[KingOfNothing22]

A close call...

 

20/11/1940
02:10 - Departed from St. Nazaire on our 5th patrol. Travelling 245° at cruising speed. Standard loadout - 14 T1 torpedoes, 220 88mm shells and 1,000 20mm rounds. Our mission orders are to proceed to AM34, just north of the Scottish coast. Expecting plenty of aircraft and warships rather than convoys, we will see in time. Weather is clear with a slight north-easterly breeze, sea 2.

21/11/1940
09:18 - BF4633 - 277°. Sea 3.

22/11/1940
06:11 - BF1769 - Detected a radio signal 24km away. Moving to intercept.

07:13 - Sighted vessel. Got in close at periscope depth to attack only to ascertain it is a neutral vessel. Calling off our attack, much to the disappointment of the crew. Returning on course but staying down for the time being as to not give away our presence. 304°.

23/11/1940
00:52 - BF1148 - Radioman has detected another signal this time in BF17, believed to be heading NNW. Doubling back to intercept.

10:48 - Made contact with two vessels in BF14 - a coastal freighter followed by a medium cargo. Attacked simultaneously from around 1,000m. Fired one at the freighter and two at the medium cargo all set for magnetic pistols. All hit exploding under the keel of each ship as intended but the desired effect of breaking their backs was not achieved. Freighter still sank quickly for 1,870GRT. The medium cargo took almost an hour longer to sink after we also engaged with the deck gun. Sank for 3,861GRT. Lifeboats observed amongst surface debris. Returning to course, 340°.

24/11/1940
00:27 - AM8775 - Attacked a tramp steamer with our deck gun and sunk for 1,957GRT. 170 shells remaining. Heading 000°.

04:59 - AM9743 - Attacked coastal freighter with deck gun and sunk for 1,871GRT. 355°.

25/11/1940
13:57 - AM5133 - 030°

26/11/1940
09:01 - AM3571 - 053°

13:49 - AM3522 - Detected a signal 60km west of us. Moving to intercept, 245°.

18:17 - AM2666 - Located a pelagic trawler and attacked with deck gun. Sunk for 888GRT. Continuing to AM34 - 055°.

27/11/1940
09:10 - AM3335 - Heavy rain and heavy fog. ESE winds, sea 4. Visibility is extremely poor. 057°.

28/11/1940
12:06 - AM3445 - Been in patrol area for around 24 hours. No change in weather. 090°.

29/11/1940
11:43 - AM3473 - 090°.

16:42 - AM3488 - Task force in AM38 travelling ENE. Will move in to intercept.

23:32 - AM36 - Unable to locate task force, returning to AM34. Conditions still poor.

30/11/1940
21:25 - AM34 - Report of convoy leaving Scapa Flow and moving west. Moving to intercept. 139° at HF.

01/12/1940
05:11 - AN1541 - Located convoy and launched attack at around 03:20. Attacked 5 ships all at close range, sinking 4 - 2 Granville type freighters for 4,707/4,708GRT, 1 small freighter for 2,255GRT and 1 medium cargo for 4,801GRT. Small freighter spotted us and opened fire with small arms, took minor damage. Dived as destroyer was closing. Depth charged taking serious damage. Forward batteries completely destroyed with severe forward deck damage. We were already close to the bottom (a mere 89m down) when flooding caused us to fall to the bottom. No crew injuries. Able to carry out sufficient repairs and get us off the seabed by blowing the ballast. Continued at limited speed while destroyer continued attempting attacks, eventually losing it. Surfaced as soon as possible and now heading back to St. Nazaire.

02/12/1940
09:48 - AM2492 - 266°.

03/12/1940
09:08 - AM2784 - 232°.

04/12/1940
09:53 - AM4927 - 188°.

05/12/1940
09:00 - AM7951 - 180°.

06/12/1940
12:15 - BE6353 - 120°.

07/12/1940
09:47 - BF4552 - 098°. Overcast, sea 5.

08/12/1940
09:37 - BF5489 - 098°, sea 6.

09/12/1940
09:24 - BF6461 - 072°.

13:04 - Docked at St. Nazaire, end of patrol.

Patrol results:

Total ships sunk: 9
Total tonnage: 26,918
Total aircraft shot down: 0
Days at sea: 20

Awarded the Knight's Cross