[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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Sunday, 14 February 1943 - Danzig

At Danziger Werft AG, for Repairs and Overhaul.

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Our troops launch an offensive against American forces near Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia.

Convoy No. 8 (KMF/S.9G?):
Operation was broken off. U 620, 571, 125 and 442, which are short of fuel, are returning, U 103, 107, 185, 382, 410 and 445 are moving away to the west. U 522 (Kptlt. Herbert Schneider) is waiting in CF 50 to supply from U 161 (Kptlt. Albrecht Achilles). The last hydrophone bearing of the convoy was from CG 5473 bearing 210° at 0800.

After the "Rochen" boats had supplied from U 118 (XB; Korvkpt. Werner Czygan), the group will receive orders to be in patrol line from CE 8285 to DG 2785 at 1200/16/2. Course 285, day's run 150 miles. Order: U 521 - 66 - 218 - 43 - 218 - 43 - 558 - 258 - 202 - 87 - 267 and 504. A convoy from America is expected on 17.2. As there is no information on the convoy's probable course, it is intended to form an extended line N. of the Azores. U 410, 445, 382, 569, 107 and 103 are to make for CE 39, U 437 for CE 32.
The following have supplied from U 118: U 214 on 12.2, U 558, 258, 202 on 13.2, U 82, 264 and 514 on 14.2. The tanker is now sold out and returning.

Because of bad weather (west 9) a day's run of 60 miles has been ordered for Group "Ritter".

It is intended to operate one boat in the Hatteras sea area and one in the Florida Straits area, as there have been no U-boats there for some time. Heavy traffic may be expected and success is likely if the U-boats appear suddenly and the Commanding Officers make intelligent use of their opportunities. U 155 (Kptlt. Adolf Cornelius Piening) is making for DN 30. She is free to proceed via Windward Passage. U 185 (Kptlt. August Maus) will go to CA 87 and have freedom of action to the N. and S.

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) continues Torpedo Firing Training with the 25th Flotilla Danzig.

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RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

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

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Monday, 15 February 1943 - Danzig

At Danziger Werft AG, for Repairs and Overhaul.

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American forces in Tunisia launch a counterattack at Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. Though achieving some results, the Americans suffer heavy casualties and loose 46 medium tanks.

U 607 (Kptlt. Ernst Mengersen) sank "Atlantic Sun", 11,355 GRT in BC 5163, course 220°, 16 knots. According to statements made by prisoner (Ordinary Seaman William Golobich) the ship belonged to a convoy which it lost a few nights earlier in the fog. Presumably this was an extra-scheduled fast convoy.

U 509 (Kptlt. Werner Witte) encountered spasmodic traffic off Capetown, partly strongly escorted, leaving and entering the harbor on the 100 meter line. No night air activity. Good cooperation between land-based radar and sea patrol. Boat sank a 5,000 GRT ship on 10.2 in GR 6844.
According to an agent's report an American convoy of 27 steamers is said to be leaving Capetown for Australia on 15.2.

Following the new disposition of Group "Rochen": U 437, 410, 445, 382, 511, 569, 107 and 103 are being formed into Group "Robbe". They have been ordered to be in reconnaissance line at 1200/17/2 from CF 1671 to CF 4575, course 290°, day's run 140 miles.

Except for 5, all the Group "Haudegen" boats must now have less than 30 cbm fuel. This means that they could not operate even if a convoy is intercepted. Group "Haudegen" is therefore being dissolved. U 606, 69, 201, 226, 525, 303, 383 and 607 have been ordered to return. If these boats require to refuel this can be done in BD 51 from "Milkcow" U 460 (Kptlt. Ebe Schnoor). The remaining boats will stay in the sea area around Newfoundland and occupy the following attack areas: U 358 : AJ 87, U 186 : AJ 88, U 223 : BC 21, U 403 : BC 22, U 707 : BC 25. The Group will be called "Taifun".

At present there is no information as to what convoy routes are being used and several radio intelligence (X) reports show that the enemy is dispersed over the whole N. Atlantic and several patrol lines are being formed to pick up the convoys.

In addition to Group "Ritter", which proceeded as reconnaissance line from AK 3784 to AL 4711 at 1200/14/2, course 235°, day's run 60 miles, U 759, 405, 448, 638, 359, 135, 608, 376, 566 and 659 have been ordered to form a new reconnaissance line from AD 3718 to AK 3497 at 2000/18/2, course 235°, day's run 100 miles. These boats will form Group "Neptun". U 659 will not take up her position until 19 or 20/2, as she is too far away. These 2 lines overlap and should rake an area of about 450 miles. The disposition has the further advantage that it is unlikely to be detected by enemy aircraft.

U 155 (Kptlt. Adolf Cornelius Piening) has delivered a METOX set to U 217 (VIID; Kptlt. Kurt Reichenbach-Klinke).

The rendezvous of U 511 (Oblt. Fritz Schneewind) and U 108 (XB; Korvkpt. Werner Czygan) in CF 5275 will have to be transferred to CF 5171 owing to strong air activity in the former area.

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Torpedo Firing Training with the 25th Flotilla Danzig.

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RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115