Lt.z.s. Walter Harländer
U-103, IXB, "die Elster"
2. Flottille, Wilhelmshaven
Orders: Patrol AL32
Statusbericht 17.7.1940
1143 AM27
clear, visibility 9 km, wind 2 m/s from 323. Attacked the convoy for the second time from outside the convoy in daylight and submerged. The course of the convoy was estimated at 45º, 8 knots. The real course was actually 43º and the attack had to be made from farther away than intended. Two G7a's with a speed setting of 30 knots launched against a 10 000 BRT tanker leading the middle column.
The convoy started zigzagging before the torpedoes hit. The first torpedo missed the target, the second hit after a run of 5 minutes, 5 seconds in the middle of the tanker. No noticeable effect on the ship. Torpedo setting 90 degree angle at impact time, AZ, depth 2 m, gyro angle 0, bearing 345, range was estimated at 4500 - 5500 meters. The escorts didn't find us, no pinging, evasion at periscope depth. Reloading and getting ready for a third attack. 19 torpedoes left.
The morale on the boat is somewhat shaken by the news of the loss of U-161.
Harländer