[John Pancoast]

Originally Posted by FUBAR295

If you go to http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30323.htm and on page 330 the following shows up on Doenitz's KTB for May 1 to 15, 1943.

Good hunting,
FUBAR295

VI. General: Provision of upper deck containers: On 30.4 the order was given to omit upper deck containers when fitting out all boats operating in the North Atlantic. This order was necessitated by the gradually increasing number of cases where, when the boats were depth-charged or bombed, especially at fairly great depths, the upper deck containers were cracked or started leaking, or were swamped and thus very gravely endangered the boat, especially the Type IX which carries 8 deck containers. It is suspected that this has been the cause of the loss of many boats. The following orders are now in force for the provision of upper deck containers: 1) Type VIIb, c, d - none. 2) Type IXb, c - normally none. Type IXc is to take 6 upper deck containers with 6 torpedoes when special orders are given, but only on operations in the south. 3) Type IXd - 12 upper deck containers with 12 torpedoes. Thus, the upper deck cargo for IXc boats operating in the
south has been reduced from 8 to 6 torpedoes to reduce the danger to the boat if containers should spring a leak.
In connection with the foregoing order Ob.d.M. made the following decision regarding new construction of upper deck containers. i) Containers on all boats in commission will not be replaced if they have proved faulty. ii) New construction Type VIIc will be equipped with stronger iron upper deck containers as already planned, also, as before, the loading gear for use at sea. iii) New construction Type IXc will be equipped with 6 upper deck containers built of light metal, but possessing greater stability; Type IXd will carry 12 containers. iv) Type IXb and c boats putting to sea without upper deck containers will not have their ballast redistributed, but will carry some 5 tons less fuel. v) Type Xb will be issued with 6 upper deck containers as before, but they are only to be put on board if special orders are given.