[Kapitän]

Tue., 26.9.39 - Deutsche Bucht

0200 - Norderney - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
Sending position report as ordered: ETA W'haven III, 1200h. "Gelhaar"

0249 - Incoming F.T.:
Gelhaar: Escort will be at entry Jadebusen, 1100h. - B.d.U. -

08:30 - Roter Sand

1100 - Taken into escort by torpedo boat. Gneisenau and Scharnhorst are lying in W'haven.

1200 - Qu. A N 9814 - Days Run: 190.1 sm
16 cbm. 2 internal and 2 external Ato. NNE4, Sea3, overcast, fog, <1000mb, poor visibility. Sunrise 1052

Entered W'haven III. Greeting in the lock.

Award ceremony for I.W.O. Ernst von Bergen-Windels: E.K. II & promotion to Ob.Ltnt.z.S.

1215 - Moored boat in Uboat base. Closed comms.

Special experiences:

The boat functioned satisfactorily. There was mixed weather with strong winds and medium swell and medium visibility. No traffic was found in the operational area. The fact that the crew was on their 1st war patrol could be felt throughout. The normal routine was without major problems or damage.

Keeping the boat at periscope depth during the convoy battle and the constant reloading of the torpedoes was a difficult challenge for the crew.

Duration of mission: 38 days 16 hours 25 minutes.
Of which surfaced: 37 days 13 hours 10 minutes.
Of which submerged: 1 day 3 hours 15 minutes.

Total traveled surfaced: 6930 nm.
Total traveled submerged: 116 nm.
Total traveled Overall: 7046 nm.

Crash dives: 0

Success of Mission:
Hits: 7
Misses: 0
Failures: 3 (1 premature explosion; 2 understeered)
Total: 10

Note: All failures were G 7 e, Pi-G36 MZ.

Ships sunk: 4
Estimate of sunken tonnage is somewhat imprecise.
Total estimate 17000 GRT.

Gelhaar
Kptlt. & Kmdt.