[Obltn Strand]

Patrol 6
U-55, 7th/13th Flotilla
Left at: June 6, 1940, 11:36
From: Kiel
Mission Orders: Patrol grid BF17

12.6.1940
09:09 Convoy reported at grid AM 0249. Intercepting. AM 0258
10:11 Convoy spotted. AM 0255
10:46 Positioned 5km away from convoy which moves towards the boat in slight angle. Intend to attack it’s outer column from periscope depth. AM 0251
11:24 Double shot against large freighter from tubes I and II. G7e, Range 1500m, Speed 8 kts, AoB green 90, Depth 3m. Both missed.
Tube III against small freighter. G7a, Range 2000m, Speed 8 kts, AoB green 90, Depth 3m. Hit.
Tube IV against small freighter. G7a, Range 2000m, Speed 7 kts, AoB green 90, Depth 3m. Miss.
11.27 Tube V against large freighter. G7e, Range 3000m, Speed 8kts, AoB green 100, Depth 3m. Miss. AM 0252
13.25 Convoy audible on hydrophone. Damaged freighter cannot keep up with the convoy. First approach was thwarted by escort appearing in the horizon. AM 0228
13:35 Detected by asdic.
14:35 Sustained a depth charge attack. No damage. Straggler in visual contact. Convoy audible on hydrophone. AM 0228
15:49 Detected by escort. Crash dive. AM 0226
16:40 Sustained another depth charge attack. No damage. Contact with convoy lost. Straggler in visual contact. AM 0226
17:42 Fired tube V against a corvette. G7e, Range 1000m, Speed 9 kts, AoB green 80, Depth 3m. Miss. AM 0223
23:22 Fired tube III against straggler. G7a, Range 800m, Speed 3 kts, AoB green 90, Depth 3m. Hit. Small freighter sunk.
23:28 Detected by corvette. Crash dive. AM 2897

14.6.1940
21:30 Took external torpedoes on board. BF 1117

15.6.1940
06:50 Arrived operations area BF 1711
19:52 Two ships spotted BF 1717
20:25 Small freighter and tanker zigzagging between N and E. BE 3938
20:37 Fired tube I against small tanker. G7e, Range 1200m, Speed 6 kts, AoB green 90, Depth 3m. Miss. Target turned right after launch.
20:39 Fired tube II. Same target. G7e, Range 800m, Speed 6 kts, AoB green 100, Depth 3m. Hit and target sunk after five minutes.
20:42 Fired tube III against small freighter. G7a, Range 700m, Speed 6 kts, AoB green 100, Depth 3m. Miss. Speed calculation must be off.
20:54 Small freighter sunk with gunfire. BE 3936

16.6.1940
04:03 Ship spotted. BF 1754
04:56 Small freighter sunk with gunfire. BF 1791

19.6.1940
15:25 Aircraft. Crash dive. BF 1783
16:52 Aircraft. Crash dive. BF 1791

20.6.1940
06:55 Warship spotted. Dived to evade it. BF 1788
07:05 More contacts on hydrophone. BF 1787
07:10 Two destroyers on SE course. No chance to attack.
09:30 Aircraft. Crash dive. BF 1779
10:30 Aircraft. Crash dive. BF 1779

21.6.1940
15:13 Convoy spotted. BF 1791
15:20 Counted 20 ships. No escorts! Shadowing.
15:30 Lightly escorted convoy of 20 ships.
16:02 Detected by escorts. Crash dive. BF 1759
17:24 Sustained heavy depth charge attack. Tube V inoperable. In contact with the convoy. BF 1759
19:30 Convoy at BF 1782
20:15 Maneuvered ahead of the convoy. Intend to attack it’s outer column at periscope depth. BF 1785
20:52 Fired tube I against medium freighter. G7a, Range 800m, Speed 7 kts, AoB red 70, Depth 3m. Hit. Target sunk in 10 minutes.
20:53 Fired tube II against large freighter. G7a, Range 1400m, Speed 7 kts, AoB red 80, Depth 3m. Hit.
21.00 Fired tube IV against small freighter. Same as II. Hit. Target sunk in under 10 minutes.
21:04 Fired tube V against small freighter. G7a, Range 1200m, Speed 7 kts, AoB red 90, Depth 3m. Miss. BF 1785
21:09 Detected by asdic.
22:40 Sustained a depth charge attack. No damage. Out of torpedoes. Started return trip. BF 1782

30.6.1940
09:51 Docked at Kiel

Patrol results
Crew losses: 0
Ships sunk: 7
Aircraft destroyed: 0
Patrol tonnage: 25712 tons

Ships sunk:
SS Yarra (Passenger/Cargo), 2114 tons.
SS Leticia (Nipiwan Park-type Tanker), 2476 tons.
SS Canopus (Coastal Freighter), 1870 tons.
SS Fenella (Tramp Steamer), 1968 tons.
MV Aldington Court (Granville-type Freighter), 4707 tons.
SS Empire Merchant (Small Merchant), 2234 tons.
SS Royal Star (Large Merchant), 10343 tons.

Oberleutnant z. s. Siegfried Strand
U-5 Type IIA (3 patrols)
U-55 Type VIIB (3 patrols)

Career Tonnage: 62 194 tons

This was one of those patrols destined to go wrong from the begining. Fortunately lone ships and and last convoy attack added guite nice tonnage.