**XXXXXXXXXX**
28 OCT 1939 1005
Patrol Report
U-16 (Type IIA)
2nd Flotilla, Wilhelmshaven
Walter Frönlich, Oberleutnant z.S.
Third war patrol commenced 25 OCT 1939, departing Wilhelmshaven at 2130
Initial Armament
Torpedoes: (5) Type-I (G7a) torpedoes (Three loaded, two reserve)
AA gun: 4000 rounds 20mm AP
Immediately while leaving dock, a raid by British bombers (type Blenheim) attacked the base. U-16 manned its flak gun but did not expend any rounds. No official word on any friendly or enemy casualties, but it appeared that at least three enemy bombers were shot down. Things quieted down by 2136. No damage to U-16.
Reached north lock 2205; cleared north lock (east channel; west channel still being constructed/dredged) at 2211. Proceeded north towards Helgoland Hafen point to open orders. Opened orders at 0030 - proceed to grid AN35 and patrol there for 24 hours.
26 OCT 1939 0030
Proceeding north to AN35 at 9 kts.
27 OCT 1939 0319
B-dienst radio msg: enemy small convoy AN38 heading ENE speed 7 kts
Adjusted heading to possibly intercept enemy. Estimate my current position 25km northeast of reported convoy (AN38).
27 OCT 1939 0429
Ship sighted! AN38 One enemy ship (collier)
Set heading to intercept (weather perfect) and submerged to periscope depth - ordered submerged attack battle stations at 0435
0436 - sonar picks up three more ships near collier **funny what happens when I ordered my radioman-qualified PO to the sonar station - I need to micromanage this more**
0455 - all four ships identified - in a line heading ENE: collier, coal bulker, East India-type freighter, small merchant "Varna"
0506 - fired two torpedoes at collier from distance of about 1500m
0507 - both torpedoes hit collier and detonate; she appears to be losing speed
0509 - collier begins sinking and then explodes - verified kill British collier 5933 GRT
0509 - fired torpedo at freighter - dud!! Torpedo room working as fast as possible to reload for more shots.
0518 - tube one ready; fired torpedo at freighter range 360m
0518 - torpedo hits freighter and detonates; manuevering while reloading last torpedo in tube two
0519 - freighter dead in water and riding very low
0522 - went to 40m depth after merchant spotted my periscope and charged; urging torpedomen to load faster
0530 - tube two ready; manuevering to attack
0541 - fired torpedo at merchant range 1200m
0543 - miss! Heading back to sinking freighter to use 20mm on it to ensure destruction (is sitting very low in water) - out of torpedoes. Coal bulker and small merchant live to see another day, continuing northeast.
0610 - engaging freighter with 20mm AP rounds range 700m
0641 - after expending 2500 (!) 20mm AP rounds, freighter was still floating; radioed its position to BdU for someone else to finish off; heading back to Wilhelmshaven **embarrassed and lesson learned...keep a torpedo to ensure target sinks**
27 OCT 1939 0711
BdU orders me to RTB
28 OCT 1939 0531
Reached north lock Wilhelmshaven; cleared lock at 0539
28 OCT 1939 0616
Docked at Wilhelmshaven
Patrol Results
Crew losses: 0
U-Boat damage: None
Torpedoes expended: Five Type-I torpedoes (one dud, one miss, three hits)
Deck gun ammunition expended: 2500 20mm AP
Enemy ships sunk: One
Total tonnage: 5933 GRT
(1) "Executor" - British flag - 5933 GRT (collier) Grid AN38 - 65 crew, 42 lost (iron ore)
Promotions/Awards/Qualifications
No promotions after this patrol.
Oberleutnant z.S. Walter Frönlich awarded Iron Cross First Class and German Cross.
Oberfähnrich z.S. Otto Todenhagen awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Oberfähnrich z.S. Fritz Friedrichs awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Oberfähnrich z.S. Udo Hartenstein awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann (Machinist) Wolf Degen awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann (Machinist) Viktor Beck awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann (Flak Gunner) Herbert Andersen awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann (Machinist) Viktor Beck awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann (Radioman) Karl Kreutz awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann (Torpedoman) Hasso Balke awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann (Watchman) Adolf Conrad awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann (Medic) Konrad Schmitt awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann (Watchman) Otto Grau awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosenobergefreiter Carl Zahn awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosenobergefreiter Egon Bahn awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Ebe Fischer awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Kurt Goldbeck awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Adalbert Vowe awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Bruno Kals awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Friedrich Wissmann awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Frits Hauber awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Klaus Wolfbauer awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Adolf Thurmann awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Dieter Kimmelmann awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Axel Bauer awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Gustav Thomsen awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Wolfgang Mahn awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann (Medic) Konrad Schmitt earned Medic qualification.
|