[sublynx]

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol AE69

1.11.1942
03:43 AN24 cloudy, visibility 8 - 9 km, wind 7 m/s. I’ve just taken command of U-552 after it’s former commander was dismissed to training duty, after completing only four patrols. The crewmen speculate that BdU wasn’t happy about his decision to return to base for repairs after getting some very minor damage to the boat.

Our patrol grid is NNE of the Faroe islands. The area is covered by enemy air patrols. I have ordered the navigator to lay a course that takes us to our patrol grid out of reach of enemy air for as long as is possible. Onboard we have two of the brand new and top secret TI FAT I G7a torpedoes. I have strict orders to only use them at night time – the enemy must not become aware of the fact that these torpedoes can change their course after the initial run.

13.11.1942
14:45 AE69 clear, visibility 8 – 9 km, wind 9 m/s. At 13:34 hours an unidentified airplane sighted at a relative bearing of 247, long range. Crash dive at AK and a hard turn towards the plane. No sounds of depth charges or bombs heard on the hydrophone. Now running surfaced again.

14.11.1942
07:53 AE69 clear, visibility 8 – 9 km, wind 9 m/s. At 07:42 hours warship screws heard on the hydrophone. Contact lost at 07:52 hours, before the enemy’s course could be estimated accurately. Probably two warships on a westerly course, making at least 20 knots or more.

15.11.1942
14:43 AE69 clear, visibility 8 – 9 km, wind 9 m/s. The radio tells us the Russians are attacking in Stalingrad, the British in El Alamein and the Americans have landed in North Africa. Wehrmacht in trouble everywhere, I guess – and here are we leisurely cruising in this glorious sunshine, not one cloud in the sky, everything as peaceful as anything can be, listening Vera Bergmann and Rudi Godden singing Kleine Mama on the gramophone. What a great song - and not at all a bad deal for us U-boat men, making our contribution to the war effort in this way!