Snestorm

26.maj.40
AO77
1040: Underway from Kiel, bound for AM36.
All torpedoes set to AZ (Impact Pistol), running depth 3 meters. Finaly!

1.jun.40 (Clear & Dead Calm)
AN14 (Shetland - Orkney Narrows)
1717: "Sound contact! Medium speed merchant. Long range. Closing."
1728: New course 180. Preset TDC for AOB 90 Port, 9 knots. (090 - 9 knots).
1735: New depth 20 meters! Ahead Flank!
1740: New depth 12 meters! Silent speed!
1741: Open tubes 1, 2, 3. Target IDed as english, C2 Cargo.
1742: Fire 1! Fire 3! Fire 2!
1745: Miss! Impact! Impact! Target was making good 8½ knots.
1746: New depth 20 meters. New course 090.
1747: Reload tubes 1 & 3.
1750: Target DIW (Dead In [the] Water).
1845: Fire 3!
1847: Hit, but no explosion. Angle is perfect. Target DIW. Dud!
1848: Fire 1!
1849: Impact! Target broke in two, and went down center first.
1850: New depth 20 meters. New course 090.

2250:
From U56
To BDU
Position AN14.
1 sunk for 6.000 - 7.000 GRT.
All torpedoes expended.
3 good impacts.
1 dud.
1 miss.
Weather clear, and dead calm.

2346:
From BDU
To U56
Return to Kiel

7.jun.40
AO77
2340: Docked at Kiel.

Patrol results:
5 of 5 torpedoes expended.
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
1 ship sunk for 7.909 GRT. (I had underestimated my tonnage a tad. Target turned out to be a C3 Refrigerated Cargo.)

U56's history to date:
6 war patrols completed.
3 ships sunk for 16.398 GRT. (eleventh place).

Dockside News:

U111 departed Wilhelmhaven on 31.maj.40, for a long range patrol to DJ11.
U111 transited AN14 just 3 days after our departure, and claimed a Small Merchant sunk.
Coming from Wilhelmshaven, he must have passed well south of us.