U56 IIC. Patrol 11.
26.dec.40
AO77
0340: Underway from Kiel.
Orders: Patrol grid BE39. Conclude patrol at Lorient.
Armament: 5 (TII G7E) torpedoes, preset to 3 meters AZ (Impact Pistol).
1.jan.41
AF78
1943: Dive for Destroyer. Undetected.
3.jan.41
AM32
1223: Merchant spotted.
1233: Estimated course 013, at 6 knots. Coastal Merchant.
1247: Dive for submerged Attack. AOB 30 Stb. Range 4.200 meters.
1248: New course 283. Periscope depth. Silent Speed.
1249: Max range 2.100 meters. New depth 20 meters. Ahead One Third.
1254: Target at 305 R. Medium range. Periscope depth. Silent Speed.
1301: Open tube 1.
1304: Fire 1! (Aimed at bow, as he may be faster than estimated).
1305: Impact! (Dead center). Torpedo run 47 seconds. 750 meters.
1306: Target sunk. New depth 50 meters.
1830: Report sent.
6.jan.41
AM51
0057: Dive for Destroyer. Undetected.
AM46
1639: Radio dipatch: "Convoy. AM72. NNE. 6 knots."
1645: Responding at high speed.
2243: Radio dispatch update: "Convoy. AM46. NE. 6 knots."
2245: U-turn! (Clear & Moonlit Night).
7.jan.41
AM46 (still)
0055: Dive for Destroyer.
0056: Hydrophone reporting multiple merchant contacts. Periscope depth.
0119: Keeping bow on to Destroyer, at short range.
0123: New course 149. Preset TDC: AOB 90 port. 6 knots. Course estimate is 059.
0133: Open all tubes for salvo at Transport. 3 degree spread.
0134: Modify spread to 5 degrees.
0135: Fire 1, 3, 2!
0136: Impact x 3! Target sunk. Torpedo run 68 seconds. 1.000 meters.
U56 remained undetected, but could not persist further, due to fuel limitation.
9.jan.41
BE39
0100: On station, short term.
12.jan.41
BF61
1420: Docked at Kiel, with little more than fumes ledt in the fuel tanks.
Patrol results:
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
4 of 5 torpedoes expended.
2 merchants sunk, for 10.051 GRT.
U56's history to date:
11 war patrols completed.
10 merchants sunk, for 51.344 GRT. (Number 13).
Dockside News:
U10 IIB has been retired to schoolboat status after a successful frontline career.
U23 IIB has racked up over 10.000 GRT, after only 2 patrols.
U56 IIC is docked in Lorient, as guest of 2. Flotilla.
U65 IXB is engaged in a convoy battle.
U103 is engaged in her first running convoy battle, on her maiden patrol.
U161 is overdue, and sadly, presumed to be lost.
(All our dates are too spread out to keep it concise).
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