[Iron Budokan]

U-65, IXB cont'd
2. Flottille, Lorient
Orders: Patrol DH 53

December 12, 1940
Current position: BF 76
10:35 Test dive to 170m
10:52 Boat surfaces
10:53 Surface attack drill
11:00 Continue course 204, 8 kts
11:10 No reports from BdU. Discover radioman forgot to change settings to war frequencies.
11:11 Dived to regulate torpedoes. Underwater attack drills, emergency repair drill.
12:16 Surface. Continue course 204, 8 kts. Normal boat routine. Sun fix.

Dec. 13
Current position: CG 22
12:44 Radio BdU positional and status of boat report. Course 210, 8 kts.
14.16 Crash dive, drill.
14:19 Periscope depth, depth keeping drills, maneuvering/navigational drills.
14.23 Surface. Resume new course 210, 8 kts.

Dec 14
20:00 CG 43, Radio report of merchant steamer 36 km NE our position, course N, slow. U-65 17 kts, NE intercept course, hoping to sight ship in light fog. Sky partially overcast, bright moon.

Dec 15
00:09 Submerge for hydrophone check
00:12 Sound contact, 343, merchant.
00:14 Surface, U-65 gives chase 17 kts
00:21 Ship spotted, 350, long range. U-65 closes in, speed reduced to 1/3.
00:25 Ship blacked out, single merchant, have every reason to assume enemy. Deck gunned manned. I am attacking.
00:31 Coastal freighter sinking, 1870 GRT. CG 43. Very large explosions onboard; ship obviously carrying volatiles. U-65 resumes base course and speed. Normal boat routine and drills scheduled.
08:45 CG 46. Weather has turned worse. Visibility practically nil. Overcast, thick fog, slashing wind. Set speed for 8 kts, U-65 only doing 6 kts in heavy running sea.
12:46 Have decided to dive and give crew well-earned rest for remainder of day. Light underwater drills scheduled.

Dec 16
Current Position: CG 49
06:45 Surfaced to recharge batteries and replenish oxygen. U-65 tries to make headway in very heavy sea. Watch crew forced to use safety collars and chains. Position dangerous. We press on.