Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...
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Tuesday,
17 November 1942 - Gotenhafen-Oxhöft
Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.; Freg.Kpt.d.R. Ernst HASSHAGEN) and 22nd U-Flotilla (Korvkpt. Wilhelm Ambrosius):
Dry-Run Exercises with Machinery/Mechanics; Weapons; Torpedoes.
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American troops capture Gafsa, Tunisia and British 36th Brigade engage German forces at Djebel Abiod, Tunisia.
German General Walter Nehring arrives in Tunis to lead a counterattack against the Allies. The Italians formally absorb the French Protectorate of Tunisia into the borders of Italian North Africa.
French Ambassador to the United States Gaston Henri-Haye arrives at Hotel Hershey, his place of internment, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States.
British Admiral Max Horton was appointed Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches Command with his Headquarters at Northways, North London, England.
U 752 (Kptlt. Karl-Ernst Schroeter) has
repaired her damage and has taken up position as ordered.
U 566 (Oblt. Gerhard Remus)
has been bombed repeatedly because of oil leaks. She is moving on according to orders.
U 86 (Kptlt. Walter Schug)
reports enemy convoy at 1817 on W. course, high speed. Contact lost immediately. This is possibly the convoy which was left after having been sighted off Gibraltar at 0300 by our boats.
U 564 (Oblt. Hans Fiedler; ex Suhren)
sighted a second convoy at 2115 in CG 8966, course W. speed up to 14 knots, 3 steamers and 2 patrol boats were seen. Boats in the Gibraltar area are to operate against this convoy during the night or early in the morning if they can get into position. U 86, U 155 and U 511 (Kptlt. Friedrich Steinhoff) reported on the convoy. U 413 (Oblt. Gustav Poel) requested bearing signal. Besides U 155 and U 511 both of which fired double shot misses, no other boat has approached because of high speed of the convoy. Pursuit was given up and boats returned to their area. Last convoy position was DJ 1311 at 0325, speed 16 knots, general course 260°. At 0407, U 86 sighted a pair of destroyers on course 90° in CG 8570.
U 103 (Kptlt. Gustav-Adolf Janssen) and
U 108 (Oblt. Matthias Brünig) encountered only a patrol boat in DJ 2163,
off Mazagan.
U 155 (Kptlt. Adolf Cornelius Piening) situation:
Strong air patrols of all types in Gibraltar area. Single destroyers and trawlers. During the night heavy air and surface bearing searches with D/C's dropped at random. Small prospects for attacks, ships well protected at night. Boat requests freedom of movements in CG 80.
The opinion that an operation just W. of Gibraltar would be impossible in a few days was confirmed by report from U 155. Boat was forced to stay submerged 20 hours per day due to heavy air, destroyer and patrol craft activity, so that recharging of batteries was virtually impossible. It is more evident that possibilities of success are even more meager. Lowest speed so far of the convoy's is between 10 and 12 knots. The screening craft are destroyers of special skill, and experience so that the boats cannot get near enough for firing.
The report of U 155 (experienced, bold Captain with Knight's Cross) is: Small possibilities of attack, due to night shipping being screened by sonic gear.
Definite attack sectors were ordered for boats in the
Casablanca area:
U 130 - DJ 2254; U 510 - DJ 2419; U 130 - 103 - 263 and 510 making sorties of opportunity on Casablanca and near coast.
U 752 and U 173 occupying CG 8585 and CG 9719 respectively for repairs.
U 118 (VIID; Kptlt. Richard Becker) is
waiting to refuel Morocco boats in DH 10.
U 518 (Kptlt. Friedrich-Wilhelm Wissmann) completed operation (
putting spy ashore) on 9 November. She has operated in BB 17 - 18 since the operation and has seen only occasional single ships sailing close to land. Slight surface patrols, no night air patrols. Meager prospects of success. According to previous orders boat is operating further in BB 70 (Halifax).
U 648 (Oblt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl)
transfers to U.A.K.-Kiel via the K.W.K.
RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115