Donitz Flotilla U-128 War Diary

[Laufen zum Ziel]

Donitz U-128 War Diary

Your U-Boot Commanders name: Albrecht Hessler
Your U-boot number: U-128
Your U-Boot type: Type IXC
Your screen name: Hesse

Commander Hessler,

We will not start our 4th deployment till Mid January. You are free to request a patrol and communicate with Bdu and the Donitz Elite Flotilla now. Your activities, as well as others, will be recorded and noted by Senior Staff.
__________________
Bdu to U-128
Commander U-128. You are ordered to grid DT49. Please take the quickest rout there and remain there for 24 hours. You are free to engage enemy shipping. Please provide periodic weather reports. Bdu clear.
__________________

To: BdU
From: Oberleutnant Z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128

Confirming receipt of orders. Departing Lorient for DT49 on 6FEB41, 22:50 hrs.
__________________
Albrecht von Hesse

Bdu to U-128
Commander U-128. Have a safe trip and happy hunting. Bdu clear.
__________________

To: BdU
From: Oberleutnant Z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128
Re.: Patrol update and weather conditions

Departed Lorient 6 FEB 41 under weather conditions as follows: partial clouds with no precipitation, visibility medium, wind speed 4ms, direction 0.

Weather changed on 8 FEB, CG24 to partial clouds with no precipitation, visibility unlimited, wind speed 0ms, direction 0.

Weather began changing 9 FEB with wind direction changing to 246.

Weather worsened on 10 FEB. At 06:17, DH23 changed to overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 1 ms, direction 247. Ordered change to ahead one third due to poor visibility. At 06:44, DH25 wind direction had continued shifting northwards to 262; has finally settled by 12:30 at direction 31.

On 8 FEB, CG24, at 17:23, weather conditions partial clouds with no precipitation, visibility unlimited, wind speed 0ms, direction 246 a single ship was spotted at approximately 13000 meters range. Adjusted course to intercept. At 4500 meters was fired upon and forced under. Continued to intercept submerged. At 18:00 fired one TII at 750 meters range, set for magnetic under keel detonation. At 18:00 heard one torpedo exposion. Ship continued evading, appearing undamaged, until abruptly exploding at 18:05 and sinking within seconds. Ship tentatively identified as class SCF, 2400 tons approximate.

Continuing to DT49. Estimated time of arrival based upon current weather conditions and prudent speed is 03:00 17 FEB.

Oberleutnant z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128. Clear.
__________________
Albrecht von Hesse

Bdu to U-128
Our brave pilots thank you for your weather reports. Continue patrol and happy hunting.
__________________

Bdu to U-128
Your time line:

January 8, 1940 - Rationing begins in Britain.
__________________

U-128 to Bdu
To: BdU
From: Oberleutnant Z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128
Re.: Patrol update and weather conditions

11 FEB:
Weather further deteriorated; overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 15 ms, direction 31

12 FEB:

0613: received radio report enemy small convoy DH51, course NNE, 9Kts. Current position DH51, weather remains overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 15 ms, direction 31. Distance to contact estimated as 35 Km by dead reckoning due to bad weather. Plotted intercept.

0613 - 1005: Due to extremely poor visibility required multiple submergences as needed the hydrophones for course adjustments. Made visible contact at 1005 at range of 1000 meters.

1008 - 1011: Fired 4 torpedoes (all TII). One impact at 1012. Due to heavy seas torpedoes needed adjustment to minimum 6 meters running depth. This was not done for the first three torpedoes, all of which failed to impact target due to excessive running depth. Was forced under by shelling, depthcharged once with no damage.

1039 - 1127: Reloaded all four tubes at depth, needed 20 meters depth to safely reload. Surfaced at 1127 and began reinterception. Diesels running slow; have lost some power.

1303: Submerged for hydrophone check. Contact lost. Returning course to assigned patrol grid DT49.

13 FEB:

0810: Estimated location DH46. Weather conditions overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 10 ms, direction 26. Diesels continue running underpowered, making only 4Kts at ahead one-third. Chief believes the supercharger is malfunctioning.

1200: Estimated location DH46. Weather conditions overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 10 ms, direction 250.

1500: Estimated location DH46. Weather conditions overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 10 ms, direction 223.

14 FEB:

0046: Received radio report enemy large convoy DH45, course NE, 7Kts. Based upon our estimated position convoy was positioned 130 Km distance, 85 degrees relative. Due to existing weather contitions -overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 10 ms, direction 223- elected to continue to assigned patrol area.

0800: DH49 (est) overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 10 ms, direction 223

2000: DH49 (est) overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 10 ms, direction 223

15 FEB:

0800: DH75 (est) overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 10 ms, direction 223

2000: DH78 (est) overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 10 ms, direction 223

16 FEB:

0113: Received radio report enemy large convoy DT32, course NNW, 7Kts. Our estimated position is DH77. Estimated position of convoy approximately 180 Km distance, 83 degrees relative our position. Plotting intercept and intending to engage. Weather continues overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 10 ms, direction 223.

Oberleutnant z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128. Clear.
__________________
Albrecht von Hesse

Bdu to U-128
Commander. Thank for your weather reports. We are concerned with your reported engine problems. Your call on breaking off your patrol and returning to base for repairs. Please advise on your decision. Bdu clear.
__________________

To: BdU
From: Oberleutnant Z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128

16 FEB 0400: Continuing intercept. Will report when contact is established. Fully intend to engage regardless of engine difficulties, or because of poor visibilty and heavy seas.

Oberleutnant z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128. Clear.
__________________
Albrecht von Hesse

Bdu to U-128
Your decision Commander. Best of luck and happy hunting. Bdu clear.
__________________

To: BdU
From: Oberleutnant Z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128

16 FEB:

0635: Arrived at estimated intercept position. Submerged for hydrophone detection.

0801: Detected several sound contacts. Surfaced; went to GQ. Weather remains overcast with medium precipitation, visibility poor, wind speed 10 ms, direction 223.

0814: Fog disappeared. Weather now overcast with no precipitation, visibility moderate, wind speed 10 ms, direction 222.

0818: Submerged for brief hydrophone sweep. Detected multiple contacts, one positive warship ID. Surfaced and accelerated to ahead full. Could not make better than 11 Kts.

0835: Smoke detected on horizon.

0836: Visually detected multiple ships. CONTACT REPORT: large enemy convoy, grid DT32, course 335, speed 4kts. Positive ID 2 escorts, one black swan, one flower class. Multiple merchants, one tanker seen. Due to daylight conditions going to submerged attack. Will radio when clear.

Oberleutnant z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128. Clear.
__________________
Albrecht von Hesse

Bdu to U-128
Commander. Other U-Boots in your area have been advised of the convoy. They are plotting a course to intercept? Due to their distance from you we will not form a wolf pack. Feel free to engage as you want. Bdu clear.
__________________

To: BdU
From: Oberleutnant Z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128

16 FEB:

0913 - 0914: Passed outer portside escort (Flower class) and closed to within 1400 meters before engaging outer portside column. Fired four TII; two at large cargo, one each at medium merchants. Went to 100 meters 30 degrees starboard to evade.

Results: one premature detonation, two impacts, one apparant miss.

Had a Panamanian-registered medium cargo pass withim 400 meters of bow. Did not target due to registry. However, after passing to my port she seemed to be armed. Please advise as to engagement rules for armed neutrals and neutrals in enemy convoys.

Depth charges were dropped; six patterns, nowhere close. Assume they were dropped to spook us, or were simply hoping for chance.

Reloaded remaining foreward internal reserve.

1034: Surfaced to continue pursuit. Weather now overcast with no precipitation, visibility moderate, wind speed 15 ms, direction 140. Torpedo running depths were selected based upon windspeed at time of submergence. Suspect wind speed and sea conditions contributed to the premature detonation and presumed miss.

Following and closing upon convoy, course 335, approximately 14000 meters behind. Unable to load external reserves due to heavy seas.

1043: Have closed to within 6500 meters of rearmost escort. Shadowing convoy; planning night surface attack. No stragglers seen.

Oberleutnant z.S. Albrecht Hessler, U-128. Clear.
__________________
Albrecht von Hesse

Bdu to U-128
Commander. You made the right decision in not firing. You may have considered surfacing out of gun range to see if you are fired on. If so you are authorized to sink her. If you are not fired on change course from your intended one and dive. Once submerged go to your original course. If you intercept a radio signal reporting your location from her you are authorized to engage and sink. Happy hunting. Bdu clear.
__________________