[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++++

Tuesday, 9 February 1943 - Stettin

Conducting tactical exercises and training together with U 648 (Stahl)*, with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER).

+++++++

Soviet troops recapture Belgorod.

The first of seven Axis convoys left Italy with reinforcements bound for Tunisia. British aircraft from Malta, submarines, and minefields caused some losses.

U 614 (Kptlt. Wolfgang Sträter) was attacked by aircraft in AL 5293 when surfacing and received 4 well-placed bombs. Considerable damage, ability to dive restricted. Return necessary after refueling from U-tanker.

U 752 (Kptlt. Karl-Ernst Schroeter) reported a large independently-routed ship in BE 1685, course 45°, speed 12 knots. Boat was ordered to attack.

U 442 (FrgKpt. Hans-Joachim Hesse) sighted a solitary destroyer in CG 4861. No further contact was made with the enemy. According to our reckoning no convoy is expected at the moment.

Group "Nordsturm" is being dissolved. These boats will reinforce Group "Haudegen" and occupy the following positions, depth 40 miles: U 358 : AJ 78, U 186 : AJ 7972, U 223 : BC 1255, U 707 : BC 1384. U 268 (Oblt. Ernst Heydemann) is returning owing to lack of fuel. According to a report from U 607 (Kptlt. Ernst Mengersen) there has been fog in this sea area for 3 days. As a depression is passing and visibility may be expected to improve, the boats have been left in their positions. A convoy can be expected to pass any time after today.

After operations against Convoy No. 7 (GIB.2) had been broken off, Group "Rochen" received orders to be in patrol line from DH 2333 to DH 5639, course 270, speed of advance 6 knots at 1200/11/2. Order: U 66 - 521 - 108 - 218 - 43 - 264 - 258 - 558 - 202 and 87.
The latter 5 boats are to supply from U 118 (XB; Korvkpt. Werner Czygan) in about DH 45. Subsequently all boats will operate against America - North Africa convoy traffic.

A Chief Engineer has transshipped from U 183 (Korvkpt. Heinrich Schäfer) to U 105 (Oblt. Jürgen Nissen). U 183 and U 68 (Oblt. Albert Lauzemis) are to operate in the Windward Passage sea area. There have been no boats there for some time. They are to make for DN 60.

U 632 (Kptlt. Hans Karpf) has supplied from "Milkcow" U 460 (Kptlt. Ebe Schnoor) and is returning.

U 609 and U 624 both operated against Convoy No. 6 (SC.118) and made contact. They last reported on 6.2. from AK 65 and on 7.2. from AK 66 respectively. It can therefore be assumed for certain that they were lost due to convoy escort or aircraft.

Shoe rationing are going into effect in the United States.

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea, together with U 115 (RST)*.

+++++++

RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++++

Wednesday, 10 February 1943 - Stettin

Concluding tactical exercises and training with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER).

+++++++

Enemy reports depth charge attack by aircraft in DJ 3748 and torpedo report from an unidentified steamer from an area 10 miles S. of Cape Francis (Capetown).

U 376 (Kptlt. Friedrich-Karl Marks) tried several times to reach Peterhead in bad weather. There were constant location transmissions from AN 1633 onwards. Doubtful whether she was picked up. From 7.2. heard several explosions in the area by day.

So that there will be U-boats in the vicinity in case of an American and English invasion of Portugal, Group "Delphin" has been ordered to take up a new disposition W. of Lisbon. Attack areas, depth 60 miles: U 575 : CF 6626, U 571 : CF 6862, U 620 : CF 9345, U 436 : CG 4515, U 125 : CG 4624, U 5522 : CG 4718, U 511 : CG 4829, U 381 : CG 7165, U 422 : CG 7354. Several of these boats are already so short of fuel that they will have to return very soon and U 107, 103, 445, 569, 382 and 410 are intended to replace them and have been directed to CG 44.

"Milkcow" U 465 (Kptlt. Heinz Wolf) has refueled U 266 (Kptlt. Ralf von Jessen) and U 413 (Kptlt. Gustav Poel).

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea.

+++++++

RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115