Sailor Steve's Patrol Logs

01-03-06, 05:43 PM

I've finally decided to start adding the Patrol Logs for my different Kaleuns. They aren't great stories like some have posted; they're just simple logs, charting my commanders' progress through the war. Following is the first log, for a poor captain who was assigned to go out before the war started but found himself delayed. Don't expect too many screenshots; I'm trying to limit them to representing actual photographs.

I'll be putting a new one up every week or so.

Crash Dive · 01-03-06, 05:45 PM

Can't wait!

01-03-06, 06:15 PM

GÃ¼nther Berke

Patrol 1: August 19, 1939

Lt. z.S. GÃ¼nther Berke was born September 30, 1912 in GÃ¶ttingen, Germany.
He was inducted into the Kriegsmarine on April 1, 1933, age 20.
Became Officer SeeKadett January 12, 1934.
Promoted FÃ¤hnrich zur See October 1, 1934. Served as clerk and later assistant trainer at Torpedoboot school, Kiel.
Assigned post as junior Gunnery Officer aboard KM Destroyer Richard Beitzen (Z4), March 13, 1936. Made Communications Officer August 12, 1936.
Promoted OberfÃ¤nrich z.S. March 1, 1937.
Transferred to KM Destroyer Wolfgang Zenker (Z9) as Gunnery Officer while ship was outfitting.
Promoted Leutnant z.S. September 1, 1937, while ship still outfitting.
Ship commissioned to fleet on July 2, 1938, under KorvettenKapitan H. Ponitz, with Lt. Berke as Third Officer.
Applied for U-boat training September 9, 1938.
Assigned U-boat Flotilla Weddigen for U-boat command training on February 6, 1939.
Assigned as 1WO aboard U-48, Wilhelmshaven, Flotilla Saltzwedel, April 23, 1939. 1 patrol, April 30-June 17, 1939.
Assigned command of U-52 on August 1, 1939.

Lt. z.S. GÃ¼nther Berke

U-52: Flotilla Saltzwedel, Wilhelmshaven

U-52 crew, August 19, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. GÃ¼nther Berke
Chief: Leutnant z.S. Ernst Petersen
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Viktor Witte
2WO: Leutnant z.S. Georg Lobin
Medic: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Axel Bargsten
Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Otto Steinmetz

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Harro Staats
Helmsman: Bootsmann Heinz KlÃ¤bisch
Assistant to Chief: Stabsoberbootsmann Ulrich Folkers
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Hans Maddaus
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Kurt Mohr
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Reinhart Kraus

General Petty Officers:
Stabsbootsmann Werner Piening
Bootsmann Victor Schmidt
Bootsmann Frantz Vogel
Bootsmann Reinhard Eppen
Bootsmann Fritz Claussen
Bootsmann Manfred Reckhoff
Bootsmann Viktor Zinke
Bootsmann Alfred Schacht
Bootsmann Werner Trojer
Bootsmann Rolf Eckerman

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Wiebe
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Hans Hirtl
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Miedza
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Karl HÃ¶lzer

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Eisen
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Frentzen
Matrosenobergefreiter Carl Soden
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Radloff

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Frank
Matrosengefreiter Hans Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Horst Leidig
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Baur
Matrosengefreiter Alfred Eick
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Anton Bielig
Matrosengefreiter Jost Panknin
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Wagner
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Brandi
Matrosengefreiter Gunther Kraus
Matrosengefreiter Hannes Muder
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Janz
Matrosengefreiter Ernst Soden
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Balke
Matrosengefreiter Georg Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Johannes Lasch
Matrosengefreiter Heinz SchÃ¶nerr
Matrosengefreiter Walter Merten
Matrosengefreiter Karl Forstner
Matrosengefreiter Robert Reche
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Kilimann

8/19/39
0200 Underway from Wilhelmshaven docks, bound for North Atlantic, Grid AM11. Everyone exited; rumor is that several boats have been sent out at once.
Nobody knows why.
0208 Passed inner harbor lighthouses.
0339 Passed outer reaches.

8/20/39
0200 First Position Report: AN63. Fuel 98%. Overcast, Raining, Sea Calm.

8/21/39
0200 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 96%. Raining, Sea Calm.
1428 Chief Petersen reports problems with port diesel. Running very rough. They are attempting repairs.
1612 Repairs to port diesel completed. Running on both now.
1648 Loud banging sound heard throughout boat. Port diesel now inoperative. Engineers to conduct complete stripdown to see what's wrong.
1932 Chief reports diesel has thrown a piston-rod. Will take several hours to replace. Proceeding on starboard diesel only.

8/22/39
0200 Position Report: AF79. Fuel 94%. Raining, Sea Moderate.
1126 Chief reports diesel crankshaft showing multiple cracks, probably from sudden stop when rod broke. He advises that crankshaft will almost certainly shatter if we attempt to run port deisel.
1135 Radioed OKM for advice on situation.
1301 Radio: OKM ordered us to return to Wilhelmshaven for replacement of diesel. Not the news we wanted for our first patrol, but what can we do?

8/23/39
0200 Position Report: AN39. Fuel 92%. Running at Full Speed on starboard diesel, maintaining 11 knots.

8/24/39
0200 Position Report: AN64. Fuel 90%.
2012 Entered Wilhelmshaven outer harbor.
2136 Entered inner harbor.
2152 Docked at Wilhelmshaven repair dock.

Crew unhappy, but spirits are high. We're told the engine will be replaced in four to five days. Two more for tests and we should be ready to go.

Bluewings · 01-03-06, 06:33 PM

What a bad luck GÃ¼nther ...

Hopefully , U-52 will be back into shape very soon as we need all the boats we can get .

How is life in Wilhelmshaven ? I haven 't been there for a looong time .
...

(excellent read

)

B. Goelf out .

Cheers .

SteamWake · 01-04-06, 04:18 PM

Nice job Steve.

Just like a crew to be dissapointed about not haveing to stare death in the face !

No worries your fate awaits you

donut · 01-05-06, 05:56 AM

Hi steve,patroled CA54 yet? Sandy Hook area is full of DE's,stay south, water is shallow also,boat took a beating. Decoys saved my hide!

01-05-06, 12:43 PM

Naw, for the sake of realism (in my own fevered mind anyway) I always go where they send me.

I'm surprised that no one's commented on the fact that this patrol started and ended before the war began. Poor Berke missed out on his chance to be at sea when war was declared.

It's okay, though; I'm running three different side-by-side careers, one from each flotilla, and one of them also went out on August 19, and has had some interesting adventures.

01-09-06, 01:24 PM

Bruno Asche

Patrol 1: September 1, 1939 Game played December 25-28, 2005

Lt. z.S. Bruno Asche was born November 8, 1912 in Essen.
He was inducted into the Kriegsmarine on April 1, 1934, age 21.
Became Officer SeeKadett December 1, 1934.
Promoted FÃ¤hnrich zur See November 1, 1935, one week before his 23rd birthday.
Promoted OberfÃ¤nrich z.S. May 1, 1937.
Served as Navigator aboard Type IIA U-4 from September 13, 1937 to February 22, 1938.
Promoted Leutnant z.S. October 1, 1937.
Assigned to U-Boat Flotilla Wedigen June 3, 1938 for command training.
Served as 2WO aboard Type IIB U-19 from August 6, 1938 to November 12, 1938, completing two training patrols.
Served as 1WO aboard Type IIA U-6 from January 9, 1939 to July 22, 1939, completing three patrols.
Assumed command of Type IIB U-14 August 12, 1939.
Was preparing for shakedown cruise with new crew when war started on September 1. Assigned immediate war patrol, departing as soon as possible. Since boat had just been preparing for cruise anyway, immediate departure was not a problem.

Lt. z.S. Bruno Asche

U-14: Flotilla Wedigen, Kiel
U-14 crew, September 1, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Bruno Asche
Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. GÃ¼nther Loh
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Werner Scholz
2WO: Leutnant z. S. Heinz Schmidt
Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Erich Steimle

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsman Emil Stephan
Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer
Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr

General Petty Officers:
Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen
Bootsmann Hans Mohr
Bootsmann Henning Hessler
Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt BÃ¶hling
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Dietrich Priller
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt
Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Brehme
Matrosengefreiter Rolf Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Siegfried Poske
Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel
Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen
Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen
Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn

9/1/39
0013 Underway from Kiel docks, Ahead Slow.
0029 Passed inner harbor lighthouses, increased speed to 1/3.
0103 Passed Kiel outer bar. Following Swedish merchant.
0124 Spotted Schnellboot on patrol.
0138 Exited Kiel Bay. Opened orders-we are to patrol in grid AN81, off the southeastern English coast.
0256 Have lost sight of Kiel lighthouses.
0256 Our Swedish friend is gone. He changed course to the north about half an hour ago.
0350 Last sight of land. Sky is growing light.
0425 Smoke spotted in distance, bearing 152.
0431 More smoke to the southeast, bearing 280.
0449 Still more smoke, bearing 072.
0510 Ship at 280 now at 320, close enough to identify as a destroyer. Unable to tell type; almost certainly one of ours.
Ship at 052 now at 085, appears to be a small trawler or tug.
Ship at 072 now at 110, small merchant of some type.
0557 Land spotted, bearing 305-Gulstav point, southern tip of Langeland.
0601 Radio: We are at war with Poland. Apparently they attacked one of our border stations.
0739 Entered Langelands BÃ¤lt.
1232 Rounded Langeland, entered Store BÃ¤lt.
2249 Lt. Scholz thinks he saw a ship far astern. I can't see anything in this darkness.

9/2/39
0000 First Position Report: AO72. Fuel 95%. Sky Clear. Sea State 3, Wind 10 m/s, waves about one-half meter high.
0143 Entered Kattegat.
1018 Rounded LaesÃ¸ Island.
1543 Rounded Hirtshals Point, the northernmost tip of Denmark, about 14 km NE of Skagen. We are now in the Skagerak.

9/3/39
0000 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 90%. Clear with a slight mist. Sea 4, wind 12 m/s, waves about one meter.
1256 Radio: War with Britain! Life is about to get interesting.
1400 Storm front moving in. Clouds building, waves rising.
1735 Position 110 km S of Kristiansandked-we have now enter the North Sea.
1753 Radio: Possible war with France-situation unclear. Do not attack French ships, fight only if attacked first.

9/4/39
0000 Position Report: AN38. Fuel 85%. Overcast, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, two-meter waves.
1201 Radio: Do not attack passenger liners-period!

9/5/39
0000 Position Report: AN66. Fuel 80%. Overcast, Sea 5.
1000 Weather has intensified-heavy going.
2351 Entered AN81. Set Ahead Slow for patrol.

9/6/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 75%. Overcast, Sea 10, Winds 30 m/s, nine-meter waves. Not deep enough to safely dive.
1142 Radio: Situation with France still unclear-do not stop French ships.
1400 Storm has passed, sky is clearing, waves still heavy.
1419 Radio: Distress call from SS Rio Claro, 46-30 North, 12-00 West; off the Bay of Biscay. Was it a storm or a U-Boat?
1426 Attacked by two British fighter-bombers. No time to evade, nowhere to dive to. Luckily both were wide of the mark.

9/7/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 72%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 25 m/s, six-meter waves.
1201 Radio: Merchant ships only targets-do not attack capital ships-FÃ¼hrer trying to negotiate peace with Britain.

9/8/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 8.
0001 Matrosengefrieter Arnold called out a ship at 231 degrees, but none of us could see anything.
0005 Dove for sound check.
0010 Nothing on hydrophones. Surfaced.
0741 Ship spotted, bearing 045.
0744 It's a small merchant. Ordered Ahead Flank.
0747 Can't make more than 10 knots in these waves; having trouble overtaking.
0750 Set course 090. Range is 5800.
0755 Range now 5200.
0800 Range 4600.
0805 Range now 4000. Ordered periscope depth, set course 150.
0815 Unable to obtain proper range through periscope, or keep the boat trimmed-sea to rough. Surfacing.
0816 Set course 060. Range 2400.
0817 He's seen us! Turning away.
0820 Range 2300, Bearing 062.
0825 Range 2200, Bearing 072. Set course 090.
0830 Range 1600, Bearing 051. He's definitely British.
0835 Range 1000, Bearing 060.
0836 Set course 125, Ahead Standard.
0839 Firing tubes 1 and 2. First torpedo missed. Second porpoised and exploded prematurely.
0840 Can't shoot in this weather. Returning to course, Ahead Slow.
0906 It took 27 minutes to load tube 1! Everyone's tired, fighting the sea as well as the British.
0930 Only took 24 minutes for tube 2. Sending as many to rest as possible.
1141 Radio: Set magnetic pistols back 2 stages. Only use impact pistols on ships of 3000 tons or less. Now they tell us.

9/9/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 8.

9/10/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 63%. Clear, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9 meters high. Impossible to rest, bottom too shallow, can't get deep enough to help.
1200 Following sea, boat is wallowing like a pig in mud.
1316 Radio: Convoys north of Brest may be attacked even if they have French escorts.

9/11/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 60%. Clear, Sea 10.
0900 Finally! The wind is dying. Sea is starting to calm.
1200 Conditions quite calm now. Enjoying the sun.
2029 Ship spotted, bearing 302. Set course 165, Ahead 1/3.
2040 Can now see him without binoculars. Moving across our bow. Set course 210, Ahead Standard.
2045 Whatever he is, he's a small one.
2050 It's a fishing boat! Returning to course, Ahead Slow.

9/12/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 57%. Clear, Sea 1, almost no wind, only small ripples on the water.
1700 Another storm moving in!

9/13/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 54%. Overcast, Sea 10.
2200 Several operational messages throughout the day, none of them concerning us.

9/14/39
1400 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 51%. Overcast, Sea 10.
1310 Radio: U-35 reports being attacked by British forces in BF33.
1600 Radio: Steamship Ida Drake rescuing survivors of SS British Influence. Looks like somebody's doing his job!

9/15/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 48%. Overcast, Sea 10.

9/16/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 45%. Overcast, Sea 10.
1508 Ship spotted! Bearing 243. Changed course to 060, Ahead Standard.
1511 Identified as small merchant, range about 8100 meters. Can't attack, sea too rough.
1600 Seas starting to calm down.
1700 Storm has pretty much passed.
1728 Aircraft! Gave order to dive to periscope depth, but too late. Luckily he missed us.
1730 Returning to course, staying submerged.
2200 Surfaced.

9/17/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 41%. Clear, Sea 0. Wind 2 m/s, almost dead calm.
0149 Ship spotted, bearing 282. He's heading right for us!
0150 Set up UZO.
0155 Medium sized cargo ship, range 3300.
0156 Sky is starry, moon is out; decided to attack submerged. Took down UZO, ordered Periscope Depth, Ahead Standard.
0200 Range now 2500. There's another ship far behind, can't tell what or who.
0204 Set course 270, coming about for attack run.
0206 Range 1600, Bearing 052.
0207 Speed Ahead 1/3.
0210 Range 700, speed Ahead Slow.
0211 Damn! He's Norwegian! They're neutral-can't shoot him!
0212 Turned north to check out the other one.
0221 Have lost sight of other ship. He must have been crossing our path. Returning to patrol.
0228 Sound Contact: merchant, bearing 278.
0230 Surfaced.
1202 Radio: Russia has joined us in the fight against Poland. An ally at last!
1542 Radio: U-27 reports two premature torpedo detonations.

9/18/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 39%. Sky clear, Sea 0.
1200 Weather has changed again; now overcast, sea moderately heavy.

9/19/39
0000 Position Report: Fuel 37%. Overcast, Sea 7, wind 22 m/s, waves about 4 meters high.
1646 Ship spotted! Bearing 086. Ahead Standard, Course 096.
1652 Changed course to 100.
1653 Medium-sized freighter, heading across our course, range about 7000.
1655 New course 110, Ahead Flank.
1658 Set course 120.
1700 Range 5200.
1701 Getting too close. Changed course to 150.
1705 Range now 3900, bearing 318.
1710 Range 2800, bearing 313.
1715 Range 1800, bearing 315. NO! Another Norwegian! Are they all moving to England for the winter?! Returning to course, Ahead Slow.

9/20/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 34%. Overcast, Sea 7.
1502 Radio: U-34 has sunk two merchants, totalling 11,000 tons! Great to hear!

9/21/39
0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 31%. Overcast, Sea 10. Heading for home, Ahead 1/3.

9/22/39
0000 Position Report: AN66. Fuel 26%. Clear, Sea 10.
1625 Radio: U-53 also heading home, low on food.

9/23/39
0000 Position Report: AN38. Fuel 21%. Sky clear, Sea 10.

9/24/39
0000 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 16%. Sky clear, Sea 10.
1400 Radio: French ships are now to be treated the same as British.
1528 Radio: Merchants using radios when stopped by U-boats may be sunk or taken as prizes.
1547 Rounded Hirtshals Point; back in Kattegat.
1600 Radio: Passenger liners carrying 120 people or less may be sunk.
2218 Rounded LaesÃ¸.

9/25/39
0000 Position Report: AO47. Fuel 11%. Partly Cloundy, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, 6-meter waves.
0752 Rounded GrenÃ¥.
1153 Smoke spotted, bearing 068. Must be either friendly or neutral, not changing course to investigate.
1542Can see land to East, almost certainly point off Kalundborg. Estimate 9 km to point, 36 km to port.
2223 Rounded North tip of Langeland.

9/26/39
0000 Position Report: AO76. Fuel 6%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8.
0413 Rounded Gulstav Point.
0441 Smoke spotted, bearing 301.
0456 It's a destroyer, likely one of ours.
0736 Ship spotted ahead.
0740 Another destroyer.
0806 Land spotted.
0833 More smoke dead ahead.
0912 Small merchant coming our way.
0933 He's Swedish; just passed us.
0947 Can make out the buildings at Kiel-almost home.
1001 Passed into Kiel Bay; wind has dropped considerably. It's quite pleasant now.
1040 Passed outer bar.
1106 Passed lighthouse into inner harbor. Reduced speed to Slow.
1125 Tied up at Kiel.

All in all a useless patrol. We were attacked twice by enemy planes, failed to sink one ship. Still, crew are in good spirits, anxious for a few days at home, but wanting to get to sea again.

September 26, 1939
1. Heinrich Liebe..........16,698
2. Herbert Schultze......14,777
3. Wilhelm Rollmann.....13,138
4. GÃ¼nther Prien.............8,270
Bruno Asche**......................0
GÃ¼nther Berke*.....................0
Berthold Cranmer*................0

Bluewings · 01-09-06, 03:09 PM

Excellent Report Kaleun .

I wish you better luck for your next Patrol

Cheers .

iambecomelife · 01-09-06, 06:41 PM

I liked them a lot.

You manage to keep them interesting even though there isn't much combat taking place ... yet.

01-14-06, 01:31 PM

Berthold Cranmer

Patrol 1: August 19, 1939 Game played January 7-9, 2006

Lt. z.S. Berthold Cranmer was born June 22, 1911, in Bojendorf.
He was inducted into the Kriegsmarine on April 1, 1934, age 22.
Became Officer SeeKadett January 23, 1935.
Promoted FÃ¤hnrich zur See August 1, 1935.
First posting: Training School, Assistant Navigation Instructor.
Promoted OberfÃ¤nrich z.S. September 1, 1937.
Promoted Leutnant z.S. January 1, 1938.
Navigation and Weather Instructor, March 17, 1938.
Assigned U-boat Flotilla Weddigen for U-boat command training on May 19, 1938.
Assigned IWO of U-13, Kiel, Flotilla Weddigen, May 19, 1938. 2 patrols, May16-June 7, 1939 and June 13-July 2, 1939.
Tansferred to Flotilla Wegener, Kiel, and assigned command of U-74 on August 1, 1939.

Lt. z.S. Berthold Cranmer

U-74: Flotilla Wegener, Kiel
U-74 crew, August 19, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Berthold Cranmer
Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. Karl Schewe
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Heinz Renken
2WO: Leutnant z. S. Alfred Moehle
Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. GÃ¼nter GÃ¶seke
Torpedo Officer: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Albrecht Zapf

Senior Helmsman/Third Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Peter Jenisch
Helmsman: Bootsmann Emil Brehme
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann GÃ¼nther Blank
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Otto RÃ¶ther
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Gerhard Hentrop

General Petty Officers:
Stabsoberbootsmann Gerhard Kilimann
Bootsmann Herbert Stephan
Bootsmann Friederich Goldbeck
Bootsmann Hans Sporer
Bootsmann Heinz Wissmann
Bootsmann Fritz Jungmann
Bootsmann Arend Baltz
Bootsmann Joachim Blaudow
Bootsmann Johan Reckhoff
Bootsmann Horst Richter
Bootsmann Hans Thurmann

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Heinz SchÃ¤fer
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Lothar Arnold
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Walter KÃ¼hn
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Walter KÃ¼hn

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Rolf Hertin
Matrosenobergefreiter Paul Folkers
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinrich Mitter
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Jungmann

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Hermann Bleek
Matrosengefreiter Adolf Scholz
Matrosengefreiter Rudolf Hartmann
Matrosengefreiter Curt Schmidt
Matrosengefreiter Dietmar Krech
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Babel
Matrosengefreiter Werner Gante
Matrosengefreiter Julius Wiebe
Matrosengefreiter Karl PrÃ¶chnow
Matrosengefreiter Paul HÃ¤nsel
Matrosengefreiter Heinrich Sander
Matrosengefreiter Robert Rasch
Matrosengefreiter Karl HÃ¶lzer
Matrosengefreiter Hans Heuer
Matrosengefreiter Hartwig Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Ludwig Bilstein
Matrosengefreiter Friederich Ganzer
Matrosengefreiter Wilhelm Metzler
Matrosengefreiter Ludwig Clausen
Matrosengefreiter Wilhelm BÃ¼low
Matrosengefreiter Reinhart Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Max Manke

8/19/39
1848 U-74 Departed Kiel docks.
1859 Passed inner harbor lighthouse.
1914 Passed inbound Americant merchant.
1926 Passed outer bar. Set 1/3 Speed. Moon just rising ahead as sun sets behind.
2023 Left Kiel outer bay.

8/20/39
0015 Entered LangelandsbÃ¤lt.
0426 Entered Store BÃ¤lt.
1900 Position Report: AO47. Fuel 98%. Clear skies, Sea State 3, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1/2 meter.

8/21/39
1900 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 96%. Clear, Sea 3, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 1/2 meter.

8/22/39
1900 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 94%. 84 km SW Arendal. Fuel 92%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 4 meters.

8/23/39
0942 Ship spotted, British merchant. Exchanged greetings in passing.
1900 Position Report: AN38. Fuel 92%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 23 m/s, Waves 4 meters.

8/24/39
1900 Position Report: AN66. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 4 meters.

8/25/39
1900 Position Report: AN82. Fuel 88%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 4 meters.

8/26/39
1900 Position Report: AN84, 160 km E Harwich. Fuel 86%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

8/27/39
1813 Entered English Channel.
1900 Position Report: AF33. Fuel 84%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

8/28/39
1900 Position Report: BF32, 80km S Portsmouth. Fuel 82%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

8/29/39
1200 Cruising in company with British destroyer.
1650 Our 'escort' has broken off to go his own way.
1900 Position Report: BF26. Fuel 80%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

8/30/39
1900 Position Report: BF25. Fuel 78%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 9 m/s, Waves 2 meters.
2230 Have left Channel, entered Atlantic.

8/31/39
1900 Position Report: BF19. Fuel 76%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

9/1/39
0602 Radio: OKM reports we are at war with Poland. All Polish ships are to be considered valid targets, and may be sunk at commander's descretion. Good, we don't have to wait for permission. Apparently Polish troops attacked a border radio station. Curious timing, though-right after a number of U-boats are assigned to Atlantic stations.
1900 Position Report: BF18. Fuel 74%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

9/2/39
1900 Position Report: Fuel 72%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

9/3/39
0317 Arrived BF17. Ahead Slow for patrol.
1255 Radio: OKM reports we are at war with Britain. We may wage war on British shipping in accordance with international prize regulations.
1359 Radio: London Protocols must be obeyed. We must stop and search suspect ships, therefore attacks should be concentrated on troopships and ships carrying
war materials.
1403 Radio: Prize regulations must be observed only if enemy ship is unarmed. If armed, it may be sunk without warning.
1552 Radio: FdU: We are officially at war with England-do not wait to be attacked first.
1753 Radio: France has declared war on Germany, but situation is unclear. For the time being do not attack French ships.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 71%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

9/4/39
1159 Radio: FdU: Passenger ships may not be attacked or searched whether alone or in convoy. They have a free pass.
1347 Radio: Restriction on Passenger Liners does not apply to cargo ships-suspect ships must be searched, ships obviously carrying war materials may be sunk without warning.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 70%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

9/5/39
1900 Position Report: Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0, Waves 0.

9/6/39
0800 Storm moving in. Wind freshening, waves building, clouds increasing. Feels like it might be a big one.
1217 Ship spotted, Bearing 264
1223 Radio: FdU: French situation still unclear. French ships are not to be stopped for any reason.
1224 Looks like a destroyer, probably British.
1248 Lost sight of him in the increasing fog.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 68%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 31 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50 meters to escape the motion.

9/7/39
1300 Surfaced to recharge batteries and clear air.
1423 Radio: FdU: Due to attempts to negotiate peace with Britain, British warships are not to be attacked-merchants only.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 67%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50 meters again.

9/8/39
1300 Surfaced
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 31 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving again.

9/9/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 65%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters.

9/10/39
1055 Sound Contact: Merchant, Bearing 285. Ordered periscope depth.
1058 There he is, Range 5900.
1100 Range 4800. Ahead Flank.
1105 Range 4000, Bearing 330. Ordered crew to attack stations.
1108 Range 3600, Bearing 328.
1110 Range 3300, Bearing 327.
1112 Range 3000, Bearing 327. He's a big one. Set torpedo depth to 8 meters.
1114 Range 2700, Bearing 326.
1116 Range 2500, Bearing 325.
1118 Range 2200, Bearing 325.
1120 Range 2000, Bearing 325.
1122 Range 1700, Bearing 326.
1124 Range 1300, Bearing 331.
1126 Range 1100, Bearing 334.
1127 Range 900, Bearing 336.
1128 Range 765, Bearing 340.
1129 Range 625, Bearing 345.
1130 Firing tube 1, Range 550.
1131 Missed! Firing tube 2, Range 465.
1132 Hit! Firing tube 3, Range 420.
1133 Missed again! Firing 4.
1134 Hit! Target listing heavily.
1138 Target sank.
1139 Returning to course, Ahead Slow.
1500 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 64%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 34 m/s, Waves 10 meters. Diving to 50.

9/11/39
0350 Sound Contact, Merchant, Bearing 011. Surfacing, Course 135, Ahead 1/3.
0415 Spotted him, Bearing 015. Set course 155.
0440 Set course 180, Ahead Standard.
0500 Range about 4000, hard to tell in the approaching dawn.
0510 Range 2600.
0520 Range 1300. Turning to attack.
0524 Firing 1, Range 350.
0525 Missed!
0527 Firing 2, trailing shot, Range 315.
0528 Missed again! This one gets away. Lesson learned: don't try to attack in this weather.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 63%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50.

9/12/39
1300 Surfaced to recharge.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 62%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving again.

9/13/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 61%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50 m.

9/14/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 60%. Partly cloudy, Sea 11, Wind 36 m/s, Waves 10 m. Diving.

9/15/39
1300 Surfaced
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 59%. Partly cloudy, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 10 m. Diving to 50 m.

9/16/39
1300 Surfaced.
1322 Radio: Convoy in BF15, 235 km NW our position, headed W. Intersect point 90 km N. We're late-message originally sent 0847.
1323 Course 000, Ahead Standard.
1710 Arrived intersect point. Course 090, Ahead Slow. Given earlier problems, don't know if we can attack in this weather, but against a full convoy we'll try.
1900 Position Report: BF14. Fuel 57%. Overcast, Sea ranging from 6 to 10, highly variable, Winds from 20-35 m/s, Waves unpredictable. Diving to 50 m.

9/17/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF15. Fuel 56%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50 m.
1901 Apparently we've missed them. Returning to BF17, Course 220.
1911 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 071. Rudder amidships, leveling off at 25 meters.
1914 No further contact. Turning to 180 to see if he was in our forward baffles.
1915 Nothing. Returning to 220.
1934 Contact-Merchant, Bearing 054. Seems likely it's the same one. Again it's only one, not a convoy.
1935 Set Course 270.
1937 Ahead Standard. Contact immediately lost.
1938 Course 260.
1939 Contact not regained. Ahead Slow, Periscope Depth. Let's see if we can see anything.
1942 Nothing to be seen, still no sound contact. Returning to course 220, 50 meters.

9/18/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF18. Fuel 55%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 34 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 50.

9/19/39
0844 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 058.
0846 Set Course 060.
0900 No further contact.
0918 Sound contact-Merchant, Bearing 016.
0919 Contact immediately lost.
1000 No further contact. Returning to patrol course.
1300 Surfaced to recharge.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 54%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 8 meters. Back to 50.

9/20/39
1300 Surfaced. Weather calmed considerably.
1500 Radio: U-34 reports 2 ships sunk for 11,000 tons. Good to hear someone having luck.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 53%. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 4 meters. Staying surfaced.

9/21/39
1134 Radio: New warning not to attack French shipping.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 52%. Onercast, Sea 7, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 4 meters.

9/22/39
0838 Radio: Convoy in BE39, 148 km WNW our position, and heading W. Too bad, there's no way we could catch them.
1430 Weather has picked up again.
1829 Radio: Second request in as many days for U-39 to report in. Afraid they might be lost.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 51 %. Heavy Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Back to routine of diving deep. 50 meters.

9/23/39
1300 Surfaced to recharge.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 50%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50 again.
2212 Sound Contact-Merchant, Bearing 080. Weather too heavy to attack.

9/24/39
1300 Surfaced.
1357 Radio: Full war now authorized against France.
1445 Radio: U-34 reports capturing S.S. Hanonia in North Sea; taking her to Kiel as prize.
1528 Radio: Any shipped using radio when stopped for search may be sunk or taken as prize.
1549 Radio: Convoy 40 km ESE our position, heading WNW. Set Course 060, Ahead Standard.
1559 Radio: Passenger ships may now be sunk, but only if carrying 120 people or less.
1719 Have reached intersect point. Set Course 150, diving to 30 meters, Ahead Slow.
1721 Multiple contacts, Bearing 038. This is it.
1722 Set Course 240, Ahead 1/3.
1728 Contact general direction now 309.
1729 Periscope Depth.
1732 Can see nothing in these driving waves and winds. Contacts now ranging from 306 to 312.
1733 Surfaced.
1745 Have seen nothing. Periscope Depth for Sound Check.
1746 Contact, Bearing 322.
1747 Surfaced, Course 210.
1800 Sound Check.
1805 Five minutes with no contact. Surfacing, Course 270, Ahead Standard.
1806 Sound Contact, Bearing 301. We dive and hear nothing, but once we surface we plunge deep enough to hear something.
1807 Back to Course 240.
1808 I'd hate to be on a surface ship in this weather.
1810 No reason to dive for a sound check; getting plenty of contacts anyway.
1841 Ship Spotted, Bearing 012.
1845 Set Course 270.
1847 All we can see are three small merchants. Tough to target them.
1853 Can see more ships now. Mixed bag, some are neutrals, appears to be no escort.
1855 Have a small British coaster in our sights, Range 900, Bearing 343.
1858 WHAT?! There's a big British merchant heading the wrong way, against the convoy. Must be having steering problems. Left Full Rudder.
1859 Midships, Course 210. Target Range 1100, Bearing 025.
1900 More ships seem to be in trouble. Some of the smaller ones are plunging quite deep.
1901 Range 790, Bearing 010. Setting eels to run deep. Hope magnetics work.
1902 Firing 1. Hit! Firing 2.
1903 Hit! Target listing heavily, down by stern.
1905 Target sank fairly level, slightly stern first.
1908 Set Course 270; going after small tanker.
1913 Big merchant about 1800 meters ahead. Saw him earlier; think he's neutral.
1922 Pulling ahead of tanker. Funny: we're surfaced, they can surely see us but don't seem to be reacting. Perhaps it's all they can do to fight this weather.
1920 Ach! Suddenly realized the big one right next to us is British! Only 200 meters to our starboard!
1930 Right Full Rudder, Speed 2 knots.
1932 Midships. Firing 3. Firing 4.
1933 Hit! Ahhh! Explosions! Must be ammunition ship! Another hit! Ship breaking into several pieces.
1934 Target sank quickly. Diving to 50 meters, turning away from convoy. Funny, sometimes it takes two or three to sink a ship, sometimes you fire two only to find out one did the trick and the other was wasted.
2100 Surfaced.
2105 Filed report: BF17. Fuel 48%. 2 more ships sunk.
2106 Returned to 50 meters.

9/25/39
1300 Surfaced.
1500 Sky is clearing, partly cloudy now.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 47%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. No torpedoes forward, two aft. Can't load externals.

9/26/39
0800 Surfaced to enjoy sunshine.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 46%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 50.

9/27/39
0800 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 45%. Overcast, Sea 11, Wind 36 m/s, Waves 10 meters. Diving to 50 meters.

9/28/39
1300 Surfaced.
1711 Radio: Italian, Russian Japanese and Spanish ships may be stopped to check papers, but may not be sunk or captured.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 44%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8 m. Diving.

9/29/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 43%. Raining, Sea 6, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 3. Diving anyway-who needs the rain?
2340 Sound Contact-Merchant, Bearing 014.
2341 Surfaced, Course 230.
2350 Can't see 100 meters in this rain. Diving to 50 again.

9/30/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 42%. Rain, Sea 6, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 3. Diving.

10/1/39
1300 Surfaced to recharge.
1731 Radio: Convoy in our grid. We have no means to attack. Using only stern tubes in this weather not a good idea with possible escorts.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 41%. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 4 meters. Diving to 50.

10/2/39
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 40%. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 4 meters. Diving.

10/3/39
1300 Surfaced to find dead calm sea and clear skies.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 39%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0, Waves 0.
2300 Turned out crew for external torpedo transfer.
2305 Boat stopped, hoist rigged, beginning transfer.
2342 Transfer complete.
2347 Hoist stowed. Set ahead slow.
2354 Tube 1 loaded.

10/4/39
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 38%. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 3 m/s, Waves 5cm ripples.

10/5/39
0330 Radio: Lone ship 95 km S of us, heading ENE. Set course 120, Ahead 1/3. Sky clouding up.
0450 Course 240, Ahead Slow.
1200 We must have missed him in the rain. Returning to course.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 37%. Rain, Sea 5, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

10/6/39
1148 Radio: Poland has surrendered; Polish ships are still to be considered hostile.
1431 Radio: All boats are to report any incorrect procedure on the part of neutral ships.
1900 Position Report: BF17. Fuel 36%. Rain, Sea 5, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

10/7/39
0206 Radio: Ship just 26 km SSW our position, heading ENE. Set Course 210.
0335 Diving for Sound Check.
0344 Contact, Bearing 247. Set Course 115, Ahead Flank.
0400 Contact now Bearing 330. Set Course 060.
0401 Bearing 020. Set Course 080.
0403 lost contact, Bearing 020. Must be forward baffles.
0405 Tried Observation periscope. Rain has stopped, can see smoke ahead. Surfaced, Ahead Standard.
0406 There he is, dead ahead.
0407 Set up UZO; too far to tell anything.
0408 Ahead Full.
0420 Have lost sight of him.
0430 He seems to have vanished. Either he was making more than 14 knots, or he just disappeared. I guess it's just one of those great mysteries of life.
0431 Returning to course, Ahead Slow.
1900 Position Report: BF17, Fuel 35%. Clear, Sea 4, Wind 7 m/s, Waves 1 meter. Heading for home (certainly NOT through the channel this time), Ahead 1/3.

10/8/39
1900 Position Report: AM87. Fuel 33%. Clear, Sea 4, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 1 m.
2055 Lt. Moehele ordered dive to periscope depth. Destroyer spotted, Bearing 012.
2056 Ahead Slow.
2057 It's a C-class destroyer, Range 4400.
2105 Range 3700, Bearing 068.
2110 Range 4300, Bearing 096.
2115 Range impossible to determine in evening dusk, probably about 5000. Will stay submerged until copletely dark.
2300 Surfaced.

10/9/39
1900 Position Report: AM54. Fuel 31%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 2 m.

10/10/39
0700 Wind has freshened, waves rising.
1900 Position Report: AM27. Fuel 29%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 26 m/s, Waves 5m.

10/11/39
1900 Position Report: AM33. Fuel 27%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 9m.

10/12/39
0700 Wind has died again. Scattered clouds.
1900 Position Report: AN11. Fuel 25%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 1, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.
2100 Radio: Some merchant reporting picking up survivors from another one.

10/13/39
1900 Position Report: AF78. Fuel 23%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 2, Wind 7 m/s, Waves 1/4 meter.
2145 Radio: Incomplete message; U-42 reports "sinkings". Is he in trouble, or did he sink multiple ships?

10/14/39
0730 Radio: U-45 reports convoy in BE33.
1145 Radio: BdU ordering U-45 to attack.
1400 Storm moving in fast.
1900 Position Report: AN23. Fuel 21%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m.

10/15/39
1900 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 18%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 9m.

10/16/39
1900 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 15%. Heavy Rain, Sea 9, Wind 27 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.
2108 Sound contact-Merchant. Probably friendly or at least neutral. Too heavy to attack anyway.

10/17/39
1300 Surfaced. Weather unchanged.
1900 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 14%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 50.

10/18/39
0702 Water getting shallow. Coming to 30 meters.
1300 Surfaced.
1900 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 13%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 30.
2250 Water getting shallower. Coming up to 20 meters.
2310 Getting too shallow altogether. Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.

10/19/39
0700 Storm has lifted. Smooth sailing now.
1113 Ship spotted. Friendly destroyer.
1900 Position Report: AO75. Fuel 11%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 3m.

10/20/39
0232 Land spotted!
0328 Entered Kiel Bay.
0357 Passed outer bar.
0416 Passed into inner harbor, Speed 5 knots.
0433 Tied up at recieving dock. U-74 home safely.

Confirmed Sinkings:
9/11/39: British merchant S.S. SolÃ¸r; 6,993 tons.
9/24/39: British merchant S.S. McDowell; 5,690 tons.
...............British merchant S.S. Meacham; 5,218 tons.
Total: 17,901 tons.

October 20,1939
1. Herbert Schultze..................51,930
2. GÃ¼nther Prien......................37,420
3. Werner Hartmann................21,198
4. Berthold Cranmer**.............17,901
5. Heinrich Liebe.......................16,698
6. Wilhelm Rollman...................16,391
7. Joachim Schepke....................2,348
8. Otto Kretschmer.........................876
Bruno Asche*.....................................0
Gunther Berke*..................................0

10/22/39
Happy day! Chief Engineer Schewe and I have both been promoted!

01-21-06, 12:50 PM

GÃ¼nther Berke

Patrol 2: September 3, 1939 Game played December 30, 2005-January 6, 2006

Sent on first patrol August 19, 1939, Grid AM11. Two days out port diesel broke down completely. After a full day trying to repair, radioed for permission to return to Wilhelmshaven. Permission granted and we turned back. The engine had to be completely replaced. This accomplished in 7 days; ready for sea again on August 31. While awaiting new orders we found ourselves at war. On September 2 we recieved orders to put out the following evening.

Lt. z.S. GÃ¼nther Berke

U-52: Fotilla Saltzwedel, Wilhelmshaven
U-52 crew, September 3, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. GÃ¼nther Berke
Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. Ernst Petersen
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Viktor Witte
2WO: Leutnant z.S. Georg Lobin
Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Otto Steinmetz
Medic: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Axel Bargsten

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Harro Staats
Helmsman: Bootsmann Heinz KlÃ¤bisch
Assistant to Chief: Stabsoberbootsmann Ulrich Folkers
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Hans Maddaus
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Kurt Mohr
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Reinhart Kraus

General Petty Officers:
Stabsbootsmann Werner Piening
Bootsmann Victor Schmidt
Bootsmann Frantz Vogel
Bootsmann Reinhard Eppen
Bootsmann Fritz Claussen
Bootsmann Manfred Reckhoff
Bootsmann Viktor Zinke
Bootsmann Alfred Schacht
Bootsmann Werner Trojer
Bootsmann Rolf Eckerman

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Wiebe
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Hans Hirtl
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Miedza
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Karl HÃ¶lzer

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Eisen
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Frentzen
Matrosenobergefreiter Carl Soden
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Radloff

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Frank
Matrosengefreiter Hans Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Horst Leidig
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Baur
Matrosengefreiter Alfred Eick
Matrosengefreiter Hans Schael
Matrosengefreiter Anton Bielig
Matrosengefreiter Jost Panknin
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Wagner
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Brandi
Matrosengefreiter Gunther Kraus
Matrosengefreiter Hannes Muder
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Janz
Matrosengefreiter Ernst Soden
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Balke
Matrosengefreiter Georg Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Johannes Lasch
Matrosengefreiter Heinz SchÃ¶nerr
Matrosengefreiter Walter Merten
Matrosengefreiter Karl Forstner
Matrosengefreiter Robert Reche
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Kilimann

9/3/39
2350 Underway from Wilhelmshaven docks.

9/4/39
0001 Passed out of inner harbor.
0006 Set course 075, Ahead 1/3.
0039 Set course 000.
0057 Set course 325, into the Jade.
0101 Spotted schnellboot on harbor patrol
0108 Spotted small U-boat, Type II, 2 km off port bow, inbound.
0112 Spotted friendly destroyer, inbound.
0211 Passing SchillighÃ¶rn, out of the Jade, into North Sea. Opened orders: We are assigned grid AM32, south of the Faroe Islands. We'll be blockading the passage from the North Sea to the Atlantic.
0250 Passing Wangerooge. On our own now.
0251 Or not. Spotted another friendly U-boat.
0404 Spotted destroyer. In morning gloom we didn't see him until he was only 6 km away.
0600 Passed 6 km west of Helgoland.
1201 Radio: Do not attack passenger liners under any circumstances.
1345 Radio: Orders on merchant ships unchanged.
2300 First Position Report: AN38. Fuel 98%. Sky Clear, Sea 3, 1/2-meter waves, wind 10 m/s.

9/5/39
1016 Ship spotted, bearing 033. Set course 020, Ahead Standard.
1019 Cargo ship, roughly 12,000 meters.
1021 Set course 030, Ahead Flank.
1025 Range now 10,000.
1030 Range 8000. Set course 060. She's medium size, probably 6000 tons or so.
1035 Range 6000.
1040 Range 4500.
1045 Range 2700.
1050 Can see flag now; she's Norwegian. Returning to course, Ahead 1/3.
1158 Radio: SS Pluvoise stopped by U-boat, reporting position. Probably French from the name. Does this mean we should sink them instead?
2300 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 96%. Raining, Sea 10, 9-meter waves, wind roughly 30 m/s. Diving to 70 meters, Ahead Slow.
2353 Sound contact-Merchant. No use trying to attack a lone ship in this weather.

9/6/39
1700 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
1942 Radio: French situation unclear, do not attack or stop French ships.
2300 Position Report: AN23. Fuel 94%. Sky clear, Sea 10. Diving to 70 meters, Ahead Slow.

9/7/39
1700 Surfaced, 1/3 speed.
2042 Radio: Attack only British merchants-no capital warships. FÃ¼hrer trying to negotiate peace with British.
2300 Position Report: AF79. Fuel 92%. Sky clear, Sea 10. Diving to 70 meters, Ahead Slow.

9/8/39
1700 Surfaced to clear skies and good weather. Ahead 1/3.
1924 Ship spotted, bearing 085. Set course 010, Ahead full.
1927 There! I see him now.
1928 Set up UZO.
1929 Small merchant, range about 6500 meters. Set course 000, Ahead Full.
1930 Range now 5900.
1935 Range 3800.
1937 Water washing over deck-not safe for gun crew. Will attack with torpedoes.
1937 Periscope depth, Ahead Flank.
1940 Set course 330.
1042 Set course 270.
1943 Range now 1200
1945 Range 970.
1946 Range 880.
1947 Range 730. The sun is behind him-can't make out flag.
1949 Range 600.
1950 Range 490. I can see her flag clearly now-she's definitely British!
1951 Firing Tube 1, steam torpedo, range 450.
1952 Missed!
1955 Firing Tube 2, range 370. Hit! Right at the stern!
1956 Target sank almost immediately. Credit for first sighting goes to matrosengefreiter Hertin.
2300 Position Report: AF79. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 5, 2-meter waves, wind 13 m/s. Staying on surface.

9/9/39
0940 Radio: Single ship contact report: 70 km south of us. Ignoring, continuing to patrol grid.
2300 Position Report: AF77. Fuel 89%. Clear, Sea 6, 3-meter waves, wind 17 m/s.

9/10/39
1416 Radio: French may be attacked if in convoy and north of Brest.
1814 Entered Patrol Grid AM32. Ahead Slow to conserve fuel.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 88%. Clear, Sea 5, 2-meter waves, wind 12 m/s.

9/11/39
1501 Radio: Another Tommie has gone to the bottom. Picked up a report of a merchant called Royal Sceptre being sunk.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 87%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/12/39
0241 Ship spotted-Merchant, bearing 019. Set course 140, Ahead Standard.
0250 With the moon shining down we saw him at almost 3000 meters.
0255 Set course 120, Ahead Full.
0300 Range 7500. Set Course 110.
0305 Range 5900. Set Course 060.
0310 Range 3900. Ordered crew to Attack Stations.
0315 Range 2500.
0320 Range 1200. Set Course 145, Ahead 1/3.
0321 Firing tube 3, Range 670.
0322 Hit! My God, what were they carrying?! Huge explosions tearing the ship apart! Don't see how anyone could have survived that.
0335 Tube 3 reloaded in just 12 minutes. Good job!
0400 Have spent the last half hour searching for survivors; no luck. Returning to course, Ahead Slow.
0951 Radio: Returning Atlantic boats report when off Norderney or AbelÃ¶.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 86%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/13/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 84%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 27 m/s, Waves 8 meters.

9/14/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 82%. Clear, Sea 9.

9/15/39
0659 Radio: Convoy report from U-31. He gives his grid coordinates, but not the grid itself! I guess FdU knows where he is.
0858 Radio: FdU ordering U-29, U-34 and U-53 to join in the attack. They must know where they are. I sure don't!
1520 Radio: Condor reports a ship 23 km SE of us, heading our way. Set course 225, Ahead Standard.
1551 There he is! Set up UZO.
1553 Medium-sized merchant, 7600 meters off.
1554 Set Course 330, Ahead Flank.
1600 Range 5600.
1603 Ordered Periscope Depth.
1605 Range 4200.
1610 Range 3200, Bearing 275.
1615 Range 2240, Bearing 270.
1620 Range 1260, Bearing 260. Ordered Action Stations.
1622 Range 875. Set Course 240.
1623 Range 518, Bearing 290.
1625 Firing tube 4, Range 300. Hit!
1629 Firing tube 1, Range 328. Hit!
1630 Target down to 4 knots, listing slightly to starboard. He's down to 1 knot-TOO CLOSE! Right full rudder! Dive! Dive!
1631 Somehow we missed him.
1633 Returned to Periscope Depth.
1634 Target stopped, still listing.
1637 Tube 4 loaded.
1649 Tube 1 loaded.
1800 Merchant crew has abandoned ship, lifeboats safely away.
1805 Surfaced.
1806 Opening up with deck gun.
1813 Target sinking after 13 rounds.
1815 Made sure merchant crew safe, radioing position to British. Funny, this sinking ended up being almost exactly the same spot as the last one.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 81%, Slight mist, otherwise clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

9/16/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 80%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 6 meters.

9/17/39
1158 Radio: Russia has joined us in the struggle against Poland!
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 79%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8.

9/18/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 78%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 70 meters to escape storm.

9/19/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 77%. Overcast, Sea 10. Diving to 70 meters.

9/20/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 76%. Overcast, Sea 10. Back to 70 meters.

9/21/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 75%. Overcast, Sea 10. 70 meters dive.

9/22/39
0941 Sound contact; Merchant, bearing 315. Coming to periscope depth, Ahead 1/3.
0946 No contact, no sighting. Diving to 30 meters, Ahead Slow.
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32 Fuel 74%. Overcast, Sea State 10. Back to 70 meters.

9/23/39
1700 Surfaced to clear skies and calm seas. After four days the storm has passed.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 73%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

9/24/39
1401 Radio: France is now to be treated the same as Britain. French merchants are targets, warships are not.
1527 Radio: Any stopped ship using radio to report are to be sunk or taken as prizes.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 72%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/25/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 71%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/26/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 70%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9 meters.

9/27/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 68%. Clear, Sea 10.

9/28/39
1201 Radio: Our forces have surrounded Warsaw.
1712 Radio: Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish ships are to be stopped and investigated, but not sunk or taken as prizes.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/29/39
0848 Radio: Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish ships are not to be stopped at all.
1030 Radio: Task Force spotted in AM42. They shouldn't bother us, being more than 1200 km away.
2018 Watch Officer Lobin ordered a quick dive, rousting me from my bunk. They had spotted two British warships not too far away.
2020 Two light cruisers, about 6000 meters away, with no escort. Ordered Ahead Standard, Course 005.
2025 Range 7500, making 30 knots away from us. No hope of an intercept.
2030 Range now 8400. It doesn't look like they'll be turning back this way.
2033 Lost sight of them. Surfacing, returning to course.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 64%. Clear, Sea 5.

9/30/39
1426 Radio: Prize regulations to cease in Baltic and North Seas. Ships in those areas may be sunk without warning.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 63%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 36 m/s. Ordered 70 meters dive.
2400 My birthday passed without incident, and no one knew. I consider this a good thing.

10/1/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 62%. Weather unchanged. Celebrated our fourth week at sea by diving to 80 meters.

10/2/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 61%. Clear, seas still extremely heavy, winds 29 m/s. Diving to 70 meters.

10/3/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 60%. Weather even worse, winds to 35 m/s. 70 meters.

10/4/39
1700 Surfaced to beautiful weather.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 59%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

10/5/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 58%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

10/6/39
1148 Radio: Poland has surrendered. With the war in the East over, perhaps we can negotiate with the British and French.
1427 Radio: We are ordered to report any neutrals who do not follow correct procedures.
2300 Position report: AM32. Fuel 57%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 15 m/s, 2-meter waves.

10/7/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 56%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2 meters.

10/8/39
0800 Wind has freshened again. We may never get to load that external torpedo.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 55%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s. Waves up to 6 meters.

10/9/39
1441 Radio: British warship spotted, AN15. That's 600 km away, but he is heading in our general direction.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 54%. Clear, Sea 8, Winds 27 m/s, Waves 7 meters.

10/10/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 53%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6 meters.

10/11/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 52%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8 meters.

10/12/39
0920 Radio: Merchant spotted, AN13. 160 km east of us, heading away. Not much use to try to chase him in this weather.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 51%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters.

10/13/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 50%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 8 meters.

10/14/39
0727 Radio: U-45 reports convoy in BE33, about 1400 kilometers SE of us. It will turn into the channel and never come near us.
1142 Radio: BdU has ordered U-45 to go ahead and attack them.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 49%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 35 m/s, Waves 10 meters. Any worse and we dive.

10/15/39
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 48%. Sky Overcast, heavy rain, Sea 10, Wind 34 m/s, 10-meter waves. That's it, ordering 70-meter dive.

10/16/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge batteries and refresh air in boat.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 47%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 8 meters. Diving to 70 meters.

10/17/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 46%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 70.

10/18/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 45%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 70 meters.

10/19/39
1700 Surfaced.
2016 Radio: Stopped merchants are no longer to be boarded; let them send a boat. Papers may be examined. Ships may be stopped by gunfire, but sunk only with torpedoes. Under no circumstances are we to engage armed merchants in gun duels.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 44%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 35 m/s, Waves 10 meters. Diving to 70.

10/20/39
1700 Surfaced. Tenth day of storm.
2138 Radio: Warning: Torpedoes are running 2 meters deeper than set, adjust depth settings accordingly.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 43%. Sky clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving again.

10/21/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 42%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Back to 70.

10/22/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 41%. Overcast, Sea 11, Wind 36 m/s, Waves 11 meters. If we didn't need to recharge the batteries I'd never surface in this weather.

10/23/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 40%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 70 again.

10/24/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 39%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 35 m/s, Waves 11 meters. Diving again.

10/25/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 38%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Back to 70.

10/26/39
1700 Surfaced.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 37%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 8 meters. Diving again.

10/27/39
1700 Surfaced to recharge.
1759 Radio: Enemy using liners as troopships. May attack liners travelling in convoys
2000 Radio: Repeat of previous order-ships may no longer be boarded-they must send a boat to us or be sunk.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 36%. Rain, Sea 10.

10/28/39
1700 Surfaced.
2000 Radio: Convoy in CG22, far south of us.
2300 Position Report: AM32. Fuel 35%. Raining, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving again, and heading for home.
2302 Sound contact, Merchant, bearing 345. First contact in weeks, and the weather prevents us from doing anything about it.

10/29/39
1700 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AE99. Fuel 34%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8 meters. Diving to 70.

10/30/39
1700 Surfaced...and NOW the sky is clear and the seas are relatively calm!
2250 Radio: Warship in grid AM35-far behind us.
2300 Position Report: AF77. Fuel 33?%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 21 m/s, waves 3 meters. Smooth going for the voyage home, at least.

10/31/39
0551 Radio: U-25 reports malfunctions with contact pistols.
1230 Just back from a turn on the bridge; it's so good to enjoy the sun again.
2300 Position Report: AF78. Fuel 30%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, waves 2 meters.

11/1/39
2300 Position Report: AN23. Fuel 28%. Clear, Sea 4, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1 meter.

11/2/39
0450 Radio: Condor reports lone merchant, 34 km SW of our position, heading NNE. Set course 220, Ahead Standard.
0534 Ship spotted, bearing 018. Set course 225. Spotting credit goes to matrosegengefreiter SchÃ¶nerr.
0545 Ordered periscope depth.
0546 Range 4300.
0548 Range 3600. Ahead Slow.
0550 Range 2600.
0552 Range 2100.
0554 Range 1500. Set course 150.
0555 Range 1150.
0557 Range 745, Bearing 040.
0558 Range 535, Bearing 025.
0559 Range 414, Bearing 010. Can see flag clearly now-definitely British. Firing tube 2.
0600 Missed! Right Full Rudder, Ahead Flank, course 085.
0602 Range 500, Bearing 015.
0608 Firing tube 3. Miss!
0609 Firing tube 4. Missed again!.
0610 Firing tube 1. Missed!
0611 Surfaced.
0612 Attacking with deck gun. Weather is a bit heavy, but our speed is slow and the boys are willing to face it, anxious to sink this one.
0616 Tube 2 is loaded again, the only one we have left forward.
0619 18 rounds fired so far, 16 hits, 2 misses. Range is about 300 meters. The sun has just peeped up ahead of us.
0630 36 rounds fired, 30 hits, 6 misses.
0632 Target stopped. Ordered cease fire.
0634 Crew is abandoning ship. 1 lifeboat in water so far.
0635 Target is capsizing. Crew in trouble. Unable to get any closer while ship is still sinking.
0636. Ship gone. only one lifeboat-many men in the water. Putting out rubber boats in attempt to help.
0652 28 survivors out of a crew of 37. Have decided to take lifeboat and our boats under tow-130 km to Norway coast.
0700 Set course 090, speed 3 knots, towing 1 lifeboat and 2 rafts. This way they have room to be comfortable, and if we're attacked we can cut them loose quickly.
2300 Position Report: AN29. Fuel 27%. Clear, Sea 0, wind 4 m/s.

11/3/39
0212 Land spotted ahead. Intend to drop them at a small fishing village called Kopervik.
0249 Ship spotted, Bearing 245. Setting up UZO.
0252 Some kind of big fishing boat; can't tell anything else about him in the dark.
0317 He's passing behind us, about 5000 meters away.
0351 Have lost sight of him.
0445 Have entered Kopervik Bay, speed 1 knot.
0520 Have stopped at Kopervik, cutting boats loose.
0530 All British sailors ashore; the locals will take care of them. Recovering rubber boats. Would like to reload the external torpedo, but don't want to risk offending the Norwegian authorities. They might try to insist on interning us, and that could turn ugly.
0531 Reverse slow, have to back out of tiny bay.
0540 Ahead 1/3, Right Full Rudder. On our way again.
0630 Ship spotted, Bearing 073. Another fisherman, or the same one. Ignoring him and continuing on our way.
1418 Ship spotted, Bearing 027. Looks pretty big. Set Course 180 to intercept.
1420 Fair-sized cargo ship, Range about 6000. 1 eel forward, 2 aft, plus two externals, but no time now to bring them aboard.
1422 Periscope Depth.
1424 Range 4800.
1426 Range 4200.
1428 Range 3550. Ahead Slow.
1430 Range 2900.
1432 Range 2250.
1434 Range 1450.
1435 Set Course 255.
1437 Range 890.
1438 Range 600. Can see his flag; he's Norwegian. Turning for home.
2000 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
2300 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 26%. Clear, Sea 1 Wind 3 m/s, small wavelets only sea activity.
2338 ALARM! Ship, right off our port bow! Emergency dive, but only to 30 meters.
2340 Returned to Periscope Depth.
2341 It's a big cargo ship, still headed right for us, but range about 2100 meters. We were in no immediated danger, but still a good call by Leutnant Witte.
2342 Ordered Ahead Flank to get out of his path. Don't think he ever saw us.
2343 Ahead 1/3. Readying tube 5.
2344 Range 1075. Ahead Slow.
2345 Range 990.
2346 Range 930.
2347 He's another Norwegian. Returning to homeward course.

11/4/39
0009 Have finally lost sight of him
0011 Surfaced, Ahead 1/3.
0047 Radio: U-25 reports broken torpedo hatch, returning home.
2300 Final Position Report: AN93. Fuel 24%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0, dead calm.

11/5/39
0652 Ship spotted, Bearing 333.
0753 It's one of our destroyers, Range about 7000. A good sight to see.
0827 Spotted land. We're almost home.
0936 Passed Wangerooge.
1012 Passed SchillighÃ¶rn, entered the Jade.
1023 Spotted schnellboot, heading full speed right for us!
1026 He turned at the last minute, passed less than 100 meters behind us. Show-off!
1028 Ah! The seagulls have finally found us.
1036 U-boat approaching.
1037 It's a type II. Probably going out for guard duty or training.
1135 Exited the Jade, Entered Wilhelmshaven Bay. Ordered crew to man all stations for homecoming.
1152 Can barely make out buildings in the low mist.
1228 Ahead 1/3, Entering Harbor, speed 5 knots.
1233 Approaching docks. Speed 2 knots.
1248 Tied up at Wilhelmshaven docks. Patrol over.

Confirmed Sinkings:
9/8/39: British merchant S.S. Tate; 3,458 tons.
9/12/39: British merchant S.S. Oranjestad; 2,612 tons. Some question on this one at first. Dutch name but flying British flag. OKM confirms British registry.
9/15/39 British merchant S.S. Marslew; 5,031 tons.
11/2/39 British merchant S.S. Moira; 2,676 tons.
Total: 13,777 tons.

November 6, 1939
1. Herbert Schultze.................51,930
2. GÃ¼nther Prien......................37,420
3. Werner Hartmann...............35,306
4. Wilhelm Rollman .................29,684
5. Berthold Cranmer*..............17,901
6. Heinrich Liebe......................16,698
7. GÃ¼nther Berke**.................13,777
8. Viktor SchÃ¼tze.......................5,874
9. Joachim Schepke...................2,348
10. Otto Kretschmer ....................876
Bruno Asche*...................................0

01-28-06, 12:27 PM

Bruno Asche

Patrol 2: October 20, 1939 Game played January 10-12, 2005

U-14's first patrol lasted 25 days, from September 1 to September 26, 1939. During our time in port Matrosenhauptgefreiter Dietrich Priller was promoted to Bootsmann and transferred ashore for special training. His replacement is a young sailor fresh out of submarine school, Gerhard RÃ¶mer.

U-14 was ready for sea on October 16, and received orders to put out on October 20.

Lt. z.S. Bruno Asche

U-14: Flotilla Wedigen, Kiel
U-14 crew, October 20, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Bruno Asche
Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. GÃ¼nther Loh
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Werner Scholz
2WO: Leutnant z. S. Heinz Schmidt
Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Erich Steimle

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Emil Stephan
Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann
2nd Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer
Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr

General Petty Officers:
Bootsmann Hans Mohr
Bootsmann Henning Hessler
Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt BÃ¶hling
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt
Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Brehme
Matrosengefreiter Rolf Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Siegfried Poske
Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel
Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen
Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen
Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn
Matrosengefreiter Gerhard RÃ¶mer

10/20/39
1833 Underway from Kiel docks. After 25 days in port we're finally putting out to sea again.
1847 Passed inner harbor lighthouse. Ahead 1/3 for cruising.
1917 Passed outer bar, opened orders. We have a special assignment: we are to patrol AF87, north of Bergen, and report any British movements in the area. We can sink ships if we find any, but the main thing is to watch for possible troopship movements, or excess warships where they shouldn't be.
2004 Departed Kiel Bay.

10/21/39
0101 Entered LangelandsbÃ¤lt.
0608 Entered Store BÃ¤lt.
1800 Position Report: AO72. Fuel 95%. Sky clear, Sea State 3, Wind 10 m/s, 1/2 meter wavelets.

10/22/39
1800 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 3 Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1/2 meter.

10/23/39
1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 85%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 30 meters.
2112 Sound contact, merchant, bearing 190.
2113 Periscope depth, Ahead Standard, course 240.
2118 Ahead Flank.
2130 We've lost him. Returned to 30 meters, Ahead Slow, course 300.
2138 Sound picked him up again. Surface, course 180, Flank speed.
2140 Course 170.
2150 Diving for sound check.
2152 Contact. Surfaced.
2215 Sound check.
2218 Contact. Surface, course 210.
2230 Sound check.
2236 Contact. Surface, course 240.
2300 Can't seem to catch him. Breaking off chase. 30 meters, Ahead Slow, course 300.
2312 Contact, ahead of us this time. Surface, Flank Speed, course 260.
2345 Nothing. 30 meters, Ahead Slow, returning to course 300.

10/24/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 80%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 30.
2218 Sound contact, ahead and closing. Surfaced, course 280.
2304 Spotted him! Closing.
2305 Small Norwegian coaster. Diving to 30 meters, returning to course.

10/25/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1554 Ship spotted.
1600 Periscope depth, Flank Speed, course 210.
1605 He's making 9 knots. We'll never catch him submerged. Surfaced.
1607 Another Norwegian. Returning to course.
1800 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 76%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 6m.

10/26/39
0623 Ship Spotted, another Norwegian.
1800 Position Report: AN29. Fuel 71%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 6m.

10/27/39
0346 Ship spotted! Set course 020.
0357 I'm starting to feel like a Norwegian customs inspector. Returning to course 300.
1026 Entered Patrol Grid AF87.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 6m.
1802 Radio: British are using Ocean Liners as Troopships. All liners in convoys are now valid targets and may be sunk withour warning.

10/28/39
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 68%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 5m.

10/29/39
1201 Radio: North Sea restrictions forbidding searching of stopped ships now extended to west of Orkney Islands.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 5m.

10/30/39
1200 Waves are all wrong for this type of cruising in this boat. Following sea, boat wallowing badly. Crew starting to suffer from "Mal de Mer"-seasickness.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 68%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 26 m/s, Waves 8m.Course change has made the going a little easier.

10/31/39
0327 Ship spotted.
0331 Course now 260, Standard Speed.
0334 Flank Speed ordered.
0335 There he is again! Set course 295.
0340 Another small coastal merchant. have to get closer to identify.
0350 Range 2300. This has become a long stern chase.
0355 Range now 1900.
0400 Range 1650.
0405 Range 1450.
0410 Range 1250.
1415 Range 1000.
0420 Range 700. Still can't see his flag.
0425 Of course-another Norwegian! Breaking off chase, diving to 30 meters to escape weather.
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 67%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 27 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving again.

11/1/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving.

11/2/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF 87. Fuel 65%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 30.

11/3/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 64%. Overcast, Sea 10, Waves 9m. 30 meters.

11/4/39
0338 Sound contact-merchant. Surfaced, set course 005, Ahead Standard.
0400 Sound check.
0415 No further contact. Returning to course 125, ahead slow, 50 meters.
0416 Contact! Surfaced, Ahead Standard, course 030.
0417 AAAH! He's only 400 meters away! Relief, he's not heading for us, but on reciprocal course.
0418 He's a medium-sized merchant, Norwegian of course. We pass at a distance of less than 200 meters. The Norwegians wave at us as we go by.
0420 30 meters, Ahead Slow, Course 125.
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 63%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving to 30 meters.

11/5/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 61%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 31 m/s, Waves 9m. 50 meters.

11/6/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 60%. Raining now, Sea 10,Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Dive to 30 meters.

11/7/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 59%. Heavy driving rain, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 30 meters.

11/8/39
0900 The crew surprised me with a small cake and a bottle of wine smuggled aboard by Matrosengefreiter Poske, whose father apparently owns a restaurant right in Kiel. I hadn't even thought about my birthday! Today I am twenty-seven.
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 58%. Rain, Fog, Heavy Seas. 30 meters.

11/9/39
0931 Sound Contact-merchant. Surfaced, Ahead Standard, course 030.
0945 Dove for Sound Check.
0957 Contact. Surfaced, course 035.
1011 Brief contact. Course 045.
1027 Another brief contact-he's slipping by us! Course 135, Flank Speed!
1045 Sound Check.
1047 Contact. Surfaced, Course 245.
1100 Sound Check.
1102 Contact. Surfaced, Course 200.
1115 Sound Check.
1118 Contact. Surfaced, Course 215.
1130 Sound Check.
1200 We've lost him. Surfaced, Ahead Slow, Patrol Course.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 55%. Raining, Sea 10. 30 meters.

11/10/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1234 Radio: All boats are ordered to set magnetic pistols again. This is our first radio reception in 13 days.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 54%. Still raining, still foggy, Sea State still 10, waves still running 9 meters high, still diving to 30 meters to escape it.

11/11/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 53%. Rain, Sea 10. 30 meters.

11/12/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: Fuel 52%. Rain, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters.

11/13/39
0623 Sound contact. Surfacing, Standard Speed.
0627 Weather still high. We'll never catch him. Dive to 50 meters, Ahead Slow.
0824 Another contact, moving away. Not a thing we can do about it until this weather lifts.
0921 Contact. This one closing. Surface, Ahead Standard, Course 005.
0928 Course 010.
0945 Sound check.
0950 Contact. Surface, Course 015.
1000 Sound check.
1002 Contact, bearing 096. He's off to starboard! Surface, Ahead Flank, Course 110.
1015 Sound Check.
1016 Contact, bearing 105, moving away. He got by us. Set 50 meters depth, Ahead Slow, returning to patrol course.
1200 Surface to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 50%. Raining, Sea 10. Diving to 50 meters.

11/14/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 49%. Weather unchanged. 50 meters.

11/15/39
0906 Sound contact, moving away. We can't catch him.
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: Fuel 48%. Rain, fog, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters.
1814 Contact. Closing. Surfaced, Ahead Standard, Course 200.
1830 Sound Check.
1834 Contact. Surfaced, Course 215.
1845 Sound Check.
1846 Contact. Surfaced, Ahead Flank, Course 300.
1900 Sound Check.
1901 Contact. Surfaced, Course 250.
1915 Sound Check.
1916 Contact. And another one gets away. 30 meters, Ahead Slow, returning to patrol course.

11/16/39
0037 Contact, closing. Surfaced, Course 010.
0054 Blinding rain, black as...well, night.
0100 Sound Check.
0105 No contact.
0124 Contact. Surfaced, Course 015.
0130 Sound Check.
0135 No contact.
0150 We've lost him. Returning to course, set 30 meters depth.
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 46%. Rain, fog, Sea State 10, 9 meter waves. Returning to course, 30 meters.

11/17/39
0436 Contact. Closing. Periscope depth.
0441 Contact lost.
0446 Diving to 30 meters.
0456 Contact regained.
0527 No contact for some time. Returning to course.
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: Fuel 45%. Rain Sea 10. Dove to 30 meters. Heading for home.

11/18/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AN23 Fuel 44%. Raining, Sea 10. 30 meters.

11/19/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AN27. Fuel 43%. Rain, fog, heavy seas. 30 meters.

11/20/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AN27. Fuel 42%. Rain, Sea 10 (or higher). 30 meters.

11/21/39
0718 Contact. Closing. Surfaced, Ahead Standard, Course 355.
0721 Broke surface, and it's stopped raining! Sea still quite heavy, though.
0730 Sound Check.
0753 Picked him up again, after more than 20 minutes listening.
0755 Contact lost again.
0758 Dove to 20 meters, Ahead Slow.
0808 Contact. Surfaced, Ahead Flank, Course 270.
0815 Sound Check.
0817 Nothing. Ahead Standard, making 360 degree circle.
0820 Still nothing. Return to course 210, 50 meters.
1200 Surface to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AN42. Fuel 41%. Overcast, Sea 10. 30 meters.

11/22/39
1200 Surface.
1800 Position Report: AN45. Fuel 40%. Diving to 30 meters.

11/23/39
1200 Surfaced.
1800 Position Report: AN46. Fuel 39%. Overcast, Sea 10. Dive to 30.

11/24/39
1200 Surfaced to recharge.
1800 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 38%. Overcast, Sea down to 5, 2 meter waves. Staying surfaced.

11/25/39
1800 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 34%. Overcast, Sea 5.

11/26/39
1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 30%. Overcast, Sea State 4, 1 meter waves.

11/27/39
1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 26%. Overcast, Sea 4.
2311 Ship spotted. Set course 010, Ahead Standard.
2342 Another Norwegian. Turning for home again, Ahead Slow.

11/28/39
1800 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 22%. Overcast, Sea 4.

11/29/39
1800 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 18%. Overcast, Sea 5.

11/30/39
1800 Position Report: AO72. Fuel 14%. Overcast, Sea 7, 4 meter waves.

12/1/39
1635 Spotted fishing trawler in middle of LangelandsbÃ¤lt. He's riding these waves better than we are!

12/2/39
0123 Entered Kiel Bay.
0232 Passed outer bar.
0308 Passed lighthouse to inner harbor. We have illustrious company: Two heavy cruisers are tied up in Kiel as we return.
0327 Tied up at recieving dock.

Patrol summary: No sinkings, never even saw an enemy ship. We must have done something important, though: I was congratulated by Admiral DÃ¶nitz himself.

December 2, 1939
1. Herbert Schultze .................58,266
2. GÃ¼nther Prien......................37,420
3. Werner Hartmann................35,306
4. Wilhelm Rollmann.................32,860
5. Berthold Cranmer*...............17,901
6. Heinrich Liebe.......................16,698
7. GÃ¼nther Berke*....................13,777
8. Viktor SchÃ¼tze........................5,874
9. Joachim Schepke ....................2,348
10. Otto Kretschmer ......................876
11. Hans Jenisch............................500
12. Ernst Baur................................345
Bruno Asche**...................................0

02-06-06, 01:55 PM

Bruno Asche

Patrol 3: December 7, 1939 Game played February 2-5, 2006

U-14's second patrol lasted from October 20 to December 2, 1939; a total of 43 days. I was disappointed over my lack of success in meeting, let alone sinking any enemy shipping, but I was later informed by those in the highest places that our patrol in the area was of utmost importance, and was congratulated accordingly. Our assignment was to patrol Grid AF87, and to keep watch on the area north of Bergen, as it was suspected the British might be scouting the area in preparation for a possible invasion of Norway. Since U-14 only had to resupply only food and fuel, and not weapons, her turn-around time in port was only 5 days. We were ready for sea on December 7, and already had orders for immediate departure.

U-14: Flotilla Wedigen, Kiel
U-14 crew, December 7, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Bruno Asche
Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. GÃ¼nther Loh
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Werner Scholz
2WO: Leutnant z. S. Heinz Schmidt
Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Erich Steimle

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Emil Stephan
Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander
Helmsman: Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann
2nd Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer
Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr

General Petty Officers:
Bootsmann Hans Mohr
Bootsmann Henning Hessler

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt BÃ¶hling
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt
Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Brehme
Matrosengefreiter Rolf Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Siegfried Poske
Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel
Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen
Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen
Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn
Matrosengefreiter Gerhard RÃ¶mer

12/7/39
2133 Departed Kiel docks.
2140 The harbor is quite pretty this time of year-everything is frozen and covered in ice, including the two cruisers, who are still with us.
2204 Passed the outer bar and into the upper bay.
2219 Left Kiel bay for the open sea (or at least the lower Kategat). Cruising at 1/3-Speed is a waste of fuel, but a neccessary one: they want us on station as quickly as possible. Our destination-AN18, off the Moray Firth, leading to Inverness, and south of Scapa Flow. Again, we're watching for troopships and escorts amassing in the area. And again we can sink ships if we desire, just to let the British know we're watching them.

12/8/39
2200 First Position Report: AO47. Fuel 95%. Sky Clear, Sea 3, 1/2-meter waves, wind 5m/s.

12/9/39
2200 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 3.

12/10/39
1403 Matrosengefreiter Suhren reports smoke on the horizon. No one else has seen anything; maybe he saw something, maybe not.
1425 Suhren again called out smoke in the distance. This time Watch Leader Stephan confirms it-smoke at 170 degrees relative.
1426 On Stephan's confirmation set course 065 degrees, Speed Ahead Standard.
1430 Went to periscope depth, Ahead Slow.
1440 It's some small merchant, not even worth a torpedo. Range 1300, end-on to us. Set course 080, Ahead Standard.
1445 Ahead Slow. He's passing us now, making a good 9 knots.
1448 He's flying the Polish flag! Gave order to head away from him so we can come around on the surface without being seen. Submerged we'll never catch him.
1450 Range 1300 and increasing. We'll surface and circle around in front of him. What's a Polish ship doing in these waters now? Poland surrendered weeks ago. My guess is he slipped by us when the war started, and has been holed up in Arendal ever since. Now he's trying to reach England, and it's his bad luck he did so the very day we happened by.
1500 Range 5000 meters. Surfaced at Flank Speed, Course 240.
1505 Set up UZO. Range now 5800.
1510 Range 5900.
1515 Range 6000.
1520 Range now 6200. Set course 250.
1530 Until the batteries are recharged we're only making 1 knot faster than he is.
1545 Range still 6200-we CAN'T lose this one! We've gone two patrols without a single kill. Special assignment or no-we HAVE to sink something!!!
1600 Getting too far away. Set course 270.
1615 Range down to 5500. Course 260.
1630 He's changed course! Don't think he saw us in this failing light-probably just playing it safe. Range now 5100. Set course 240.
1645 Range now 5300.
1700 Range 5700. Set course 270.
1715 Range 5600. Batteries charged, we're now doing 12 knots. Stars starting to come out.
1730 Range 4600.
1745 Range 3800.
1800 Range 3400.
1815 Range 3500. He's slightly behind us now-going in for the kill.
1820 Range 3000. Set course 260.
1825 Range 2200. Set course 300, reduced to Ahead Standard.
1830 Range 1200 meters. Set course 330, ordered hands to Attack Stations.
1832 Fired tube 1, range 480 meters. HIT!
1834 Target sinking.
1836 Returning to course, speed Ahead 1/3.
1845 Tube 1 loaded. After 14 weeks of war we finally have a kill under our collective belt. Crew is exhausted but happy-we chased him for more than four hours!
2200 Position Report: AN35. Fuel down to 80%; running at Flank Speed for several hours will do that.

12/11/39
2200 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 75%. Sky Clear, Sea State up to 6, 3-meter waves. We're in shallow water now; we'll have to be careful about being seen.

12/12/39
2200 Position Report: AN45. Fuel 70%. Clear, Sea 6.

12/13/39
2200 Position Report: AN44. Fuel 65%. Clear, Sea 6.

12/14/39
0703 Entered Patrol Grid AN18. Ahead Slow for patrol.
0833 Smoke on horizon, bearing 080, spotted by Leutnant Asche! I was on the bridge talking to the watch crew, and saw it before anybody else.
0840 Can make out ship now, but nothing of it's nature.
0841 Ordered periscope depth, Ahead Slow, Attack Stations.
0847 It's a small coastal merchant, Range 1100. He's small, but we're not likely to meet too many big ones, and only have 4 eels anyway.
0852 Range 325 meters, firing tube 2.
0853 Missed! He's making 8 knots; we'll never catch him unless we surface, and that's ill-advised at this place and time. He'll see us and call in the planes.
0903 Tube 2 loaded.
0930 Surfaced, ahead slow.
1722 Ship spotted, bearing 046. Set course 305, 1/3-Speed.
1729 Set course 295.
1730 Course 270, Periscope Depth.
1736 Just a small fishing boat. Returning to course, Ahead Slow.
2200 Surfaced, gave Position Report: AN18. Fuel 62%. Clear, Sea 6.
2250 Ship spotted, Bearing 085. Set course 345, Speed 1/3.
2250 Set up UZO, ordered Attack Stations.
2253 Set course 000.
2254 NO! It's an armed trawler. Range 3500. Only 500 tons, not worth risking the lives of my men. Hurriedly took down UZO.
2255 Ordered Periscope Depth, Ahead Slow, returning to course.
2315 No sign of him anywhere. Surfaced.

12/15/39
0925 Ship-dead ahead. Spotted by Matrosenobergefreiter Witt.
0926 He's moving from right to left, fairly quickly.
0927 Set course 240, Ahead Standard.
0929 He's turned the other way.
0930 It's a destroyer! 5200 meters away. Ordered periscope depth.
0931 At periscope depth. Ordered ahead slow.
1100 Surfaced.
1101 We suddenly have seagulls everywhere. Estimate our position about 12km from Garmouth.
2059 Ship spotted! Close by, ordered immediate periscope depth.
2102 Armed trawler, 2100 meters off. It's a wonder he didn't see us.
2105 Soundman finally picked him up. Range now 2550.
2200 Surfaced. Position Report: Fuel 60%. Sky Clear, Sea 6.

12/16/39
2200 Position Report: Fuel 58%. Clear, Sea 6.

12/17/39
1423 Ship spotted, long range, bearing 338.
1426 Looks like he's heading toward us. I don't like it. Ordered periscope depth.
1433 It's just a tug boat of some kind.
1438 It looks like he'll pass about 1200 meters in front of us. To close to risk using the periscope.
1445 Sound reports he's off to our right, moving away. Sneaking a peek: range 2300.
1500 Lost sight of him-sound still has him. Staying submerged.
1600 Surfaced.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 56%. Sky Clear, Sea 6.

12/18/39
0321 Ship spotted, bearing 021. Set course 320, ordered Attack Stations.
0325 Set up UZO.
0326 Too soon! It's a destroyer! Took down UZO.
0327 Dove to periscope depth, Ahead Slow. Returning to course 290.
0324 Ordered Silent Run.
0330 Watching him through periscope-Range 1250.
0335 Range now 1650.
0340 Range 4000. Ordered Normal Run.
0400 He's gone now. Surfaced.
0859 Ship spotted-bearing 106. Looks like a merchant, travelling a parallel course to us.
0900 Periscope depth, Ahead Flank.
0910 Small merchant, Range about 4700, making 6 or 7 knots.
0915 Range now 4100.
0918 Set course due north, Ahead Standard.
0920 Range now 3300.
0922 Range 2700.
0924 Range 2000.
0926 Range 1400. Ahead Slow.
0928 Range 950.
0929 Range 750.
0930 Range 525.
0931 Range 355. Firing tube 3. Hit!
0933 Target sinking rapidly. Crew seems to be getting off okay.
1000 Surfaced.
1218 Smoke spotted in distance, bearing 240. Seems to be moving fast in our direction.
1235 Moved off over horizon, gone now.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 54%. Raining, Sea quite heavy. Diving to 30 meters.

12/19/39
0054 Sound Contact-Warship.
0247 Another warship contact, far off.
0306 Yet another warship contact. Are they out looking for us, or just busy tonight? Or possibly the same one, patrolling the area?
0917 Another warship contact.
1010 And again. If they ARE looking for us, they don't seem to be doing a very good job of it.
1042 Sound contact-another warship. He's also moving off the other way.
1600 Surfaced to recharge.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 53%. Still raining, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters.
2249 Sound contact-merchant. It's dangerous to chase him in this weather-staying submerged.

12/20/39
1557 Sound contact-merchant. He's closing on our position, so we'll try to intercept. Surfacing, Course 300.
1615 Diving for sound check.
1620 Nothing.
1625 Still nothing.
1630 Still no further contact. Surfacing, returning to course.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 52%. Raining, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters.
2225 Sound Contact-Merchant.
2230 Periscope depth.
2305 Can't see a thing in this soup. Sound contact lost. Diving to 30 meters.

12/21/39
0800 Soundman reported several contacts during the night. This weather makes any attack nearly impossible. We only have two eels left-don't want to waste them.
1007 Sound Contact-Warship, closing. Ordered periscope depth.
1011 Sound reports him moving away now.
1014 Can see nothing. Sound says he's still moving away. Ordered 30 meters.
1316 Sound reports another warship, closing.
1323 Persicope depth.
1428 Contact lost after an hour of looking for him.
1600 Surfaced.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 51%. Raining, Heavy Seas, 30 meters.

12/22/39
0010 Sound contact-merchant. Sea too heavy, ignoring it.
1600 Surfaced to recharge.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 52%. Raining, Sea 10. Diving.

12/23/39
1600 Surfaced.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 50%. Rain, Sea 10, 30 meters.

12/24/39
1600 Surfaced.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 49%. Rain, Sea 10, diving again.

12/25/39
0001 Woke up to enormous racket throughout boat-Christmas music blaring so loud I thought we were under attack. Seems Stabsoberbootsmann Hermann managed to sneak some records of his own on board without getting caught, and convinced Radioman HÃ¤nsel that playing them at full volume at midnight was somehow a good idea. I suggested that perhaps they would enjoy Christmas more if we left them on the English coast.
1600 Surfaced to recharge.
1605 Radio: Christmas greetings from BdU.
1630 Radio: A real Christmas present: BdU says bad weather should last at least another week, and we are accomplishing nothing here. We are to head home
immediately.
2200 Position Report: Fuel 48%. Raining, Sea State 6. Underway for home at 1/3 speed.

12/26/39
2200 Position Report: AN44. Fuel 43%. Rain, Fog, Sea 6.

12/27/39
2200 Position Report: AN46. Fuel 38%. Rain, Sea 6.
12/28/39
2200 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 33%. Rain, Sea 6.

12/29/39
0500 Radio: U-30 reports attacking two British Battlecruisers.
2200 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 28%. Rain, Sea 6.

12/30/39
2200 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 23%. Rain, Sea 6.

12/31/39
2200 Position Report: AO72. Fuel 18%. Rain, Sea 6.

1/1/40
0845 Just realized, we're going to be home on New Year's Day!
2038 Entered Kiel Bay.
2115 Passed outer bar.
2130 Ordered Ahead Slow. Can't see any ships in this fog and rain, but I know they're there.
2139 Passed lighthouse.
2157 Can see docks now. Slowed to two knots.
2201 Tied up at Kiel docks.

Ships confirmed:
12/10/39 Polish merchant SS Kalwaria; 1,518 tons.
12/18/39: British merchant SS Madaket; 1,556 tons.
Total: 3,074 tons.

January 1, 1940
1. Herbert Schultze .................77,548
2. GÃ¼nther Prien.......................60,588
3. Werner Hartmann................35,306
4. Wilhelm Rollman...................32,860
5. Heinrich Liebe.......................29,967
6. Berthold Cranmer*...............17,901
7. GÃ¼nther Berke*....................13,777
8. Viktor SchÃ¼tze........................5,874
9. Hans Jenisch..........................3,991
10. Otto Kretschmer ..................3,276
11. Bruno Asche**.....................3,074
10. Joachim Schepke..................2,348
12. Ernst Bauer.............................345

1/5/40
Promoted Oberleutnant. Awarded Iron Cross Second Class.

02-11-06, 01:28 PM

Gunther Berke

Patrol 3: November 29, 1939 Game played January 23-30, 2006

Second Patrol lasted from September 3 to November 5, 1939, a total of 63 days, and resulted in 4 ships sunk for a total of 13,777 tons. U-52 was in harbor for 24 days, being ready for sea again on November 24 and recieving orders to put out on November 29.

OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Axel Bargsten was transferred out and replaced by OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Michael Carlsen, also a trained medic.

Oberleutnant z.S. Gunther Berke

U-52: Flotilla Saltzwedel, Wilhelmshaven
U-52 crew, November 29, 1939:
Captain: Leutnant z.S. Gunther Berke
Chief Engineer: Oberleutnant z.S. Ernst Petersen
1WO: Leutnant z.S. Viktor Witte
2WO: Leutnant z.S. Georg Lobin
Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Otto Steinmetz
Medic: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Michael Carlsen

Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Harro Staats
Helmsman: Bootsmann Heinz KlÃ¤bisch
Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Ulrich Folkers
Machinist: Stabsbootsmann Hans Maddaus
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Kurt Mohr
Torpedoman: Bootsmann Reinhart Kraus

General Petty Officers:
Stabsbootsmann Werner Piening
Bootsmann Victor Schmidt
Bootsmann Frantz Vogel
Bootsmann Reinhard Eppen
Bootsmann Fritz Claussen
Bootsmann Manfred Reckhoff
Bootsmann Viktor Zinke
Bootsmann Alfred Schacht
Bootsmann Werner Trojer
Bootsmann Rolf Eckerman

Leading Seamen:
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Wiebe
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Hans Hirtl
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Miedza
Matrosenhauptgefreiter Karl HÃ¶lzer

Senior Seamen:
Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Eisen
Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Frentzen
Matrosenobergefreiter Carl Soden
Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Radloff

Seamen:
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Frank
Matrosengefreiter Hans Kelmann
Matrosengefreiter Horst Leidig
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Baur
Matrosengefreiter Alfred Eick
Matrosengefreiter Herbert Maddaus
Matrosengefreiter Anton Bielig
Matrosengefreiter Jost Panknin
Matrosengefreiter Amelung Wagner
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Brandi
Matrosengefreiter Gunther Kraus
Matrosengefreiter Hannes Muder
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Janz
Matrosengefreiter Ernst Soden
Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Balke
Matrosengefreiter Georg Hertin
Matrosengefreiter Johannes Lasch
Matrosengefreiter Heinz SchÃ¶nerr
Matrosengefreiter Walter Merten
Matrosengefreiter Karl Forstner
Matrosengefreiter Robert Reche
Matrosengefreiter Fritz Kilimann

11/29/39
1828 Underway from Wilhelmshaven docks.
1839 Left harbor.
1842 Course 070, Ahead 1/3.
1916 Course 020.
1918 Passed into the Jade.
1928 Course 000.
1947 Course 320.
2055 Passed SchillighÃ¶rn, entered North Sea.
2131 Passed Wangerooge-goodbye Deutschland.
2156 Lost sight of mainland.

11/30/39
1800 Position Report: AN63. Fuel 98%. Clear, Sea 3, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1/2 meter.

12/1/39
0331 Ship spotted Bearing 001.
0332 Set up UZO.
0333 Small merchant, Range about 9000.
0334 Heading away from us. Ahead Full to overtake.
0335 Range about 6000.
0400 Range 3500.
0415 Overhauling him now.
0417 He's German-one of ours!.
0420 Returning to Course 330, Ahead 1/3.
0517 He's out of sight now.
1626 Ship spotted, Bearing 043. Going to investigate.
1653 Norwegian. Returning to course.
1800 Position Report: AN29. Fuel 96%. Clear, Sea 4, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 1 meter.

12/2/39
0404 Ship Spotted, Bearing 340. Set Course 310 to intercept.
0406 Set up UZO.
0407 Small one, heading right for us.
0409 Appears to be a fishing boat of some kind.
0415 NO! He's a very small merchant-can see his forward loading crane.
0418 My God, It's another German. What's he doing out this far? Coastal Sailors trading with the Norwegians, hoping the British don't have patrols out this far. I'm sure they're glad to see us.
1800 Position Report: AF76. Fuel 94%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/3/39
1800 Position Report: AF75, 132km north of Orkneys. Fuel 92%. Overcast, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/4/39
1800 Position Report: AN11. Fuel 90%. Rain, Sea 5, Wind 12 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/5/39
1359 Radio: Enemy Task Force 43 km West of us, heading South at high speed. Unless they turn our way we'll never see them.
1800 Position Report: AM33. Fuel 88%. Rain, Sea 2, Wind 8 m/s, Waves 1/4 meter.

12/6/39
0800 Clouds have lifted, sunny again. Wind has died; dead calm.
1800 Position Report: AM02. Fuel 86%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0. We're making exceptionally good time this trip.

12/7/39
0437 Ship spotted-Merchant, Bearing 019. Set course 275.
0433 It's a small coaster, about 3000 meters off.
0438 Set course 330, Ahead Standard.
0440 Range 1400. Can't see his flag.
0450 Range 580. Can see flag now; he's British. Going in for the kill.
0453 Firing Tube 1, Range 470. Hit!
0454 Target burning, slowed to 1 knot.
0500 Target has stopped.
0502 Started moving again.
0505 Stopped again, listing heavily to starboard. Tube 1 reloaded.
0507 Crew are abandoning ship, lifeboats in water.
0509 Target capsized, still afloat.
0512 Target finally sank, 19 minutes after being torpedoed. Returning to course, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: AM35. Fuel 84%. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 6 m/s, Waves 1/4 meter.

12/8/39
1800 Position Report: AM29. Fuel 82%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 3m.

12/9/39
1800 Position Report: AM49. Fuel 80%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 3m.

12/10/39
1800 Position Report: BE33.Fuel 78%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/11/39
0340 Radio: U-30 returning with mechanical problems. He says one of his exhaust ports won't close and they can't dive.
0932 Lookouts report ship-Bearing 042.
0933 Set up UZO.
0934 It's a big cargo ship, heading West. Set Course 270, Ahead Standard.
1017 Passing him on parallel course. Range about 7000, bearing 270, directly off to our port side.
1045 Range now 9000, Bearing 240.
1053 Lost sight of him. Preparing to turn in for attack.
1057 Set course 180.
1058 We have him in sight again.
1100 Range 9600, Bearing 320.
1105 Range 8000, Bearing 319.
1110 Range 6000, Bearing 316. Taking down UZO.
1111 Coming to Periscope Depth.
1114 Set Tubes 2 and 3 for fast run.
1115 Range 4400, Bearing 316.
1120 Range 3200, Bearing 320.
1122 Range 2500, Bearing 324.
1126 Range 1700, Bearing 330.
1128 Range 1250, Bearing 345. Flooding Tubes 2 and 3.
1130 Range 950, Bearing 355. Firing Tube 2. Firing Tube 3.
1131 Hit! Both hit!
1132 Target broken in half, sinking quickly. Maybe we didn't need both eels.
1135 Surfacing, returning to course, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: BE63. Fuel 75%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/12/39
0049 Arrived at BF47. Set Ahead Slow for patrol. We are roughly 1200km west of La Rochelle. If I remember my Dumas correctly, that is the town the King and
Cardinal were trying to drive the Huguenots out of.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 73%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/13/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 72%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/14/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 71%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 3m.

12/15/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 70%. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 2m.

12/16/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 3m.

12/17/39
1300 Radio: Contact Report-Merchant, 30 km NE our position, Heading SW; right toward us. Set course 040, Ahead 1/3.
1357 Spotted him-dead ahead.
1400 Appears to be a small merchant, about 8 km ahead. He's coming to us. Ordered Periscope Depth.
1405 Range 6000.
1410 Range 5000.
1415 Range 3500. Ahead Slow.
1420 Range 2200, Bearing 350. Changed Course to 310.
1425 Range 1000. Ordered Attack Stations, turning into him, flooding Tubes 1 and 4.
1427 Range 700. It's taking us forever to turn at this speed.
1428 In position now. Range 410, Bearing 038.
1429 Range 295-too close! Left Full Rudder.
1430 Range 150. Hope he didn't see the periscope.
1432 Range 220. Have to go for a trailing shot.
1433 Firing Tube 4, Range 300. Hit!
1435 He's burning, making 1 knot. May have to surface and use deck gun.
1438 He's stopped now.
1446 Tube 4 loaded. Thirteen minutes-not bad.
1526 We've been circling him for almost an hour; he's showing no sign of sinking.
1528 Surfaced, deck gun crew preparing. Merchant crew hurriedly taking to their boats.
1531 Opening fire with 8.8cm gun.
1532 First shot missed. Next four right on target.
1540 We've put more that 30 8.8cm rounds into him, and except for a couple of deck fires he looks no worse.
1547 Several fires on board now.
1553 The damned thing is on fire from stem to stern. 50 rounds now, and it's still not going down.
1603 67 rounds in it, plus the one that missed, and it looks like it might finally be sinking.
1604 They'll never get back on board and put those fires out. Returning to patrol.
1624 It appears that the "ough nut" finally cracked. That troublesome merchant finally sank.
1800 Position Report: BF47 Fuel 67%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/18/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/19/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 65%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/20/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 64%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0.

12/21/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 63%. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 3 m/s, Waves 0m.

12/22/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 62%. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 2 m/s, Waves 0m.
2307 Matrosengefreiter Eick spotted a ship in the dark, Bearing 253. Set Course 170, Ahead 1/3.
2310 It's been three minutes, and no one else has seen it.
2313 Spotted again, this time by my number one, Leutnant Witte.
2314 Setting up UZO.
2316 It's a fairly large cargo ship of some kind.
2320 Range is now about 8 km.
2323 Moon is starting to rise; better make this fast or he'll see us and run.
2325 Range is unchanged. Set Course 100.
2350 Range is now 4700. Can see him without the binoculars.

12/23/39
0000 Range now 2700.
0015 Range down to 1400. Ordered crew to Action Stations.
0017 Set Course 070.
0019 Range now 1300. Perfect postion. Ordered Engines Stopped.
0021 NO! He's not heading toward us, he's heading away! My fault, I completely misjudged the angle of approach. Ahead Standard, Course 340.
0025 Starting to catch up with him. Range 1100, Bearing 070.
0028 Far enough ahead now. Range 1100, Bearing 095. He's not acting like he's seen us. Turning toward him again.
0032 Firing Tube 1, Range 750.
0033 Hit!
0034 No visible change. Firing Tube 2.
0035 Hit! ACH! That set something off. There's an explosion with a big ball of fire.
0037 Funny-after that one fireball there has been no further sign of fires on board. Going to set up for the stern tube.
0040 Almost in position, but now he's slowing.
0044 Tube 1 loaded. Target making 1 knot, listing to port.
0046 Target has stopped.
0050 Down by the stern, aft deck awash on port side.
0052 Smoke has stopped from the funnel, crew abandoning ship.
0115 Crew safely away.
0130 Ship still listing, but showing no sign of sinking.
0200 Still afloat. Going to give it a little help.
0202 Opening up with deck gun.
0215 20 rounds into the waterline, and no change. Going to use the stern tube after all.
0232 In position for stern shot.
0233 Firing Tube 5.
0234 Target definitely sinking now. Returning to patrol.
0300 Stopping to load aft external tube.
0415 External loaded, getting underway again.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 60%. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 8 m/s, Waves 1/4m.

12/24/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 59%. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 6 m/s, Waves 1/4m.

12/25/39
0630 Radio: Christmas greetings from BdU!
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 58%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 1 m/s, Waves 0m.

12/26/39
0001 Christmas passed without incident.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 57%. Sky beautifully clear, but sea still eerily calm; Wind 0, Waves 0.

12/27/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 56%. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 3 m/s, Waves 0m.

12/28/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 55%. Sky clear, Sea 10. Diving to 70 meters.

12/29/39
0454 Radio: U-30 reports attacking two British Battlecruisers. Only scored one hit, but still a bold move.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 54%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 1, Wind 4 m/s, Waves a few centimeters high, just a trace of movement.

12/30/39
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 53%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 2, Wind 6 m/s, Waves 1/4 meter.

12/31/39
1800 Position Report: BF46. Fuel 52%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 2, Wind 7 m/s, Waves 1/4m.

1/1/40
The new year brings nothing new, just another day beginning with beautiful weather.
0800 Over my breakfast I'm handed a radio report more than an hour old. It's nothing, an order from BdU to U-37 to return home, time 0634.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 51%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 1, Wind 1 m/s, Waves just a trace.
2011 Radio: British Warship in AN28. 1400 km away, but heading WSW. He could come to us, but unlikely.

1/2/40
0647 Rousted out of my bunk by by a sailor telling me "Ship spotted, herr Kaleun!".
0657 I hate to admit it, but after nine minutes on the bridge I still don't see it.
0710 Someone else shouts out, and at last I see him.
0712 Setting up UZO.
0713 Can't tell type for sure, but it looks like a merchant.
0730 Definitely a merchant; seems about 8 km off. Increasing to standard speed.
0745 Still hard to tell in the dark. He's moving off to our port; will circle south of him and get ahead.
0800 It's another huge cargo ship, about 6 km North of us now. Why do they let these things go out alone? Well, I'm not going to complain to loudly-their bad judgement is our good luck.
0815 We're pulling ahead now, range back up to 8 km.
0830 Range now 11 km, turning North to intercept.
0845 Range down to 9 km.
0900 Starting to grow light on our starboard quarter, but sun is still not up. Range 7 km.
0906 Range just under 5000. Diving to Periscope Depth.
0910 Range 4500.
0915 Range 4100. Set Course 315.
0918 Range 3400. Ahead Slow.
0920 Range 2800, Bearing 292.
0922 Range 2500, Bearing still 292. We're approaching too fast.
0924 Range 2000, Bearing still 292. Slowed to 2 knots.
0926 Range now 1600, Bearing 297. Better.
0928 Range 1200, Bearing 305. It's a big one all right, and definitely British.
0930 Range 900, Bearing 316.
0931 Range 740, Bearing 330. Flooding Tubes 1 and 2.
0932 Firing Tube 1, Range 600, Bearing 350.
0933 Hit! Directly amidships, just below the funnel!
0934 Target slowing. Will shadow and watch. Set Course 060, still 2 knots.
0938 Target listing slightly, making two knots.
0945 Target Stopped.
0948 Tube 1 loaded.
1000 Listing is more prominent; entire starboard side awash.
1030 No change in target condition, but crew are abandoning ship.
1045 Coming about to set up stern shot.
1113 Crew well away. Firing Tube 5, Range 450.
1125 Target is now upright again, but very low in water.
1200 No change. British crew far away. Surfacing.
1300 Still no change. Ordered 20 rounds from deck gun.
1305 Ceased fire, still no change.
1312 It has started raining, wind and waves picking up rapidly.
1400 Sky is now overcast, wind and waves quite heavy. Target still showing no sign of ever sinking. Circling to use forward tubes again.
1411 Firing Tube 2, Range about 400.
1412 That did it: target starting to capsize.
1414 Target finally sank. Getting underway again.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 48%. Overcast, Raining, Sea 8, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 6m. diving to 70 meters to escape the weather.

1/3/40
1200 Surfacing to recharge.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 46%. Rain, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m. Diving to 70.

1/4/40
1200 Surfacing.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 45%. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m. Diving to 70.

1/5/40
1200 Surfacing.
1800 Position Report: BF46. Fuel 44%. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 3m. Diving to 70.

1/6/40
1200 Surfacing.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 43%. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m. Diving to 70.

1/7/40
1200 Surfacing to recharge.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 42%. Rain, fog and high sea continue. Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 70 meters.

1/8/40
1200 Surfacing.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 41%. Rain, fog, Sea 8, Wind 25, Waves 3m. Diving to 70.

1/9/40
1200 Surfacing.
1800 Position Report: BF47. Fuel 40%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving back to 70. Turning toward home.

1/10/40
1200 Surfacing. Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: BF41. Fuel 39%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 31 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 70, Ahead Slow.

1/11/40
1200 Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
1616 Radio: Convoy, 200 km ENE our position, Heading SSW. Set course 090, Ahead Standard. Miserable weather, but it's a convoy so we have to try.
1800 Position Report: BF14. Fuel 38%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m.

1/12/40
0000 Diving to 20 meters for sound check.
0030 No sound contact, no visability above. Returning to homeward course, 70 meters, Ahead Slow.
1200 Surfacing to recharge, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: BF11. Fuel 37%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 70, Ahead Slow.

1/13/40
1200 Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: AM87. Fuel 36%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 7m. Diving to 70, Ahead Slow.
1819 Sound reports a warship, Bearing 355. Coming to Periscope Depth, Ahead 1/3.
1823 Nothing to see yet.
1830 Sound reports him at 350 and closing. Still can't see anything but huge waves.
1840 Course change to 305. If it's a destroyer he should have trouble tracking us in this weather. If it's a cruiser or larger, well, we'll try.
1850 Set course 270. He's moving from our right to left, but still in front of us.
1853 Now he's moving away. We'll probably never see him now.
1925 We've lost contact. Diving to 70 meters, Ahead Slow, returning to course.

1/14/40
1200 Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: AM84. Fuel 35%. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m. 50 meters depth should be enough. Ahead Slow.

1/15/40
1200 Surfacing, Ahead 1/3.
1800 Position Report: AM57. Fuel 34%. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 2m. Staying surfaced-we want to get home!

1/16/40
1800 Position Report: AM28. Fuel 32%. Rain, Sea 8, Wind 23 m/s, Waves 6m. Staying on surface anyway.

1/17/40
1800 Position Report: AM35. Fuel 30%. Rain, Sea 8, Wind 24 m/s, Waves 6m.

1/18/40
1800 Position Report: AN11. Fuel 28%. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 5m.

1/19/40
1800 Position Report: AF78. Fuel 26%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 28 m/s, Waves 8m.

1/20/40
1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 24%. Raining, Sea 7, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 5m.

1/21/40
1800 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 22%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Only 30 meters of water below us, nowhere to dive to escape these pounding waves.

1/22/40
1800 Position Report: AN91. Fuel 20%. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m.

1/23/40
0655 Not sure of exact position-haven't seen the sun in three weeks. Still, we should be okay for entering Wilhelmshaven.
0759 Soundman picked up fast screws. On the bridge we can't see a thing.
0820 I know were inside the Jade-water much smoother now.
0901 ACH! Schnellboot came out of the fog, almost hit us! Idiots!
0930 Rain, fog, can't see 200 meters in this mess!
0936 Spotted lighthouse! At least now we know where we are.
0945 Ordered all hands to docking stations.
1008 Finally saw something: destroyer anchored nearby.
1010 Can see docks and buildings now.
1014 Something burning in the distance-can't make out what it is. Weather too bad for an air raid, and we'd know if enemy ships got in.
1036 Tied up at dock. Patrol over.

Confirmed sinkings:
12/7/39: British merchant SS Waxhaws; 2,294 tons.
12/11/39: British merchant SS Joppa; 4,025 tons.
12/17/39: British merchant SS Volo; 3,234 tons.
12/23/39: British merchant SS Biter; 4,839 tons.
1/2/40: British merchant SS Rothermere; 5,630 tons.
Total: 20,022 tons.

January 23, 1940
1. Herbert Schultze .................77,548
2. GÃ¼nther Prien......................60,588
3. Wilhelm Rollmann................40,667
4. Werner Hartmann...............35,306
5. GÃ¼nther Berke**.................33,799
6. Heinrich Liebe......................29,967
7. Viktor SchÃ¼tze.....................21,227
8. Berthold Cranmer*..............17,901
9. Hans Jenisch..........................8,021
10. Joachim Schepke..................6,812
11. Otto Kretschmer ..................4,426
12. Bruno Asche*.......................3,074
13. JÃ¼rgen Oesten......................2,434
14. Wolfgang LÃ¼th......................2,367
15. Ernst Bauer.............................345

1/15/40
I've been promoted to Oberleutnant. The chief, my number one and I have all been awarded the 2nd class Iron Cross.

It turns out the smoke and flames we saw came from one of the warehouses-they had an accidental fire. Apparently some oily rags set a building full of tires on fire.

01-03-06, 05:43 PM	#1
Sailor Steve Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Sailor Steve's Patrol Logs I've finally decided to start adding the Patrol Logs for my different Kaleuns. They aren't great stories like some have posted; they're just simple logs, charting my commanders' progress through the war. Following is the first log, for a poor captain who was assigned to go out before the war started but found himself delayed. Don't expect too many screenshots; I'm trying to limit them to representing actual photographs. I'll be putting a new one up every week or so.

01-03-06, 05:45 PM	#2
Crash Dive Electrician's Mate Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, Ca. Posts: 136 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Can't wait! __________________ \"The sixth electric fish went to her midships to break the ship\'s back and set her afire.\" O\'Kane

01-03-06, 06:33 PM	#4
Bluewings Torpedoman Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: UK Posts: 115 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What a bad luck GÃ¼nther ... Hopefully , U-52 will be back into shape very soon as we need all the boats we can get . How is life in Wilhelmshaven ? I haven 't been there for a looong time . ... (excellent read ) B. Goelf out . Cheers . __________________ I say what I mean and I do what I say

01-09-06, 03:09 PM	#9
Bluewings Torpedoman Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: UK Posts: 115 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Excellent Report Kaleun . I wish you better luck for your next Patrol Cheers . __________________ I say what I mean and I do what I say

01-09-06, 06:41 PM	#10
iambecomelife Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 4,625 Downloads: 297 Uploads: 0	I liked them a lot. You manage to keep them interesting even though there isn't much combat taking place ... yet. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/WolvesoftheKaiser/

01-03-06, 06:15 PM	#3
Sailor Steve Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	GÃ¼nther Berke Patrol 1: August 19, 1939 Lt. z.S. GÃ¼nther Berke was born September 30, 1912 in GÃ¶ttingen, Germany. He was inducted into the Kriegsmarine on April 1, 1933, age 20. Became Officer SeeKadett January 12, 1934. Promoted FÃ¤hnrich zur See October 1, 1934. Served as clerk and later assistant trainer at Torpedoboot school, Kiel. Assigned post as junior Gunnery Officer aboard KM Destroyer Richard Beitzen (Z4), March 13, 1936. Made Communications Officer August 12, 1936. Promoted OberfÃ¤nrich z.S. March 1, 1937. Transferred to KM Destroyer Wolfgang Zenker (Z9) as Gunnery Officer while ship was outfitting. Promoted Leutnant z.S. September 1, 1937, while ship still outfitting. Ship commissioned to fleet on July 2, 1938, under KorvettenKapitan H. Ponitz, with Lt. Berke as Third Officer. Applied for U-boat training September 9, 1938. Assigned U-boat Flotilla Weddigen for U-boat command training on February 6, 1939. Assigned as 1WO aboard U-48, Wilhelmshaven, Flotilla Saltzwedel, April 23, 1939. 1 patrol, April 30-June 17, 1939. Assigned command of U-52 on August 1, 1939. Lt. z.S. GÃ¼nther Berke U-52: Flotilla Saltzwedel, Wilhelmshaven U-52 crew, August 19, 1939: Captain: Leutnant z.S. GÃ¼nther Berke Chief: Leutnant z.S. Ernst Petersen 1WO: Leutnant z.S. Viktor Witte 2WO: Leutnant z.S. Georg Lobin Medic: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Axel Bargsten Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Otto Steinmetz Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Harro Staats Helmsman: Bootsmann Heinz KlÃ¤bisch Assistant to Chief: Stabsoberbootsmann Ulrich Folkers Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Hans Maddaus Torpedoman: Bootsmann Kurt Mohr Torpedoman: Bootsmann Reinhart Kraus General Petty Officers: Stabsbootsmann Werner Piening Bootsmann Victor Schmidt Bootsmann Frantz Vogel Bootsmann Reinhard Eppen Bootsmann Fritz Claussen Bootsmann Manfred Reckhoff Bootsmann Viktor Zinke Bootsmann Alfred Schacht Bootsmann Werner Trojer Bootsmann Rolf Eckerman Leading Seamen: Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Wiebe Matrosenhauptgefreiter Hans Hirtl Matrosenhauptgefreiter Gerhard Miedza Matrosenhauptgefreiter Karl HÃ¶lzer Senior Seamen: Matrosenobergefreiter Georg Eisen Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Frentzen Matrosenobergefreiter Carl Soden Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Radloff Seamen: Matrosengefreiter Fritz Frank Matrosengefreiter Hans Kelmann Matrosengefreiter Horst Leidig Matrosengefreiter Amelung Baur Matrosengefreiter Alfred Eick Matrosengefreiter Herbert Maddaus Matrosengefreiter Anton Bielig Matrosengefreiter Jost Panknin Matrosengefreiter Amelung Wagner Matrosengefreiter Fritz Brandi Matrosengefreiter Gunther Kraus Matrosengefreiter Hannes Muder Matrosengefreiter Fritz Janz Matrosengefreiter Ernst Soden Matrosengefreiter Ulrich Balke Matrosengefreiter Georg Hertin Matrosengefreiter Johannes Lasch Matrosengefreiter Heinz SchÃ¶nerr Matrosengefreiter Walter Merten Matrosengefreiter Karl Forstner Matrosengefreiter Robert Reche Matrosengefreiter Fritz Kilimann 8/19/39 0200 Underway from Wilhelmshaven docks, bound for North Atlantic, Grid AM11. Everyone exited; rumor is that several boats have been sent out at once. Nobody knows why. 0208 Passed inner harbor lighthouses. 0339 Passed outer reaches. 8/20/39 0200 First Position Report: AN63. Fuel 98%. Overcast, Raining, Sea Calm. 8/21/39 0200 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 96%. Raining, Sea Calm. 1428 Chief Petersen reports problems with port diesel. Running very rough. They are attempting repairs. 1612 Repairs to port diesel completed. Running on both now. 1648 Loud banging sound heard throughout boat. Port diesel now inoperative. Engineers to conduct complete stripdown to see what's wrong. 1932 Chief reports diesel has thrown a piston-rod. Will take several hours to replace. Proceeding on starboard diesel only. 8/22/39 0200 Position Report: AF79. Fuel 94%. Raining, Sea Moderate. 1126 Chief reports diesel crankshaft showing multiple cracks, probably from sudden stop when rod broke. He advises that crankshaft will almost certainly shatter if we attempt to run port deisel. 1135 Radioed OKM for advice on situation. 1301 Radio: OKM ordered us to return to Wilhelmshaven for replacement of diesel. Not the news we wanted for our first patrol, but what can we do? 8/23/39 0200 Position Report: AN39. Fuel 92%. Running at Full Speed on starboard diesel, maintaining 11 knots. 8/24/39 0200 Position Report: AN64. Fuel 90%. 2012 Entered Wilhelmshaven outer harbor. 2136 Entered inner harbor. 2152 Docked at Wilhelmshaven repair dock. Crew unhappy, but spirits are high. We're told the engine will be replaced in four to five days. Two more for tests and we should be ready to go.

01-04-06, 04:18 PM	#5
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Nice job Steve. Just like a crew to be dissapointed about not haveing to stare death in the face ! No worries your fate awaits you

01-05-06, 05:56 AM	#6
donut The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Shifting, Whispering Sands, NM Posts: 1,463 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Hi steve,patroled CA54 yet? Sandy Hook area is full of DE's,stay south, water is shallow also,boat took a beating. Decoys saved my hide!

01-05-06, 12:43 PM	#7
Sailor Steve Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Naw, for the sake of realism (in my own fevered mind anyway) I always go where they send me. I'm surprised that no one's commented on the fact that this patrol started and ended before the war began. Poor Berke missed out on his chance to be at sea when war was declared. It's okay, though; I'm running three different side-by-side careers, one from each flotilla, and one of them also went out on August 19, and has had some interesting adventures.

01-09-06, 01:24 PM	#8
Sailor Steve Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Bruno Asche Patrol 1: September 1, 1939 Game played December 25-28, 2005 Lt. z.S. Bruno Asche was born November 8, 1912 in Essen. He was inducted into the Kriegsmarine on April 1, 1934, age 21. Became Officer SeeKadett December 1, 1934. Promoted FÃ¤hnrich zur See November 1, 1935, one week before his 23rd birthday. Promoted OberfÃ¤nrich z.S. May 1, 1937. Served as Navigator aboard Type IIA U-4 from September 13, 1937 to February 22, 1938. Promoted Leutnant z.S. October 1, 1937. Assigned to U-Boat Flotilla Wedigen June 3, 1938 for command training. Served as 2WO aboard Type IIB U-19 from August 6, 1938 to November 12, 1938, completing two training patrols. Served as 1WO aboard Type IIA U-6 from January 9, 1939 to July 22, 1939, completing three patrols. Assumed command of Type IIB U-14 August 12, 1939. Was preparing for shakedown cruise with new crew when war started on September 1. Assigned immediate war patrol, departing as soon as possible. Since boat had just been preparing for cruise anyway, immediate departure was not a problem. Lt. z.S. Bruno Asche U-14: Flotilla Wedigen, Kiel U-14 crew, September 1, 1939: Captain: Leutnant z.S. Bruno Asche Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. GÃ¼nther Loh 1WO: Leutnant z.S. Werner Scholz 2WO: Leutnant z. S. Heinz Schmidt Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Erich Steimle Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsman Emil Stephan Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr General Petty Officers: Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen Bootsmann Hans Mohr Bootsmann Henning Hessler Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer Leading Seamen: Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt BÃ¶hling Matrosenhauptgefreiter Dietrich Priller Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein Senior Seamen: Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch Seamen: Matrosengefreiter Herbert Brehme Matrosengefreiter Rolf Maddaus Matrosengefreiter Siegfried Poske Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn 9/1/39 0013 Underway from Kiel docks, Ahead Slow. 0029 Passed inner harbor lighthouses, increased speed to 1/3. 0103 Passed Kiel outer bar. Following Swedish merchant. 0124 Spotted Schnellboot on patrol. 0138 Exited Kiel Bay. Opened orders-we are to patrol in grid AN81, off the southeastern English coast. 0256 Have lost sight of Kiel lighthouses. 0256 Our Swedish friend is gone. He changed course to the north about half an hour ago. 0350 Last sight of land. Sky is growing light. 0425 Smoke spotted in distance, bearing 152. 0431 More smoke to the southeast, bearing 280. 0449 Still more smoke, bearing 072. 0510 Ship at 280 now at 320, close enough to identify as a destroyer. Unable to tell type; almost certainly one of ours. Ship at 052 now at 085, appears to be a small trawler or tug. Ship at 072 now at 110, small merchant of some type. 0557 Land spotted, bearing 305-Gulstav point, southern tip of Langeland. 0601 Radio: We are at war with Poland. Apparently they attacked one of our border stations. 0739 Entered Langelands BÃ¤lt. 1232 Rounded Langeland, entered Store BÃ¤lt. 2249 Lt. Scholz thinks he saw a ship far astern. I can't see anything in this darkness. 9/2/39 0000 First Position Report: AO72. Fuel 95%. Sky Clear. Sea State 3, Wind 10 m/s, waves about one-half meter high. 0143 Entered Kattegat. 1018 Rounded LaesÃ¸ Island. 1543 Rounded Hirtshals Point, the northernmost tip of Denmark, about 14 km NE of Skagen. We are now in the Skagerak. 9/3/39 0000 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 90%. Clear with a slight mist. Sea 4, wind 12 m/s, waves about one meter. 1256 Radio: War with Britain! Life is about to get interesting. 1400 Storm front moving in. Clouds building, waves rising. 1735 Position 110 km S of Kristiansandked-we have now enter the North Sea. 1753 Radio: Possible war with France-situation unclear. Do not attack French ships, fight only if attacked first. 9/4/39 0000 Position Report: AN38. Fuel 85%. Overcast, Sea 5, Wind 14 m/s, two-meter waves. 1201 Radio: Do not attack passenger liners-period! 9/5/39 0000 Position Report: AN66. Fuel 80%. Overcast, Sea 5. 1000 Weather has intensified-heavy going. 2351 Entered AN81. Set Ahead Slow for patrol. 9/6/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 75%. Overcast, Sea 10, Winds 30 m/s, nine-meter waves. Not deep enough to safely dive. 1142 Radio: Situation with France still unclear-do not stop French ships. 1400 Storm has passed, sky is clearing, waves still heavy. 1419 Radio: Distress call from SS Rio Claro, 46-30 North, 12-00 West; off the Bay of Biscay. Was it a storm or a U-Boat? 1426 Attacked by two British fighter-bombers. No time to evade, nowhere to dive to. Luckily both were wide of the mark. 9/7/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 72%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 25 m/s, six-meter waves. 1201 Radio: Merchant ships only targets-do not attack capital ships-FÃ¼hrer trying to negotiate peace with Britain. 9/8/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 8. 0001 Matrosengefrieter Arnold called out a ship at 231 degrees, but none of us could see anything. 0005 Dove for sound check. 0010 Nothing on hydrophones. Surfaced. 0741 Ship spotted, bearing 045. 0744 It's a small merchant. Ordered Ahead Flank. 0747 Can't make more than 10 knots in these waves; having trouble overtaking. 0750 Set course 090. Range is 5800. 0755 Range now 5200. 0800 Range 4600. 0805 Range now 4000. Ordered periscope depth, set course 150. 0815 Unable to obtain proper range through periscope, or keep the boat trimmed-sea to rough. Surfacing. 0816 Set course 060. Range 2400. 0817 He's seen us! Turning away. 0820 Range 2300, Bearing 062. 0825 Range 2200, Bearing 072. Set course 090. 0830 Range 1600, Bearing 051. He's definitely British. 0835 Range 1000, Bearing 060. 0836 Set course 125, Ahead Standard. 0839 Firing tubes 1 and 2. First torpedo missed. Second porpoised and exploded prematurely. 0840 Can't shoot in this weather. Returning to course, Ahead Slow. 0906 It took 27 minutes to load tube 1! Everyone's tired, fighting the sea as well as the British. 0930 Only took 24 minutes for tube 2. Sending as many to rest as possible. 1141 Radio: Set magnetic pistols back 2 stages. Only use impact pistols on ships of 3000 tons or less. Now they tell us. 9/9/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 8. 9/10/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 63%. Clear, Sea 10, wind 30 m/s, waves 9 meters high. Impossible to rest, bottom too shallow, can't get deep enough to help. 1200 Following sea, boat is wallowing like a pig in mud. 1316 Radio: Convoys north of Brest may be attacked even if they have French escorts. 9/11/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 60%. Clear, Sea 10. 0900 Finally! The wind is dying. Sea is starting to calm. 1200 Conditions quite calm now. Enjoying the sun. 2029 Ship spotted, bearing 302. Set course 165, Ahead 1/3. 2040 Can now see him without binoculars. Moving across our bow. Set course 210, Ahead Standard. 2045 Whatever he is, he's a small one. 2050 It's a fishing boat! Returning to course, Ahead Slow. 9/12/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 57%. Clear, Sea 1, almost no wind, only small ripples on the water. 1700 Another storm moving in! 9/13/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 54%. Overcast, Sea 10. 2200 Several operational messages throughout the day, none of them concerning us. 9/14/39 1400 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 51%. Overcast, Sea 10. 1310 Radio: U-35 reports being attacked by British forces in BF33. 1600 Radio: Steamship Ida Drake rescuing survivors of SS British Influence. Looks like somebody's doing his job! 9/15/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 48%. Overcast, Sea 10. 9/16/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 45%. Overcast, Sea 10. 1508 Ship spotted! Bearing 243. Changed course to 060, Ahead Standard. 1511 Identified as small merchant, range about 8100 meters. Can't attack, sea too rough. 1600 Seas starting to calm down. 1700 Storm has pretty much passed. 1728 Aircraft! Gave order to dive to periscope depth, but too late. Luckily he missed us. 1730 Returning to course, staying submerged. 2200 Surfaced. 9/17/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 41%. Clear, Sea 0. Wind 2 m/s, almost dead calm. 0149 Ship spotted, bearing 282. He's heading right for us! 0150 Set up UZO. 0155 Medium sized cargo ship, range 3300. 0156 Sky is starry, moon is out; decided to attack submerged. Took down UZO, ordered Periscope Depth, Ahead Standard. 0200 Range now 2500. There's another ship far behind, can't tell what or who. 0204 Set course 270, coming about for attack run. 0206 Range 1600, Bearing 052. 0207 Speed Ahead 1/3. 0210 Range 700, speed Ahead Slow. 0211 Damn! He's Norwegian! They're neutral-can't shoot him! 0212 Turned north to check out the other one. 0221 Have lost sight of other ship. He must have been crossing our path. Returning to patrol. 0228 Sound Contact: merchant, bearing 278. 0230 Surfaced. 1202 Radio: Russia has joined us in the fight against Poland. An ally at last! 1542 Radio: U-27 reports two premature torpedo detonations. 9/18/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 39%. Sky clear, Sea 0. 1200 Weather has changed again; now overcast, sea moderately heavy. 9/19/39 0000 Position Report: Fuel 37%. Overcast, Sea 7, wind 22 m/s, waves about 4 meters high. 1646 Ship spotted! Bearing 086. Ahead Standard, Course 096. 1652 Changed course to 100. 1653 Medium-sized freighter, heading across our course, range about 7000. 1655 New course 110, Ahead Flank. 1658 Set course 120. 1700 Range 5200. 1701 Getting too close. Changed course to 150. 1705 Range now 3900, bearing 318. 1710 Range 2800, bearing 313. 1715 Range 1800, bearing 315. NO! Another Norwegian! Are they all moving to England for the winter?! Returning to course, Ahead Slow. 9/20/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 34%. Overcast, Sea 7. 1502 Radio: U-34 has sunk two merchants, totalling 11,000 tons! Great to hear! 9/21/39 0000 Position Report: AN81. Fuel 31%. Overcast, Sea 10. Heading for home, Ahead 1/3. 9/22/39 0000 Position Report: AN66. Fuel 26%. Clear, Sea 10. 1625 Radio: U-53 also heading home, low on food. 9/23/39 0000 Position Report: AN38. Fuel 21%. Sky clear, Sea 10. 9/24/39 0000 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 16%. Sky clear, Sea 10. 1400 Radio: French ships are now to be treated the same as British. 1528 Radio: Merchants using radios when stopped by U-boats may be sunk or taken as prizes. 1547 Rounded Hirtshals Point; back in Kattegat. 1600 Radio: Passenger liners carrying 120 people or less may be sunk. 2218 Rounded LaesÃ¸. 9/25/39 0000 Position Report: AO47. Fuel 11%. Partly Cloundy, Sea 8, wind 25 m/s, 6-meter waves. 0752 Rounded GrenÃ¥. 1153 Smoke spotted, bearing 068. Must be either friendly or neutral, not changing course to investigate. 1542Can see land to East, almost certainly point off Kalundborg. Estimate 9 km to point, 36 km to port. 2223 Rounded North tip of Langeland. 9/26/39 0000 Position Report: AO76. Fuel 6%. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8. 0413 Rounded Gulstav Point. 0441 Smoke spotted, bearing 301. 0456 It's a destroyer, likely one of ours. 0736 Ship spotted ahead. 0740 Another destroyer. 0806 Land spotted. 0833 More smoke dead ahead. 0912 Small merchant coming our way. 0933 He's Swedish; just passed us. 0947 Can make out the buildings at Kiel-almost home. 1001 Passed into Kiel Bay; wind has dropped considerably. It's quite pleasant now. 1040 Passed outer bar. 1106 Passed lighthouse into inner harbor. Reduced speed to Slow. 1125 Tied up at Kiel. All in all a useless patrol. We were attacked twice by enemy planes, failed to sink one ship. Still, crew are in good spirits, anxious for a few days at home, but wanting to get to sea again. September 26, 1939 1. Heinrich Liebe..........16,698 2. Herbert Schultze......14,777 3. Wilhelm Rollmann.....13,138 4. GÃ¼nther Prien.............8,270 Bruno Asche*......................0 GÃ¼nther Berke.....................0 Berthold Cranmer*................0

01-28-06, 12:27 PM	#13
Sailor Steve Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Bruno Asche Patrol 2: October 20, 1939 Game played January 10-12, 2005 U-14's first patrol lasted 25 days, from September 1 to September 26, 1939. During our time in port Matrosenhauptgefreiter Dietrich Priller was promoted to Bootsmann and transferred ashore for special training. His replacement is a young sailor fresh out of submarine school, Gerhard RÃ¶mer. U-14 was ready for sea on October 16, and received orders to put out on October 20. Lt. z.S. Bruno Asche U-14: Flotilla Wedigen, Kiel U-14 crew, October 20, 1939: Captain: Leutnant z.S. Bruno Asche Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. GÃ¼nther Loh 1WO: Leutnant z.S. Werner Scholz 2WO: Leutnant z. S. Heinz Schmidt Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Erich Steimle Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Emil Stephan Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann 2nd Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr General Petty Officers: Bootsmann Hans Mohr Bootsmann Henning Hessler Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer Leading Seamen: Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt BÃ¶hling Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein Senior Seamen: Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch Seamen: Matrosengefreiter Herbert Brehme Matrosengefreiter Rolf Maddaus Matrosengefreiter Siegfried Poske Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn Matrosengefreiter Gerhard RÃ¶mer 10/20/39 1833 Underway from Kiel docks. After 25 days in port we're finally putting out to sea again. 1847 Passed inner harbor lighthouse. Ahead 1/3 for cruising. 1917 Passed outer bar, opened orders. We have a special assignment: we are to patrol AF87, north of Bergen, and report any British movements in the area. We can sink ships if we find any, but the main thing is to watch for possible troopship movements, or excess warships where they shouldn't be. 2004 Departed Kiel Bay. 10/21/39 0101 Entered LangelandsbÃ¤lt. 0608 Entered Store BÃ¤lt. 1800 Position Report: AO72. Fuel 95%. Sky clear, Sea State 3, Wind 10 m/s, 1/2 meter wavelets. 10/22/39 1800 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 3 Wind 10 m/s, Waves 1/2 meter. 10/23/39 1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 85%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 9 meters. Diving to 30 meters. 2112 Sound contact, merchant, bearing 190. 2113 Periscope depth, Ahead Standard, course 240. 2118 Ahead Flank. 2130 We've lost him. Returned to 30 meters, Ahead Slow, course 300. 2138 Sound picked him up again. Surface, course 180, Flank speed. 2140 Course 170. 2150 Diving for sound check. 2152 Contact. Surfaced. 2215 Sound check. 2218 Contact. Surface, course 210. 2230 Sound check. 2236 Contact. Surface, course 240. 2300 Can't seem to catch him. Breaking off chase. 30 meters, Ahead Slow, course 300. 2312 Contact, ahead of us this time. Surface, Flank Speed, course 260. 2345 Nothing. 30 meters, Ahead Slow, returning to course 300. 10/24/39 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 80%. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9 m. Diving to 30. 2218 Sound contact, ahead and closing. Surfaced, course 280. 2304 Spotted him! Closing. 2305 Small Norwegian coaster. Diving to 30 meters, returning to course. 10/25/39 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1554 Ship spotted. 1600 Periscope depth, Flank Speed, course 210. 1605 He's making 9 knots. We'll never catch him submerged. Surfaced. 1607 Another Norwegian. Returning to course. 1800 Position Report: AN31. Fuel 76%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 6m. 10/26/39 0623 Ship Spotted, another Norwegian. 1800 Position Report: AN29. Fuel 71%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 6m. 10/27/39 0346 Ship spotted! Set course 020. 0357 I'm starting to feel like a Norwegian customs inspector. Returning to course 300. 1026 Entered Patrol Grid AF87. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 22 m/s, Waves 6m. 1802 Radio: British are using Ocean Liners as Troopships. All liners in convoys are now valid targets and may be sunk withour warning. 10/28/39 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 68%. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 5m. 10/29/39 1201 Radio: North Sea restrictions forbidding searching of stopped ships now extended to west of Orkney Islands. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 69%. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 5m. 10/30/39 1200 Waves are all wrong for this type of cruising in this boat. Following sea, boat wallowing badly. Crew starting to suffer from "Mal de Mer"-seasickness. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 68%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 26 m/s, Waves 8m.Course change has made the going a little easier. 10/31/39 0327 Ship spotted. 0331 Course now 260, Standard Speed. 0334 Flank Speed ordered. 0335 There he is again! Set course 295. 0340 Another small coastal merchant. have to get closer to identify. 0350 Range 2300. This has become a long stern chase. 0355 Range now 1900. 0400 Range 1650. 0405 Range 1450. 0410 Range 1250. 1415 Range 1000. 0420 Range 700. Still can't see his flag. 0425 Of course-another Norwegian! Breaking off chase, diving to 30 meters to escape weather. 1200 Surfaced. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 67%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 27 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving again. 11/1/39 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 66%. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving. 11/2/39 1200 Surfaced. 1800 Position Report: AF 87. Fuel 65%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 32 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 30. 11/3/39 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 64%. Overcast, Sea 10, Waves 9m. 30 meters. 11/4/39 0338 Sound contact-merchant. Surfaced, set course 005, Ahead Standard. 0400 Sound check. 0415 No further contact. Returning to course 125, ahead slow, 50 meters. 0416 Contact! Surfaced, Ahead Standard, course 030. 0417 AAAH! He's only 400 meters away! Relief, he's not heading for us, but on reciprocal course. 0418 He's a medium-sized merchant, Norwegian of course. We pass at a distance of less than 200 meters. The Norwegians wave at us as we go by. 0420 30 meters, Ahead Slow, Course 125. 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 63%. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 25 m/s, Waves 8m. Diving to 30 meters. 11/5/39 1200 Surfaced. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 61%. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 31 m/s, Waves 9m. 50 meters. 11/6/39 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 60%. Raining now, Sea 10,Wind 30 m/s, Waves 9m. Dive to 30 meters. 11/7/39 1200 Surfaced. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 59%. Heavy driving rain, Sea 10, Wind 29 m/s, Waves 9m. Diving to 30 meters. 11/8/39 0900 The crew surprised me with a small cake and a bottle of wine smuggled aboard by Matrosengefreiter Poske, whose father apparently owns a restaurant right in Kiel. I hadn't even thought about my birthday! Today I am twenty-seven. 1200 Surfaced. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 58%. Rain, Fog, Heavy Seas. 30 meters. 11/9/39 0931 Sound Contact-merchant. Surfaced, Ahead Standard, course 030. 0945 Dove for Sound Check. 0957 Contact. Surfaced, course 035. 1011 Brief contact. Course 045. 1027 Another brief contact-he's slipping by us! Course 135, Flank Speed! 1045 Sound Check. 1047 Contact. Surfaced, Course 245. 1100 Sound Check. 1102 Contact. Surfaced, Course 200. 1115 Sound Check. 1118 Contact. Surfaced, Course 215. 1130 Sound Check. 1200 We've lost him. Surfaced, Ahead Slow, Patrol Course. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 55%. Raining, Sea 10. 30 meters. 11/10/39 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1234 Radio: All boats are ordered to set magnetic pistols again. This is our first radio reception in 13 days. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 54%. Still raining, still foggy, Sea State still 10, waves still running 9 meters high, still diving to 30 meters to escape it. 11/11/39 1200 Surfaced. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 53%. Rain, Sea 10. 30 meters. 11/12/39 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: Fuel 52%. Rain, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters. 11/13/39 0623 Sound contact. Surfacing, Standard Speed. 0627 Weather still high. We'll never catch him. Dive to 50 meters, Ahead Slow. 0824 Another contact, moving away. Not a thing we can do about it until this weather lifts. 0921 Contact. This one closing. Surface, Ahead Standard, Course 005. 0928 Course 010. 0945 Sound check. 0950 Contact. Surface, Course 015. 1000 Sound check. 1002 Contact, bearing 096. He's off to starboard! Surface, Ahead Flank, Course 110. 1015 Sound Check. 1016 Contact, bearing 105, moving away. He got by us. Set 50 meters depth, Ahead Slow, returning to patrol course. 1200 Surface to recharge. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 50%. Raining, Sea 10. Diving to 50 meters. 11/14/39 1200 Surfaced. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 49%. Weather unchanged. 50 meters. 11/15/39 0906 Sound contact, moving away. We can't catch him. 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: Fuel 48%. Rain, fog, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters. 1814 Contact. Closing. Surfaced, Ahead Standard, Course 200. 1830 Sound Check. 1834 Contact. Surfaced, Course 215. 1845 Sound Check. 1846 Contact. Surfaced, Ahead Flank, Course 300. 1900 Sound Check. 1901 Contact. Surfaced, Course 250. 1915 Sound Check. 1916 Contact. And another one gets away. 30 meters, Ahead Slow, returning to patrol course. 11/16/39 0037 Contact, closing. Surfaced, Course 010. 0054 Blinding rain, black as...well, night. 0100 Sound Check. 0105 No contact. 0124 Contact. Surfaced, Course 015. 0130 Sound Check. 0135 No contact. 0150 We've lost him. Returning to course, set 30 meters depth. 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: AF87. Fuel 46%. Rain, fog, Sea State 10, 9 meter waves. Returning to course, 30 meters. 11/17/39 0436 Contact. Closing. Periscope depth. 0441 Contact lost. 0446 Diving to 30 meters. 0456 Contact regained. 0527 No contact for some time. Returning to course. 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: Fuel 45%. Rain Sea 10. Dove to 30 meters. Heading for home. 11/18/39 1200 Surfaced. 1800 Position Report: AN23 Fuel 44%. Raining, Sea 10. 30 meters. 11/19/39 1200 Surfaced. 1800 Position Report: AN27. Fuel 43%. Rain, fog, heavy seas. 30 meters. 11/20/39 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: AN27. Fuel 42%. Rain, Sea 10 (or higher). 30 meters. 11/21/39 0718 Contact. Closing. Surfaced, Ahead Standard, Course 355. 0721 Broke surface, and it's stopped raining! Sea still quite heavy, though. 0730 Sound Check. 0753 Picked him up again, after more than 20 minutes listening. 0755 Contact lost again. 0758 Dove to 20 meters, Ahead Slow. 0808 Contact. Surfaced, Ahead Flank, Course 270. 0815 Sound Check. 0817 Nothing. Ahead Standard, making 360 degree circle. 0820 Still nothing. Return to course 210, 50 meters. 1200 Surface to recharge. 1800 Position Report: AN42. Fuel 41%. Overcast, Sea 10. 30 meters. 11/22/39 1200 Surface. 1800 Position Report: AN45. Fuel 40%. Diving to 30 meters. 11/23/39 1200 Surfaced. 1800 Position Report: AN46. Fuel 39%. Overcast, Sea 10. Dive to 30. 11/24/39 1200 Surfaced to recharge. 1800 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 38%. Overcast, Sea down to 5, 2 meter waves. Staying surfaced. 11/25/39 1800 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 34%. Overcast, Sea 5. 11/26/39 1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 30%. Overcast, Sea State 4, 1 meter waves. 11/27/39 1800 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 26%. Overcast, Sea 4. 2311 Ship spotted. Set course 010, Ahead Standard. 2342 Another Norwegian. Turning for home again, Ahead Slow. 11/28/39 1800 Position Report: AN36. Fuel 22%. Overcast, Sea 4. 11/29/39 1800 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 18%. Overcast, Sea 5. 11/30/39 1800 Position Report: AO72. Fuel 14%. Overcast, Sea 7, 4 meter waves. 12/1/39 1635 Spotted fishing trawler in middle of LangelandsbÃ¤lt. He's riding these waves better than we are! 12/2/39 0123 Entered Kiel Bay. 0232 Passed outer bar. 0308 Passed lighthouse to inner harbor. We have illustrious company: Two heavy cruisers are tied up in Kiel as we return. 0327 Tied up at recieving dock. Patrol summary: No sinkings, never even saw an enemy ship. We must have done something important, though: I was congratulated by Admiral DÃ¶nitz himself. December 2, 1939 1. Herbert Schultze .................58,266 2. GÃ¼nther Prien......................37,420 3. Werner Hartmann................35,306 4. Wilhelm Rollmann.................32,860 5. Berthold Cranmer...............17,901 6. Heinrich Liebe.......................16,698 7. GÃ¼nther Berke....................13,777 8. Viktor SchÃ¼tze........................5,874 9. Joachim Schepke ....................2,348 10. Otto Kretschmer ......................876 11. Hans Jenisch............................500 12. Ernst Baur................................345 Bruno Asche**...................................0

02-06-06, 01:55 PM	#14
Sailor Steve Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Bruno Asche Patrol 3: December 7, 1939 Game played February 2-5, 2006 U-14's second patrol lasted from October 20 to December 2, 1939; a total of 43 days. I was disappointed over my lack of success in meeting, let alone sinking any enemy shipping, but I was later informed by those in the highest places that our patrol in the area was of utmost importance, and was congratulated accordingly. Our assignment was to patrol Grid AF87, and to keep watch on the area north of Bergen, as it was suspected the British might be scouting the area in preparation for a possible invasion of Norway. Since U-14 only had to resupply only food and fuel, and not weapons, her turn-around time in port was only 5 days. We were ready for sea on December 7, and already had orders for immediate departure. U-14: Flotilla Wedigen, Kiel U-14 crew, December 7, 1939: Captain: Leutnant z.S. Bruno Asche Chief Engineer: Leutnant z.S. GÃ¼nther Loh 1WO: Leutnant z.S. Werner Scholz 2WO: Leutnant z. S. Heinz Schmidt Navigator: OberfÃ¤hnrich z. S. Erich Steimle Senior Helmsman/3rd Watch Leader: Stabsoberbootsmann Emil Stephan Helmsman: Bootsmann Josef Sander Helmsman: Bootsmann Reinhard Brummer Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann August Hermann 2nd Machinist: Stabsoberbootsmann Herbert Thomsen Torpedoman: Bootsmann Peter Heyer Torpedoman: Bootsmann August Spahr General Petty Officers: Bootsmann Hans Mohr Bootsmann Henning Hessler Leading Seamen: Matrosenhauptgefreiter Kurt BÃ¶hling Matrosenhauptgefreiter Max Eisenstein Senior Seamen: Matrosenobergefreiter Erich Richter Matrosenobergefreiter Heinz Witt Matrosenobergefreiter Walter Jordon Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Rasch Seamen: Matrosengefreiter Herbert Brehme Matrosengefreiter Rolf Maddaus Matrosengefreiter Siegfried Poske Matrosengefreiter Jurgen Schendel Matrosengefreiter Reiner Hansen Matrosengefreiter Max Claussen Matrosengefreiter Philipp Bahn Matrosengefreiter Gerhard RÃ¶mer 12/7/39 2133 Departed Kiel docks. 2140 The harbor is quite pretty this time of year-everything is frozen and covered in ice, including the two cruisers, who are still with us. 2204 Passed the outer bar and into the upper bay. 2219 Left Kiel bay for the open sea (or at least the lower Kategat). Cruising at 1/3-Speed is a waste of fuel, but a neccessary one: they want us on station as quickly as possible. Our destination-AN18, off the Moray Firth, leading to Inverness, and south of Scapa Flow. Again, we're watching for troopships and escorts amassing in the area. And again we can sink ships if we desire, just to let the British know we're watching them. 12/8/39 2200 First Position Report: AO47. Fuel 95%. Sky Clear, Sea 3, 1/2-meter waves, wind 5m/s. 12/9/39 2200 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 90%. Clear, Sea 3. 12/10/39 1403 Matrosengefreiter Suhren reports smoke on the horizon. No one else has seen anything; maybe he saw something, maybe not. 1425 Suhren again called out smoke in the distance. This time Watch Leader Stephan confirms it-smoke at 170 degrees relative. 1426 On Stephan's confirmation set course 065 degrees, Speed Ahead Standard. 1430 Went to periscope depth, Ahead Slow. 1440 It's some small merchant, not even worth a torpedo. Range 1300, end-on to us. Set course 080, Ahead Standard. 1445 Ahead Slow. He's passing us now, making a good 9 knots. 1448 He's flying the Polish flag! Gave order to head away from him so we can come around on the surface without being seen. Submerged we'll never catch him. 1450 Range 1300 and increasing. We'll surface and circle around in front of him. What's a Polish ship doing in these waters now? Poland surrendered weeks ago. My guess is he slipped by us when the war started, and has been holed up in Arendal ever since. Now he's trying to reach England, and it's his bad luck he did so the very day we happened by. 1500 Range 5000 meters. Surfaced at Flank Speed, Course 240. 1505 Set up UZO. Range now 5800. 1510 Range 5900. 1515 Range 6000. 1520 Range now 6200. Set course 250. 1530 Until the batteries are recharged we're only making 1 knot faster than he is. 1545 Range still 6200-we CAN'T lose this one! We've gone two patrols without a single kill. Special assignment or no-we HAVE to sink something!!! 1600 Getting too far away. Set course 270. 1615 Range down to 5500. Course 260. 1630 He's changed course! Don't think he saw us in this failing light-probably just playing it safe. Range now 5100. Set course 240. 1645 Range now 5300. 1700 Range 5700. Set course 270. 1715 Range 5600. Batteries charged, we're now doing 12 knots. Stars starting to come out. 1730 Range 4600. 1745 Range 3800. 1800 Range 3400. 1815 Range 3500. He's slightly behind us now-going in for the kill. 1820 Range 3000. Set course 260. 1825 Range 2200. Set course 300, reduced to Ahead Standard. 1830 Range 1200 meters. Set course 330, ordered hands to Attack Stations. 1832 Fired tube 1, range 480 meters. HIT! 1834 Target sinking. 1836 Returning to course, speed Ahead 1/3. 1845 Tube 1 loaded. After 14 weeks of war we finally have a kill under our collective belt. Crew is exhausted but happy-we chased him for more than four hours! 2200 Position Report: AN35. Fuel down to 80%; running at Flank Speed for several hours will do that. 12/11/39 2200 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 75%. Sky Clear, Sea State up to 6, 3-meter waves. We're in shallow water now; we'll have to be careful about being seen. 12/12/39 2200 Position Report: AN45. Fuel 70%. Clear, Sea 6. 12/13/39 2200 Position Report: AN44. Fuel 65%. Clear, Sea 6. 12/14/39 0703 Entered Patrol Grid AN18. Ahead Slow for patrol. 0833 Smoke on horizon, bearing 080, spotted by Leutnant Asche! I was on the bridge talking to the watch crew, and saw it before anybody else. 0840 Can make out ship now, but nothing of it's nature. 0841 Ordered periscope depth, Ahead Slow, Attack Stations. 0847 It's a small coastal merchant, Range 1100. He's small, but we're not likely to meet too many big ones, and only have 4 eels anyway. 0852 Range 325 meters, firing tube 2. 0853 Missed! He's making 8 knots; we'll never catch him unless we surface, and that's ill-advised at this place and time. He'll see us and call in the planes. 0903 Tube 2 loaded. 0930 Surfaced, ahead slow. 1722 Ship spotted, bearing 046. Set course 305, 1/3-Speed. 1729 Set course 295. 1730 Course 270, Periscope Depth. 1736 Just a small fishing boat. Returning to course, Ahead Slow. 2200 Surfaced, gave Position Report: AN18. Fuel 62%. Clear, Sea 6. 2250 Ship spotted, Bearing 085. Set course 345, Speed 1/3. 2250 Set up UZO, ordered Attack Stations. 2253 Set course 000. 2254 NO! It's an armed trawler. Range 3500. Only 500 tons, not worth risking the lives of my men. Hurriedly took down UZO. 2255 Ordered Periscope Depth, Ahead Slow, returning to course. 2315 No sign of him anywhere. Surfaced. 12/15/39 0925 Ship-dead ahead. Spotted by Matrosenobergefreiter Witt. 0926 He's moving from right to left, fairly quickly. 0927 Set course 240, Ahead Standard. 0929 He's turned the other way. 0930 It's a destroyer! 5200 meters away. Ordered periscope depth. 0931 At periscope depth. Ordered ahead slow. 1100 Surfaced. 1101 We suddenly have seagulls everywhere. Estimate our position about 12km from Garmouth. 2059 Ship spotted! Close by, ordered immediate periscope depth. 2102 Armed trawler, 2100 meters off. It's a wonder he didn't see us. 2105 Soundman finally picked him up. Range now 2550. 2200 Surfaced. Position Report: Fuel 60%. Sky Clear, Sea 6. 12/16/39 2200 Position Report: Fuel 58%. Clear, Sea 6. 12/17/39 1423 Ship spotted, long range, bearing 338. 1426 Looks like he's heading toward us. I don't like it. Ordered periscope depth. 1433 It's just a tug boat of some kind. 1438 It looks like he'll pass about 1200 meters in front of us. To close to risk using the periscope. 1445 Sound reports he's off to our right, moving away. Sneaking a peek: range 2300. 1500 Lost sight of him-sound still has him. Staying submerged. 1600 Surfaced. 2200 Position Report: Fuel 56%. Sky Clear, Sea 6. 12/18/39 0321 Ship spotted, bearing 021. Set course 320, ordered Attack Stations. 0325 Set up UZO. 0326 Too soon! It's a destroyer! Took down UZO. 0327 Dove to periscope depth, Ahead Slow. Returning to course 290. 0324 Ordered Silent Run. 0330 Watching him through periscope-Range 1250. 0335 Range now 1650. 0340 Range 4000. Ordered Normal Run. 0400 He's gone now. Surfaced. 0859 Ship spotted-bearing 106. Looks like a merchant, travelling a parallel course to us. 0900 Periscope depth, Ahead Flank. 0910 Small merchant, Range about 4700, making 6 or 7 knots. 0915 Range now 4100. 0918 Set course due north, Ahead Standard. 0920 Range now 3300. 0922 Range 2700. 0924 Range 2000. 0926 Range 1400. Ahead Slow. 0928 Range 950. 0929 Range 750. 0930 Range 525. 0931 Range 355. Firing tube 3. Hit! 0933 Target sinking rapidly. Crew seems to be getting off okay. 1000 Surfaced. 1218 Smoke spotted in distance, bearing 240. Seems to be moving fast in our direction. 1235 Moved off over horizon, gone now. 2200 Position Report: Fuel 54%. Raining, Sea quite heavy. Diving to 30 meters. 12/19/39 0054 Sound Contact-Warship. 0247 Another warship contact, far off. 0306 Yet another warship contact. Are they out looking for us, or just busy tonight? Or possibly the same one, patrolling the area? 0917 Another warship contact. 1010 And again. If they ARE looking for us, they don't seem to be doing a very good job of it. 1042 Sound contact-another warship. He's also moving off the other way. 1600 Surfaced to recharge. 2200 Position Report: Fuel 53%. Still raining, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters. 2249 Sound contact-merchant. It's dangerous to chase him in this weather-staying submerged. 12/20/39 1557 Sound contact-merchant. He's closing on our position, so we'll try to intercept. Surfacing, Course 300. 1615 Diving for sound check. 1620 Nothing. 1625 Still nothing. 1630 Still no further contact. Surfacing, returning to course. 2200 Position Report: Fuel 52%. Raining, Sea 10. Diving to 30 meters. 2225 Sound Contact-Merchant. 2230 Periscope depth. 2305 Can't see a thing in this soup. Sound contact lost. Diving to 30 meters. 12/21/39 0800 Soundman reported several contacts during the night. This weather makes any attack nearly impossible. We only have two eels left-don't want to waste them. 1007 Sound Contact-Warship, closing. Ordered periscope depth. 1011 Sound reports him moving away now. 1014 Can see nothing. Sound says he's still moving away. Ordered 30 meters. 1316 Sound reports another warship, closing. 1323 Persicope depth. 1428 Contact lost after an hour of looking for him. 1600 Surfaced. 2200 Position Report: Fuel 51%. Raining, Heavy Seas, 30 meters. 12/22/39 0010 Sound contact-merchant. Sea too heavy, ignoring it. 1600 Surfaced to recharge. 2200 Position Report: Fuel 52%. Raining, Sea 10. Diving. 12/23/39 1600 Surfaced. 2200 Position Report: Fuel 50%. Rain, Sea 10, 30 meters. 12/24/39 1600 Surfaced. 2200 Position Report: Fuel 49%. Rain, Sea 10, diving again. 12/25/39 0001 Woke up to enormous racket throughout boat-Christmas music blaring so loud I thought we were under attack. Seems Stabsoberbootsmann Hermann managed to sneak some records of his own on board without getting caught, and convinced Radioman HÃ¤nsel that playing them at full volume at midnight was somehow a good idea. I suggested that perhaps they would enjoy Christmas more if we left them on the English coast. 1600 Surfaced to recharge. 1605 Radio: Christmas greetings from BdU. 1630 Radio: A real Christmas present: BdU says bad weather should last at least another week, and we are accomplishing nothing here. We are to head home immediately. 2200 Position Report: Fuel 48%. Raining, Sea State 6. Underway for home at 1/3 speed. 12/26/39 2200 Position Report: AN44. Fuel 43%. Rain, Fog, Sea 6. 12/27/39 2200 Position Report: AN46. Fuel 38%. Rain, Sea 6. 12/28/39 2200 Position Report: AN34. Fuel 33%. Rain, Sea 6. 12/29/39 0500 Radio: U-30 reports attacking two British Battlecruisers. 2200 Position Report: AN35. Fuel 28%. Rain, Sea 6. 12/30/39 2200 Position Report: AO44. Fuel 23%. Rain, Sea 6. 12/31/39 2200 Position Report: AO72. Fuel 18%. Rain, Sea 6. 1/1/40 0845 Just realized, we're going to be home on New Year's Day! 2038 Entered Kiel Bay. 2115 Passed outer bar. 2130 Ordered Ahead Slow. Can't see any ships in this fog and rain, but I know they're there. 2139 Passed lighthouse. 2157 Can see docks now. Slowed to two knots. 2201 Tied up at Kiel docks. Ships confirmed: 12/10/39 Polish merchant SS Kalwaria; 1,518 tons. 12/18/39: British merchant SS Madaket; 1,556 tons. Total: 3,074 tons. January 1, 1940 1. Herbert Schultze .................77,548 2. GÃ¼nther Prien.......................60,588 3. Werner Hartmann................35,306 4. Wilhelm Rollman...................32,860 5. Heinrich Liebe.......................29,967 6. Berthold Cranmer...............17,901 7. GÃ¼nther Berke....................13,777 8. Viktor SchÃ¼tze........................5,874 9. Hans Jenisch..........................3,991 10. Otto Kretschmer ..................3,276 11. Bruno Asche**.....................3,074 10. Joachim Schepke..................2,348 12. Ernst Bauer.............................345 1/5/40 Promoted Oberleutnant. Awarded Iron Cross Second Class.