[klh]

U-45 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Hähl left Wilhelmshaven on 8 April 1940 with orders to patrol AN36 in support of the invasion of Norway. After completing our assigned mission, we headed north to intercept enemy ships in the North Sea. Once again, weather was a tougher adversary than the enemy.

Twice we managed to intercept a fast-moving task force and make hydrophone contact, but the sea state and fog prevented any visual sighting. Several times we went in close to the Scottish shoreline and did sink three small merchants while avoiding aircraft.

Finally, the fog lifted and we were able to intercept a task force and fire a full spread of torpedoes at a cruiser at long range in heavy seas. All torpedoes missed, and the task force quickly sailed out of range.

Another attempt to intercept a task force failed, resulting only in playing cat and mouse with a destroyer for half a day. We loosed our last two on-board torpedoes at the destroyer but both missed.

Low on fuel, food, and with only one aft external torpedo, U-45 returned to Wilhelmshaven on 25 May 1940 with a tally of three merchants totaling 5000 tonnes.

Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45