[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

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Friday, 12 February 1943 - Danzig

At Danziger Werft AG, for Repairs and Overhaul.

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Soviet troops capture Rostov, while our troops fall back from Krasnodar to the Kuban defensive positions.

Upon promotion to Generalfeldmarschall, Maximilian von Weichs steps down as the commanding officer of German Armeegruppe B, which has been transferred to the new Army Group Don.

U 603 (Oblt. Hans-Joachim Bertelsmann) has broken off her search for the convoy reported yesterday by U 155 (Kptlt. Adolf Cornelius Piening). This operation is thus ended.

U 436 (Kptlt. Günther Seibicke) reported strong air activity in CG 45, bombs; no damage, returning because of fuel.

U 620 (Kptlt. Heinz Stein) sighted 2 destroyers, course 225°, in CF 9266. No further contact with the enemy.

U 108 (Kptlt. Ralf-Reimar Wolfram) was bombed on 10.2 at great depth. Bow tubes probably out of action. She is testing her operational fitness.

Convoy No. 8 (KMF/S.9G?):
U 569 (Oblt.z.S.d.R. Hans Johannsen) sighted several smoke clouds at 1323 in BE 9815 disappearing S. According to our reckoning there should be a Gibraltar-bound convoy in this area. Group "Delphin", including U 107 and U 103 and U 410, 382, 445, 155 and 185, on outward passage, were ordered to operate on U 569's report. At 1600 the enemy was in BE 9873. Towards 2000, U 185 (Kptlt. August Maus) reported that she had sighted 5 steamers, 3 of them passenger ships, on a main course of 160°, speed 16 knots, in CG 1559 and had fired a miss at an "Arundel Castle" type. She was then driven off by aircraft and destroyers. It appeared therefore that there was a fast and slow section of the convoy. This was quite possible, as radio intelligence (X) and agent's reports had stated that material and personnel were often convoyed to Gibraltar in separate groups. The boats were ordered to operate against one of these 2 convoys on a main course of 160 - 180°, according to the situation. Meanwhile, U 569 had also been forced to dive and contact was lost. Convoy's last position at 1730 was in CG 9892. The boat sighted several single destroyers during the night, but was constantly driven off in varying visibility, as was U 185, which also sighted destroyers several times in CG 1537. Contact had not been regained by morning. The fast group must have got through and can probably no longer be reached. Operation continues against the slow section.

Attack areas: U 510 (Korvkpt. Karl Neitzel): EO 60, evading N and E. U 156 (KrvKpt. Werner Hartenstein): EO 50 and 20 westwards to Georgetown. Both boats are to operate as close to the coast as possible. Freedom of action as far as the sea area off Trinidad during the next new moon period.

U 594 (Kptlt. Friedrich Mumm) and U 414 (Oblt. Walther Huth) have supplied from "Milkcow" U 460 (Kptlt. Ebe Schnoor).

Boats in the Capetown area have been informed that Saldanhab Bay is probably an assembly point for convoys and is mainly approached by independent ships from Capetown.

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea.

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RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

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Saturday, 13 February 1943 - Danzig

At Danziger Werft AG, for Repairs and Overhaul.

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With a load of 75 USAAF P-40L fighters, Aircraft Carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) departs Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.A., bound for North Africa.

U 437 (Oblt. Hermann Lamby) discovered another large crack in the flange when trying to repair her exhaust conduit. Repairs cannot be carried out. Further operation only possible in a less endangered area.

U 606 (Oblt. Hans-Heinrich Döhler) sighted a destroyer with high speed, zig-zagging around a course of 225° in BC 2433. No contact.

U 516 (Korvkpt. Gerhard Wiebe) is the first of the African boats to score a success. She sank a ship of 6,000 GRT, course 265°, speed 10 knots in KY 6267. No zig-zags. Much air activity day and night, with lights, in KY 6310. Probably training.

Convoy No. 8 (KMF/S.9G?):
U 185 (Kptlt. August Maus) sighted smoke clouds at 1005 in CG 1911 and shortly afterwards made contact with a steamer and a destroyer. The enemy was only in sight intermittently owing to bad visibility. U 511 (Oblt. Fritz Schneewind) reported the same forces at 1615 in CG 1968, was soon forced to dive by an escort vessel and depth charged. Aircraft were located constantly and no further direct contact was made. Boats were ordered to continue provided positions for attack could be reached by first light. During the night U 569 (Oblt.z.S.d.R. Hans Johannsen) and U 511 broke off and proceeded W. U 511 had some depth charge damage. U 381 (Kptlt. Wilhelm-Heinrich Graf von Pückler und Limpurg) started on her return passage because of lack of fuel and bomb damage.

U 108 (Kptlt. Ralf-Reimar Wolfram) is starting on her return passage. All her bow tubes are unserviceable. It is intended for her to deliver fuel to U 511 (Oblt. Fritz Schneewind).

A convoy coming from America may be expected in the Azores area on about 17.2 and Group "Rochen" has therefore been ordered to proceed W. immediately, making a day's run of 140 miles. U 108 (Kptlt. Ralf-Reimar Wolfram) has been ordered to return. "Rochen" boats now supplying will join the most southerly boat of the N. group at economical cruising speed in the order in which they leave. It is intended to form a patrol line with all boats from CE 8380 to DG 2820.

According to recent reckoning, a NE-bound convoy is expected in Group "Haudegen" 's area from 15.2. The group's disposition has therefore been narrowed. Boats are now in the following position, depth 30 miles: U 358 : AJ 7574, U 186 : AJ 7595, U 223 : AJ 7685, U 69 : AJ 8715, U 201 : AJ 8764, U 403 : AJ 8887, U 707 : BC 2156, U 606 : BC 2199, U 226 : BC 2549, U 525 : BC 2813, U 303 : BC 2848, U 607 : BC 5218, U 383 : BC 5514.

The following have supplied: U 175 (Kptlt. Heinrich Bruns) from U 118 (XB; Korvkpt. Werner Czygan), U 608 (Kptlt. Rolf Struckmeier) and U 135 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Heinz Schütt) from "Milkcow" U 460 (Kptlt. Ebe Schnoor). U 175 has delivered a METOX set each to U 571 (Kptlt. Helmut Möhlmann) and U 620 (Kptlt. Heinz Stein).

Boat's attention has again been called to the closing of Route A.

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) concludes Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea.

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RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115