he slipped by us when the war started, and has been holed up in Arendal ever since. Now he's trying to reach England, and it's his bad luck he did so the very day we happened by.
1500 Range 5000 meters. Surfaced at Flank Speed, Course 240.
1505 Set up UZO. Range now 5800.
1510 Range 5900.
1515 Range 6000.
1520 Range now 6200. Set course 250.
1530 Until the batteries are recharged we're only making 1 knot faster than he is.
1545 Range still 6200-we CAN'T lose this one! We've gone two patrols without a single kill. Special assignment or no-we HAVE to sink something!!!
1600 Getting too far away. Set course 270.
1615 Range down to 5500. Course 260.
1630 He's changed course! Don't think he saw us in this failing light-probably just playing it safe. Range now 5100. Set course 240.
1645 Range now 5300.
1700 Range 5700. Set course 270.
1715 Range 5600. Batteries charged, we're now doing 12 knots. Stars starting to come out.
1730 Range 4600.
1745 Range 3800.
1800 Range 3400.
1815 Range 3500. He's slightly behind us now-going in for the kill.
1820 Range 3000. Set course 260.
1825 Range 2200. Set course 300, reduced to Ahead Standard.
1830 Range 1200 meters. Set course 330, ordered hands to Attack Stations.
1832 Fired tube 1, range 480 meters. HIT!
1834 Target sinking.
1836 Returning to course, speed Ahead 1/3.
1845 Tube 1 loaded. After 14 weeks of war we finally have a kill under our collective belt. Crew is exhausted but happy-we chased him for more than four hours!
2200 Position Report: AN35. Fuel down to 80%; running at Flank Speed for several hours will do that.

12/11/39
2200 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 75%. Sky Clear, Sea State up to 6, 3-meter waves. We're in shallow water now; we'll have to be careful about being seen.

12/12/39
2200 Position Report: AN45. Fuel 70%. Clear, Sea 6.

12/13/39
2200 Position Report: AN44. Fuel 65%. Clear, Sea 6.

12/14/39
0703 Entered Patrol Grid AN18. Ahead Slow for patrol.
0833 Smoke on horizon, bearing 080, spotted by Leutnant Asche! I was on the bridge talking to the watch crew, and saw it before anybody else.
0840 Can make out ship now, but nothing of it's nature.
0841 Ordered periscope depth, Ahead Slow, Attack Stations.
0847 It's a small coastal merchant, Range 1100. He's small, but we're not likely to meet too many big ones, and only have 4 eels anyway.
0852 Range 325 meters, firing tube 2.
0853 Missed! He's making 8 knots; we'll never catch him unless we surface, and that's ill-advised at this place and time. He'll see us and call in the planes.
0903 Tube 2 loaded.
0930 Surfaced, ahead slow.
1722 Ship spotted, bearing 046. Set course 305, 1/3-Speed.
1729 Set course 295.
1730 Course 270, Periscope Depth.
1736 Just a small fishing boat. Returning to course, Ahead Slow.
2200 Surfaced, gave Position Report: AN18. Fuel 62%. Clear, Sea 6.
2250 Ship spotted, Bearing 085. Set course 345, Speed 1/3.
2250 Set up UZO, ordered Attack Stations.
2253 Set course 000.
2254 NO! It's an armed trawler. Range 3500. Only 500 tons, not worth risking the lives of my men. Hurriedly took down UZO.
2255 Ordered Periscope Depth, Ahead Slow, returning to course.
2315 No sign of him anywhere. Surfaced.

12/15/39
0925 Ship-dead ahead. Spotted by Matrosenobergefreiter Witt.
0926 He's moving from right to left, fairly quickly.
0927 Set course 240, Ahead Standard.
0929 He's turned the other way.
0930 It's a destroyer! 5200 meters away. Ordered periscope depth.
0931 At periscope depth. Ordered ahead slow.
1100 Surfaced.
1101 We suddenly have seagulls everywhere. Estimate our position about 12km from Garmouth.
2059 Ship spotted! Close by, ordered immediate periscope depth.
2102 Armed trawler, 2100 meters off. It's a wonder he didn't see us.
2105 Soundman finally picked him up. Range now 2550.
2200 Surfaced. Position Report: Fuel 60%. Sky Clear, Sea 6.

12/16/39
2200 Position Report: Fuel 58%. Clear, Sea 6.

12/17/39
1423 Ship spotted, long range, bearing 338.
1426 Looks like he's heading toward us. I don't like it. Ordered periscope depth.
1433 It's just a tug boat of some kind.
1438 It looks like he'll pass about 1200 meters in front of us. To close to risk using the periscope.
1445 Sound reports he's off to our right, moving away. Sneaking a peek: range 2300.
1500 Lost sight of him-sound still has him. Staying submerged.
1600 Surfaced.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 56%. Sky Clear, Sea 6.

12/18/39
0321 Ship spotted, bearing 021. Set course 320, ordered Attack Stations.
0325 Set up UZO.
0326 Too soon! It's a destroyer! Took down UZO.
0327 Dove to periscope depth, Ahead Slow. Returning to course 290.
0324 Ordered Silent Run.
0330 Watching him through periscope-Range 1250.
0335 Range now 1650.
0340 Range 4000. Ordered Normal Run.
0400 He's gone now. Surfaced.
0859 Ship spotted-bearing 106. Looks like a merchant, travelling a parallel course to us.
0900 Periscope depth, Ahead Flank.
0910 Small merchant, Range about 4700, making 6 or 7 knots.
0915 Range now 4100.
0918 Set course due north, Ahead Standard.
0920 Range now 3300.
0922 Range 2700.
0924 Range 2000.
0926 Range 1400. Ahead Slow.
0928 Range 950.
0929 Range 750.
0930 Range 525.
0931 Range 355. Firing tube 3. Hit!
0933 Target sinking rapidly. Crew seems to be getting off okay.
1000 Surfaced.
1218 Smoke spotted in distance, bearing 240. Seems to be moving fast in our direction.
1235 Moved off over horizon, gone now.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 54%. Raining, Sea quite heavy. Diving to 30 meters.

12/19/39
0054 Sound Contact-Warship.
0247 Another warship contact, far off.
0306 Yet another warship contact. Are they out looking for us, or just busy tonight? Or possibly the same one, patrolling the area?
0917 Another warship contact.
1010 And again. If they ARE looking for us, they don't seem to be doing a very good job of it.
1042 Sound contact-another warship. He's also moving off the other way.
1600 Surfaced to recharge.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 53%. Still raining, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters.
2249 Sound contact-merchant. It's dangerous to chase him in this weather-staying submerged.

12/20/39
1557 Sound contact-merchant. He's closing on our position, so we'll try to intercept. Surfacing, Course 300.
1615 Diving for sound check.
1620 Nothing.
1625 Still nothing.
1630 Still no further contact. Surfacing, returning to course.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 52%. Raining, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters.
2225 Sound Contact-Merchant.
2230 Periscope depth.
2305 Can't see a thing in this soup. Sound contact lost. Diving to 30 meters.

12/21/39
0800 Soundman reported several contacts during the night. This weather makes any attack nearly impossible. We only have two eels left-don't want to waste them.
1007 Sound Contact-Warship, closing. Ordered periscope depth.
1011 Sound reports him moving away now.
1014 Can see nothing. Sound says he's still moving away. Ordered 30 meters.
1316 Sound reports another warship, closing.
1323 Persicope depth.
1428 Contact lost after an hour of looking for him.
1600 Surfaced.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 51%. Raining, Heavy Seas, 30 meters.

12/22/39
0010 Sound contact-merchant. Sea too heavy, ignoring it.
1600 Surfaced to recharge.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 52%. Raining, Sea 10. Diving.

12/23/39
1600 Surfaced.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 50%. Rain, Sea 10, 30 meters.

12/24/39
1600 Surfaced.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 49%. Rain, Sea 10, diving again.

12/25/39
0001 Woke up to enormous racket throughout boat-Christmas music blaring so loud I thought we were under attack. Seems Stabsoberbootsmann Hermann managed to sneak some records of his own on board without getting caught, and convinced Radioman Hänsel that playing them at full volume at midnight was somehow a good idea. I suggested that perhaps they would enjoy Christmas more if we left them on the English coast.
1600 Surfaced to recharge.
1605 Radio: Christmas greetings from BdU.
1630 Radio: A real Christmas present: BdU says bad weather should last at least another week, and we are accomplishing nothing here. We are to head home
immediately.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 48%. Raining, Sea State 6. Underway for home at 1/3 speed.

12/26/39
2200 Position Report: AN44. Fuel 43%. Rain, Fog, Sea 6.

12/27/39
2200 Position Report: AN46. Fuel 38%. Rain, Sea 6.
12/28/39
2200 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 33%. Rain, Sea 6.

12/29/39
0500 Radio: U-30 reports attacking two British Battlecruisers.
2200 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 28%. Rain, Sea 6.

12/30/39
2200 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 23%. Rain, Sea 6.

12/31/39
2200 Position Report: AO72. Fuel 18%. Rain, Sea 6.

1/1/40
0845 Just realized, we're going to be home on New Year's Day!
2038 Entered Kiel Bay.
2115 Passed outer bar.
2130 Ordered Ahead Slow. Can't see any ships in this fog and rain, but I know they're there.
2139 Passed lighthouse.
2157 Can see docks now. Slowed to two knots.
2201 Tied up at Kiel docks.

Ships confirmed:
12/10/39 Polish merchant SS Kalwaria; 1,518 tons.
12/18/39: British merchant SS Madaket; 1,556 tons.
Total: 3,074 tons.

January 1, 1940
1. Herbert Schultze .................77,548
2. Günther Prien.......................60,588
3. Werner Hartmann................35,306
4. Wilhelm Rollman...................32,860
5. Heinrich Liebe.......................29,967
6. Berthold Cranmer*...............17,901
7. Günther Berke*....................13,777
8. Viktor Schütze........................5,874
9. Hans Jenisch..........................3,991
10. Otto Kretschmer ..................3,276
11. Bruno Asche**.....................3,074
10. Joachim Schepke..................2,348
12. Ernst Bauer.............................345

1/5/40
Promoted Oberleutnant. Awarded Iron Cross Second Class.

[Sailor Steve]

Gunther Berke

Patrol 3: November 29, 1939 Game played January 23-30, 2006

Second Patrol lasted from September 3 to November 5, 1939, a total of 63 days, and resulted in 4 ships sunk for a total of 13,777 tons. U-52 was in harbor for 24 days, being ready for sea again on November 24 and recieving orders to put out on November 29.

Oberfähnrich z. S. Axel Bargsten was transferred out and replaced by Oberfähnrich z. S. Michael Carlsen, also a trained medic.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/64.jpg
Oberleutnant z.S. Gunther Berke

U-52: Flotilla Saltzwedel, Wilhelmshaven
U-52 crew, November 29, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Gunther Berke
Chief Engineer: Oberleutnant z.S. Ernst Petersen
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Viktor Witte
2WO: Leutnant z.S. Georg Lobin
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Otto Steinmetz
Medic: Oberfähnrich z. S. Michael Carlsen

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Harro Staats
Helmsman: Bootsmann Heinz Kläbisch
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Ulrich Folkers
Machinist: Stabsbootsmann Hans Maddaus
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Kurt Mohr
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Reinhart Kraus

General Petty Officers:
Stabsbootsmann Werner Piening
Bootsmann Victor Schmidt
Bootsmann Frantz Vogel
Bootsmann Reinhard Eppen
Bootsmann Fritz Claussen
Bootsmann Manfred Reckhoff
Bootsmann Viktor Zinke
Bootsmann Alfred Schacht
Bootsmann Werner Trojer
Bootsmann Rolf Eckerman

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Wiebe
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Hans Hirtl
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Miedza
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Karl Hölzer

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Eisen
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Frentzen
Matrosenobergefreiter Carl Soden
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Radloff

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Frank
Matrosengefreiter Hans Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Horst Leidig
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Baur
Matrosengefreiter Alfred Eick
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Anton Bielig
Matrosengefreiter Jost Panknin
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Wagner
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Brandi
Matrosengefreiter Gunther Kraus
Matrosengefreiter Hannes Muder
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Janz
Matrosengefreiter Ernst Soden
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Balke
Matrosengefreiter Georg Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Johannes Lasch
Matrosengefreiter Heinz Schönerr
Matrosengefreiter Walter Merten
Matrosengefreiter Karl Forstner
Matrosengefreiter Robert Reche
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Kilimann

11/29/39
1828 Underway from Wilhelmshaven docks.
1839 Left harbor.
1842 Course 070, Ahead 1/3.
1916 Course 020.
1918 Passed into the Jade.
1928 Course 000.
1947 Course 320.
2055 Passed Schillighörn, entered North Sea.
2131 Passed Wangerooge-goodbye Deutschland.
2156 Lost sight of mainland.

11/30/39
1800 Position Report: AN63. Fuel 98%. Clear, Sea 3, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1/2 meter.

12/1/39
0331 Ship spotted Bearing 001.
0332 Set up UZO.
0333 Small merchant, Range about 9000.
0334 Heading away from us. Ahead Full to overtake.
0335 Range about 6000.
0400 Range 3500.
0415 Overhauling him now.
0417 He's German-one of ours!.
0420 Returning to Course 330, Ahead 1/3.
0517 He's out of sight now.
1626 Ship spotted, Bearing 043. Going to investigate.
1653 Norwegian. Returning to course.
1800 Position Report: AN29. Fuel 96%. Clear, Sea 4, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 1 meter.

12/2/39
0404 Ship Spotted, Bearing 340. Set Course 310 to intercept.
0406 Set up UZO.
0407 Small one, heading right for us.
0409 Appears to be a fishing boat of some kind.
0415 NO! He's a very small merchant-can see his forward loading crane.
0418 My God, It's another German. What's he doing out this far? Coastal Sailors trading with the Norwegians, hoping the British don't have patrols out this far. I'm sure they're glad to see us.
1800 Position Report: AF76. Fuel 94%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/3/39
1800 Position Report: AF75, 132km north of Orkneys. Fuel 92%. Overcast, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/4/39
1800 Position Report: AN11. Fuel 90%. Rain, Sea 5, Wind 12 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/5/39
1359 Radio: Enemy Task Force 43 km West of us, heading South at high speed. Unless they turn our way we'll never see them.
1800 Position Report: AM33. Fuel 88%. Rain, Sea 2, Wind 8 m/s, Waves 1/4 meter.

12/6/39
0800 Clouds have lifted, sunny again. Wind has died; dead calm.
1800 Position Report: AM02. Fuel 86%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0. We're making exceptionally good time this trip.

12/7/39
0437 Ship spotted-Merchant, Bearing 019. Set course 275.
0433 It's a small coaster, about 3000 meters off.
0438 Set course 330, Ahead Standard.
0440 Range 1400. Can't see his flag.
0450 Range 580. Can see flag now; he's British. Going in for the kill.
0453 Firing Tube 1, Range 470. Hit!
0454 Target burning, slowed to 1 knot.
0500 Target has stopped.
0502 Started moving again.
0505 Stopped again, listing heavily to starboard. Tube 1 reloaded.
0507 Crew are abandoning ship, lifeboats in water.
0509 Target capsized, still afloat.
0512 Target finally sank, 19 minutes after being torpedoed. Returning to course, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: AM35. Fuel 84%. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 6 m/s, Waves 1/4 meter.

12/8/39
1800 Position Report: AM29. Fuel 82%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 3m.

12/9/39
1800 Position Report: AM49. Fuel 80%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 3m.

12/10/39
1800 Position Report: BE33.Fuel 78%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/11/39
0340 Radio: U-30 returning with mechanical problems. He says one of his exhaust ports won't close and they can't dive.
0932 Lookouts report ship-Bearing 042.
0933 Set up UZO.
0934 It's a big cargo ship, heading West. Set Course 270, Ahead Standard.
1017 Passing him on parallel course. Range about 7000, bearing 270, directly off to our port side.
1045 Range now 9000, Bearing 240.
1053 Lost sight of him. Preparing to turn in for attack.
1057 Set course 180.
1058 We have him in sight again.
1100 Range 9600, Bearing 320.
1105 Range 8000, Bearing 319.
1110 Range 6000, Bearing 316. Taking down UZO.
1111 Coming to Periscope Depth.
1114 Set Tubes 2 and 3 for fast run.
1115 Range 4400, Bearing 316.
1120 Range 3200, Bearing 320.
1122 Range 2500, Bearing 324.
1126 Range 1700, Bearing 330.
1128 Range 1250, Bearing 345. Flooding Tubes 2 and 3.
1130 Range 950, Bearing 355. Firing Tube 2. Firing Tube 3.
1131 Hit! Both hit!
1132 Target broken in half, sinking quickly. Maybe we didn't need both eels.
1135 Surfacing, returning to course, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: BE63. Fuel 75%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/12/39
0049 Arrived at BF47. Set Ahead Slow for patrol. We are roughly 1200km west of La Rochelle. If I remember my Dumas correctly, that is the town the King and
Cardinal were trying to drive the Huguenots out of.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 73%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/13/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 72%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/14/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 71%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 3m.

12/15/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 70%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/16/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 3m.

12/17/39
1300 Radio: Contact Report-Merchant, 30 km NE our position, Heading SW; right toward us. Set course 040, Ahead 1/3.
1357 Spotted him-dead ahead.
1400 Appears to be a small merchant, about 8 km ahead. He's coming to us. Ordered Periscope Depth.
1405 Range 6000.
1410 Range 5000.
1415 Range 3500. Ahead Slow.
1420 Range 2200, Bearing 350. Changed Course to 310.
1425 Range 1000. Ordered Attack Stations, turning into him, flooding Tubes 1 and 4.
1427 Range 700. It's taking us forever to turn at this speed.
1428 In position now. Range 410, Bearing 038.
1429 Range 295-too close! Left Full Rudder.
1430 Range 150. Hope he didn't see the periscope.
1432 Range 220. Have to go for a trailing shot.
1433 Firing Tube 4, Range 300. Hit!
1435 He's burning, making 1 knot. May have to surface and use deck gun.
1438 He's stopped now.
1446 Tube 4 loaded. Thirteen minutes-not bad.
1526 We've been circling him for almost an hour; he's showing no sign of sinking.
1528 Surfaced, deck gun crew preparing. Merchant crew hurriedly taking to their boats.
1531 Opening fire with 8.8cm gun.
1532 First shot missed. Next four right on target.
1540 We've put more that 30 8.8cm rounds into him, and except for a couple of deck fires he looks no worse.
1547 Several fires on board now.
1553 The damned thing is on fire from stem to stern. 50 rounds now, and it's still not going down.
1603 67 rounds in it, plus the one that missed, and it looks like it might finally be sinking.
1604 They'll never get back on board and put those fires out. Returning to patrol.
1624 It appears that the "ough nut" finally cracked. That troublesome merchant finally sank.
1800 Position Report: BF47 Fuel 67%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/18/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/19/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 65%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/20/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 64%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/21/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 63%. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 3 m/s, Waves 0m.

12/22/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 62%. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 2 m/s, Waves 0m.
2307 Matrosengefreiter Eick spotted a ship in the dark, Bearing 253. Set Course 170, Ahead 1/3.
2310 It's been three minutes, and no one else has seen it.
2313 Spotted again, this time by my number one, Leutnant Witte.
2314 Setting up UZO.
2316 It's a fairly large cargo ship of some kind.
2320 Range is now about 8 km.
2323 Moon is starting to rise; better make this fast or he'll see us and run.
2325 Range is unchanged. Set Course 100.
2350 Range is now 4700. Can see him without the binoculars.

12/23/39
0000 Range now 2700.
0015 Range down to 1400. Ordered crew to Action Stations.
0017 Set Course 070.
0019 Range now 1300. Perfect postion. Ordered Engines Stopped.
0021 NO! He's not heading toward us, he's heading away! My fault, I completely misjudged the angle of approach. Ahead Standard, Course 340.
0025 Starting to catch up with him. Range 1100, Bearing 070.
0028 Far enough ahead now. Range 1100, Bearing 095. He's not acting like he's seen us. Turning toward him again.
0032 Firing Tube 1, Range 750.
0033 Hit!
0034 No visible change. Firing Tube 2.
0035 Hit! ACH! That set something off. There's an explosion with a big ball of fire.
0037 Funny-after that one fireball there has been no further sign of fires on board. Going to set up for the stern tube.
0040 Almost in position, but now he's slowing.
0044 Tube 1 loaded. Target making 1 knot, listing to port.
0046 Target has stopped.
0050 Down by the stern, aft deck awash on port side.
0052 Smoke has stopped from the funnel, crew abandoning ship.
0115 Crew safely away.
0130 Ship still listing, but showing no sign of sinking.
0200 Still afloat. Going to give it a little help.
0202 Opening up with deck gun.
0215 20 rounds into the waterline, and no change. Going to use the stern tube after all.
0232 In position for stern shot.
0233 Firing Tube 5.
0234 Target definitely sinking now. Returning to patrol.
0300 Stopping to load aft external tube.
0415 External loaded, getting underway again.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 60%. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 8 m/s, Waves 1/4m.

12/24/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 59%. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 6 m/s, Waves 1/4m.

12/25/39
0630 Radio: Christmas greetings from BdU!
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 58%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 1 m/s, Waves 0m.

12/26/39
0001 Christmas passed without incident.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 57%. Sky beautifully clear, but sea still eerily calm; Wind 0, Waves 0.

12/27/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 56%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 3 m/s, Waves 0m.

12/28/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 55%. Sky clear, Sea 10. Diving to 70 meters.

12/29/39
0454 Radio: U-30 reports attacking two British Battlecruisers. Only scored one hit, but still a bold move.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 54%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 1, Wind 4 m/s, Waves a few centimeters high, just a trace of movement.

12/30/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 53%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 2, Wind 6 m/s, Waves 1/4 meter.

12/31/39
1800 Position Report: BF46. Fuel 52%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 2, Wind 7 m/s, Waves 1/4m.

1/1/40
The new year brings nothing new, just another day beginning with beautiful weather.
0800 Over my breakfast I'm handed a radio report more than an hour old. It's nothing, an order from BdU to U-37 to return home, time 0634.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 51%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 1, Wind 1 m/s, Waves just a trace.
2011 Radio: British Warship in AN28. 1400 km away, but heading WSW. He could come to us, but unlikely.

1/2/40
0647 Rousted out of my bunk by by a sailor telling me "Ship spotted, herr Kaleun!".
0657 I hate to admit it, but after nine minutes on the bridge I still don't see it.
0710 Someone else shouts out, and at last I see him.
0712 Setting up UZO.
0713 Can't tell type for sure, but it looks like a merchant.
0730 Definitely a merchant; seems about 8 km off. Increasing to standard speed.
0745 Still hard to tell in the dark. He's moving off to our port; will circle south of him and get ahead.
0800 It's another huge cargo ship, about 6 km North of us now. Why do they let these things go out alone? Well, I'm not going to complain to loudly-their bad judgement is our good luck.
0815 We're pulling ahead now, range back up to 8 km.
0830 Range now 11 km, turning North to intercept.
0845 Range down to 9 km.
0900 Starting to grow light on our starboard quarter, but sun is still not up. Range 7 km.
0906 Range just under 5000. Diving to Periscope Depth.
0910 Range 4500.
0915 Range 4100. Set Course 315.
0918 Range 3400. Ahead Slow.
0920 Range 2800, Bearing 292.
0922 Range 2500, Bearing still 292. We're approaching too fast.
0924 Range 2000, Bearing still 292. Slowed to 2 knots.
0926 Range now 1600, Bearing 297. Better.
0928 Range 1200, Bearing 305. It's a big one all right, and definitely British.
0930 Range 900, Bearing 316.
0931 Range 740, Bearing 330. Flooding Tubes 1 and 2.
0932 Firing Tube 1, Range 600, Bearing 350.
0933 Hit! Directly amidships, just below the funnel!
0934 Target slowing. Will shadow and watch. Set Course 060, still 2 knots.
0938 Target listing slightly, making two knots.
0945 Target Stopped.
0948 Tube 1 loaded.
1000 Listing is more prominent; entire starboard side awash.
1030 No change in target condition, but crew are abandoning ship.
1045 Coming about to set up stern shot.
1113 Crew well away. Firing Tube 5, Range 450.
1125 Target is now upright again, but very low in water.
1200 No change. British crew far away. Surfacing.
1300 Still no change. Ordered 20 rounds from deck gun.
1305 Ceased fire, still no change.
1312 It has started raining, wind and waves picking up rapidly.
1400 Sky is now overcast, wind and waves quite heavy. Target still showing no sign of ever sinking. Circling to use forward tubes again.
1411 Firing Tube 2, Range about 400.
1412 That did it: target starting to capsize.
1414 Target finally sank. Getting underway again.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 48%. Overcast, Raining, Sea 8, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 6m. diving to 70 meters to escape the weather.

1/3/40
1200 Surfacing to recharge.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 46%. Rain, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m. Diving to 70.

1/4/40
1200 Surfacing.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 45%. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m. Diving to 70.

1/5/40
1200 Surfacing.
1800 Position Report: BF46. Fuel 44%. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 3m. Diving to 70.

1/6/40
1200 Surfacing.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 43%. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m. Diving to 70.

1/7/40
1200 Surfacing to recharge.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 42%. Rain, fog and high sea continue. Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 70 meters.

1/8/40
1200 Surfacing.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 41%. Rain, fog, Sea 8, Wind 25, Waves 3m. Diving to 70.

1/9/40
1200 Surfacing.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 40%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving back to 70. Turning toward home.

1/10/40
1200 Surfacing. Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: BF41. Fuel 39%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 31 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 70, Ahead Slow.

1/11/40
1200 Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
1616 Radio: Convoy, 200 km ENE our position, Heading SSW. Set course 090, Ahead Standard. Miserable weather, but it's a convoy so we have to try.
1800 Position Report: BF14. Fuel 38%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m.

1/12/40
0000 Diving to 20 meters for sound check.
0030 No sound contact, no visability above. Returning to homeward course, 70 meters, Ahead Slow.
1200 Surfacing to recharge, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: BF11. Fuel 37%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 70, Ahead Slow.

1/13/40
1200 Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: AM87. Fuel 36%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 7m. Diving to 70, Ahead Slow.
1819 Sound reports a warship, Bearing 355. Coming to Periscope Depth, Ahead 1/3.
1823 Nothing to see yet.
1830 Sound reports him at 350 and closing. Still can't see anything but huge waves.
1840 Course change to 305. If it's a destroyer he should have trouble tracking us in this weather. If it's a cruiser or larger, well, we'll try.
1850 Set course 270. He's moving from our right to left, but still in front of us.
1853 Now he's moving away. We'll probably never see him now.
1925 We've lost contact. Diving to 70 meters, Ahead Slow, returning to course.

1/14/40
1200 Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: AM84. Fuel 35%. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m. 50 meters depth should be enough. Ahead Slow.

1/15/40
1200 Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: AM57. Fuel 34%. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 2m. Staying surfaced-we want to get home!

1/16/40
1800 Position Report: AM28. Fuel 32%. Rain, Sea 8, Wind 23 m/s, Waves 6m. Staying on surface anyway.

1/17/40
1800 Position Report: AM35. Fuel 30%. Rain, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m.

1/18/40
1800 Position Report: AN11. Fuel 28%. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 5m.

1/19/40
1800 Position Report: AF78. Fuel 26%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 8m.

1/20/40
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 24%. Raining, Sea 7, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 5m.

1/21/40
1800 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 22%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Only 30 meters of water below us, nowhere to dive to escape these pounding waves.

1/22/40
1800 Position Report: AN91. Fuel 20%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m.

1/23/40
0655 Not sure of exact position-haven't seen the sun in three weeks. Still, we should be okay for entering Wilhelmshaven.
0759 Soundman picked up fast screws. On the bridge we can't see a thing.
0820 I know were inside the Jade-water much smoother now.
0901 ACH! Schnellboot came out of the fog, almost hit us! Idiots!
0930 Rain, fog, can't see 200 meters in this mess!
0936 Spotted lighthouse! At least now we know where we are.
0945 Ordered all hands to docking stations.
1008 Finally saw something: destroyer anchored nearby.
1010 Can see docks and buildings now.
1014 Something burning in the distance-can't make out what it is. Weather too bad for an air raid, and we'd know if enemy ships got in.
1036 Tied up at dock. Patrol over.

Confirmed sinkings:
12/7/39: British merchant SS Waxhaws; 2,294 tons.
12/11/39: British merchant SS Joppa; 4,025 tons.
12/17/39: British merchant SS Volo; 3,234 tons.
12/23/39: British merchant SS Biter; 4,839 tons.
1/2/40: British merchant SS Rothermere; 5,630 tons.
Total: 20,022 tons.

January 23, 1940
1. Herbert Schultze .................77,548
2. Günther Prien......................60,588
3. Wilhelm Rollmann................40,667
4. Werner Hartmann...............35,306
5. Günther Berke**.................33,799
6. Heinrich Liebe......................29,967
7. Viktor Schütze.....................21,227
8. Berthold Cranmer*..............17,901
9. Hans Jenisch..........................8,021
10. Joachim Schepke..................6,812
11. Otto Kretschmer ..................4,426
12. Bruno Asche*.......................3,074
13. Jürgen Oesten......................2,434
14. Wolfgang Lüth......................2,367
15. Ernst Bauer.............................345

1/15/40
I've been promoted to Oberleutnant. The chief, my number one and I have all been awarded the 2nd class Iron Cross.

It turns out the smoke and flames we saw came from one of the warehouses-they had an accidental fire. Apparently some oily rags set a building full of tires on fire.

[Sailor Steve]

Berthold Cranmer

Patrol 2: November 14, 1939 Game played January 14-22, 2006

U-74's first patrol lasted from August 19 to October 20, 1939, a total of 62 days. We sank three British merchantmen, totalling 17,901 tons. U-74 was in port for 25 days, being ready for action on November 12 and ordered to put to sea on the night of November 14. While in port Oberfähnrich z.S. Günter Göseke was promoted to Leutnant z.S. and transferred. His replacement is Oberfähnrich z.S. Alex Marbach.
We have painted a red 'Ace of Spades' on the conning tower.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/53.jpg
Oberleutnant z.S. Berthold Cranmer

U-74: Flotilla Wegener, Kiel
U-74 crew, November 14, 1939:
Captain: Oberleutnant z.S. Berthold Cranmer
Chief: Oberleutnant z.S. Karl Schewe
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Heinz Renken
2WO: Leutnant z.S. Alfred Moehle
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z.S. Axel Marbach
Torpedo Officer: Oberfähnrich z.S. Albrecht Zapf

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Peter Jenisch
Helmsman: Bootsmann Emil Brehme
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Günther Blank
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Otto Röther
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Gerhard Hentrop

General Petty Officers:
Stabsoberbootsmann Gerhard Kilimann
Bootsmann Herbert Stephan
Bootsmann Friederich Goldbeck
Bootsmann Hans Sporer
Bootsmann Heinz Wissmann
Bootsmann Fritz Jungmann
Bootsmann Arend Baltz
Bootsmann Joachim Blaudow
Bootsmann Johan Reckhoff
Bootsmann Horst Richter
Bootsmann Hans Thurmann

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Heinz Schäfer
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Lothar Arnold
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Walter Kühn
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerrit Holstein

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Rolf Hertin
Matrosenobergefreiter Paul Folkers
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinrich Mitter
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Jungmann

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Hermann Bleek
Matrosengefreiter Adolf Scholz
Matrosengefreiter Rudolf Hartmann
Matrosengefreiter Curt Schmidt
Matrosengefreiter Dietmar Krech
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Babel
Matrosengefreiter Werner Gante
Matrosengefreiter Julius Wiebe
Matrosengefreiter Karl Pröchnow
Matrosengefreiter Paul Hänsel
Matrosengefreiter Heinrich Sander
Matrosengefreiter Robert Rasch
Matrosengefreiter Karl Hölzer
Matrosengefreiter Hans Heuer
Matrosengefreiter Hartwig Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Ludwig Bilstein
Matrosengefreiter Friederich Ganzer
Matrosengefreiter Erwin Loh
Matrosengefreiter Ludwig Clausen
Matrosengefreiter Wilhelm Bülow
Matrosengefreiter Reinhart Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Max Manke

11/14/39
2329 Departed Kiel docks.
2341 Passed inner harbor lighthouse. Set 1/3 Speed.

11/15/39
0005 Passed outer bar.
0038 Departed Kiel Bay. Opened orders. We are assigned to Grid BF33, off the Western Approaches.
0500 Entered Langelandsbält.
0726 Radio: U-53 has encountered convoy in BF44.
0836 Entered Store Bält.
0958 Radio: BdU orders U-53 to wait and shadow convoy.
1146 Radio: BdU orders U-41 and U-43 to intercept convoy, and three u-boats to attack as a group.
1315 Rounded Kalundborg, Course 030.
1528 Ship spotted, Bearing 268.
1536 German destroyer.
1552 Very close now. Exchanging signals.
1554 Passed within 300 meters. His last signal to us: "Good Hunting".
1854 Rounded Grenå, into Kattegat, Course 335.
2300 Position Report: AO47. Fuel 98% Clear skies, Sea 3, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1/2 meter.

11/16/39
0048 Rounded Laesø, Course 005.
0443 Rounded Skagen, into Skagerrak, Course 270.
2300 Position Report: AN36, 35 km S Kristiansand. Fuel 96%. Clear, Sea 3 Wind 9 m/s, Waves 1/2m.

11/17/39
0956 Radio: We may now attack liners if they are obviously armed.
1624 Ship spotted, Bearing 306. Set Course 220.
1630 Whoever he is, he's small.
1635 Looks like some kind of fishing boat.
1650 Norwegian trawler. Returning to 270.
2300 Position Report: AN31, 105 km WSW Stavenger. Fuel 94%. Clear, Sea 3, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1/2m.

11/18/39
0800 Weather is picking up; waves and wind growing.
2300 Position Report: AF79. Fuel 92%. Clear, Sea 11, Wind 35 m/s, Waves 10m. Diving to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.

11/19/39
1700 Surfaced. Weather unchanged. Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AF76. Fuel 91%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 33 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50, Ahead Slow.

11/20/39
1700 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
2200 Radio: British warship in AM24, heading SW.
2300 Position Report: AF75. Fuel 90% Clear, Sea 10, Wind 33 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50, Ahead Slow.

11/21/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge, Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AF77. Fuel 89%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.

11/22/39
1456 Contact-Merchant, Bearing 213. Periscope depth, Ahead 1/3.
1504 Set Course 100.
1520 Regained contact, Bearing 011.
1522 This weather is impossible. Back to Course 245, 50 meters, Ahead Slow.
1700 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AN11. Fuel 88%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 27 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving back to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.

11/23/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge. Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: Still in AM11. Fuel 87%. Overast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50, Ahead Slow.

11/24/39
1700 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AM34. Fuel 86%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50, Ahead Slow.

11/25/39
1658 Sound Contact-Merchant, Bearing 276. Periscope depth, Ahead 1/3, Course 180.
1702 Contact lost, nothing to see. Surfaced.
1713 Returned to Course 245.
2300 Position Report: AM35. Fuel 85%. Raining, Sea 10, Wind 34 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving, Ahead Slow.

11/26/39
1519 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 330. Periscope depth, Ahead 1/3.
1528 Weather still miserable. Back to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.
1700 Surfaced to recharge, Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AM26. Fuel 84%. Heavy rain, Sea 10, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50, Ahead Slow.

11/27/39
1700 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AM29. Fuel 83%. Heavy Rain, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50 again, Ahead slow. If it were clear we'd have been on station by now.

11/28/39
1700 Surfaced to sunshine! Sea still heavy, though. Ahead 1/3.
1920 Radio: U-47 reports torpedoing London class cruiser. Only one hit, though.
2300 Position Report: AM51. Fuel 82%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 6m. Two full weeks at sea and we're still not there! Need better weather, or better bases. Not likely to get either anytime soon. Diving to 50 meters, Ahead Slow. Intend to surface at dawn.

11/29/39
0234 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 320. Weather was a little better when we dove; going after him. Surfaced, Ahead Full, Course 160.
0236 Sighted his smoke almost immediately, dead ahead.
0245 Set course 155, following him.
0315 Have lost sight of him. Ordered Periscope Depth for Sound Check, Ahead Slow.
0320 No contact yet.
0324 Contact! Bearing 330. Surfaced, Ahead Full, Course 105.
0325 Don't see him. Maintaining course.
0332 There he is! Fair-sized cargo ship, 6000 meters ahead. Setting up UZO.
0336 Range 5000. Set course 090, Ahead Standard.
0345 Range 4000, Bearing 020.
0355 Range 2500. Too close, he might see us. Set Course 060.
0405 Ahead of him now. Range 3000, Bearing 120. Set Course 090.
0410 Range 3500.
0415 Range 4000, Bearing 130. Starting Attack Run, Course 180, Ahead 1/3.
0420 Range 3000, Bearing 055. Approaching too fast, Ahead Slow, Speed 2 knots.
0425 Range 2000, Bearing 053.
0428 Range 1400, Bearing 046.
0430 Range 1200, Bearing 042.
0432 Range 975, Bearing 032.
0433 Range 740, Bearing 025. There's the flag-he's definitely British!
0435 Range 570, Bearing 010. Firing tube 1! Firing Tube 2! Number 1 hit! Number 2 hit!
0440 Target still making 4 knots. Will follow and see if his condition worsens before wasting a third torpedo.
0442 Tube 1 loaded, in just 7 minutes! Good job!
0450 Tube 2 loaded, 8 minutes! Outstanding!
0600 Have been shadowing him for more than an hour; not only is he not sinking, he's speeded up to 5 knots! Setting up another attack run.
0620 Firing Tube 3, Range 450. Hit! Target breaking up!
0621 Target broke in half, sank almost instantly. Returning to course 210, Ahead 1/3, staying on surface. Took down UZO.
2300 Position Report: AM73. Fuel 81%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6 meters. Diving to 30 meters until dawn, Ahead Slow.

11/30/39
0313 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 010. Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
0329 There he is! Setting up UZO.
0330 Range now 2200. Set course 300.
0335 Range 1700, Bearing 313. Ahead Slow.
0340 Range 850, Bearing 318. Slowed to 2 knots.
0341 Range 675, Bearing 325. Can see flag now-he's American!?!?
0342 Returning to course 210, Ahead 1/3, remaining surfaced.
2225 Entered Patrol Grid BE33. Ahead Slow, Course 135.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 80%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 5 m. Diving to 50 until dawn.

12/1/39
0800 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 79%. Clear, Sea 8, 27 m/s, Waves 6m. Diving for the night.

12/2/39
0800 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 78%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving for as long as we can.

12/3/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 77%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50.

12/4/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 76%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50 again.

12/5/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 75%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 27 m/s, Waves 9 m. Back to 50.

12/6/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 74%. Clear, Sea 11, Wind 36 m/s, Waves 10 m. Diving to 50.

12/7/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: BF33. Fuel 73%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50.

12/8/39
1004 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 050. Surfaced, Ahead 1/3, Course 350.
1030 No sighting, diving for Sound Check.
1045 Nothing. Too rough anyway, diving to 50 m, Ahead Slow, returning to course.
1145 Regained contact, or possibly new one. Ignoring it.
1202 Contact, merchant. Ignoring.
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 72%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50.

12/9/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 71%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving again.

12/10/39
1700 Surfaced to Recharge.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 70%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 23 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving to 50.

12/11/39
1700 Surfaced.
1756 Radio: British warship AM24, heading SSW. 1200 km away from us.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 26 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving to 50.

12/12/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 68%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 7 m. Diving to 50.

12/13/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 67%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 7m. Diving to 50

12/14/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 7m. Diving to 50.

12/15/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 65%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50.

12/16/39
1700 Surfaced. Weather perfect.
1705 Surprised crew with a Crash Dive drill.
1715 Conducted Emergency Surface drill from 70 meters.
1720 5-minute Flank Speed run.
1725 Ahead Slow, back to routine.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 64%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/17/39
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 63%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 2 m/s, Waves 0.

12/18/39
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 62%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/19/39
1534 Radio: Convoy in BE37, 300 km SW our position, heading NNE. Set Course 240, Ahead Standard.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 61%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/20/39
0000 Have reached intersect point. Set course 190.
0055 Ship spotted-Merchant, more than 10 kilometers out. Not sure if the moon is going to be more of a help or a hindrance.
0059 Set Course 155, Ahead 1/3.
0104 We have counted 8 merchants and 1 escort so far.
0106 Set Course 180.
0107 Escort 5500 meters off port bow. Diving to Periscope Depth; this moon is almost like daylight.
0114 Sound reports at least 1 more escort, possibly as many as 15 merchants.
0115 Set Course 150.
0120 Set Course 190, Ahead Standard. Sound now reports 3 escorts total.
0123 Can now count 16 merchants. Of course the big ones are on the other side of the convoy.
0124 Can see 1 escort; we're behind him now. Sound still has two more.
0127 Targeting 3 large merchants.
0128 Firing tube 1, Range 1100.
0129 Firing Tube 2, Range 1500.
0130 Firing Tube 3, Range 1300. Diving to 30 meters, Ahead Slow. First one hit!
0131 Number two hit!
0135 Did not hear third hit. Periscope Depth, Ahead 1/3.
0138 Can see one large merchant burning, Range 1200. Firing Tube 4.
0139 Hit!
0141 Tube 1 loaded. There's another big one right in front of us!
0142 Firing Tube 1, Range 400.
0143 Hit! Explosions! Broke his back, sinking now! What a sight!
0145 Another big one passing in front of us. No forward tubes loaded.
0146 Escort 2000 meters ahead. Diving to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.
0149 Tube 2 loaded.
0150 Set Course 060.
0155 Periscope Depth, Ahead 1/3.
0158 We're being pinged! Back to 50 meters.
0200 Engines approaching! Dive! Right Full Rudder! Depth Charges! Close enough to shake us, but no damage.
0201 Leveled off at 70 meters. Ahead Slow, Rudder Amidships.
0202 Periscope Depth, back to Course 060.
0203 Pinging us again.
0204 He's right on top of us! Depth Charges! Dive! Turn! Ahead Full!
0205 Fuses out in control room, everyone shaken up pretty good. Level at 100 meters.
0207 More Depth Charges! Take us to 120 meters!
0208 Very close that time; some minor leakage.
0209 Depth Charges! 140 meters!
0210 More Depth Charges, right on top of us! Equipment strewn all over the decks.
0212 Depth Charges again! Down to 160! Ahead Flank!
0213 Ahead Slow, Course 180.
0214 Depth Charges! Ahead Flank, Depth 180! Left Full Rudder!
0215 Back to 160 meters, Ahead Slow.
0216 Up to 120 meters, course 180.
0218 Depth Charges! Ahead Flank! Dive! Right Full Rudder!
0219 Back to 120 meters, Ahead Slow, Course 180.
0220 Depth Charges! Dive! Left Full Rudder! Ahead Flank!
0221 Level at 150 meters, Course 090, Ahead Slow.
0224 Depth Charges! Dive! Right Full Rudder! Ahead Flank.
0225 Level at 180, Course 090, Ahead Slow.
0226 Depth Charges heard close by, but not close enough to shake us.
0229 Depth Charges further off. Pinging.
0230 Holding our breath; one of them is rolling right over us!
0231 He didn't drop. Did he not hear us? Is he out?
0232 Depth charges, even further away.
0235 Can hear depth charges far behind us.
0245 Ten minutes and no further attacks.
0255 Twenty minutes now; still nothing.
0256 Sound reports depth charges far away.
0300 Ordered Periscope Depth.
0314 Can see smoke far in distance. Surfacing.
0316 Set course 060. Will load forward external torpedo, then attempt to get ahead of convoy.
0405 We seem to be safe enough. Stopping for external torpedo transfer.
0408 Boat stopped, hoist rigged, beginning transfer.
0447 Transfer complete after just 39 minutes. My torpedo crew is the best!
0448 Under way, Ahead Standard, Course 030; trying to catch convoy.
0456 Tube 1 loaded. That leaves us with 3 forward, 2 aft, plus the aft external; 6 total.
0600 We transferred that torpedo just in time; sea is picking up, clouds forming.
0917 Radio: Task Force in BE65. No immediate danger to us.
1200 No sign of convoy. Weather quite heavy now; returning to BE33, Course 105, Ahead Slow.
1624 Radio: Our convoy is 40 km behind us. Set course 310, Ahead Standard.
1800 Should be ahead of them. Course 210, Ahead Slow.
1801 Diving to 30 meters for sound check.
1802 Found them! Bearing 315.
1803 Periscope Depth, Course 150.
1823 They're slipping off to our left; Course 090, Ahead 1/3.
1829 Still don't see them. Ahead Standard.
1839 Still no sight. Ahead Full, Course 060.
1845 Have them in sight.
1853 There is no way we can attack them in this weather. One moment we're 20 meters down, the next we're on the surface in plain sight. Diving to 70 meters, Ahead Slow. Returning to BE33.
2000 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: BE32. Fuel 60%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 26 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving to 50.

12/21/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 59%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 26 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving.

12/22/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 58%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50.

12/23/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 57%. Overcast, Sea 11, Wind 36 m/s, Waves 10 m. Diving.

12/24/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 56%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving to 50.

12/25/39
0815 One of the men wished me a merry Christmas. Is it really Christmas? I hadn't thought about it.
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
1719 Radio: Christmas greetings from BdU-now it's official.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 55%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving of course.

12/26/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 54%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving again.

12/27/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 53%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving to 50.

12/28/39
1408 Contact-Merchant, Bearing 010. Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
1418 Set Course 100.
1429 Spotted him! Bearing 018, Range 1400 meters. Fat cargo ship.
1432 In firing position. Attacking on surface.
1434 Firing Tube 1, Range 450. Firing Tube 2, Range 390.
1435 Both missed! My own fault. Should have known better than to attack in this weather.
1436 Diving to 50 meters, Ahead Slow, returning to patrol.
1700 Surfaced. Everyone depressed over letting that one get away. No one to blame but myself.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 52%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 33 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving back to 50 meters.

12/29/39
0830 Contact-Merchant, Bearing 316. Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
0834 Sea still very high. Diving back to 50 meters, Ahead Slow. Not even going to think about wasting my last torpedoes.
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 51%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50.

12/30/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 50%. Raining now, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving.

12/31/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 49%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 9 m. Back to 50 meters.

1/1/40
1700 Surfaced to find the new year same as the old-miserable and wet.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 48%. Rain, Sea 9, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving to 50

1/2/40
0703 Contact-Merchant. Ignoring it.
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 47%. Rain, Sea 11, Wind 36 m/s, Waves 10 m. Diving back to 50.

1/3/40
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 46%. Raining, Sea 11, Wind 35 m/s, Waves 10 m. Diving to 50.

1/4/40
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 45%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 27 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving to 50.

1/5/40
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 44%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50.

1/6/40
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 42%. Rain, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving to 50.

1/7/40
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 41%. Rain, Sea 8, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 6 m. Diving to 50.

1/8/40
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 40%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 6 m. Diving to 50.

1/9/40
1700 Surfaced.
1953 Chief Engineer Schewe informs me fuel is now at 50%. That's what I deserve for doing my own calculations and not consulting him. I have to forget about recent failures and concentrate on the job at hand. We still have 4 torpedoes, and if this weather ever lifts we are still a potent weapon; and if not, there is always next time.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 50%. Rain, Sea 9, Wind 26 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving to 50.

1/10/40
1049 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 319. Periscope Depth, Ahead 1/3.
1055 Sea still heavy. Back to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 49%. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 6m. Diving to 50.

1/11/40
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 48%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m. Diving to 50.

1/12/40
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 47%. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 6m. Diving to 50.

1/13/40
1700 Surfaced. Sky finally clear, sea still heavy.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 46%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving.

1/14/40
0813 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 276. Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
0820 Seas still very heavy. Back to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.
1700 Surfaced to Recharge.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 45%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50.

1/15/40
1700 Surfaced.
1751 Radio: U-38 ordered to return to base. First radio message we've heard in three weeks-since Christmas, in fact. I wonder if ours are getting through?
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 44%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 33 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50.

1/16/40
1700 Surfaced.
1900 Radio: Report from aircraft of merchant in our area. Sea still too heavy; heavier than before, if that's possible.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 43%. Clear, Sea 11, Wind 36 m/s, Waves 10 meters. Diving to 50 meters.

1/17/40
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 42%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving.

1/18/40
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 41%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 31 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50.

1/19/40
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: BE33. Fuel 40%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50.

1/20/40
1700 Surfaced.
1904 Radio: Convoy, AM78, 230 km NW our position, Heading NE.
1912 Have calculated best intercept, set Course 325, Ahead Standard. Should intercept at about 1700 tomorrow.
2300 Position Report: AM79. Fuel 39%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 4m.

1/21/40
1113 Radio: Convoy now in AM75, 110 km due West of us, Heading NNW. Set new Course 325.
1642 Should be North of them now, set Course 270.
1922 Radio: Convoy now 35 km South of us, Heading NE again. Set Course 130.
2029 Should be straight ahead of them now. Set Course 225, Ahead 1/3.
2030 Risked Echelot sounding: 180 meters of water beneath us. Should be plenty.
2047 Spotted them! Setting up UZO.
2050 Several big merchants ahead, nearest about 6000 meters range.
2052 Moon is bright; going to attack submerged. Taking down UZO. Escort spotted, off to our right.
2053 Diving to Periscope Depth.
2054 He's a small destroyer, 2500 meters to starboard.
2058 Set Course 180.
2102 Escort now 2000 meters, passing behind us.
2105 Right Full Rudder, Ahead Standard.
2108 Nearest big one 1300 meters, Bearing 330.
2110 Damn! Small merchant not 500 meters to starboard, heading right for us! Ordered dive to 30 meters. Did he see us?
2115 Sound says he's ahead of us now. Returning to Periscope Depth.
2116 Light cruiser 600 meters ahead. Tricky shot, but we have to take it.
2118 Firing Tube 3, Range 450.
2119 Missed. Too bad, but it seemed worth it to try.
2120 Large merchant 400 meters behind. Firing Tube 5.
2122 Diving to 40 meters to reload. Why do we keep missing? Is it me? The TDC? The torpedoes? It just doesn't seem fair!
2130 Returning to Periscope Depth.
2134 Tube 5 loaded.
2142 Large merchant ahead of us now. Ahead Flank.
2151 Small Destroyer 900 meters behind! Not acting like he's seen or heard us; maintaining Flank Speed.
2154 Escort now 1000 meters. Good! He's falling behind, hasn't heard us.
2156 Target now 1400 meters away, Bearing 035.
2158 Target Range 1400, Bearing 040.
2159 Escort 1300 meters behind.
2200 Target Range 1300, Bearing 042.
2201 Escort picking up speed, Range 1500, turning off to the south.
2202 Target Range 1300, Bearing 044.
2203 Escort Range 2300, moving away.
2206 Small merchant 300 meters ahead. Diving to 30 to pass under him.
2213 He's off to port now. Returning to Periscope Depth.
2215 Target now 1000 meters, Bearing 070.
2220 Set Course 040.
2225 Target now 560 meters straight ahead. Set Course 020.
2235 Range 450, Bearing 070. It's taking forever to get into position. Battery down somewhat, can only make 7 knots-1 knot faster than them!
2240 Range 400, Bearing 080.
2244 Turning away for stern shot.
2246 Firing Tube 5, Range 550. This is our last one.
2247 Hit!
2248 He's slowing down. No other observable effect.
2250 Diving to 120 meters, Ahead Slow.
2350 No sounds now, no escorts came after us. Coming to Periscope Depth.

1/22/40
0002 Convoy roughly 7 km ahead.
0358 Convoy long out of sight now. Surfacing, Ahead Standard.
0400 Position Report: AM49. Fuel 36%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 3m.
0937 Ship spotted, Bearing 336. It's a destroyer. I think we've come across the convoy again. Will move around them.
1024 Can see several of the merchants now; destroyer 9000 meters. Going to Periscope Depth, Ahead Slow.
1026 Destroyer now only 4000 meters away.
1035 Destroyer now 7000 meters. Set course 090 to move away from convoy.
1300 No contact or sighting for 20 minutes. Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
1711 Smoke spotted ahead. Can't do anything about it, only 1 external eel left, and can't load it due to weather. Turning to 030, heading for home.
2300 Position Report: AM54. Fuel 34%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 4m.

1/23/40
2300 Position Report: AM28. Fuel 32%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 4m.

1/24/40
2300 Position Report: AM34. Fuel 30%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 4m.

1/25/40
2300 Position Report: AN11. Fuel 28%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 4m.

1/26/40
2300 Position Report: AF75, into the Arctic. Fuel 26%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.

1/27/40
1700 Surfacing to recharge, Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AF76. Fuel 25%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50, Ahead Slow.

1/28/40
1700 Surfacing, Ahead Standard.
2300 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 24%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. 50 meters, Ahead Slow.

1/29/40
1700 Surfacing, Ahead Standard.
2300 Position Report: AN23, North Sea. Fuel 22%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50, Ahead Slow. If not for this new storm we'd have been home by now!

1/30/40
1700 Surfacing, Ahead Standard.
2300 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 20%. Overcast, Sea 11, Wind 38 m/s, Waves 10m. Diving to 50, Ahead Slow.

1/31/40
1700 Surfacing, Ahead Standard.
2300 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 18%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 28 m/s. Waves 9m. Diving to 50, Ahead Slow.

2/1/40
1700 Surfacing to recharge, Ahead Standard.
2300 Position Report: AN36-have entered Skagerrak. Fuel 16%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving to 50, Ahead Slow.

2/2/40
1700 Surfacing, Ahead Standard.
2300 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 14%. Overcast, Sea 11, Wind 34 m/s, Waves 10m. Diving to 30, Ahead Slow.

2/3/40
0920 Entered Kattegat.
1048 Water getting shallow. Coming up to 20 meters.
1100 Too shallow for storm conditions. Surfacing, Ahead Standard.
2230 Entered Store Bält.
2300 Position Report: AO71. Fuel 11%. Overcast, Sea 11, Wind 35 m/s, Waves 10m. Cannot dive, must face the storm full on.

2/4/40
0246 Entered Langelandsbält.
0822 Entered Kiel Bay by dead reckoning. Can't see land, but see is calmer now. Ahead 1/3.
0830 Merchant came out of mist not 1 km away. Still can't see land.
0840 Land close by now, 1-2 km to port.
0845 Can see light from lighthouse.
0853 Passed outer bar.
0906 Can make out some features in harbor, and two ships.
0912 Entered Kiel Harbor, Ahead Slow.
0916 We've been paid a visit from a merchant commerce raider. He's carrying several guns and a floatplane.
0925 Tied up at Kiel docks. This miserable patrol is finally over!

Have been advised that some of my torpedoes may not have missed; several kapitans have had bad luck with deep-runners and faulty exploders.

Confirmed sinkings:
11/29/39: British merchant SS Assyrian; 4,721 tons.
12/20/39: British merchant SS Blink; 6706 tons.

With another 11,427 tons recorded for this patrol, I have been awarded Iron Cross, 2nd Class.

February 4, 1940
1. Herbert Schultze.................77,548
2. Günther Prien......................60,588
3. Wilhelm Rollman..................46,292
4. Werner Hartmann................41,001
5. Günther Berke*...................33,799
6. Heinrich Liebe......................29,976
7. Berthold Cranmer**............29,328
8. Viktor Schütze.....................28,032
9. Joachim Schepke .................12,546
10. Hans Jenisch........................9,508
11. Otto Kretschmer ..................5,426
12. Bruno Asche*.......................3,074
13. Jürgen Oesten......................2,434
14. Wolfgang Lüth......................2,367
15. Ernst Bauer.............................345

[SteamWake]

Nice job Steve.

Nice to see your still at it :up:

[Sailor Steve]

Two or three years ago a player started posting his AOD logs on the 'Classic Subsims' board. Though he didn't tell any stories, I thought just reading the logs was fascinating. I like seeing what adventures (and misadventures) others have had.

[Sailor Steve]

Bruno Asche

Patrol 4: February 12, 1940 Game played February 6-11, 2006

U-14's third patrol lasted from December 7, 1939, to January 1, 1940; 25 days. During that time we fired three torpedoes, sinking two small merchants-one of them apparantly Polish, attempting to get to England after hiding in a Norwegian harbor for several weeks after the surrender. We were once again trying to spy on any British attempts to send troopships to Norway. Because of the weather this operation bore no fruit, and we were ordered to return home early. We spent 42 days in port, during which time we painted the emblem of the newly renamed 1st Flotilla on our conning tower and installed a 2cm Flak gun on the foredeck. Our navigator, Erich Steimle, was transferred to another boat. His replacement, Matthias Marbach, is a former schoolteacher. His knowledge of naval history and good jokes have made him an instant hit with the men.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/11.jpg
Oberleutnant z.S. Bruno Asche

U-14: 1st Flotilla, Kiel
U-14 crew, February 12, 1940:
Captain: Oberleutnant z.S. Bruno Asche
Chief: Oberleutnant z.S. Günther Loh
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Werner Scholz
2WO: Leutnant z. S. Heinz Schmidt
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Matthias Marbach

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Emil Stephan
Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander
Radioman: Bootsmann Karl Hänsel
Radioman: Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann
2nd Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen
Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer

General Petty Officers:
Bootsmann Hans Mohr
Bootsmann Henning Hessler

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt Böhling

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt
Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Leunert
Matrosengefreiter Josef Suhren
Matrosengefreiter Martin Maus
Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel
Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen
Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen
Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn
Matrosengefreiter Martin Maus

2/12/40
0600 Departed Kiel docks.
0617 Passed lighthouse. Ahead 1/3.
0644 Passed outer bar.
0721 Departed Kiel bay. Weather is partly cloudy, a very gentle rain is falling-almost less rain than mist.
0800 Opened orders: Our destination this time is AN55, the area off the Tees River. Shipping travelling down the coast might stop at Hartlepoole, or even go into
the bay to Stockton-on-Tees. Who knows what we'll find here.

2/13/40
0600 First Position Report: AO72. Fuel 95%. Sky is now clear, Sea 5, 2-meter waves, wind 16m/s.

2/14/40
0600 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 5, wind 14 m/s, waves 2m.

2/15/40
0600 Position Report: AN38. Fuel 85%. Sky Clear, Sea 3, wind 5 m/s, waves 1/2m.

2/16/40
0420 Awakened to sighting report. He's far off-if not for the bright starry night we never would have seen him. Ordered Full Speed, Course 220.
0425 Returning to Course 255. We'll pass him before dawn.
0524 Passing target ship now.
0600 Position Report: AN37. Fuel 80%. Clear, Sea 0, wind and waves both 0-absolute calm.
0603 Changed course to 150 degrees.
0620 Set Course 180. We'll intercept him soon.
0624 Set up UZO.
0625 Can see now it's a small tramp steamer, range about 6000.
0630 Range down to 5000. Slowed to 1/3 Speed.
0635 Range now 4000, still not precise.
0640 Range 2700. Ordered Periscope Depth; don't want him to see us in this bright night.
0645 Range 2000. Losing the angle, ordered Ahead Full.
0650 1100 meters. Getting close.
0652 Range now 750. Ordered all three tubes flooded.
0654 Damn! A Norwegian! Are the British hiring them to smuggle in supplies? Obviously on a course for Old Blighty.
0655 Ordered 20 meters, Ahead 1/3. We'll cruise underwater until he's out of sight.
1200 Periscope Depth.
1201 Nothing to be seen. Surfacing.

2/17/40
0600 Position Report: AN61. Fuel 75%. Clear, sea still calm.
2123 Entered AN55, Ahead Slow for patrol. These are dangerous waters for a U-boat. Only 70 meters here, probably less everywhere else.

2/18/40
0052 Woken up with another ship spotting.
0054 I see him now, Bearing 290. Set course 165, Ahead 1/3.
0100 He's either very small or very far away. The sky is bright, with a big half-moon showing.
0115 Ordered Ahead Full.
0130 His course is carrying him to our left. Good-we should pass him at a good distance.
0215 Changed Course to 120.
0330 Set Course 130.
0415 Even with him now. Set Course 100. The moon has set, but it's still bright out.
0430 Set Course 090.
0500 Set Course 060.
0510 It's another small coaster. Periscope Depth, Ahead Slow.
0515 Set-up good, Range 1800.
0520 Range 1100, bright enough to see his British flag at this range.
0522 Range 575.
0523 Range 420. All tubes flooded.
0524 Firing tube 1, Range 325. What's that sound? Dud!
0525 Firing tube 2. Range is 280, but it's a trailing shot.
0526 This one hit!
0527 Target slowed, one small fire seen.
0530 Target still moving, but very slowly.
0535 Target stopped.
0539 Tube 1 reloaded.
0550 Target's list is increasing, starboard deck now awash.
0600 Position Report: AN56. Fuel 70%. Overcast, Sea 3, wind 8 m/s, wanves 1/2m. We chased him a long way.
0824 Target finally capsized and sank. Returning to patrol, Ahead Slow.

2/19/40
0600 Position Report: AN55. Fuel 70%. Overcast, Sea 5, wind 14 m/s, waves 2m.

2/20/40
0600 Positon Report: AN55. Fuel 68%. Clear, Sea 4, wind 11 m/s, waves 2m.

2/21/40
0600 Position Report: AN55. Fuel 66%. Sea 5, wind 13 m/s, waves 3m.

2/22/40
0600 Position Report: AN55. Fuel 64%. Clear, Sea 8, wind 24 m/s, waves 6m.
0800 Too clear, too close to shore. Diving to 20 meters until dark.
0952 Sound reports contact, probably merchant, Bearing 030. Coming up to periscope depth.
0954 Nothing to see. Back to 20m.
1005 Periscope depth.
1007 Smoke, Bearing 025. Too far away to warrant surfacing this close to shore. There will be others.
1855 Contact, Bearing 069. Surfacing, Ahead Standard, Course 160.
1930 Have seen nothing yet, but recieved report of ship ahead.
2324 Finally spotted him-behind us!. Set Course 320, Ahead Full.
2346 Just a fishing boat. Returning to patrol, Ahead Slow.

2/23/40
0600 Position Report: AN55. Fuel 62%. Clear, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, waves 6m. Diving to 20.
2000 Surfacing to recharge.

2/24/40
0600 Position Report: AN55. Fuel 60%. Clear, Sea 6, wind 18 m/s, waves 6m. Diving to 20.
0714 Sound contact, type unknown. Coming to Periscope Depth.
0716 Just a smudge of smoke on the horizon. Set Course 210, Ahead Standard.
0718 Sound reports it as a merchant.
0725 Can see it's a tug boat. Returning to patrol, Ahead Slow, 20 meters depth.

2/25/40
0600 Position Report: AN55. Fuel 58%. Clear, Sea 7, wind 18 m/s, waves 20m.
2000 Surfacing. Have decided to get as close as possible to Hartlepool and see exactly what's there.

2/26/40
0125 Ship spotted, roughly 40 km from Hartlepool.
0128 Can't tell what it is. Diving to Periscope Depth.
0133 Sound contact-merchant.
0134 Can see what may be smoke, nothing more.
0200 Have lost sight of the near one. Surfacing.
0350 Ship nearby. Periscope Depth.
0353 Destroyer, Range 3000, Bearing 310. Sound has another one at 056. Can't see him.
0357 Diving to 15 meters, silent running. Don't know how deep the bottom is here, and don't dare echo sound for it.
0415 Periscope Depth.
0417 Our destroyer is now far to starboard. Another one ahead. Can see the harbor lighthouse.
0435 Sound has 3 warship contacts. I can see them all.
0500 Can see Hartlepool. Moon is about to set.
0600 10 km from harbor, 3 contacts, no sighting. Surfacing to make sure we have maximum battery and air available.
0635 Have spotted armed trawler patrolling harbor entrance, roughly 5000 meters ahead.
0645 Trawler now 4000 meters ahead. Coming to Periscope Depth.
0730 Only 1 kilometer from harbor entrance. There are a handful of merchants there, the usual assortment; nothing like the buildup OKM was expecting. Heading back out.
0753 Sound reports warship nearby, moving fast. Did the trawler see out periscope?
0800 Taking a peek. Trawler is only 600 meters behind us, making 10 to 12 knots.
0815 Took another look. Trawler now has a destroyer helping him, about 1800 meters behind.
0830 Destroyer now 2800 meters behind. Turning East, Course 090.
0842 Sound reports warship closing, Bearing 140.
0900 Warship has passed us, now 040. Taking a look. Destroyer, Range 4700, Bearing 040, heading away.
1000 Destroyer now 5000 meters behind us. We're reasonably safe now.
1116 Sound reports warship closing on us, Bearing 013. Took a look. Smoke column, very far ahead.
1151 Sound reports warship, Bearing 346. Nothing there, but he didn't hear the destroyer 1500 behind us! Periscope down, Silent Running.
1152 Don't think he saw periscope; he's still moving slowly away.
1200 He's now 4800 meters behind us, heading away. Normal Running.
1600 Turning ENE, Heading 060.
2000 Took a look around prior to surfacing. Good thing; there's an armed patrol trawler 2300 meters behind us.
2100 Took another look. Nothing there, surfacing.
2105 Very belated Position Report: AN55. Fuel 56%. Clear, Sea 4, wind 12 m/s, waves 1m.
2110 Sent double-encoded Mission Report: Successful Recon Harbor H, AN54. 5 merchant, 3 patrol ships, no activity.

2/27/40
0350 Radio: Ship 40 km NNE our position, Heading ESE. Set Course 000, Ahead Standard.
0515 At course intersect point, set Course 070.
0600 Position Report: AN55. Fuel 54%. Clear, Sea 4, wind 12 m/s, waves 1m.
0636 We've passed the coordinates at which he was originally reported. Either I miscalculated or he was misreported. Either way, we missed him.
0800 Diving to 20 meters to avoid air patrols.
2000 Surfacing.

2/28/40
0600 Position Report: AN55. Fuel 52%. Clear, Sea 4, wind 12 m/s, waves 1m.
0800 Diving to 20 meters.
1446 Sound reports merchant contact, Bearing 349. Coming to Periscope Depth.
1448 Set Course 250, Ahead Full, Surfacing.
1500 Getting closte. Periscope Depth, Ahead Flank, Course 225.
1502 Medium-size cargo ship, Range 3500, Bearing 050, making 9 knots.
1505 Range 2500, Bearing 045.
1510 Range 1150, Bearing 023.
1511 Firing Tube 2-last eel-Range 900.
1512 Hit!
1513 Target slowed some-following.
1530 Target listing, making 5 knots.
1700 Target back up to 6 knots.
1900 Target slowed to 5 knots again.
2000 Have been watchin distant smoke column for last 45 minutes. Doubt that it's a destroyer or he would be here looking for us.
2100 Target making 6 knots again. Breaking off surveillance and heading home.
2108 Smoke column was merchant; heading our way but nothing we can do but watch him go by.

2/29/40
0600 Position Report: AN56. Fuel 45%. Clear, Sea 6, wind 18 m/s, waves 3m.

3/1/40
0600 Position Report: AN62. Fuel 40%. Clear, Sea 6, wind 17 m/s, waves 3m.

3/2/40
2200 Position Report: AN38. Fuel 35%. Rain, Sea 7, wind 22 m/s, waves 4m.

3/3/40
0600 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 30%. Rain, Sea 7, wind 24 m/s, waves 4m.

3/4/40
0600 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 25%. Rain, Sea 7, wind 23 m/s, waves 4m.

3/5/40
0600 Position Report: AO74. Fuel 20% Rain, Sea 8, wind 27 m/s, waves 6m.
1828 ACH! Almost rammed an outbound freighter! Have to be careful in this rain and fog.
1835 Should be in Kiel Bay.
1840 Another close call, this time with a harber patrol boat. Slowing to 5 knots.
1945 Can see lighthouse.
2012 Passed into inner harbor. Slowing to 2 knots; feeling our way across the harbor.
2032 Tied up at Kiel docks.

Confirmed sinking:
2/18/40: British merchant SS Raton Pass; 2,839 tons.

March 5, 1940
1. Herbert Schultze................109,074
2. Günther Prien.......................60,588
3. Werner Hartmann................59,845
4. Wilhelm Rollmann.................46,292
5. Günther Berke*....................33,799
6. Viktor Schütze......................33,209
7. Heinrich Liebe.......................29,967
8. Berthold Cranmer*...............29,328
9. Ernst Bauer..........................16,434
10. Joachim Schepke.................12,546
11. Hans Jenisch.......................12,326
12. Otto Kretschmer .................12,026
13. Jürgen Oesten......................8,137
14. Bruno Asche**.....................5,913
15. Wolfgang Lüth......................3,580
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Hartlepool1.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Hartlepool2.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Hartlepool3.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Hartlepool4.jpg
Security Recon photos of Hartlepool.

3/7/40 Have been awarded Iron Cross 1st Class.

[CasperImproved]

Thanks for your postings... Helps us Noobs with your experience.

:-)

CasperImproved... and I will likely be too into the game once I have it installed... but in any case, appreciate your posts as it keeps me in the right mind set. :-)

[Sailor Steve]

Gunther Berke

Patrol 4: February 16, 1940 Game played February 12-20, 2006

Third Patrol lasted from November 29, 1939 until January 23, 1940, and resulted in a fine 20,022 tons sunk.
We have lost another man: Bootsmann Rolf Eckerman was transferred. I regret to say I hardly knew him, as he kept to himself and I didn't go out of my way to change that. I'll have to make the effort to know all my men better. His replacement is a stabsbootsman named Edgar Baltz. We'll see how he fits in.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/64.jpg
Oberleutnant z.S. Gunther Berke

U-52: 2nd Flotilla, Wilhelmshaven
U-52 crew, February 16, 1940:
Captain: Oberleutnant z.S. Gunther Berke
Chief: Oberleutnant z.S. Ernst Petersen
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Viktor Witte
2WO: Leutnant z.S. Georg Lobin
Medic: Oberfähnrich z. S. Axel Bargsten
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Otto Steinmetz

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Harro Staats
Helmsman: Bootsmann Heinz Kläbisch
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Ulrich Folkers
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Hans Maddaus
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Kurt Mohr
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Reinhart Kraus

General Petty Officers:
Stabsoberbootsmann Werner Piening
Stabsbootsmann Edgar Baltz
Bootsmann Victor Schmidt
Bootsmann Frantz Vogel
Bootsmann Reinhard Eppen
Bootsmann Fritz Claussen
Bootsmann Manfred Reckhoff
Bootsmann Viktor Zinke
Bootsmann Alfred Schacht
Bootsmann Werner Trojer

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Wiebe
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Hans Hirtl
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Miedza
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Karl Hölzer

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Eisen
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Frentzen
Matrosenobergefreiter Carl Soden
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Radloff

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Frank
Matrosengefreiter Hans Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Horst Leidig
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Baur
Matrosengefreiter Alfred Eick
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Anton Bielig
Matrosengefreiter Jost Panknin
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Wagner
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Brandi
Matrosengefreiter Gunther Kraus
Matrosengefreiter Hannes Muder
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Janz
Matrosengefreiter Ernst Soden
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Balke
Matrosengefreiter Georg Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Johannes Lasch
Matrosengefreiter Heinz Schönerr
Matrosengefreiter Walter Merten
Matrosengefreiter Karl Forstner
Matrosengefreiter Robert Reche
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Kilimann

2/16/40
2044 Underway Wilhelmshaven.
2054 Passed into outer harbor. Ahead 1/3.
2056 Set Course 075.
2140 Entered the Jade.
2247 Heavy cruiser coming into the Jade to roost, escorted by one destroyer.
2257 Cruiser passed just 700 meters off our starboard beam. It's the first time I've seen one this close and underway-quite impressive.
2315 Passed Schillighörn, into the North Sea.
2347 Passed Wangerooge. Opened orders-BE26 this time. Seems like each patrol we ge a little further out into the Atlantic.

2/17/40
0445 Ship spotted, Bearing 031. Changed course to intercept-due north.
0520 Turns out to be a fishing boat, and German.
2100 Position Report: AN38. Clear, Sea 5, wind 15 m/s, waves 2m.

2/18/40
1252 Lookouts report smoke in the distance, Bearing 320. Changed course to 285.
1302 It's a merchant, Range about 13,000.
1305 Range now 10,000
1310 Range 8000
1315 Coming to Periscope Depth.
1320 Range 3100. Set Course 225.
1322 Range 2400, Bearing 040.
1324 Range 1800, Bearing still 040.
1326 Range 1160, Bearing 030.
1327 As I already guessed, it's Norwegian. We are, after all, just off the coast of Norway. Returning to course, staying submerged for a while.
1400 Surfaced.
2100 Position Report: AN29. Clear, Sea 3, wind 9 m/s, waves 1/2 meter.

2/19/40
2100 Position Report: AF76. Partly Cloudy, Sea 4, wind 12 m/s, waves 1m.

2/20/40
2100 Position Report: AF75. Partly Cloudy, Sea 5, wind 15 m/s, waves 2m.

2/21/40
2100 Position Report: AN11. Partly Cloudy, Sea 3, wind 9 m/s, waves 1/2m.

2/22/40
0941 Radio: British Task Force AM29. Heading our way, about 600 km ahead.
2100 Position Report: AM33. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 31 m/s, waves 9m.
2119 Radio: British Task Force now only 20 km ahead of us, heading our way. Coming to Periscope Depth, Ahead Slow.
2144 Stabsoberbootsmann Piening reports multiple warship screws, Bearing 013.
2146 Surfacing, Ahead 2/3.
2157 Watch reports several ships off to port.
2159 There! It's a carrier! And two cruisers!
2202 One of the cruisers is awfully close. Ordered Periscope Depth.
2203 Piening reports eight or nine sets of screws. That means five or six destroyers escorting. Could get rough.
2204 Fired tubes 1,2&3 at carrier, Range 2300. First eel went off early; have decided the best we can hope for is to cripple her, so trying for other targets.
2205 Fired tube 4 at cruiser, Range 1300. Eels 2&3 have both hit carrier.
2206 Fired tube 5 at other cruiser, Range 450.
2207 Eels 4&5 both missed their respective targets. Ordered 70 meters while reloading. Doesn't sound like destroyers are coming after us.
2240 Nobody has been chasing us; two tubes loaded so far, plus the stern one. Coming up to Periscope depth.
2247 Can see one destroyer, looks like J-class, searchlights on, looking for us.
2248 There! It's the carrier, listing heavily, barely moving.
2250 Back down to 70 meters.
2255 All tubes now loaded; the boys can get some rest.
2300 Periscope depth.
2400 Nothing to be seen for an hours. Back to 70 meters, returning to course.

2/23/40
1200 Surfacing to recharge, Ahead 1/3. Weather still heavy.
2100 Position Report: AM26. Overcast, Sea 11, wind 35 m/s, waves 10m. Staying surfaced for the time being.

2/24/40
0641 Radio: Convoy 300 km SW our position, heading ESE; away from us.
2100 Position Report: AM51. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m.

2/25/40
2100 Position Report: AM46. Overcast, Sea 8, wind 24 m/s, waves 6m.

2/26/40
2100 Position Report: AM75. Clear, Sea 11, wind 34 m/s, waves 10m.

2/27/40
1926 Entered BE26, Ahead Slow for patrol.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Clear, Sea 12, wind 36 m/s, waves 11m. Never seen waves this high before.

2/28/40
1844 Ship Bearing 228. Set Course 80.
1900 Fair-sized merchant. Changed Course to 120, Ahead Slow, Periscope Depth.
1927 Firing tube 1, range 800.
1928 Hit! Just forward of aft boom.
1930 Target making 6 knots. Matching course.
1940 Target back up to 7 knots. Ahead Flank.
1945 Target down to 5 knots, listing.
1955 Set Course 040.
2000 Target now making 4 knots, settling by stern.
2030 Target back up to 5 knots.
2100 Surfacing.
2215 Ahead 2/3.
2245 Set course 150, Ahead 1/3. Setting up for second shot.
2256 Firing tube 2, Range 500. Hit-directly below bridge.
2300 Target making 3 knots. Torpedo hit while target was rolled toward us. When she rolls the other way we can see the huge hole.
2307 Target stopped.
2313 Enemy merchant settling by stern. Superstructure almost under water.
2314 Explosions underwater-probably boilers. Can see glow of flames far underwater.
2315 Bow slipped beneath waves; score one more for our side.
2400 Belated Position Report: BE26. Clear, Sea 9, wind 26 m/s, waves 7m.

2/29/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Clear, Sea 7, wind 20 m/s, waves 4m.

3/1/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Clear, Sea 3, wind 10 m/s, waves 1m.

3/2/40
0200 Tried to stop and load external torpedoes; waves just barely too high for safety.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Clear, Sea 3, wind 9 m/s, waves 1m.

3/3/40
0340 Awakened by matrosengefreiter Kraus with message from radioman: Ship reported 28 km SSW of us, heading west. Ordered course 230, Ahead Full.
0515 At intersect point: set Course 090, Ahead Slow.
0700 We are far past the point at which we would have spotted him. Returning to patrol course.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Clear, Sea 5, wind 15 m/s, waves 2m.

3/4/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Clear, Sea 4, wind 12 m/s, waves 1m.

3/5/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Clear, Sea 2, wind 4 m/s, waves 1/4m.
2220 Radio: Ship reported 70 km SSW our position, heading ENE. Set Course 180, Ahead 1/3.

3/6/40
0011 At intersect point. Set Course 210, Ahead Slow.
0202 Radio: Convoy 150 km ESE our position, heading WSW. If we travel south at 2/3 speed we should have plenty of time to catch them.
0350 Stopped to load external torpedoes.
0445 Transfer complete; underway, Course 180, Speed 2/3.
0833 At intersect point. Set Course 070, Ahead Slow.
1107 Smoke! Several columns, Bearing 337.
1110 Set Course 060.
1112 Estimate range to be about 15 km. Count 16 columns so far.
1113 Set Course 050.
1115 Sent Contact Report.
1125 Can clearly make out several merchants, estimated heading 250. Set Course 030.
1136 Set Course 340; should be perpendicular to theirs.
1147 Neares merchant about 4000 meters. NO! Destroyer made our periscope-heading this way!
1149 He's turned away again; must think we were closer than we are. Nearest merchant now 3800.
1151 Big auxiliary merchant cruiser in the middle of the group; about 5800 meters.
1153 Flooding all four forward tubes. Will give one each to two large merchants, and two for their pretend battleship.
1158 Destroyer is looking around. Apparently he hasn't warned the merchants-they're still cruising in a straight line.
1200 Moving into position. They're moving right in front of us.
1204 Firing tube 1, Range 530. Hit!
1205 He's moving away, apparently unaffected. No time to manuever for another shot. Besides, there's another big one coming into our sights.
1208 Firing tube 2, Range 720. Hit!
1209 There's an explosion! Is he breaking up?
1210 No, but he's stopped and settling by the stern.
1216 Hear breaking up noises now.
1217 The merchant cruiser is right where we want him. Firing tube 3, Range 850. Hit! Firing tube 4.
1218 Number four hit as well.
1220 Armed trawler close by; going to have to dive. Ordered Ahead Flank, Dive, Right Full Rudder.
1222 Levelled off at 80 meters, Center Rudder, Ahead Slow. Steady on Course 120.
1223 Coming to Course 060; opposite direction from convoy. Can hear depth charges a long way off.
1224 More depth charges-closer, but not nearly close enough.
1225 Tube 1 loaded; ordered Silent Run.
1228 More patterns nearby, but nothing to worry about.
1233 They're dropping again, but they obviously don't know where we are.
1238 Another group, further off.
1240 They seem to be staying south of us. Set Course 000.
1244 He's dropped a few more, far behind us. I'm pretty sure there's just the two of them, destroyer and trawler. It must gall them to know we're getting away.
1249 They're still trying! Very far away now. I'm surprised to hear myself say quite loudly "You'll have to do better than that!".
1400 Almost an hour now since we've heard anything, ship or depth charge. Coming to Periscope Depth, ordered Normal Run.
1407 No sign of convoy or anything else. Surfacing.
1410 Set Course 250, Ahead 2/3. Going to see if we can catch them again.
1422 Radio: BdU acknowledges our contact report.
1450 Lookout reports smoke, Bearing 054. Could it be the merchant we torpedoed?
1451 Set Course 310.
1454 He's heading left to right. Corrected course to 315. If it's our merchant, he must be trying to run back to England.
1458 Corrected course to 325.
1500 He's a merchant of some kind, but smaller than ours was. Set Course 010.
1515 It's a small tramp, heading across the ocean alone. Very brave, this one. It's perfect weather for some deck gun practice.
1520 Cannon is now armed and ready. Order has been given to fire when close enough. No need to waste ammunition.
1522 HOLD FIRE! We've seen his flag now! It's an American!
1526 Pulled alongside, waved and shouted, took some pictures. They're taking pictures too.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/American1.jpg
American merchant

1530 We won't catch the convoy again now. Returning to our patrol grid, Ahead Slow.
2100 Position Report: BE 29. Clear, Sea 0, wind 0 m/s, waves 0m.

3/7/40
2100 Position report: BE26. Clear, Sea 0, wind, 0 m/s, waves 0m.

3/8/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Partly cloudy, Sea 1, wind 4 m/s, waves trace.

3/9/40
0048 Radio: Convoy, 300 km ESE our position, heading west. Will pass just 50 km south of us. Set Course 180.
0505 Reached intersect point. Course 090.
1226 Radio: Position now 40 km SE, heading SW. They've turned! Set Course 180, Ahead Full.
1313 Smoke spotted in distance, Bearing 197. Set Course 115, maintaining full speed.
1315 Still only one column, moving from port to starboard. Corrected course to 125.
1317 Now he's changed course. Set our course back to 115.
1318 He seems to be weaving back and forth.
1324 Many smoke columns! There's the convoy! Changed course to 240 as we're approaching at too close an angle.
1328 Can make out shape now; first one was an escort.
1330 Set Course 210.
1400 Sent Contact Report: 20 merchants, 3 escorts.
1402 Now count 21 merchants, Range about 13,000. And us with only three eels left.
1437 Now sufficiently in front of convoy. Set Course 090, Ahead 1/3.
1445 Set Course 140, Ahead Slow, Periscope Depth.
1507 Several big merchants, tankers, and a cruiser of some kind. Damn! We need more torpedoes!
1512 Light cruiser-Southampton class.
1515 Merchant closing right on us! Ahead 2/3, depth 25 meters!
1520 He's past us now. Periscope Depth, Ahead Slow.
1523 Big merchant passing right behind us. Firing tube 5, Range 600.
1524 Hit! Coming around for bow shot.
1525 Someone's pinging us! Ahead Flank!
1527 We're almost lined up, but he's heading away. Going to be a tough shot.
1528 We've been spotted! Someone's shooting at the periscope! 80 meters! NOW!
1531 Have reached 80 meters. Ahead Slow.
1532 Propellors! Down to 120 meters.
1533 Depth charges! Very close!
1534 He's moving away now. Course 160. Damage reports nothing more than a good shaking.
1536 Depth charges again. Ahead Flank, Left Full Rudder, 140 meters.
1537 Ahead Slow, back up to 80 meters, steady on Course 300.
1539 Pinging again.
1540 Propellors! Ahead Flank, Right Full Rudder! Dive!
1543 Too deep! 190 meters! Blow Ballast! Aft torpedo crew reports tube 5 loaded.
1544 Levelling off at 120 meters, Ahead Slow.
1545 Propellors again. Ahead Flank, Left Full Rudder!
1546 Steady on Course 060, Ahead Slow, Silent Run.
1547 Propellors! Ahead Flank, down to 140 meters!
1548 More depth charges.
1549 Ahead Slow.
1552 One just passed right over us. Didn't drop. Is it a trick of some kind. Sound says there are two of them, taking turns.
1554 Dropping again, further off this time.
1559 More explosions heard, a long way off.
1700 It's been an hour now since we've heard anything. Sound reports no contacts. Periscope Depth, end silent run.
1713 Nothing in sight. Surfacing.
1714 Nothing to be seen. Course 330, heading back to BE26.
1715 Wintergarten railing is bent; no damage to flak gun.
2100 Position Report: BE37. Clear, Sea 3, wind 8 m/s, waves 1/4m.

3/10/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Partly cloudy, Sea 1, wind 4 m/s, waves trace.

3/11/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Partly cloudy, Sea 4, wind 10 m/s, waves 2m.

3/12/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Partly cloudy, Sea 0, wind 0 m/s, waves 0m.

3/13/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Partly cloudy, Sea 0, wind 1 m/s, waves 0m.

3/14/40
1230 Storm moving in fast. Overcast now, sea picking up quickly. Looks major.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Heavy rain, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50.

3/15/40
1500 Surfacing to recharge.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Raining, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50.

3/16/40
1500 Surfacing to recharge.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Rain, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50.

3/17/40
1203 Sound reports merchant contact. Periscope Depth, Ahead 1/3.
1207 Weather is so bad up there I'm not sure if torpedoes will even work. If we find him we might collide with him. Back to 50, Ahead Slow.
1500 Surfacing.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Rain, Sea 10, wind 31 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50.

3/18/40
1500 Surfacing.
1503 Came up to find clear and calm weather, just a few scattered clouds.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Partly Cloudy, Sea 0, wind 0 m/s, waves 0m.

3/19/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Partly Cloudy, Sea 1, wind 4 m/s, waves trace.

3/20/40
1300 Weather starting to pick up again.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 33 m/s, waves 9m. Back to diving, 50 meters.

3/21/40
1500 Surfacing to recharge.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 31 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50.

3/22/40
1500 Surfacing.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Raining, Sea 9, wind 26 m/s, waves 8m. Diving to 50.

3/23/40
1500 Surfacing.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Overcast, Sea 9, wind 26 m/s, waves 8m. Diving to 50.

3/24/40
1500 Surfacing.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Overcast, Sea 9, wind 27 m/s, waves 8m. Diving to 50.

3/25/40
1500 Surfacing.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving again.

3/26/40
1500 Surfacing to recharge.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Overcast, Sea 11, wind 36 m/s, waves 10m. Diving to 50 again.

3/27/40
1500 Surfacing.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9. Diving.

3/28/40
0447 Awakened with report of sound contact. Immediately ordered Periscope Depth, Ahead 1/3.
0453 Miserable weather; can't see a thing. Back to 50 meters, and back to bed.
1500 Surfaced to recharge.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Rain, Sea 9, wind 27 m/s, waves 8m. Back to 50 meters.
2141 Another sound contact. Damn this weather!

3/29/40
1500 Surfaced to find things nice again. The sun is out, sea is still fairly heavy, but nothing too disturbing.
2100 Position Report: BE26. Clear, Sea 7, wind 22 m/s, waves 4m. Staying surfaced.

3/30/40
2100 Position Report: BE26. Clear, Sea 6, wind 18 m/s, waves 3m. Heading home, Ahead 1/3. Sea may not be as heavy, but it still eats up a lot of fuel.

3/31/40
2100 Position Report: AM74. Clear, Sea 7, wind 22 m/s, waves 4m. We end the month of March with a beautiful day.

4/1/40
0900 The First of April certainly fooled us: Storm front is moving in fast, temperature dropping, waves rising, starting to rain.
1600 Rain is starting to freeze. It might as well be mid-December in the Alpines.
1900 Alternating between snow and sleet. As soon as we send our report we dive.
2100 Position Report: AM46. Snow, freezing rain, blinding winds; unable to tell wind strength or wave height. Diving to 70 meters.

4/2/40
1500 Surfacing to recharge.
1949 Radio: Convoy 90 km north, heading southeast, crossing our path.
2100 Position Report: AM29. Very heavy rain, warmer, Sea down to 8, wind 25 m/s, waves 6m.
2223 Radio: Convoy now 38 km NNE our position, heading south.
2300 Diving to 30 meters for sound check.
2303 There they are: Merchant contact, Bearing 335.
2308 Now tracking six merchants and one warship.
2310 Coming up to Periscope Depth.
2312 Took a look around; can't see a thing but waves and rain.
2315 Sound now tracking too many to keep count, with two escorts.
2320 Can hear them clearly, still can't see them.

4/3/40
0015 The entire convoy is just in front of us, but I still can't see a thing through this rain.
0030 This is starting to drive me mad! Where are they?
0045 Position seems to have become constant. Have they turned east?
0100 I'm convinced they're headed directly away from us. The last report had them at 9 knots. It's dangerous to chase them on the surface in this weather.
0200 Position is still constant. Continuing to follow.
0300 Have lost contact. Turning homeward, 50 meters, ahead slow.
1200 Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
2100 Position Report: AM26. Rain, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Continuing on surface.

4/4/40
2100 Position Report: AM34. Rain, Sea 5, wind 13 m/s, waves 2m.

4/5/40
2100 Position Report: AF77. Overcast, Sea 5, wind 13 m/s, waves 2m.

4/6/40
2100 Position Report: AF75. Raining, Sea 6, wind 18 m/s, waves 2m.

4/7/40
2100 Position Report: AF87. Clear, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, waves 6m.
2212 Radio: Ship 40 km south of us, heading SSE. Set Course 140, Ahead 2/3.

4/8/40
0100 We've somehow missed him. Turning back toward home, Ahead 1/3.
1200 There has been a lot of radio traffic today concerning enemy and friendly warship movements. Get the feeling something big is up. Wonder what it could be?
1528 Lookouts report ship. It's fairly close. Set Course 090, Ahead 2/3.
1530 It's a small merchant.
1533 Set Course 075.
1543 He's Norwegian. Turning back to homeward course.
2100 Position Report: AN34. Clear, Sea 11, wind 35 m/s, waves 10m. Rough going, but staying on surface. Everyone wants to get home.

4/9/40
0645 Radio: "Our forces have occupied Denmark to protect her from Allied Aggression". Interesting wording.
2100 Position Report: AN93. Clear, Sea 10, wind 33 m/s, waves 9m.

4/10/40
0610 Passed Wangerooge.
0625 Passed Schillighörn, into the Jade.
0800 Radio: Air raid Wilhelmshaven!
0805 Many reports of damage and British aircraft shot down. From the middle of the Jade we can see nothing. Manned flak gun none the less.
0830 Left the Jade; turning towards Wilhelmshaven.
0833 Can see Wilhelmshaven clearly now; much smoke everywhere. There! An explosion!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Wilhelmshaven1.jpg
Wilhelmshaven burning

0837 Can see the bow of a wrecked harbor minesweeper sticking up out of the water. Many men swimming about.
0840 Stopping to pick up survivors. Also stopping is U-3, a small boat returning from a training mission
0851 Getting underway again with almost 40 men crowding our decks. U-3 carries another 20. Hope we don't get caught in a second attack.
0911 Wrecked merchant in bay close to harbor. Several harbor boats pulling men out of the water.
0925 Turning into inner harbor.
0929 Tanker stalled right at harbor entrance, blocking way. Looks like we can just squeak by.
0930 Took picture of tanker.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Wilhelmshaven2.jpg
Tanker blocking harbor entrance
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Wilhelmshaven3.jpg
Another burning ship

0951 Tied up at dock.

Confirmed sinkings:
2/28/40: British merchant SS San Gaspar; 4,070 tons.
3/6/40: British merchant SS Waziristan; 6,245 tons.
British auxiliary cruiser HMS Ausonia; 13,850 tons.
No confirmation of British aircraft carrier, so no credit.
Total: 24,166 tons.

April 10, 1940
1. Herbert Schultze................109,074
2. Werner Hartmann................74,049
3. Günther Prien......................61,734
4. Günther Berke** .................57,965
5. Wilhelm Rollmann.................46,292
6. Heinrich Liebe.......................45,815
7. Viktor Schütze......................33,209
8. Berthold Cranmer*...............29,328
9. Joakim Schepke....................18,063
10. Ernst Bauer.........................16,434
11. Hans Jenisch.......................13,593
12. Otto Kretschmer .................12,026
13. Jürgen Oesten.......................8,137
14. Bruno Asche*.........................5,913
15. Wolfgang Lüth.......................3,580

IWO Witte has been awarded the Iron Cross, Second Class.
Stabsoberbootsman Peining has been entered into the Radio Training School. I hope we get him back when he's done.

[Sailor Steve]

!AIR RAID WILHELMSHAVEN!
by Kurt-Egon Heiner

Wednesday, April 10, 1940
At 7:55 this morning a parade of low-flying British bombers attacked the harbor and naval base at Wilhelmshaven. Four ships were destroyed, six more were damaged. We had two fighters on patrol; they managed to bring down one of the enemy bombers. Flak gunners are credited with one more. The other seven escaped unharmed. The dead and wounded are as yet uncounted. All that is known for certain is that there are many. Most of the naval personnel and many civilians leaped in to aid in rescue operations. Two returning U-boats even stopped to aid the survivors of a crippled and sinking destroyer in the outer harbor.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/WilhelmshavenReport1.jpg
Harbor patrol boat

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/WilhelmshavenReport2.jpg
Another patrol boat

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/WilhelmshavenReport3.jpg
Guard keeps curious onlookers from aproaching burning merchant ship

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/WilhelmshavenReport4.jpg
Sunken destroyer

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/WilhelmshavenReport5.jpg
One of the heroic u-boats which helped rescue survivors

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/WilhelmshavenReport6.jpg
Neutral Swedish merchant vessel destroyed in British air attack

[JScones]

Those B&W "photos" really add to the story! Did you have Buchheim on board? :rotfl:

[Sailor Steve]

No, but Georg is proving pretty handy with the camera. He says he took a class in secondary school.

That reporter, Heiner, took his own.

[Sailor Steve]

Berthold Cranmer

Patrol 4: February 21, 1940 Game played February 20 -March 8, 2006

U-74's second patrol garnered 11,427 tons and lasted Eighty-two days, from November 14, 1939 to February 4, 1940. After 17 days in port, U-74 put to sea again on February 21, 1940.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/53.jpg
Oberleutnant z.S. Berthold Cranmer

U-74: 7th Flotilla, Kiel
U-74 crew, February 21, 1940:
Captain: Oberleutnant z.S. Berthold Cranmer
Chief: Oberleutnant z.S. Karl Schewe
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Heinz Renken
2WO: Leutnant z. S. Alfred Moehle
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Axel Marbach
Torpedo Officer: Oberfähnrich z. S. Albrecht Zapf

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Peter Jenisch
Helmsman: Bootsmann Emil Brehme
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Günther Blank
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Gerhard Kilimann
Radio/Soundman: Stabsbootsman Herbert Stephan
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Otto Röther
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Gerhard Hentrop

General Petty Officers:
Bootsmann Friederich Goldbeck
Bootsmann Hans Sporer
Bootsmann Heinz Wissmann
Bootsmann Fritz Jungmann
Bootsmann Arend Baltz
Bootsmann Joachim Blaudow
Bootsmann Johan Reckhoff
Bootsmann Horst Richter
Bootsmann Hans Thurmann

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Heinz Schäfer
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Lothar Arnold
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Walter Kühn
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerrit Holstein

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Rolf Hertin
Matrosenobergefreiter Paul Folkers
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinrich Mitter
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Jungmann

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Hermann Bleek
Matrosengefreiter Adolf Scholz
Matrosengefreiter Rudolf Hartmann
Matrosengefreiter Curt Schmidt
Matrosengefreiter Dietmar Krech
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Babel
Matrosengefreiter Werner Gante
Matrosengefreiter Julius Wiebe
Matrosengefreiter Karl Pröchnow
Matrosengefreiter Paul Hänsel
Matrosengefreiter Heinrich Sander
Matrosengefreiter Robert Rasch
Matrosengefreiter Karl Hölzer
Matrosengefreiter Hans Heuer
Matrosengefreiter Hartwig Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Ludwig Bilstein
Matrosengefreiter Friederich Ganzer
Matrosengefreiter Erwin Loh
Matrosengefreiter Ludwig Clausen
Matrosengefreiter Wilhelm Bülow
Matrosengefreiter Reinhart Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Max Manke

2/21/40
0758 Departed Kiel docks.
0812 Passed inner harbor lighthouse. Set cruising speed Ahead 1/3-10 knots.
0830 Passed outer bar.
0900 Opened orders: Proceed to AN23, await instructions. AN23? That's off Norway. North Sea? Perhaps they're "rewarding" us for the length of our last patrol by giving us something easy.
1028 Had our last sight of land.

2/22/40
0800 First position Report: AO47, 65km N Alborg. Sky clear, Sea State 2, wind 5 m/s, just a trace of wave activity.

2/23/40
0800 Position Report: AN35, Clear, Sea 3, wind 9 m/s, waves 1/4m.

2/24/40
0800 Position Report: AN29, Clear, Sea 0, wind 0 m/s, waves 0.
1140 Entered AN23. Ahead Slow.
1707 Ship, Bearing 018, heading right for us. Set Course 315.
1710 Ordered Periscope Depth.
1718 Range 3300, Bearing 0. Set Course 330.
1730 Norwegian. Returning to patrol course.
1900 Surfaced.

2/25/40
0800 Position Report: AN23. Clear, Sea 0, wind 1 m/s, waves 0.

2/26/40
0800 Position Report: AN23. Clear, Sea 0, wind 0 m/s, waves 0.

2/27/40
0414 Ship sighted, Bearing 050. Set Course 110, Ahead 1/3.
0529 Another Norwegian, of course.
0800 Position Report: AN23. Clear, Sea 5, wind 17 m/s, waves 2m.

2/28/40
0338 Ship, Bearing 330.
0356 Norwegian.
0800 Position Report: AN23. Clear, Sea 3, wind 9 m/s, waves 1/2m.

2/29/40
0800 Position Report: AN23. Clear, Sea 7, wind 14 m/s, waves 4m.

3/1/40
0800 Position Report: AN23. Clear, Sea 3, wind 9 m/s, waves 1/2m
0900 Radio: New orders. We are to move to AF64. That's north of Trondheim! What do they expect us to do there? Set course 060, Ahead 1/3.

3/2/40
0800 Position Report: AF85. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, waves 6m.

3/3/40
0800 Position Report: AF59. Sea 8, wind 24 m/s, waves 6m.
1240 Entered AF64. Ahead slow.

3/4/40
0800 Position Report: AF64. Partly Cloudy, Sea 12, wind 36 m/s, waves 13m. This is a full-blown hurricane. Diving to 70 meters.
1555 Water getting shallow. Coming up to 50 meters.
1700 Shallower still. 30 meters.
2100 Changing course for deeper water.
2200 Now at 20 meters.

3/5/40
0200 Surfaced.
0800 Position Report: AF64. Overcast, Sea 12, wind 34 m/s, waves 12m. Diving to 70.

3/6/40
0200 Surfaced to recharge.
0800 Position Report: AF64. Overcast, Sea 12, wind 34 m/s, waves 12m. 70 meters.
1539 Sound contact. Letting him go. I'm not going after a lone ship in this weather.
2234 Sound contact, approaching us. Ordered Periscope Depth.
2243 Weather is unchanged; we could ram him before we saw him. Back to 70m.

3/7/40
0200 Surfaced.
0800 Position Report: AF64. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Back to 70.

3/8/40
0200 Surfaced.
0800 Position Report: AF74. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 70.

3/9/40
0200 Surfaced.
0221 Lookouts sighted a ship, bearing 240. Set Course 270.
0233 Set up UZO.
0235 It's a small merchant, heading toward us. I'd bet my last bottle he's Norwegian.
0300 Range about 4000 meters. Speeding up to 1/3.
0315 Range 2600.
0345 He's Norwegian, all right. Back to patrol.
0800 Position Report: AF64. Partly cloudy, Sea 12, wind 37 m/s, waves 12m. Diving back to 70.

3/10/40
0200 Surfaced to recharge.
0600 Radio: We have been ordered to change grids to AF33; far north, near the entrance to the bay leading to Narvik. I wonder why-there's nothing there.
0601 Set Course 035, Ahead 1/3.
0800 Position Report: AF61. Partly Cloudy, Sea 11, wind 32 m/s, waves 10m. Diving to 70, Ahead Slow.

3/11/40
0200 Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
0800 Position Report: AF38. Partly Cloudy, Sea 12, wind 35 m/s, waves 11m. Diving to 70, Ahead Slow.
2038 Estimate we should be entering AF33 sometime, now way to tell for sure.

3/12/40
0200 Surfaced.
0749 Ship spotted. Set Course 095, Ahead 2/3.
0800 Definately British; passing right in front of us. Sea still rough, but can't pass up this chance.
0801 Firing tube 1, Range 600.
0802 Hit! Good job!
0805 Target has stopped.
0812 Tube 1 loaded and ready.
0819 Target capsized.
0821 Target sank.
0830 Belated Position Report: AF33. Partly Cloudy, Sea 9, wind 28 m/s, waves 8m. Diving to 70.

3/13/40
0200 Surfaced.
0800 Position Report: AF33. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8, wind 24 m/s, waves 6m. Staying surfaced for now to enjoy the sunshine.
2035 Lookout reports ship, Bearing 252.
2038 I don't see him, and neither does anyone else.
2040 There he is, behind us!
2043 Set up UZO.
2044 Set Course 100.
2046 He's moving faster than I thought: Ahead 1/3.
2050 Still can't tell what he is; looks very small, though.
2055 It's a fishing boat, out in this weather! Still, he seems to be riding the waves better than we do.

3/14/40
0800 Position Report: AF33. Partly Cloudy, Sea 10, wind 31 m/s, waves 9m. Diving, but only to 30 meters due to shallow water.

3/15/40
0200 Surfacing to recharge.
0800 Position Report: AF33. Partly Cloudy, Sea 12, wind 36 m/s, waves 12m. Diving to 50.

3/16/40
0200 Surfacing.
0212 On surface; sea much calmer.
0800 Position Report: AF33. Clear, Sea 5, wind 14 m/s, waves 2m.
1120 Ship spotted, Bearing 108. Set course 010, Ahead 1/3.
1123 He's moving fast, and away. Set Course 335, Ahead Full.
1125 It's a merchant, range about 7000 now.
1130 Range 4500. Periscope Depth, Ahead Flank.
1135 Range 2400, Bearing 025.
1140 Norwegian. Returning to course, Ahead Slow. Staying submerged until out of sight.
1400 Surfacing.

3/17/40
0250 Radio: Ship, 30 km NE our position, heading WSW. Set Course 000, remaining at Slow Speed.
0410 Set Course 090.
0412 Spotted him!
0430 Merchant, Range 3000.
0435 Range 2300, Bearing 326.
0440 Range 1300, Bearing 340.
0442 Norwegian. Returning to patrol.
0800 Position Report: AF33. Clear, Sea 6, wind 16 m/s, waves 3m.

3/18/40
0600 Radio: We are ordered further south-AF82. Why are they moving us around so much?
0601 Set Course 225, Ahead 1/3.
0800 Position Report: AF33. Overcast, Sea 11, wind 33 m/s, waves 10m. Staying surfaced while in transition.

3/19/40
0800 Position Report: AF61. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 31 m/s, waves 9m.
1500 Sea is falling off, wind dying. Partly cloudy, looks like we might get good weather.

3/20/40
0800 Position Report: AF55. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, waves 2m.
1930 Entered AF32. Ahead Slow.

3/21/40
0439 Ship spotted, Bearing 048. Set Course 140.
0440 Set up UZO.
0442 Merchant, long way off. Ahead 2/3.
0445 He's moving to our left. Set Course 130.
0450 Have determined he is heading roughly NNE. Set Course 090.
0505 Close enough to determine range: 3400.
0510 Good position now. Set Course 130, Ahead Slow.
0512 Flooding tubes 2 & 3.
0513 Norwegian. Closing tubes, returning to patrol, Ahead Slow.
0519 Chief Schewe informed me fuel is now at 50%.
0800 Position Report: AF82. Clear, Sea 5, wind 14 m/s, waves 2m.
0845 Radio: U-47 reporting low food.
1457 Radio: U-37 reporting shortage of lubricating oil. Seems like everyone's having trouble at once.

3/22/40
0700 Position Report: AF82. Clear, Sea 3, wind 8 m/s, waves 1/2m.

3/23/40
0800 Position Report: AF82. Raining, Sea 8, wind 26 m/s, waves 7m. Diving to 50.

3/24/40
0200 Surfacing to recharge.
0800 Position Report: AF82. Rain, Sea 9, wind 28 m/s, waves 8m. Diving to 50.

3/25/40
0200 Surfacing.
0800 Position Report: AF82. Rain, Sea 9, wind 27 m/s, waves 8m. Diving to 50 meters.
2200 Map shows bottom changing a lot. Echo sounding every 15 minutes.

3/26/40
0200 Surfacing.
0800 Position Report: AF82. Rain, Sea 10, wind 29 m/s, waves 9m. Diving back to 50.

3/27/40
0200 Surfacing.
0800 Position Report: AF82. Rain, Sea 9, wind 28 m/s, waves 8m. Bottom deep now, diving to 70.

3/28/40
0200 Surfacing.
0730 Radio: We are being moved again-this time to AN24. Set Course 235, Ahead 1/3.
0800 Position Report: AF82. Rain, Sea 10, wind 32 m/s, waves 9m. Staying on surface to facilitate travel time.

3/29/40
0800 Position Report: AF87. Rain, Sea 8, wind 24 m/s, waves 6m.
1030 Entered AN24; Ahead Slow.

3/30/40
0800 Position Report: AN24. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 31 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50.

3/31/40
0200 Surfacing to recharge.
0800 Position Report: AN24. Overcast, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, waves 6m.
1447 Ship, Bearing 308. Ordered Right Full Rudder, Ahead 1/3.
1449 Ordered Periscope Depth.
1451 Big merchant, about 5000 meters, Bearing 035.
1455 Range now 3100, Bearing 030.
1458 Range 2100, Bearing 025. Flooding all bow tubes.
1500 Range 1400, Bearing 020.
1501 Range 1100, Bearing 015. Definitely British. Ordered Ahead Slow.
1502 Firing tube 2, Range 750.
1503 Hit!
1504 He's not slowing down! Left Full Rudder, Ahead 1/3.
1505 Too close, Ahead Slow.
1506 Firing tube 3, Range 460. Damn! It went off early!
1507 Firing tube 4, Range 520.
1508 Dud! NO! It did go off. Big explosions. Surfacing.
1509 Enemy ship burning from end to end!
1511 Target sank by stern. Returning to patrol course.

4/1/40
0800 Position Report: AN24. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50.

4/2/40
0200 Surfacing to recharge.
0800 Position Report: AN24. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 31 m/s, waves 9m. Back to 50.

4/3/40
0200 Surfacing.
0800 Position Report: AN24. Raining, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50.

4/4/40
0200 Surfacing.
0800 Position Report: AN24. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50 again.

4/5/40
0200 Surface.
0800 Position Report: AN24. Overcast, Sea 8, wind 24 m/s, waves 6m. Diving to 30 meters, water somewhat shallow here.

4/6/40
0200 Surfacing.
0602 Radio: "Operation Hartmut is about to commence. U-boats are expected to follow orders accordingly." This is what we've been waiting for. I wonder what our part will be.
0800 Position Report: AN24. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50.

4/7/40
0200 Surfacing to recharge.
0630 Radio-Double Encoded-Captain's Eyes Only. Here it is. I have taken the Enigma machine into my bunk and closed the curtain. I can feel my officers crowded just outside.
0645 Orders: We are ordered to perform a reconnaisance of Bergen; this must be completed and radioed in by 0800 hours tomorrow, the 8th.
0647 No reason not to tell the men where we are going. Announcing it to all immediately.
0650 Set Course 030, Ahead Slow. At this speed we should be there in plenty of time.
0800 Position Report: AN2473. Clear, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 50.
1800 Surfacing. Will make approach surfaced.
2100 Set Course 100. Approaching fjord entrance.
2154 Set Course 145. Have entered fjord.
2218 Set Course 160.
2315 Radio: Task force has departed Wilhelmshaven.
2330 Course 130.

4/8/40
0030 New Course 120.
0200 Channel narrow-navigating by sight now.
0400 Heading now 140. Can see Bergen Lighthouse.
0600 Staying close to western shore, opposite Bergen.
0700 Report: 6 ships in harbor; no warships. Awaiting orders.
0701 Settling to bottom; about 22 meters.
1023 Radio: Friendly Task Force in AO48.
1100 Radio: We are to remain on station until further orders.
1823 Radio: Enemy warship sighted, AF84.

4/9/40
0001 Radio: Enemy Task Force sighted in AF72.
0038 Radio: Norway now considered hostile; we are allowed to attack Norwegian shipping. Will wait until dawn.
0146 Fast screws detected, Bearing 185. Surfacing.
0150 Our forces have arrived, schnellboot and destroyer in sight, approaching fast.
0151 Ordered Ahead 2/3, Course 120, flooding forward tubes. Flashing recognition signal to lead destroyer. Don't want to miss out on the action.
0200 They have ordered us to stop and await arrival of main force. They are also stopping.
0212 Tug boat apparently panicked, running at high speed (for him). Destroyer has fired machine gun ahead of tug, ordered him to stop.
0213 Schnellboot is running alongside of tug, threatening with machine guns.
0215 Tug has stopped. S-boat crew boarding.
0230 Two light cruisers have arrived.
0235 Cruisers have ordered all ships and harbor facilities to surrender immediately.
0310 Cruisers have docked at piers; offloading troops. It looks like we won't get to sink anything here tonight.
0702 Radio: We have also captured Denmark.
0900 Radio: We are ordered back to sea.
0905 Ahead 1/3, heading north out of Bergen.
1200 Radio: A large part of Norway is now in German hands.
1513 ALARM!!! Aircraft incoming! Ahead Flank! Dive! Dive!
1515 It was two Swordfish carrier bombers. Lucky for us their aim was bad; they bombed us before we could dive, but the closest was at least 200 meters away.
1900 Surfacing.

4/10/40
0017 Radio: Enemy Task Force in AN23, Heading East. Set Course 000, Ahead Full. Maybe we'll get a chance to pay that carrier back.
0057 At intersect point; Course 270, Ahead Slow.
0231 Radio: U-4 has sunk British U-boat. Good Job!
0302 Radio: U-30 and U-50 ordered to attack Allied landings at Namsos. Wish it was us.
0451 Radio: Ship 34 km NW our position, heading SSW. We may be in a position to intercept.
0641 We have passed original TF reported position. We've missed them.
0656 Lookouts report ship Bearing 108. Must be the merchant reported earlier. Set Course 010.
0659 It's a small merchant, Range about 8500.
0708 Range now 5000. Ordered Periscope Depth.
0714 Set Course 090.
0725 New Course 120.
0726 Norwegian. Just yesterday they were neutral, then an enemy, and now friends. Wish we were here yesterday.
0800 Surfacing.
0802 Position Report: AN23. Partly Cloudy, Sea 5, wind 14 m/s, waves 2m.
1453 Radio: U-26, U-29, U-43 & U-61 are delivering supplies to forces at Narvik.
2039 Ship spotted, Bearing 079. Set Course 180, Ahead 1/3.
2043 Course 185.
2045 Set up UZO.
2046 Course 200.
2047 Small merchant, Range about 6000.
2050 Range 5000. New Course 240.
2100 Range 4000, Bearing 307. Ahead 2/3.
2105 Range 3500, Bearing 296.
2110 Range 2400. Set Course 150, Ahead 1/3; starting attack run, flooding forward tubes.
2117 Adjusted Course to 160.
2118 Range 1600, Bearing 339.
2119 He's German! Hailing him, pulling alongside.
2123 He's carrying supplies into Bergen for our troops. Returning to patrol, Ahead Slow.

4/11/40
0800 Position Report: AN24. Partly Cloudy, Sea 4, wind 12 m/s, waves 1m.

4/12/40
0800 Position Report: AN24. Clear, Sea 7, wind 23 m/s, waves 8m.
1202 Radio: If north of 62 degrees U-boats are to use two torpedoes against shallow-draft targets; 1 magnetic and 1 impact. Deep-draft targets; use impact only. How deep? How shallow? I wish they would be more specific.
1430 Fuel is now 25%. We are fairly close to home, but have to think about these things anyway.
1530 Radio: Allies are planning landings north of Narvik.

4/13/40
0106 Radio: Enemy Task Force 200 km NW our position, Heading SSE. Set Course 270, Ahead Full.
0650 Have reached intersect point. Set Course 350, Ahead Slow.
0800 Position Report: AN23. Clear, Sea 7, wind 21 m/s, waves 7m. Going to Periscope Depth in case they have a carrier, and of course planes.
1800 We've missed another one.
1805 Surfaced, sent request to return to base.
1953 Request acknowledged. Turning for home, Ahead 1/3.

4/14/40
0800 Position Report: AN29. Clear, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m.

4/15/40
0800 Position Report: AN35. Clear, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m.

4/16/40
0800 Position Report: AO44. Overcast, Sea 9, wind 26 m/s, waves 8m.

4/17/40
0927 Entered Kiel Bay; heavy overcast, visibility about 1 km.
0954 Passed outer bar; can see lighthouse (well, the light anyway).
1013 Passed lighthouse into inner harbor. Speed 5 knots.
1026 Nearing dock, Speed 2 knots.
1030 Tied up. Patrol over.

Confirmed sinkings:
3/12/40: South African merchant SS Chepo; 2,832 tons.
3/31/40: French merchant SS Frontenac; 6,447 tons.
Total: 9,279 tons.

April 17, 1940
1. Herbert Schultze................109,074
2. Werner Hartmann................78,560
3. Günther Prien......................61,734
4. Günther Berke*...................57,965
5. Wilhelm Rollmann................46,887
6. Heinrich Liebe......................45,816
7. Berthold Cranmer**............38,607
8. Viktor Schütze.....................33,209
9. Joachim Schepke ................18,063
10. Ernst Bauer.......................16,434
11. Hans Jenisch.....................13,593
12. Otto Kretschmer ...............12,026
13. Jurgen Oesten.....................8,137
14. Bruno Asche*......................5,913
15. Wolfgang Lüth....................3,580

Have been awared Iron Cross, 1st Class.

[Sailor Steve]

Bruno Asche

Patrol 5: March 23, 1940 Game played March 16-24, 2006

U-14's fourth patrol lasted from February 12 to March 5, 1940; 22 days. We sank only one ship on this patrol, for 2,839 tons. Our replenishment this trip was 18 days, and we were ready for sea again on March 23.

We have lost another fine officer-my 1WO, Werner Scholz, has been given his own boat. 2WO Schmidt will replace him as First Officer, we have been given a new man, Oberfähnrich zur See Arend Mayer. He will be third, taking the place of Oberfähnrich Marbach as Navigator. Marbach will be doing double duty, being 2WO and helping Mayer learn his new job. It shouldn't be too hard; Mayer did do one patrol in a training position on U-63.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/11.jpg
Oberleutnant z.S. Bruno Asche

U-14: 1st Flotilla, Kiel
U-14 crew, March 23, 1940:
Captain: Oberleutnant z.S. Bruno Asche
Chief: Oberleutnant z.S. Günther Loh
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Heinz Schmidt
2WO: Oberfähnrich z. S. Matthias Marbach
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Arend Mayer

Senior Helmsman: Stabsoberbootsmann Emil Stephan
Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander
Radioman: Bootsmann Karl Hänsel
Radioman: Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann
2nd Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen
Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer

General Petty Officers:
Bootsmann Hans Mohr
Bootsmann Henning Hessler

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt Böhling

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt
Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Leunert
Matrosengefreiter Josef Suhren
Matrosengefreiter Martin Maus
Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel
Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen
Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen
Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn
Matrosengefreiter Martin Maus

3/12/40
0648 Underway Kiel docks.
0703 Passed lighthouses, departed inner harbor. Ahead 1/3.
0715 Entered Canal. Opened orders: Destination AN84. We're patrolling the entrance to the Channel. Should find good hunting there. Attached is a warning: the Tommies have commenced laying heavy minefieds off the east coast of Britain. We are to take extra care of our location and make every effort to stay in the eastern area of AN84. We'll see.
0910 Passed Kronshagen.
1118 Passed Rendsburg. Beautiful countryside, but can't help feeling confined. If an air attack should come our way we would have little hope of escape.
1355 Passed Jevenstadt.
1555 Passed the general area of Albersdorf.
1725 Passed Burg.
1910 Passed Brunsbüttel-out of the Canal, into the Elbe.
2312 Passed Cuxhaven and into the North Sea.

3/24/40
0132 Passed Scharhorn and Neuwerk. Set Course 265, heading for England.
0700 Position Report: AN9592, 30 km SW Helgoland. Sky Clear, Sea 3, wind 6 m/s, waves 1/2 m.
1142 Passed into new time zone, set clocks for 1242.

3/25/40
0613 Smoke reported, bearing 357.
0625 Set Course 245, Ahead 2/3.
0630 Altered course to 240.
0635 It's an armed trawler, Dutch, and neutral. Ahead 1/3, returning to course.
0700 Position Report: AN8311. Clear, Sea 4, wind 9 m/s, waves 1m.
0722 I advised Navigator Mayer of smoke at Bearing 275. He seemed a bit nervous at not having seen it first. I explained that after four patrols you becomed attuned to these things
0723 Set Course 180, Ahead 2/3.
0745 It's another patrol boat, or maybe the same one. Returning to course, Ahead 1/3.

3/26/40
0042 Matrosengefreiter Hansen woke me up to inform me we had entered AN84 and were at Slow Speed.
0700 Position Report: AN8437. Clear, Sea 5, wind 14 m/s, waves 2m.
2051 Ship sighted, Bearing 116. Set Course 005, Ahead 2/3.
2053 Set up UZO.
2055 It's a destroyer!
2056 Hurriedly took down UZO.
2057 Ordered Periscope Depth, Ahead Slow.
2100 Range 3200, increasing.
2146 Lost sight of him.
2300 Surfacing.

3/27/40
0039 Awoken early again, this time by matrosengefreiter Maus. It looks like our destroyer is back, off to the south.
0041 Periscope Depth.
0112 Lost sight again.
0200 Surfacing.
0629 Radio: Merchant 31 km W our position, Heading SSE. Set course 015, Ahead 1/3.
0700 Position Report: AN84. Sea 6, wind 18 m/s, waves 3m.
0718 Intel was perfect-there he is.
0720 Large cargo ship, range about 11,000.
0738 Range now down to 5000. Ordered Periscope Depth, Ahead Slow.
0755 Range has dropped below 1000. Flooding all three tubes.
0801 Firing tube 1, Range 460. Firing tube 2, 420. Number 1 hit! Number 2 hit!
0805 Target has stopped.
0813 Torpedo room reports tube 1 ready.
0825 Tube 2 reloaded. Target settling by the stern, but still afloat. Weather is starting to pick up.
0920 Circling back for third shot. Will give him until 1000 to sink, then we'll help him.
1000 Target showing no sign of sinking. Firing tube 3, range 750, aiming aft of funnel, hoping to hit boiler or engine.
1001 Hit! Three good torpedoes in a row-pretty amazing considering our previous luck. Maybe disabling the magnetics was the right idea.
1002 Target's back broken; settling by the middle.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/SH3Img19-3-2006_19.jpg

1025 Apparently she's sitting on the bottom, the ends are still above water. Reporting ship sunk, AN8444.
1114 Lost sight of target, bow and stern still upended, range roughly 10 kilometers.
1229 Ship sighted, Bearing 340. Set course 330, Ahead 1/3. Is this our lucky day?
1233 Altered Course to 315, Ahead 2/3.
1238 Ordered Periscope Depth.
1225 Range about 3000. It's a small one.
1300 Range now 900. It's definitely British, small tramp steamer.
1302 Firing tube 1, range 500. Hit!
1303 Target sinking fast. Onboard explosions. Location AN8417. This IS our lucky day!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/SH3Img19-3-2006_20.jpg

1400 Surfacing, Ahead Slow.

3/28/40
0630 Radio: Ship 30 km West, Heading SSW. 1 eel left, we'll have to make it count. Maintaining present course, Ahead Full.
0700 Position Report: AN8486. Clear, Sea 5, wind 15 m/s, waves 2m.
0739 Spotted him! Ahead Flank, Course 210.
0800 Range 6000. Set Course 180.
0815 Periscope Depth.
0830 Offered Oberfähnrich Mayer a chance to conduct attack. He said with only one eel left he would rather defer to Leutnant Schmidt.
0845 After over an hour of stalking the target turns out to be Dutch. Back to patrol.
0930 Target is now out of sight. Surfacing.

3/29/40
0700 Position Report: AN8433. Clear, Sea 6, wind 21 m/s, waves 3m.

3/30/40
0700 Position Report: AN8422. Overcast, Sea 7, wind 22 m/s, waves 4m.

3/31/40
0700 Position Report: AN8495. Overcast, Sea 7, wind 22 m/s, waves 4m.

4/1/40
0700 Position Report: AN8463. Overcast, Sea 7, wind 22 m/s, waves 4m.

4/2/40
0700 Position Report: AN8443. Rain, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, waves 5m.

4/3/40
0648 Ship spotted, Bearing 283.
0705 She's a big cargo ship, Range about 5700.
0710 They seem to be in trouble; down by the bow, smoke coming from somewhere inside.
0715 Range 2600. She appears to be sinking, crew is abandoning ship.
0720 Ship has sunk with no help from us.
0730 Sent belated Position Report, plus notice of ship sinking: AN8478. Slear, Sea 8, wind 24 m/s, waves 6m.
0800 Crew discussing ship sinking over breakfast. Everyone has a different opinion: Scraping bottom tore a hole; cargo broke loose and shifted ballast; someone even suggested a sailor was smoking in a cargo hold and didn't notice ammunition there. Not likely.
1040 New luck: another one sighted, Bearing 355. Ordered Course 085, Ahead 2/3.
1046 New Coure 055, Ahead Full.
1050 Some kind of small merchant.
1044 Range 7000, Ahead Flank.
1100 Range 6800. We're barely outpacing him.
1200 We're slowly drawing ahead of him, but it seems to be taking forever.
1300 Range is now 5900. Changing course to 030, angling in on him.
1400 Range 4300. New Course 092.
1500 Range 4600. New Course 040. Have changed course four times now in effort to gain position.
1515 Range 3700. Coming to Periscope Depth.
1520 Range 2100, Bearing 058. Slowing to 2/3.
1526 Range 800, Bearing 030. Perfect, unless the heavy waves ruin it for us.
1527 Firing tube 2, range 510. We're empty now.
1528 Hit! Cheering all around.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/SH3Img22-3-2006_20.jpg

1530 Set course for home. No reason to hang around here; even if he doesn't sink there's nothing more we can do.
1535 Target moving very slowly, wallowing.
1554 Target capsized.
1557 Target sank.
1914 Dark now. Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.

4/4/40
0700 Position Report: AN8274. Clear, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m.

4/5/40
0700 Position Report: AN8315. Raining, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, waves 6m.

4/6/40
0600 Radio: Operation Hartmut is to begin. I wonder what that could be; we've recieved no orders.
0700 Position Report: AN9549. Rain, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m.
2310 Passed between Scharhorn and Neuwerk. Set course 115 for mouth of Elbe River.

4/7/40
0059 Can see Cuxhaven lighthouse. Good to know we're on course, and in the Elbe.
0355 Spotted Brunsbüttel lighthouse ahead.
0500 Can't be more than 2 km from Brunsbüttel-can see nothing but the lighthouse.
0510 Entered the Canal-I think; can't see either shore.
0517 I know there are ships nearby. This is making me nervous. Slowing to 5 knots.
0930 Nearing Albersdorf. Ship looming out of the mist.
1102 Lighthouse ahead.
1126 Passing Jevenstadt lighthouse.
1408 Damn! Small steamer coming down the canal; almost rammed us!
1500 Rendsburg lights ahead.
1600 Passing very close by Rendsburg; can't see a thing.
2000 Sky is growing dark. Don't like this a bit. Considering pulling close to shore and anchoring for the night.
2157 Exited Canal safely. Can see Kiel lighthouses.
2213 Have entered inner harbor. Slowing to two knots.
2221 Finally! We can see the dock building lights, only a few hundred meters away.
2230 Docked safely.

All in all a good patrol: Three ships.


Ships confirmed:
3/27/40: British merchant SS City of Athens; 7,314 tons
...............British merchant SS MacGregor; 2,778 tons.
4/3/40:...British Merchant SS Corabella; 2,795 tons

Total: 12,887 tons.

This report was mislaid and filed late. Tonnage scores have not been entered.

[Sailor Steve]

Bruno Asche

Patrol 6: May 4, 1940 Game played March 25-April 2, 2006

U-14's fifth patrol lasted from March 23 to April 7, 1940; 15 days. We sank three ships, for a total of 12,887 tons. Our replenishment time was 27 days, and we were ready for sea again on May 4.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/11.jpg
Oberleutnant z.S. Bruno Asche

U-14: 1st Flotilla, Kiel
U-14 crew, May 4, 1940:
Captain: Oberleutnant z.S. Bruno Asche
Chief Engineer: Oberleutnant z.S. Günther Loh
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Heinz Schmidt
2WO: Oberfähnrich z. S. Matthias Marbach
Navigator: Oberfähnrich z. S. Arend Mayer

Senior Helmsman: Stabsoberbootsmann Emil Stephan
Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander
Radioman: Bootsmann Karl Hänsel
Radioman: Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann
2nd Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen
Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer

General Petty Officers:
Bootsmann Hans Mohr
Bootsmann Henning Hessler

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt Böhling

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt
Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Leunert
Matrosengefreiter Josef Suhren
Matrosengefreiter Martin Maus
Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel
Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen
Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen
Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn

5/4/40
2235 Underway Kiel.
2242 Departed inner harbor. Ahead 1/3, Course 300
2252 Entered Canal. Opened orders: AN28, off Norway. Watch for British counter-offensive.

5/5/40
1056 Passed Brunsbüttel, into the Elbe.
1456 Passed Cuxhaven, into the HelgolandBucht.
1550 Passed within sight of the island of Trichen.
2300 First Position Report: AN9477. Clear, Sea 3, wind 10 m/s, waves 1/2 m.

5/6/40
1435 Crossed time zone, now 1525.
2200 Position Report: An3872. Clear, Sea 0, wind 0 m/s, waves 0.

5/7/40
2200 Position Report: AN3187. Partly Cloudy, Sea 4, wind 12 m/s, waves 1m.

5/8/40
0753 Entered AN2899; Ahead Slow.
2200 Position Report: AN2855. Partly Cloudy, Sea 0, wind 0 m/s, waves 1m.

5/9/40
0031 Radio: U-9 reports torpedoing enemy U-boat. Quite an accomplishment.
2200 Position Report: AN2877. Partly Cloudy, sea 2, Wind 5 m/s, waves 1/4m.

5/10/40
1202 Radio: We are at war with Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. Great, another enemy. At least that gives us more opportunities to sink ships.
2200 Position Report: AN2852. Clear, Sea 9, wind 28 m/s, waves 8m.

5/11/40
2200 Position Report: AN2869. Clear, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m.

5/12/40
2200 Position Report: AN2894. Clear, Sea 12, wind 35 m/s, waves 13m.

5/13/40
1630 Radio: Our panzer forces have attacked the French at three points on the Meuse River.
2200 AN2844. Clear, Sea 9, wind 28 m/s, waves 7m.

5/14/40
1800 Radio: General Guderian has crossed the Meuse River at Sedan.
2200 Position Report: AN2882. Rain, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 30 meters.

5/15/40
1321 Sound reports warship, Bearing 313. Ordered Periscope Depth.
1228 Can't see anything. Brummer says ship is closing.
1345 Ship is still out there, still closing. I still can't see anything but waves and rain.
1348 Brummer reports contact lost.
1350 Useless to look anymore in this weather; back to 30 meters.
1600 Surfacing to recharge.
2132 Radio: General Hoth's panzers have wiped out the French forces at Dinant. Dutch army has surrendered, though forces are holding out in Zeeland.
2200 Position Report: AN2868. Rain, Sea 11, wind 34 m/s, waves 10m. Diving back to 30.

5/16/40
1600 Surfacing.
2200 Position Report: AN2855. Clear, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m.

5/17/40
1610 Radio: Our army has entered Brussels.
2200 Position Report: AN2849. Partly Cloudy, Sea 5, wind 14 m/s, waves 2m.

5/18/40
2015 Radio: Our forces have reached the Somme River.
2200 Position Report: AN2868. Partly Cloudy, Sea 2, wind 6 m/s, waves 1/4m.

5/19/40
1500 Radio: We are to move to AN22; more traffic there.
1822 Radio: Belgian radio is claiming our bombing of Rotterdam on the 14th has resulted in over 30,000 deaths due to fires.
2200 Position Report: AN2872. Clear, Sea 1, wind 2 m/s, waves trace.

5/20/40
0721 Entered AN 2299.
1200 Storm building fast. Sky now overcast, sea picking up dramatically.
1930 Radio: Our forces have reached the mouth of the Somme River; have captured Amiens, Abbeville, Noyelles and Laon.
2200 Position Report: AN2255. Rain, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Diving to 30 to get some rest.

5/21/50
1600 Surfacing to recharge.
2200 Position Report: AN2214. Rain, Sea 8, wind 24 m/s, waves 6m. Diving to 30m.

5/22/40
1600 Surfacing.
2200 Position Report: AN2277. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9m. Back to the deep.

5/23/40
1600 Surfacing.
1700 Radio: British navy is evacuating their forces in Boulogne.
2200 Position Report: AN2237. Overcast, Sea 9, wind 27 m/s, waves 8m. Diving again.

5/24/40
1037 Rescued from boredom by sound report of warship. Ordered Periscope Depth.
1041 Sky has cleared, waves still high. I can't see him. Bootsmann Hänsel is on the hydrophones; he says contact has been lost. Back to 30m.
1600 Surfacing.
1654 Radio: Maubeuge, Ghent and Tournai have fallen to our army.
2200 Position Report: AN2266. Clear, Sea 7, wind 22 m/s, waves 4m. Diving again.

5/25/40
1600 Surfacing.
1609 Seas calmer now; very nice day. Too bad we can't seem to find anything to sink.
2042 Radio: Our army has captured Boulogne, including 5000 British and French troops.
2200 Position Report: AN2286. Clear, Sea 5, wind 20 m/s, waves 2m.

5/26/40
0607 Chief Loh reports fuel at 50%.
1133 Radio: Reports are coming in that the British are withdrawing their forces from Dunkirk.
2200 Position Report: AN2244. Clear, Sea 7, wind 18 m/s, waves 5m.

5/27/40
2200 Position Report: AN2264. Clear, Sea 11, wind 34 m/s, waves 11m. Diving to 30 to get some peace.

5/28/30
1600 Surfacing to recharge.
1715 Radio: Belgian army has surrendered. It's confirmed: the British are evacuating their army from France.
2200 Position Report: AN2234. Overcast, Sea 8, wind 26 m/s, waves 5m.

5/29/40
2200 Position Report: AN2284. Overcast, Sea 9, wind 26 m/s, waves 7m. Diving back to 30.

5/30/40
1600 Surfacing.
2200 Position Report: AN2251. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 29 m/s, waves 9m. Diving again.

5/31/40
1600 Surfacing.
1608 Radio: Our forces have taken Lille.
2200 Position Report: AN2267. Overcast, Sea 10, wind 31 m/s, waves 9m. Diving.
2210 Personal thought: has the war ended and no one thought to tell us? It seems as if the rest of the world has ceased to exist.

6/1/40
1600 Surfaced to a much nicer day. Sky is clear, waves are much less.
2200 Position Report: AN2298. Clear, Sea 5, wind 14 m/s, waves 2m.

6/2/40
2200 Position Report: AN2278. Clear, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, waves 7m. Diving to 30.

6/3/40
1600 Surfacing to recharge.
2000 Radio: British have successfully evacuated over 300,000 troops from Dunkirk. What a coup if we had captured all those men.
2200 Position Report: AN2214. Clear, Sea 8, wind 24 m/s, waves 6m. Diving to 30.

6/4/40
1600 Surfacing.
1625 Radio: We have captured Dunkirk, along with 40,000 French troops.
2000 Fuel down to 30%; setting course for home.
2200 Position Report: AN2222. Overcast, Sea 9, wind 27 m/s, waves 8m. Diving again.

6/5/40
1600 Surfacing.
2200 Position Report: AN2374. Overcast, Sea 11, wind 34 m/s, waves 10m. 30 meters, here we come.

6/6/40
1600 Surfacing.
2200 Position Report: AN2881. Clear, Sea 9, wind 28 m/s, waves 8m. Diving to 30.

6/7/40
1600 Surfacing to recharge.
2200 Position Report: AN4293. Clear, Sea 2, wind 6 m/s, waves 1/4m.

6/8/40
0230 Watch office Marbach recorded that another storm blew in-heavy rain and waves.
1622 Waves still heavy, but clouds and rain gone as quickly as they came.
1648 Radio: Norway has surrendered; British have evacuated Narvik area.
2200 Position Report: AN3489. Clear, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, waves 6m. Pressing on on surface-want this lousy patrol to be over.

6/9/40
1034 Fuel 25%
2200 Position Report: AN9172. Rain, Sea 10, wind 29 m/s, waves 9m.

6/10/40
1200 Radio: Italy has joined us in declaring war on Britain and France.
1607 Radio: Canada has declared war on Italy.
2200 Position Report: AN9684. Clear, Sea 12, wind 35 m/s, waves 11m.

6/11/40
0044 Passed Cuxhaven, into the Elbe.
0503 Passed Brunsbuttel and into the Canal.
1213 Radio: The rest of the British commonwealth has declared war on Italy.
1355 Not long after we passed Rendsburg the weather lifted. Scattered clouds, sun shining down. At least one nice thing about our return home.
1713 Exited Canal into Kiel Bay.
1722 Passed lighthouse into Kiel inner harbor. Ahead Slow.
1738 Tied up at Kiel docks.

June 11, 1940
1. Herbert Schultze...............109,074
2. Werner Hartmann...............78,560
3. Günther Prien......................61,734
4. Günther Berke*...................57,965
5. Wilhelm Rollmann................46,887
6. Heinrich Liebe......................45,816
7. Victor Oehrn........................41,207
8. Berthold Cranmer*..............38,607
9. Viktor Schütze.....................33,209
10. Bruno Asche**...................18,800
11. Joakim Schepke..................18,063
12. Wolfgang Lüth....................18,063
13. Ernst Bauer.........................16,434
14. Hans Jenisch.......................13,593
15. Otto Kretschmer .................12,026
16. Jurgen Oesten......................8,137

[Lionman]

Hey Steve - I think this is a fantastic thread! It's like reading a Kreigsmarine war diary . . . I only wonder how you ever find time to work or leave the building. Great stuff.

It's also inspiring to another old gamer. Hence my other thread about optimising my SH III and IV installs. By the way do you play both? If so which do you prefer? I like 'em both personally, for different reasons.

In SH III sometimes I take a trip up to Scapa Flow at night in really bad weather just because I get nostalgic for big seas, rough weather, wild wind and horizontal spray. Wish the waves were as big as in the real North Sea where I saw waves of 90 feet (no exaggeration I promise you), like that one in a Perfect Storm except that they weren't CGI and I was on a 650 foot long crane barge that took 5 long minutes to climb the side of those great black wave mountains and it was very scary when we crested them and plunged down into the yawning trough behind, everybody below decks in their cabins wearing life jackets. We were being towed on massive half mile white nylon hawsers as thick as my thigh by two enormous deep sea tugs, so there was something to stop us just plunging on down into the dark far wall of the next wave slope each time, as we were naturally heading straight into the waves and wind. It was night but nobody could sleep as the rolling and pitching threw us around in our bunks like tennis balls in shoe boxes, making sleep impossible. I know you know exactly what I mean Steve having been in the USN yourself on Frigates as I remember and no doubt seen some mighty big seas in your day too. It's kind of hard to get used to same-old same-old onshore as a landlubber after that, isn't it . . . . and nothing quite beats a run ashore with a crew you know well . . .

I guess I've "swallowed the anchor" now as they say here but I still love to get offshore at the helm of something. In fact about three weeks ago, I was at the helm of a friend's 36 foot yacht and after hours of blazing sun and running before a following wind, sure enough it veered 180, the tide turned against us, the sky went black, the vis dropped to half a mile, a rain squall arrived, rain and wind were suddenly horizontal and we had to drop the sails fast and fire up the Volvo below decks. But as I stood there at 45 degrees with the wheel in my hands, in my Musto rain hood and life jacket, the deck canted at a silly angle and then pitching back, water running through my deck shoes, I realised that I had a big silly grin on my face . . . . The yacht owner was below decks trying to keep dry and I was just the helmsman but then money doesn't make a sailor does it . . . . <quiet smile>

[Sailor Steve]

Thanks for the compliment, LM, but I'm surprised you dug it up after two years. I'm also surprised you even found it! I see that my last post was about three months before I lost my apartment and ended up in the homeless shelter. I've had my place and computer for seven months now, but I'm so busy working on stuff I haven't had time to play anything other than the ocassional single mission. That means I haven't played an actual career in more than two years!

I was inspired myself by players who filed straight-up war patrols in Aces Of The Deep. Some people liked them, as you can read, and some thought they were boring. Compared to Laughing Swordfish's stuff they are. If I was to do it again I think I'd be less detailed and more imaginative, but I kind of like writing reports like that. I always keep a log when I'm playing a career - it's just the way I am. I even keep a little printed grid-chart that I can lay up against the screen. That's why my reports always had the four-digit grid locations instead of just two.

Anyway, as I said on the other thread it's really good to hear from you again.

[edit] I'm laughing looking at all the blanks where the pictures used to be. Laughing because of Lionman's timing: I took those down to free up some space at my Photobucket account - less than a week ago!
:rotfl:

[Lionman]

Thanks for the compliment, LM, but I'm surprised you dug it up after two years. I'm also surprised you even found it! I see that my last post was about three months before I lost my apartment and ended up in the homeless shelter. I've had my place and computer for seven months now, but I'm so busy working on stuff I haven't had time to play anything other than the ocassional single mission. That means I haven't played an actual career in more than two years!

I was inspired myself by players who filed straight-up war patrols in Aces Of The Deep. Some people liked them, as you can read, and some thought they were boring. Compared to Laughing Swordfish's stuff they are. If I was to do it again I think I'd be less detailed and more imaginative, but I kind of like writing reports like that. I always keep a log when I'm playing a career - it's just the way I am. I even keep a little printed grid-chart that I can lay up against the screen. That's why my reports always had the four-digit grid locations instead of just two.

Anyway, as I said on the other thread it's really good to hear from you again.

[edit] I'm laughing looking at all the blanks where the pictures used to be. Laughing because of Lionman's timing: I took those down to free up some space at my Photobucket account - less than a week ago!
:rotfl:

Sorry to hear about all your troubles Stevebut glad that you got through them OK and yeah it's weird about the timing. I've been off the radar for a while but that's life. Back on watch again now. :)