[ninja turtle]

30.3.40. Wilhelmshaven
Boat vacated.

31.3.40.
Boat overhauled.

1.4.40.
Loaded torpedoes and fuel.

2.4.40.
Loaded ammunition. Sea trials and trim test.

3.4.40.
Final trim test. Provisions loaded.

War Patrol 2
U-2, 1st Flotilla

Kommandant: Kapitänleutnant z. s. Rosenbaum

Beginning: 4.4.1940
Ending: 18.4.1940

From: Wilhelmshaven

Mission Orders: As part of Group 8, patrol west approaches to The Skaggerak

Loadout: 5 x G7a torpedoes

News for March 1940: USSR and Finland sign peace treaty. 0 U-boats lost for 69,826 GRT.

4.4.40.

2226 Wind 3, Sea 3, partial cloud, light fog, Vis. good
U-2, U-5 and U-6 left dock under escort.
2332 Released from escort. Continued with U-5 and U-6 at engines HF on course 00°.

5.4.40.

0000 On course for ordered patrol grid.
0400 AN9641 BR Course 353°.
0800 AN9471 Nothing to report.
1104 Radio report: "Friendly Task Force, Grid: AN96, Course: NW, Speed: 25 knots."
1200 AN9199 BR U-5 and U-6 have changed to respective courses for their patrol grids.
1600 AN9162 Course 341°.
2000 AN3890 BL Course 297°.

6.4.40.

0000 AN3856 BL Nothing to report.
0214 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN73, Course: SE, Speed: 8 knots."
0400 AN3816 BC Nothing to report.
0800 AN3499 Course 270°. Test dive at 50m.
0830 Surfaced.
0918 Radio report: "Friendly Warship, Grid: AN96, Course: NW, Speed: 25 knots."
1030 AN3497 Ship spotted on bearing: 328°. Friendly warship and task force. Heading NW.
1130 Out of visual range.
1200 AN3849 LR Course 270°.
1522 Radio report: "Friendly Task Force, Grid: AN34, Course: NW, Speed: 12 knots."
1600 AN3479 BR Nothing to report.
2000 AN4699 BR Search patterns of patrol grids plotted. U-2 - AN46, U-5 - AN34, U-6 - AN37.

7.4.40.

0000 AN4689, New Moon
Nothing to report.
0400 AN4679 LC Nothing to report.
0800 AN4674 LC Course 00°. Radio message received from BdU: "U-6 change course to patrol AN49 with immediate effect, U-2 patrol AN45 from 8th April."
1200 AN4614 LC Test dive: 60m.
1230 Surfaced.
1600 AN4611 TL Submerged to 40m before progressing onto AN45 as per orders. All engines stopped.

8.4.40.

0000 Surfaced. CO2 at 75%. Continued with patrol at KF.
0040 Radio report: "Unknown vessel in Grid AN4358, Course: WNW, Speed: Medium. U-boats in the area please investigate."
0138 AN4533 Changed our course to 00° at HF. Intention: To try and sight unknown vessel and either attack or report back to BdU.
0215 Radio report: "Friendly Task Force, Grid: AN91, Course: NW, Speed: 15 knots."
0246 Radio report: "Friendly Task Force, Grid: AF82, Course: ENE, Speed: 12 knots."
0300 AN4296 Increased speed to GF.
0400 AN4269 Submerged for hydrophone sweep at 30m. No contacts.
0402 Surfaced.
0447 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN13, Course: ENE, Speed: 8 knots."
0552 Radio report: "Position of unknown vessel update: 0540 AN4319. Course: WNW, Speed: Medium."
Deduced the following approximations from previous report: Distance travelled in 5 hours = 77 kms. Therefore speed = 8 knots? Course is 297°.
Changed our heading to 30° and reduced speed to HF.
0715 Submerged for hydrophone sweep at 30m. No contacts.
0800 AN4311 TL Surfaced. Decided to travel at KF along the target's expected course. Our heading: 105°.
0830 Visual of target. Heading towards us. Looked to be a submarine. Ordered battle stations. Flak gun manned by Erik Brunz.
0840 Signalled recognition code to unknown vessel. U-6 returned signal: "Faulty radio. Therefore unable to send patrol reports. Confirm our location to BdU. Happy hunting!"
Radio message sent to BdU.
0845 Radio message received from BdU: "Message received. U-2 proceed to patrol AN45."
Changed course to 245°.
1200 AN4238 TR Nothing to report.
1252 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN16, Course: ENE, Speed: 35 knots."
1600 AN4256 TR Nothing to report.
2000 AN4281 TR "
2058 Radio report: "Friendly Task Force, Grid: AN58, Course: NNW, Speed: 15 knots."

9.4.40.

0000 AN4270 BL Nothing to report.
0201 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AF71, Course: ENE, Speed: 28 knots."
0400 AN4514 TL Nothing to report.
0402 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN26, Course: ESE, Speed: 23 knots."
0709 Crash dived for aircraft. Levelled out at 50m. No bombs heard. No damage. With the weather so clear decided to continue submerged.
1011 Battery down to 50% at LF.
1025 After sweep by periscope, surfaced. Recharging batteries. Engines at KF.
1200 AN4574 Course 180°.
1208 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN22, Course: SE, Speed: 18 knots."
1318 Battery recharged to 100%.
1600 AN4577 TR Course 90°.
2000 AN4570 Course 00°.
2013 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AF73, Course: WSW, Speed: 28 knots."
2315 Radio report: "Friendly Warship, Grid: AF87, Course: SSE, Speed: 32 knots."

10.4.40.

0000 AN4548 Radio message received from OKM: "U-Boats are ordered to commence hostilities against Denmark and Norway immediately."
0110 Radio report: "Possible target in location AN4543, Course: W, Speed: Medium."
With our current course the target was expected to run straight across our bow. Increased our speed to GF.
0145 Submerged for a hydrophone sweep at KF. Contact at 88°.
0225 Surfaced for a visual contact.
0227 Ship spotted on bearing: 103°. Steamer 1900 GRT.
0238 AN4540 Ordered battle stations for a submerged attack as the visibility was good and didn't want to risk being spotted on the surface.
Target: Tramp Steamer, speed: 8 knots, target angle: green 90°, range: 600m, depth: 2m, fast, ATO AZ, aim-point: centre
0250 As the target approached nearer confirmed it as a Large Merchant. Estimated 6000 GRT. Nationality: British!!
0255 Decided to fire 3 x eels set at 2, 4 and 4m depth. Aim-points: bow, centre, stern in case there were failures.
0258 Tubes I, II, III fired at selected aim-points. After 29 seconds first impact followed by two more in 4 second intervals.
Surfaced. Radio intercepted: "SOS. Royal Star sinking fast. Hit by torpedoes."
From the conning tower watched the steamer sink by the bow at 30°. Disappeared after five minutes.
3 x lifeboats seen plus survivors clinging to debris in the water. Provisions passed to survivors.
0315 Submerged before continuing with patrol course. Death throes of steamer clearly heard to our stern throughout the boat which subdued the crew's celebrations.
0400 AN4540, N2, Sea 2, partial cloud, Vis. good
Surfaced. Course 143°. Engines at KF.
0258 AN4540 Radio message received from BdU: "Confirmed sinking. SS Royal Star, 6535 tons. Cargo: Coal. Crew: 93. Crew lost: 68."
0549 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN16, Course: ENE, Speed: 20 knots."
0800 AN4573 TC Radio message received from BdU: "To U-5 - patrol grid AN46. To Group 8 - Confirmed that U-4 sank British submarine HMS Thistle."
1200 AN4587 TL Nothing to report.
1224 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN28, Course: NNE, Speed: 18 knots."
1600 AN4588 Course 90°.
1828 Radio report: "Friendly Task Force, Grid: AF84, Course: WSW, Speed: 12 knots."
2000 AN4580 TL Course 00°.

11.4.40.

0000 AN4550 BL Nothing to report.
0032 Radio report: "Friendly Warship, Grid: AN29, Course: NW, Speed: 22 knots."
0333 Radio message to Group 8 received from U-5: "Fired one torpedo at a British submarine, but without success."
0400 AN4528 Nothing to report.
0800 AN4526 Course 90°.
1109 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN73, Course: SE, Speed: 8 knots."
1200 AN4534 Course 180°.
1240 Radio report: "Friendly Warship, Grid: AN28, Course: SSE, Speed: 20 knots."
1600 AN4561 BR Nothing to report.
2000 AN4591 "

12.4.40.

0000 AN4598 TL, W0, Sea 2, clouds clear, Vis. good, starry night sky
Course 90°.
0048 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN26, Course: S, Speed: 18 knots."
0148 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN76, Course: SW, Speed: 25 knots."
0400 AN4599 TL Nothing to report.
0600 Radio message received from BdU: "Group 8 patrol the following assigned grids: U-2 - AN46, U-5 - AN34, U-6 - AN31. U-3 is en route from Wilhelmshaven to patrol AN62."
0800 AN4677 TC, W 0, Sea 2, clouds clear, Vis. very good
Course 90°.
1200 AN4678 Nothing to report.
1256 Radio report: "Friendly Warship, Grid: AN31, Course: NNW, Speed: 18 knots."
1600 AN4679 TR Radio message to Group 8 received from BdU: "U-6 to patrol AN31. U-3 has returned to Wilhelmshaven due to damaged periscope."
2000 AN4688 TL Nothing to report.

13.4.40.

0000 AN4689 TC Nothing to report.
0104 Radio report:
1. "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN26, Course: SSE, Speed: 18 knots."
2. "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN23, Course: SSE, Speed: 20 knots."
0400 AN4697 TC Nothing to report.
0800 AN4698 "
1200 AN4696 Course 00°. Radio message received from U3: "Leaving Wilhelmshaven."
1600 AN4669 TC Increased speed to HF. Radio message received to Group 8 from BdU: "U-6 to patrol AN35."
2000 AN4630 Course 270°.

14.4.40.

0000 AN4620 TL Radio report: "Friendly Warship, Grid: AN35, Course: ENE, Speed: 16 knots."
0400 AN4614 Radio message received from U3: "Location: AN91."
0800 AN4671 TR Course 163°.
1200 AN4649 Course 27°.
1328 Radio report: "Friendly Warship, Grid: AN24, Course: NW, Speed: 20 knots. Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN42, Course: NNE, Speed: 18 knots."
1600 AN4624 TC Course 163°.
2000 AN4680 Nothing to report.

15.4.40.

0000 AN4656 Course 23°.
0136 Radio report:
1. "Friendly Warship, Grid: AN43, Course: ESE, Speed: 18 knots."
2. "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN27, Course: N, Speed: 18 knots."
0400 AN4637 Course 163°. Radio message received from U-3: "Patrolling AN62."
0609 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AF81, Course: WSW, Speed: 20 knots."
0800 AN4698 TC Course 18°.
1200 AN4639 TC Test dive. Levelled at 60m.
1230 Surfaced. Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN27, Course: NE, Speed: 18 knots."
1600 AN4663 BR Course 180°. Reduced engines to KF in order to conserve fuel. Diesel almost at 50%.
2000 AN4693 TR Nothing to report.

16.4.40.

0000 AN4699 BR Course 294°.
0208 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force, Grid: AN27, Course: NNW, Speed: 18 knots."
0400 AN4690 Nothing to report.
0800 AN4691 Radio mesage received to Group 8 from BdU: "U-2 to patrol AN37. U-3 to patrol AN38."
Changed course to 116°. ETA to new patrol grid = 10 hours at KF 4 knots.
1200 AN4690 Nothing to report.
1400 Radio report: "Friendly Warship, Grid: AN23, Course: SSE, Speed: 20 knots."
1600 AN4699 BR Nothing to report.
1700 Reached grid AN37. Changed course to 90°.
2000 AN3711 TR Nothing to report.

17.4.40.

0000 AN3711 TR Nothing to report.
0400 AN3721 "
0619 Ship spotted on bearing: 254°. Looked to be a Warship. Could be allied. Decided to submerge to periscope depth as a precaution and observe. Speed increased to LF.
From sound checks and periscope, target heading to our port side and stern.
Course: SSE? Our course 90°.
0630 ID: German Type 34, passing our port stern at 230°. Decided to surface rather than the possibility of being mistaken for a British submarine.
Raised periscope fully so as not to alarm the destroyer before surfacing.
Surfaced and sent recognition signal.
Signal received from destroyer: "All's well. Happy hunting!"
0800 AN3721, NNE 0, Sea 1, sky clear, Vis. very good
Nothing to report.
0810 Radio message received to Group 8 from BdU: "Group 8 return to Wilhemshaven."
Speed increased to HF. ETA Wilhelmshaven from present location = 31 hours.
Changed course to 140°.
0938 Diesel down to 50%. Will have sufficient amount to reach Wilhelmshaven.
1200 AN3764 Nothing to report.
1416 Radio report: "Friendly Warship, Grid: AN35, Course: WNW, Speed: 20 knots."
1600 AN3722 Nothing to report.
2000 AN3767 "

18.4.40.

0000 AN9314 Nothing to report.
0400 AN9381 "
0800 AN9537 "
1200 AN9596 Course 135°.
1248 Two masts spotted on bearing: 350°, heading NW. Land spotted on starboard side. ID: 2 x German Small Vessels.
1416 Escort spotted. Bearing: 345°. Our course 175°.
1430 Speed reduced to LF. Changed course to 80° to follow escort.
1450 Released from escort. Engines reduced to KF.
1530 Wilhelmshaven Docked.

Awarded U-Boat Front Clasp.

Summary:

Our second patrol was again blessed with calm weather with overall very good visibility and again it was not necessary to submerge unless:
1. Attacking at night because of the clear skies,
2. As a precaution when approaching vessels,
3. Diving for aircraft.

The morale of the crew was very high and worked very professionally throughout the patrol.

Comments of the BdU on the KTB of "U-2" (Rosenbaum) from 4 - 18 April 1940:

U-2 contributed well within Group 8 and was an asset in Operation 'Weserübung' by discouraging enemy shipping patrolling the western approaches of The Skaggerak.
It must be remembered that a U-Boat's silhouette is harder to see at night, therefore a surface attack is always a possibility.

Accredited success:

1 Large Merchant 6500 GRT sunk.