kormoran kriegstagebuch

8/13/2019 kormoran kriegstagebuch

1/134

KORMORAN SCHIFF 41 RAIDER G

WAR DIARY LOG

KRIEGSTAGEBUCH

Translated by Barbara Winter.

This translation is offered for guidance only. If it is necessary

to prove a specific point, microfilm of the original KTB

is available in the National Library, Canberra

as part of the Australian Joint Copying project.

PTE.006.0001


2/134

NOTES:

This translation is offered as a service to researchers who do not understand German.I am neither a naval engineer nor an expert on optical precision instruments.If anyone wishes to make deductions from an item that seems odd, a copy of the relevant

section of the KTB should be obtained and the translation checked.A small amount of technical material has not been translated, but is included in German.A few comments on content and translation and background material are indicated byenclosure in [*].# followed by two letters and two figures indicates a grid reference on a secret naval chart.Rendezvous points and some ship names are enclosed in quotation marks.The Kormorantypewriters did not have italics and bold fonts. I have used italics for shipsnames to make them clearer, and bold to draw attention to salient points regarding wirelessmessages sent, use of aircraft and LS-boat, and significant comments by Detmers, especiallyin relation to his operations in November 1941.

Speed designations:

K.F. = Kleine Fahrt = lowest speed.L.F. = Langsame Fahrt = slow speed.H.F. = Halbe Fahrt = half speed. [Possible also Hchste Fahrt top speed]G.F. = Grosse Fahrt = high speed.A.F. = Alle Fahrt = full speed.A.K. = usserste Kraft = extreme speed.Also used are Marschfahrt (cruising speed) and Suchfahrt (search speed). The latter seemsto be confined to usage by Kormoran. [As the scrawl of Dr List in a diary was barely legible,one translator rendered Marschfahrt as Manilfahrt, giving rise to the claim that Kormoranwas headed for the Philippine Islands.]

Other abbreviations:DeTe Dezimeterwellentelegraphie-Gert = a precursor of radar.E.K.K. trials. Erprobungskommando fr Kriegsschiffneubauten =

Testing Department for new warships.F. d. Luft Fhrer der Luft = Air Commander (air-sea liaison).K.M.W. Kriegsmarine-Werft = Naval dockyard.LS-Boot Leichtes Schnellboat = light E-boat.

N.V.K. trials Nachrichtenmittel-Versuchskommando = Signals Trials Department.NWa Amtsgruppe Technisches Nachrichtenwesen = Intelligence, Technical Section.Ob.d.M. Oberbefehlshaber der Marine = Supreme Commander of the Navy.OKM Oberkommando der Marine = Supreme Command, Navy.Pak Panzerabwehrkanone = anti-tank gun. (3.7 cm)Skl Seekriegsleitung = Naval Operations Command (also SKL)Sm Seemeilen = nautical miles (also knots).T.E.K. Torpedoerprobungskommando = torpedo trials.T.Fl. Torpedo boat flotilla.

PTE.006.0002


3/134

KTB (KRIEGSTAGEBUCH): SCHIFF 41.

Date and Report of position, Events, time, wind, weather, state of sea, light

conditions, visibility, moonlight, etc.

9.10

1200 Deutsche Werft[*shipyard] Ship commissioned.Finkenwrder

2200- Bubendey-Ufer Moved to Bubendey-Ufer.

2300 Taking on oil.

10.10

0800 Bubendey-Ufer, Hamburg Cast off for trip to Kiel.

2220 K.M.W. Kiel. Made fast. [*Kriegsmarine-Werft = naval dockyard]

Equipment wharf.

11.10

K.M.W. Kiel Taking on live ammunition, torpedoes, main provisions

and equipment, artillery and torpedo practice ammunition,

remaining equipment, oil.

12.10

K.M.W. Kiel Equipment. E.K.K. harbour trials.

[* Erprobungskommando fr Kriegsschiffneubauten = Testing Department for new warships.]

0820 K.M.W. Kiel Fire in Electrical plant II. Main starboard cable from

E-plant II not battleworthy, repairs can be made during the

trip and trials, also the provision of measures to prevent arepetition. Decision: carry out programme as planned.

13.-14.10K.M.W. Kiel. Equipment. Harbour tests.

Equipment Wharf

15.10

0800 Kiel Cast off to swing compass.

1230 Kiel, Buoy A 12. Made fast. Equipment, E.K.K. harbour trials,

testing wireless equipment.

2200- Kiel, Buoy A 12. Air raid alarm, 22.45. Bomb hit 10 m 0215 behind poop.

No damage.

16.100630 Kiel, Buoy A 12. One aircraft taken aboard. Equipment.E.K.K. harbour trials, wireless put in order. The trial of the bow

protective equipment [* mines], planned for 17.10, will be put off until Gotenhafen on account

of the danger of mines in the western Baltic.

[*Gotenhafen = Gdansk; no political conclusions to are intended from this usage.]

PTE.006.0003


4/134

17.10

0630 Kiel, Buoy A 12. Second aircraft taken aboard.

E.K.K. harbour trials. Trial of state of readiness of wireless

installations. Equipment ended except for equipment according to SKL U I c 1951.40

Secret Order of 26.7.40. Postponed owing to lack of time.

[*Contents of this order are unknown; possibly concerns radar.]

18.10

0700 Kiel, Buoy A 12.

Ready for sea. Boat hoisting equipment failed. Captain's boat

fell into the water. Boat slightly damaged. No human injuries. Boat handed over to shipyard.Boat hoisting equipment is unserviceable for this ship.

0758 Kiel, Buoy A 12. Cast off. Proceeded to Gjedser with mine-sweeping escort.

Fuel consumption test on the way to Gotenhafen.

2058 Main engine 3 dropped out owing to failure of charger blower.

[Aufladegeblse]

19.10

A.M. Off Hela. Calibration of gunnery for distance.

1530 Gotenhafen, Basin V. Made fast.

20.10

1130 Gotenhafen, Basin V. Rolling trial. [*Schlingversuch?] Otherwise rest.

21.10

0800 Gotenhafen, Basin V. Put to sea for turning circle trials based on Kahlberg, followedby mile trials. Calibration of torpedo tubes for distance.

2000 Neufahrwasser, Buoy. Anchored.

Landfall buoy [*Ansteuerungstonne]

22.10

0800 Neufahrwasse, Buoy. Ready for sea. Engine tests, mile trials, steering test.

Calibration of torpedo tubes for distance.

1755 Main engine I dropped out through failure of a piston.

1845 Off Neufahrwasser. Anchored.

23.10

0800 Off Neufahrwasser. Ready for sea. Test of bow protection.

Cutting mines off Pillau.

1740 Off Gotenhafen. Anchored.

24.10

Off Gotenhafen. Ready for sea. Camouflage exercises.

1815 5546'N; 1901'E. Deep anchoring trials in 85 metres of water with 150 m chain.

PTE.006.0004


5/134

25.10

0810 5546'N; 1901'E. Anchor raised without problems, followed by camouflageexercises.

1735 Gotenhafen, Basin V Made fast.

26.10Gotenhafen, Basin V Taking on mines.

27.10 Gotenhafen, Basin V Taking on mines.

28.10

Gotenhafen, Basin V Ready for sea. Trial of DeTe-apparatus, instruction in Divisions;

cruising and action stations.

1820 Off Gotenhafen Anchored.

[* DeTe = Dezimeterwellentelegraphie-Gert, a precursor of radar.]

29.10

0935 Off Gotenhafen Anchor raised. Test of radar with steamerFreiburg


30.10

0930 Off Gotenhafen Ready for sea. Sea trial taking on oil from supply ship

Dithmarschen.


31.10

Gotenhafen, Basin V Taking on light speed boat. [*LS.3 = light E-boat]

While careening for painting of the waterline it was discovered

that in Division VII a plate below the waterline is leakingwithout external cause. Welded with ship's equipment.

1.11

0825 Gotenhafen, Basin V Put to sea for torpedo trials. 1300

Off Zoppot Anchored. Boat exercises, evening action training.

[*T.E.K. = Torpedoerprobungskommando = torpedo trials.]

2.11

0800 Off Zoppot Ready for sea. Torpedo trials.

1415 Gotenhafen, Basin V Made fast. Torpedo section is ready for action.

3.11

Gotenhafen, Basin V LS-boat adjusted and taken aboard.

4.11.

Gotenhafen,Basin V Gunnery practice not possible on account of bad weather,

therefore training in harbour.

PTE.006.0005


6/134

5.11

0800 Gotenhafen, Basin V Cast off for target practice. [*Abkommschiessen]

1815 to 1841 Searchlight practice.


6.110832 Off Gotenhafen Anchor raised.

1000 to Anti-aircraft practice, then manoeuvre Buoy overboard.

1140 -

1250 5434'N; 1909'E. Deep anchoring trial with starboard anchor in 75 m

water with 100 m chain.

1408 5434'N; 1909'E. Anchor raised without problems, followed by gunnerypractice and an approach run with 15 cm practice charge.

1730 to1900 Gunnery practice. Two night approach runs.

1932 Off Pillau Anchored.

7.11

1215 Off Pillau Anchor raised.

1355 to Gunnery practice [*Kaliberschiessen]

1645 Four daylight approach runs (1 approach with practice

charges, 3 with live ammunition).

1800 to Night gunnery practice; one run with practice charges

1920 with searchlight illumination, one with live ammunition

and star shell illumination.


8.11

1234 Off Gotenhafen Anchor raised. N.V.K. trials. [Signals Trials Department.]

[*N.V.K. = Nachrichtenmittel-Versuchskommando]1651 to One aircraft set out. Sent to Pillau for repair of a wing bolt.

1655 (There are no spare bolts on board.)


9.11

(***) Off Gotenhafen Anchor raised. N.V.K. trials and training exercises.

1347 Off Gotenhafen Anchored. N.V.K. trials ended. Radar is operational, however

owing to sensitivity to weather influences is not usable in this form.

1715 Off Gotenhafen Anchor raised.

1800 to Night action exercise.

2043 Man overboard. Able Seaman Erich Dembnicki N 2307/38 S2048 Site of accident: fell through the open starboard torpedo hatch while the above

5451.1'N; water tube was being swung. Two night rescue buoys were

1939.1'E . thrown; turned ship. Cutter and motorboat lowered. SwellWind: WSW, 2-3 from NW. Search supported by searchlight. Ship itself.

2053 Sea: 2-3 searched Search unsuccessful.

PTE.006.0006


7/134

2305 Both boats hoisted. While setting in the cutter, the davit rope

broke. Equipment for hoisting boats is not usable in this form.

Gunnery exercise abandoned. Return to Danzig Bay.

10.11

0222 Off Hela Anchored.0900 Anchor raised.

0940 LS-boat set out for practice run, was soon incapable of moving,

because of water in the oil; fished out again by the ship.

Thereupon action practice.

1145 to Engine trials at full speed (A.F. = 18 kn)1245


11.11 Gotenhafen, Basin V Beginning of remaining work and taking on remaining

equipment. Conference with building supervisor of the Deutsche Werft, Gotenhafen, and

representatives of the conversion shipyard. Discussion with representative of the

Oberkommando Marine [*Supreme Command, navy] concerning the remainder of the

work and further intentions.

Apart from making good the damage from the gunnery, the following major work is to be done:

1.) Improvement of the hydraulics on the guns. (Work far too slowly.)

2.) Alteration of the gear for setting out boats and equipping with a handy life boat.

3.) Supply of blackout adequate for a warship.

4.) Change of the radar apparatus.

5.) Provision of the most important spare parts for the electric motors.

6.) Removal of the warning gun in the bow.The following solutions were found:

to 1.): the cross-section of the conduits on the camouflage flaps of the 15 cm guns is to be

increased. An improvement of the hydraulics on the anti-aircraft guns will be givenup owing to lack of time.

to 2.): the previous gear for setting out the boats will remain. Special fittings with hemp tackle

will be built in. The material for this will be supplied by Hapag ships in harbour. The

requested 7 m cutter cannot be obtained. Kiel arsenal agrees to the provision of a 5 m

fishing steam cutter. This replaces the barely seaworthy and superfluous captain's boat,

which will be handed over. The davits will accordingly be moved closer together.

to 3.) Deutsche Werft Gotenhafen will build in the rubber caulking material which is missing on

the external doors and deadlights, and replace and complete the inappropriate sash locks

and cotter pins. [*Vorreiber und Vorstecker] In addition, lamps will be shifted, key

switches and automatic bulkhead switches will be built in at least in the most important

places.to 4.) Since OKM (NWa) reports that no front-ready radar set is available, nor could one in a

short time be fitted to retract, D.W. will build a protective box of plate metal around the

set.

[*NWa =Amtsgruppe Technisches Nachrichtenwesen = Intelligence, Technical Section]

PTE.006.0007


8/134

to 5.) The delivery difficulties for the extensive requirements of a diesel-electric ship are indeed

heightened by serious transport problems. However, insufficient initiative in the

responsible authorities must be determined. The problem is now solved by sending

engineers, petty officers and divisional NCOs to Wilhelmshaven, Kiel and Berlin to

bring the replacement parts by truck or as personal luggage.

to 6.) Although the ship has not yet experienced any heavy sea, it has become clear that thehatches of the warning gun in the forecastle entail a serious danger for the entire fore-

ship. The gun is therefore to be taken out, the hatches welded shut. A detailed report on

these points concerning rebuilding will be submitted separately.

12.11

Remaining work. On 11th and 12th, the Commandant of Ship 21

[*Ruckteschell of Widder] reported about his experiences.

The exchange of opinions with him was at this point of time very

useful, as I could still undertake alterations and assess suggestions.

13.11 Remaining work.


15.11 to 17.11 Remaining work; completion of provisioning.

18.11 Remaining work; taking on ammunition (additional 150 high

explosive shells, nose fuse)

19.11 Remaining work; oiling.

20.11

1120 to Inspection and farewell by Ob.d.M.1350 [*Oberbefehlshaber der Marine = Admiral Raeder]

21.11 to 23.11 Remaining work. Building-in two modified 3.7 cm anti-tank guns, 800

rounds for them. Commandant's official visit to Operations and Gruppe Nord. Besides the

general information I was particularly concerned with the views of both staffs concerning the

possibility of a break-through via the English Channel and over the ice conditions in the

Denmark Strait. Despite the unfavorable ice conditions reported by the fishing trawler

Sachsen, I decided to make the breakout through the Denmark Strait. If this should become

impossible on account of a further advance of the ice, then I would try to break through the

Faroe Island Narrows during poor visibility.

The date for going out through the Skagerrak was set for 7.12.On 14.12 it would be full moon. Gruppe Nord would have preferred that I passed through theDenmark Straits before full moon, but had no escorts available earlier. As far as I was

concerned, the full moon was satisfactory on account of the uncertain ice conditions.


PTE.006.0008


9/134

25.11

2030 to Remaining work. Training exercises.

2130 Night action practice at the pier. Test of the blackout provisions.

26.11

Remaining work. Training exercises.Exchange of star shells 3.6 for star shells 4.3. (Experience from

gunnery division.)

27.11

Remaining work. Training exercises. 3,000 rounds for 3.7 anti-tank

guns taken on. Provided by the army, since the 800 rounds providedby the navy were not sufficient for the proposed purpose.

28.11

0900 Readiness for sea postponed for an hour on account of engine trouble.

Action and Cruising Stations exercises carried out. I intend to test the operating range tables of

the E.K.K. again by a longer trial at normal settings (2 motors for the propulsion network, 1

for the ship's network), since the results lie considerably below those expected. Moreover, the

installations changed during alterations must be tested and the crew introduced to the various

tactics of an auxiliary cruiser.

1200 Off Hela, For the first time the ship and crew meet heavy weather. The ship rolls

Wind WSW 6-7 extraordinarily badly for her size, perhaps the short steep sea does

Sea 6 not suit her. The crew comes through very well.

1258 to Gunnery practice with 3.7 cm anti-tank gun.

1315 .

2000 to Night action exercise.2100

29.111000 Off Hela Fuel trials ended. No significant deviation from the E.K.K. values.

Cruising Stations exercise [*Rollendienst]; boat manoeuvres.

1133 Off Hela Anchored.

1300 Off Hela Anchor raised.

1330 to Oiling attempt over the poop (without partner). Attempt is cumbersome

1530 and time-consuming on account of the poor space conditions on the

poop deck, otherwise runs quite satisfactorily.


30.11

Gotenhafen, Basin V Remaining work, remaining equipment.

1.12

Gotenhafen, Basin V Remaining work, remaining equipment. Taking on as ordered additional

400 rounds 10.5 cm and 3,000 rounds 2 cm ammunition for U-boats.

PTE.006.0009


10/134

2.12

Gotenhafen, Basin V Remaining work completed. Considering the scarcity of

available materials, Deutsche Werft Gotenhafen has done good work. The ship is ready for

sea, apart from the missing aircraft and the box of gauges for the electrical department.

According to the experiences of the HSK, the aircraft are adapted and ready at Holtenau and

will be brought over as soon as the weather is good enough for flying. The gauges orderedmonths ago cannot be done without. The ship which has up till now been painted light grey

will be repainted dark grey-blue on the hull, without diagonal stripes, so that, with its wooden

cannon it looks like a blockade breaker. The ship now draws 8.8 metres at the stern, 7.8 m at

the bow.

3.12

Gotenhafen, Basin V The aircraft arrive in Putzig in the morning. Further inquiries disclose

that the box of gauges is in Hamburg. That is no use to me, because on

the morning of 4.12 I am supposed to be picked up by the escort of the B.S.O. off Adlergrund.

The E.K.K., whose co-operation during the whole time was exemplary, places its own box of

gauges at our disposal. By midday it is on board. We can manage without all the other pieces

of equipment which are still missing.

[B.S.O. = Befehlshaber der Sicherung der Ostsee; Baltic Security Commander]

1405 Gotenhafen, Basin V For the last time: Cast off.

1545 to Danzig Bay Both aircraft taken aboard.

1627 My good old Schoemannmakes a farewell circuit around us.

[*DestroyerHermann Schoemann, Detmers' previous command]

1645 Westward trip begun.

4.12

0658 Point Green 03 Anchored. Escort delayed.

0958 Point Green 03 Anchored raised. Escorted by Blockade breaker VI, proceeded to

WSW 2-3, overcast, Point Red 15. Carried on despite the darkness in order to reachhazy, poor visibility. day's target.

2247 Point Red 15 Anchored.

5.12

0811 Great Belt Anchor raised. Proceeded in company with Blockade breaker XII

SW-W 5, freshening, .

to NW 6-7, overcast,

hazy, fair visibility.

1822 Seelandsreb. Dropped anchor in allotted position.

Point Red 27 Anchor holds badly, as ground drops away in the direction of the wind

1956 Anchor raised, as ship is drifting.2013 Anchored with 2 anchors.[*Seelandsreb.: probably off Sjlands Odde, a promontory on the NW edge of the island of Zealand.]

PTE.006.0010


11/134

6.12

Kattegatt.

06.10 NNW 6-7, dropping Ship swings, anchors threaten to break loose; one anchor raised.

to SE-S 1; cloudy;

dropping visibility.

0720 Anchor raised. Proceeded in company with Blockade breaker XII.1549 Frederikshaven roads Anchored.

7.12

Skagerrak

0600 NNE 5-7, later Anchor up. Proceed with Blockade breaker XII. 1 T.Fl. with 3 boats0610 turning and dropping, joined. [*T.Fl. = Torpedo boat flotilla]

0830 medium visibility. Blockade passed. Blockade breaker XII discharged.

Proceeded at 17 knots with 1 Torpedo Flotilla at submarine protection over Black 23 and 26

through the outer break in the mine blockade at Kristian Sound. Submarine and aircraft cover by

units of Fighter Command East and F. d. Luft are on hand. [Fhrer der Luft = air-sea liaison]

1715 Air cover withdrawn.

2043 North by west 7-8, Torpedo boats cannot maintain speed against the sea.

heavy sea, good Discharged on account of storm warning.

visibility. Since Kormoranalso loses speed in the heavy sea, passing the narrows

between the Shetlands and Norway during darkness is no longer possible.

On account of the heavy sea, speed reduced to 15 knots, later to 12 knots. My misgivings

about the mines are reinforced by the report that in the torpedo room 2 torpedoes have torn

themselves loose and slid across the room. Hence decision to put into Stavanger.

2347 Over to course 49.

8.12

Off Hvidings Waiting for S.B. 3 short signals unsuccessful. On account of submarine

danger, S.B. now requested by wireless through naval commandantStavanger; thereupon S.B. shown for a time. Shortly before turning into entrance, Hvidingslights turned off. Ship gets free of the first skerries with difficulty and in the heavy sea remains

on the spot until the lights come on again. [*S.B. = Strassenbeleuchtung? Leading lights.]

0800 Off Karm Sound Arrived. No pilot available. Ship waits here until dawn, in order to

find then a favorable anchorage.

1121 Dusaviki Bight Anchored. Arrival reported to Operations and Gruppe Nord by

teletype. Request the naval commandant to allot a remoter anchorage.

1612 Dusaviki Bight Up anchor with a pilot from the naval commandant.

1753 Tostenskjr Bight Anchored. More favorable anchorage.

Total distance from Gotenhafen: 933 nautical miles.

2100 Teletype received from Gruppe Nord for night trip to Hjeltefjord andcontinuation from there on 9.12 in the evening. This order does not correspond with the result

of the discussions at Gruppe on 23.11. Since there was sufficient time, I replied to Gruppe:

After yesterday's experience, I cannot take responsibility for a night trip through the skerries

without a pilot. Pilot undesirable because of camouflage. If trip through skerries absolutely

essential, request permission to move by day. As already reported in person at Gruppe, I

consider the route outside the skerries more favorable, as ship of this type and size is

PTE.006.0011


12/134

conspicuous here. Presence of illegal Norwegian wireless transmitter confirmed by naval

commander Stavanger.

9.12

0300 Tostenskjr Bight New order arrived, which corresponds completely with my intentions,

although Gruppe considers it less favorable. After the experiences duringthe night of 8.12, the submarine danger off Utsire is not very great on a bright night with a

heavy sea. If a submarine has seen me entering port, it must assume that I would proceed

northward through the skerries. It can hardly expect that I would leave Stavanger again on the

evening of the 9th. The 9.12 is used to refasten the torpedoes, which have suffered no

significant damage, to repair minor sea damage, and to paint out the last light grey stripes onthe hull, as I can hardly count on being able to do any external painting in the present weather

conditions in the north. A short discussion with the commandant of Fighter Wing 706 [*Gr. =

Gruppe] over the enemy air situation in recent times. The fighter squadron flies submarine

patrol from 1600 hours until dark.

1609 South by west 5-6 Up anchor, in order to stand off Karm Sound by nightfall.

in gusts 7-8, There the ship comes into a heavy rain squall, in which put to sea at

medium visibility. full speed.. The squall is so thick that we cannot see Hvidins. Thus

we put to sea unseen. During the night the wind drops, it becomes very

light, the ship rolls heavily in the south-west swell.

10.12

0700 SSE 3-4, swell Passed Stadlandet, to course 36, in order to give enemy airfrom SW, medium reconnaissance the impression of a voyage to Narvik.

visibility later

good visibility.

1200 6336'N; 550'E. Clocks put back one hour.

Day's run: 359 nautical miles. [* n.m.]

Total run: 1292 n.m.No enemy air reconnaissance discerned.

1700 Course 307; course passes about 200 n.m. north of Iceland. It is

proposed to camouflage the ship the next day. In the evening twilight preparations made:wooden cannon, gaff and naval signal gear dismantled.

[*Depending on which authority you consult, the old British nautical mile was 1853.184 metres; a

German nm was 1852.25 metres; the US and International mile is 1852 metres.]

11.12

NNE 2-3, west swell, overcast,

medium visibility.

1000 Course 358, as at this time one must take into consideration the

arrival of enemy air reconnaissance. Ship is painted; superstructure and masts brown, super-

structure amidships and boats with external hull colour dark blue-grey, smokestack black with

red ring. I have decided not to use any of the prescribed camouflage models, because they do

not suit this area and are too conspicuous. The present colouring is inconspicuous and a good

protective colouring. In an emergency we areViacheslav Molotof7500 gross tonnage,

registered Leningrad, signal letters UPDA.

PTE.006.0012


13/134

1200 683.5'N; 021'W. Clocks put back one hour.Day's run: 390 n.m.

Total run: 1682 n.m.

1344 At 6830'N Course 270. The midday consultation with the meteorologist on board

[*Dr Wagner] indicates that a depression can soon be expected near

Denmark Strait. In order to be able to take advantage of this bad weather front, I want to reachthe starting point for the break-through as soon as possible.

12.12

In the forenoon the wind changes to SE and freshens. Swell from NE.

Nothing can be seen of the approach of the depression expected from the SW, so it is

presumably small. Thus I continue on 270, in order to press on to the edge of the ice, if the

depression leaves us in the lurch.

1200 6829'N; 1610'W. To the break-through course of 245. There was no reason forSSE 3; swell from NE; this, except that I felt that it was correct.

overcast; good visibility.

Day's run: 348 n.m. In the course of the afternoon, the development of the weather,Total run: 2030 n.m. contrary to the prediction of Gruppe Nord, seems to confirm the

correctness of the decision. A weather front with medium to poor

visibility is passing through. At 2000 hours, the clouds suddenly part. It is full moon, bright as

day. Under these conditions, I must postpone the break-through.

2002 Course 270, in order at least to test the edge of the ice asreported by Sachsen. High swell from SW comes up and crashes against the old swell from the

north. The great ship rolls and pitches like a destroyer 34, but the changes undertaken in

Stavanger to the lashing cables on the torpedoes prove themselves. Towards 2200 hours, a

typical bad weather front comes in from the south-west. As I am already in the latitude of

Straumnes, I want to go through on this. The wind suddenly turns.

2200 NE 5-6 later 8, sea Course 245. With little change of course, we keep south6-7, long high swell of the edge which announces itself through trails of mushy ice.

from NE and SW, hazy,snow showers.

13.12

0400 NE 5-6, later shifting Course 230.0448 E to SE and dropping, Break-through unseen succeeded.

overcast, local rain, Ship rolls heavily in the confused swell.

otherwise good From 17.5 knots to 14 knots.

visibility. I want to keep on as much speed as possible, in order

to get further away from Iceland.

1200 6518'N; 3146'W Clocks put back one hour. Crew have given the ship the

Day's run: 421 n.m. name Rollmoran.Total run: 2451 n.m.

1700 After pump broken down. Repaired on board.2135 Wireless message (W/T) from Gruppe Nord received, notifying

of favorable night for break-through. Unfortunately 24 hours too late.

2348 At 37longitude West Course 180. Till now I have remained so far north because Itake enemy air reconnaissance along the line Reykjavik-Cape Farvel into consideration.

PTE.006.0013


14/134

14.12

0920 W 5-6, later SW 8, Reduced to 12 knots. Ship makes heavy going of it.

Sea 7, heavy NE and

SSW swell, overcast,

fair to good visibility.1010 Reduced to 9 knots, in order not to endanger the flaps of

the guns and torpedoes.

1200 620'N; 3650'W Speed according to log 5.5 knots.Day's run: 331 n.m.


15.12

0800 SSW 5-6 freshening to Hove to. With revolutions for 7-9 knots, the ship lies quite well

10; Sea 8-9; heavy at 2-3 Dez [*Dez = 10 , hence 20-30= 10 deg] to the sea. The

swell from W and SW. sudden heavy occasional electricity usage of the propeller engines

causes concern. A little water is coming through the mine doors.

Course 230-270according to the sea.

1200 5829'N; 3743'WDay's run: 139 n.m.


16.12

WSW-W 7-9 in gusts 10. Ship hove to.

heavy swell from W Ship takes on hardly any water, has a very pleasant movement

and WSW, cloudy, and steers excellently even with very little way on. Despite

good visibility. these good sea qualities, she rolls so heavily even in a slight

sea that use of the weaponry, especially of the two guns in the

hatches, very quickly becomes impossible. Since the merchant navy officers, on the basis oftheir experiences with ships of this type, consider the movement to be too quick, and the ship

too stiff, I decide to alter the trim. As far as possible, the oil is pumped out of the double

bottom into the elevated storage.

1200 5739'N; 407'W The storm is gradually abating.

Day's run: 93 n.m.


1500 W/T that Operations is taking over command. Position report

therefore not necessary. At the same time an order to be at Point Red on 6.1. to provision U-

boat. Prohibition of attacks on merchant ships north of 40N repeated. Passing of route to

Canada to be reported by short signal.

1632 SW 4-5; Sea 4. Course 170, 12 knots.Cross swell.

1735 Course 150, in order to steer towards the narrowest part

of the North Atlantic convoy route.

2114 W/T received concerning the U-boat rendezvous time schedules.

PTE.006.0014


15/134

17.12

0815 WSW-W 6-7 dropping To 17.5 knots. North Atlantic route reached; lookout

to 2; Sea 3; SW swell, on forward crosstrees manned.

clear to cloudy,

good visibility.1200 5341'N; 3701'WDay's run: 278 n.m.


1353 Smoke cloud at 210true. Turned to east (121)

1442 Back to course 150.

Smoke cloud out of sight. According to my bearings and the

reports from Operations, I am passing between convoys HX 94 and HX 95. The ship is still

rolling heavily. With the change of trim we seem to be on the right track. Actually that ought

to have been discovered in Hamburg mathematically. Because of the importance of this

question for the battle-worthiness of the auxiliary cruiser, it should be useful to entrust this

task to an experienced loading officer of the Naval Office when an auxiliary cruiser is being

rebuilt and equipped.

18.12

0000 S 3; light NW swell; Course 180.

cloudy, good visibility.

0724 Steamer in sight at 200. Evasive action to eastward.

0748 Returned to course 180. Steamer is a large tanker in ballast.

which is apparently on the track AS 6 towards the west. Pity that we are not allowed to do

anything here yet.0837 Tanker out of sight.

1012 Passed North Atlantic route; to 14.5 knots.

1200 4744'N; 3426'W.Day's run: 384 n.m.


19.12

0000 NNW 3-4 freshening to 5; Course 190.

Sea 4; confused swell

from NW and SE.

1200 4214'N; 3516'W.Day's run: 351 n.m.


2240 Passed to south of latitude 40N.(0040 GMT) Reached first operational area. I intend at first to rove around the

route between West Indies and Azores.2337 Sent Short Signal to Operations: My (0137

GMT) position is

# CD 63. Sent to Norddeich[*Wireless station] that at present they can be

heard at strength 5 without interference.

20.12

0040 N-NW 4-5; rain W/T from Operations: Position required urgently on account

squalls; NW swell; of U-boat provisioning.

PTE.006.0015


16/134

cloudy; good visibility.

1200 3624'N; 3648'W War watch discontinued. Auxiliary cruiser watch. i.e.:Day's run: 339 n.m Day: 1 officer, 1 petty officer on forward crosstrees; 2

Total run: 4346 n.m. lookouts on the gunnery director posts; 2 normal sea lookouts.

Night: reduced war watch; bridge lookout strengthened by1 petty officer; radar brought out.

1744 Course 239. (Route AI 5). To 9.5 knots, most economical speed.

2015 W/T that the new short signal book is released for our use in

urgent cases.2259 Since the short signal of yesterday (0059 GMT) night has not

been confirmed and Operations urgently needs position, short signal for

Operations sent to Kiel: "My position is # DF 23."

21.12

0216 N 4-5 later NE 2-3; Kiel confirms, that short signal received strength 5.

(0416 Sea 2; light NW

GMT) swell, clear to cloudy,

very good visibility.

1100 Course 130.

1200 3344'N; 3936'W. I should like to save even more oil. Since the engines are not

Day's run: 242 n.m. at full capacity, the boilers for steam production drop out.

Total run: 4588 n.m. Steam production per boiler at full capacity about half the

performance of an auxiliary boiler.

[*Kormorandid have boilers: for production of fresh water, not propulsion.]

1555 Engines to full capacity, boilers in full use. 1 auxiliary boiler

shut down. Ship makes 13 knots.

22.120241 E 1, later SW 1-2; On course 234turned towards the light NW swell;

second Aruba route (AK 1).

variable cloud,

very good visibility.

1200 3036'N; 3838'W.Day's run: 299 n.m.


1320 First birth notice received. Now we know that our families

have been notified.

1646 W/T from Operations:

(1846 GMT) 1.) No U-boat provisioning.2.) Area 10-30N and 20-30W, 5-20.1.41 reserved for an

Italian submarine.

3.) Until further notice, remain in current operational area.

As I suspected, I now have the U-boat equipment on board for a long time as ballast, for the

torpedoes and gunnery ammunition do not fit my weapons. In addition, one of the decks for

prisoners is unusable on this account.Since the AK 1 route has not brought anything, I will cut

diagonally across both routes, hence

1753 Course 270.

The change of trim has brought a slight improvement, the ship

rolls less. As further oil is used, the trim must become more favorable.

PTE.006.0016


17/134

23.12

SW 4, later NW 1; Sea 3; WSW swell;

variable visibility.

1200 3000'N; 42

23'W.Day's run: 205 n.m.


24.12

WSW 1-2 freshening to Since the individual routes do not bring anything, I intend

overcast;SW 6-7; to search through the crucial point of the English course chart

rain showers, variable (23N, 25N, 43W, 32W), thereforevisibility.

0853 Course 170.

1200 2941'N; 4544'W. In the warmth which here already corresponds to a EuropeanDay's run: 214 n.m. summer, it is already clear that the ventilation in the crew

Total run: 5297 n.m. quarters is insufficient. This is particularly bad in the petty

officers' sleeping quarters in Section VI. The walls of this room

are hot, as forward the boiler room shaft cuts through it, and the drying and ironing rooms

are situated on the port side. This situation is improved with materials on board by diverting

a ventilation channel and making alterations in the insulation. The ventilation of the bread

storage must also be altered. After a few days' storage, the fresh bread is completely

mouldy. In addition a bread storage space is being built on the upper deck.

1800 to Christmas celebrations; opened by the Commandant with an

2200 address over the loud-speakers.

2039 W/T. Christmas greetings from Ob.d.M. [*Admiral Raeder]

received and conveyed over the loud-speakers.

25.12

0800 SW 2-3, later NW 4, The new switching system has brought a considerable saving

Sea 3; clear to cloudy; in oil. New trial: 1 motor at full power for the propulsion

very good visibility. network, 1 motor for the ship's network, 1 auxiliary boiler shut

down. Ship makes about 10 knots.

1200 2619'N; 4459'W.

Day's run: 204 n.m.


1220 Course 135.

1222 Receipt of KR [*?] fromHipper.

2100 Course 95.

26.12

0115 NW 2-3, later turning W/T. Political [*international] situation report received

south. Sea 0-1; light from Operations.

swell; overcast; rain;

variable visibility.0117 W/T. over new division of operational areas. For the present, we

stay here, in order to learn the patience which is so necessary for an auxiliary cruiser, for after

the first 7 days in the operational area it is clear that at least not much traffic runs here.

0925 S.O.S. Report fromBadenreceived.

PTE.006.0017


18/134

1200 2433'N; 4040'W.Day's run: 275 n.m.


27.12 S 3, light NW swell, moderate showers,

otherwise very good visibility.

1200 2414'N; 3630'W.

Day's run: 229 n.m.

Total run: 6005 n.m.1835 W/T received with statement by Dutch seaman, that La Plata

ships travel 400 n.m. west of the Azores to 10 n.m. west of Fernando Noronha. The man

has no idea; apart from us, nobody is travelling here.

2219 Hipperhas returned safely to Brest.

28.12

0848 S-SE easing, long NW Course 148.5. Also in this area nothing sighted.

swell, very good visibility.

1200 2332'N; 3227'W.

Day's run: 238 n.m.


1930 W/T Bombardment of Nauru by Ship 45. [*Komet]

29.12

SE 2-3, long NW swell, clear,

light haze, good visibility.

1200 2028'N; 3020'W.

Day's run: 219 n.m.Total run: 6462 n.m.

1404 to 14.50 Stopped. I intend to use the good weather for the first aerial

reconnaissance. With the rolling of the ship, however, the aircraft cannot be

controlled; the elevator is damaged on the backstay. Attempt abandoned.

The new switching of the engines has proved itself and has been

given the designation Search speed [*Suchfahrt] Fuel usage 15-16 tons per day. 15 minute

readiness for Full Speed. (17 knots) With this switching we have a sea endurance of about 7

months. I have come to the conclusion that the Central North Atlantic is hardly travelled.Traffic probably goes on one of the two convoy routes and through the Panama Zone. One

can count on a few irresponsibles who will take a short cut from the Cape Verde Islands.

Thus the decision to press southwards and to search the protruding corner of the PanamaZone inasfar as it lies in the North Atlantic.

[*Panama Zone: The area in which the USA had said that it would consider an attack upon shipping as

an attack on the USA itself. For political reasons, German commanders at this time were instructed to

respect this area, although not all of them did.]

1555 Course 190.

30.12

0919 NE Trade 3-4, W/T over operations byHipper.

dying NW swell, haze,

visibility 4-6 n.m.

PTE.006.0018


19/134

1035 to 10.56 Stopped to repair the starboard revolutions counter. Proceeded

on the system Search speed with only one engine. Attempt succeeded.

1200 1651'N; 3044'W. I intend to start the aircraft in good weather. On the advice of theDay's run: 222 n.m. . meteorologist, it is ordered to fly reconnaissance only within

Total run: 6684 n.m. sight of the ship, on account of the Trade Wind haze. .1435 Stopped to set out aircraft.New procedure on setting out: 2

backstays taken down, 1 derrick crosswise, 1 derrick fastened rather towards the lee. Both

shackled together as [*Wipp= swing?]. Procedure stands the test, aircraft cannot swing so much.

There is more stability in the whole harness, since the [*Geeren?] do not need to be manned.

1505 Aircraft set out on water.

1512 Aircraft started. Wind across swell.

On account of the length of the swell, no misgivings. Bombs not carried in order to

make procedure easier. Start and landing go smoothly, good flying performance.

1631 Stopped to take aircraft aboard.

1643 Aircraft alongside. Ship against the swell, aircraft in lee. Ship is

making about 3 knots ahead, in order to facilitate the control of the aircraft, which is

difficult to control in a cross wind. The second approach succeeds. Aircraft is picked upquickly, but the winch does not pull (old complaint, our electric winches are very

unreliable). It might have been possible to hold the aircraft parallel to the ship by increasing

power. However it turned crosswise, went under by the starboard float, then the

starboard wing and turned over in the lifting gear so that it was hanging on its

longitudinal axis with the floats uppermost.The observer, Lieutenant Ahl, fell into the

water and was brought on board immediately with a fender pole. The pilot remained in his

seat and switched off the motor. By energetic heaving the plane was lifted out of the water

and returned to its normal position. The rest of the manoeuvre of bringing it aboard went

smoothly.

[*Three times in this report Detmers here refers to the aircraft as Maschine, which caused confusion

in the translation of his secret report on the encounter with Sydney; when he wrote Maschine stoppt,he was referring to the aircraft, not to Sydney's engines, which he would have referred to in the plural

Maschinen.]

1648 Aircraft brought aboard.Motor boat set out immediately aircraft overturned.

1719 Both buoys picked up. Both brought board. Damage to the aircraft:

outer section of starboard wing and aileron, starboard float, elevator and side rudder, vertical

tail fin and casing of the bonnet. The damage can be repaired on board. Crew not injured.

Lesson learnt: If the wind is coming from a different direction

from the swell when the plane is set out, damage must always be taken into consideration.The

primitive gear permits the use of the plane only in rare cases. Ship must be absolutely

stopped,since the controllability of the aircraft is improved only to a slight degree by slow

speed, on the other hand the personnel are endangered.

1729 Course 190.

PTE.006.0019


20/134

31.12

Trade wind, occasionally

freshening to NNE 7, overcast,

light rain, moderate visibility.

1200 1306'N; 31

19'W. Our swimming pool, opened on the 29.12, is invaluable. I amDay's run: 227 n.m. pleased that I prevailed in Hamburg against all opposition.

Total run: 6911 n.m. Making a pool from a sail would have been a miserable substitute.

1800 to 2200 New Year's Eve celebration.

2014 W/T New Year greetings from Obd.M [*Raeder] received.

Unfortunately we did not have the good fortune to obtain our first success in the old

year; we look forward to the new one with greater hope.

Conduct and morale of the crew are good.

1.1.41

NE Trade, occasionally freshening

to 7. Sea 3-5; clear but hazy.

1200 919'N; 3205'W.Day's run: 232 n.m.

Total run: 7143.

1454 Course 70. I am standing now 25 n.m. off the Panama Zoneand intend to pass through the area between it and the operational area of the Italian submarine

in order to determine whether the traffic leaves the American zone here.

2.1

NE Trade 4, Sea 2-4;

1015 clear to cloudy, Course 90. According to the last position report of the Italian

hazy. submarine, it could by 3.1 already be in the southern corner of

its operational area, so I shall not go into it but run along the southern edge.1200 956'N; 2939'W.

Day's run: 189 n.m.


3.1.

NE Trade 4 easing to 1,

clear, Sea 3-1; fine;

heavy haze, visibility 4 n.m.0430 W/T Notification received re British Admiralty instructions

concerning deception and zigzag courses in darkness.

1200 1005'N; 25

51'W.

Day's run: 229 n.m.


1510 W/T Operations estimation of the Nauru undertaking results

in adherence to previous operational order. Considering the absolute emptiness of the

operational area, however, such an undertaking would be very tempting.

1800 Course 211, turned towards thepeacetime route between Brazil and the Canal. [*Panama]

PTE.006.0020


21/134

4.1.

NE Trade 2-3, Sea 0-2,

increasingly overcast,

visibility 6 n.m.

1200 712'N; 26



1800 Course 100. Panama Zone reached again.

Pushing further eastward.

5.1.

0325 N-NE 2-3; Sea 1-2; W/T. received concerning mining of Hobart.

light haze, good

0600 visibility. Course 295. Turned around in order to pass through the

operational area again; after that I shall investigate the New York to Cape Town route.

1200 608'N; 2529'W.Day's run: 240 n.m.


2105 Light sighted to port; approached closer.

2150 Recognised as American steamer (brightly illuminated neutrality

marking and flag). Pity that it is taboo according to our operational orders. However,

morale has lifted as we have at last seen a ship.

2306 Course 305; ship almost out of sight.2340 Light sighted to starboard.

6.1.

0014 NNE 2-3; Sea 1-2; Ship recognised by brightly illuminated national emblem as

clear to cloudy, Spanish, thus untouchable. Two hunts in one night, albeitgood visibility. without success! The whole crew is beaming. We had been in

our operational area 14 days without sighting a ship. We have become

very undemanding now.

0025 Returned to course 305.

0921 Steamer in sight on starboard bow. I take up course 50, course to

Cape Verde Islands.1035 American ship of the Shepard Line, Boston, passed. I do not set

any flag, as I even want him to have doubts and report me as a mysterious ship [*sic; in

English]. The goal of the unseen entry into the operational area has not been achieved, as

there was nobody there who could be surprised. Now my presence must become known, so

that at least a moderate threat to enemy shipping is achieved.1117 Returned to course 305.

1200 819'N; 2754'W.

Day's run: 216 n.m.


1209 Course 280.1435 Steamer sighted on the bow; turned on collision course. Ship

has no neutrality emblems and sets the Greek flag very late.

1514 Guns decamouflaged. Stop signal set. Ship carries out orders,

does not wireless, clears lifeboats.

1541 Examination party under Sub- Lieutenant Diebitsch away.

PTE.006.0021


22/134

ShipAntonis, 3729 gross, Greek, home port Oinoussei (Chios),

shipping firm Lemos & Pateras, with 4800 tons coal in English charter from Cardiff to

Rosario, armed with 3 machine guns of English origin.

Order: Crew to come over in own boats, sink ship. Taken from aboard beforehand: charts

and documents, 3 machine guns with 1000 rounds, 7 living sheep and fresh provisions,ship's bell and flag. Since the crew fled headlong from the ship, the examination party also

brings over some of their personal possessions.

1808 Explosive charges activated. (1 24 kg explosive scuttling charges

and 3 explosive charges.)

1810 Examination party pulls away from ship.

1819 Detonation amidships with boiler explosion following.

1837 817'N; 2832'W. Ship sinks by the stern post almost without listing.

28 man crew and a stowaway are taken aboard, namely: 15

Greeks, 5 Argentineans, 2 Hungarians, 2 Portuguese, 2 Spaniards,

1 Chilean. [*adds up to only 27.]

1915 Course 90in order to search through this area again.

7.1.

0600 NE Trade 2-3; Sea 2; Course 280, course towards the New York to Cape Town route. cloudy, very good

visibility.

1200 831'N; 2741'W. The radar, which I have never really trusted, is reported out

Day's run: 203 n.m. of order. An attempt is made to repair it.


1804 Ship in sight to port; sets lights and illuminates

neutrality emblem, American. Since it was just sundown, also set lights and

proceeded.

2000 Course 313.2300 Course 295, in order to test the southern side of the route.Evaluation of the steamerAntonis.

Charts, log book, etc, no significant result. Ship travelled in convoy as far as Sao Vincente

(Cape Verde Islands), put 3 stowaways ashore and bunkered there. From there course

directions, given by English consul, lay further westward and were not obeyed. Wireless

operator makes voluntary statement without the knowledge of the captain. Maintains that

vessels travelling alone also go mainly on the convoy route north and south. Cross the Panama

Zone by the shortest way. Crew conscripted in England, do not want to return to Europe, in

order to have to make another voyage. Completely propagandised. Very astonished that we

take them aboard and treat them decently.

The evaluation confirms my previously acquired opinion that in the open Atlantic there is stilltraffic, to be sure, but almost exclusively American and Spanish, which we are not allowed to

attack. The available enemy traffic takes place essentially on convoy routes and in the Panama

Zone.

8.1

0400 NE Trade 3; Sea 2-3; Course 330cloudy to overcast;

unlimited visibility.

1200 1026'N; 3052'W. Course 315.

Day's run: 232 n.m.


PTE.006.0022


23/134

9.1

0600 ENE 3-5; Sea 2-3; Course 45. Panamanian ship has reported (*Obs. observation?)light NNW swell; somewhat north of the route.

cloudy; light showers,good visibility.

1145 Course 270; back to the route.

1200 1302'N; 3221'W.Day's run: 229 n.m.


1745 The plane damaged on 30.12 is operational again.

1820 Course 315.

10.1

NE Trade 4-5; Sea 3 to 4;

cross swell; unlimited

visibility.

1200 1505'N; 3544'W.Day's run: 244 n.m.


2342 Light 30 to starboard; turned towards, increase to

full speed. Ship heading about 110.

11.1

Stiff Trade from ENE Ship is making at least 15 knots and is brightly lit.

to Force 7; Sea 4-5; Ship is American passenger vessel; turned away, to course 315.

0105 swell from NE; cloudy

to overcast; light

0600 showers; unlimited To course 50; I intend to cross the route mentioned by thevisibility. Dutch seaman, 400 n.m. west of the Azores-Fernando Noronha

route in wide sweeps, in order to be really certain whether there is

any significant traffic in the open Atlantic.

1200 1738'N; 3652'W.Day's run: 221 n.m.


12.1

0730 ENE later NE 3; Sea 4-2; Course 320.

medium NW swell; cloudy toclear; unlimited visibility.

1200 2005'N; 3508'W.

Day's run: 215 n.m.


PTE.006.0023


24/134

13.1

NE 3, later ENE 1-2; Sea 2-1;

medium length NW swell; clear;

good visibility.

1200 2301'N; 37



1540 Course 45.

14.1

SW-SSW 3; Sea 1-2; swell

from NW and E; overcast;

good visibility.

1200 2545'N; 3555'W.

Day's run: 227 n.m.


15.1

SSW-SSE 3; Sea 2-3; swell Ship rolls heavily at times.

from NE and W; overcast;

0825 hazy at times. Course 70. Crossing the route given by the Dutch seaman has

brought no success.

1200 2813'N; 3244'W.Day's run: 228 n.m. . Since a push towards the west does not promise much success,

Total run: 10293 n.m. on account of the deep lows passing through constantly at this

time of the year, I intend now to search the area west of the

convoy route between the Azores and the Cape Verde Islands.

The W/T 97 etc. to All, is now fully decoded except for Numbers5 and 6, which were not received here. The Operations point of view regarding my current

operational area set out in Number 10 contradicts my experiences. Since the question is of

fundamental significance, short signal to Operations:2257 (0057 GMT) Have sunk so far 1 vessel. Predominantly neutral shipping in sea

area, consider further implementation of task futile, since enemy merchant

shipping almost exclusively in convoy.

Short signal was sent on the Atlantic long distance traffic wave length,

Norddeich and Kiel were being heard at strength 5 at the time of sending.The expressions possible in the short signal book are very restricted. I

hope, that the Operations understands correctly that Convoy = Convoy route and Neutral

shipping = shipping which may not be attacked.

16.1

SE by E 2-3, turning

left; Sea 1-2; cross

0258 swell from NE and W; Short signal repeated on shortwave service to Norddeich,

since(0458)overcast; good visibility. receipt not confirmed.

0732 Receipt of signal confirmed.Since I expect a return inquiry from the Operations in the course of the day, I shall not

approach the convoy route again, in order to be able to wireless at any time, hence

0930 Course 215.

PTE.006.0024


25/134

1200 2905'N; 2934'W.Day's run: 230 n.m.


1230 Course 225.

1722 Course 245.

17.1

0100 ENE 4; slight sea; Course 135.0715 long WNW swell; W/T from Operations received, which shows that I have been

overcast; rain squalls. understood, but that I am not believed. I purposely did not report

that I got my only ship in the Freetown area, because then they

could come to the conclusion that I was an impatient novice who had just gone briefly

through my area once and said nothing was happening here. The reference in W/T 66 and

67 to All with the report from U-65 about the fast southern traffic on the southern convoy

route, which supports my view, is useless. I do not know the incontestable evidence of

Operations, but I must reject the sighting reports of the prize vessels as evidence to the

contrary, since prizes are supposed to avoid all other vessels and can only seldom determine

the nationality of the ships. I myself maintained that there were neutrals travelling here, but

I am not allowed to attack them. I have fulfilled my duty as a forward post in this area by

reporting my dissenting opinion; now only questions asked will be answered.

1000 Course 100.

1200 2657'N; 3003'W.

Day's run: 221 n.m.


2155 W/T from Operations received regarding handing over U-boatsupplies to "Nordmark".

18.10200 Course 270.

0257 (0457 GMT) W/T re position and area searched so far (40N, 5N,

27W, 46W) sent and understood.

1200 2634'N; 2932'W.

Day's run: 223 n.m.


1730 2634'N; 3030'W. Smoke cloud in sight, 282true.1745 ENE 4; Sea 3-4; swell Engines set for Full speed.

from WNW and NE; (17.5 knots).

1748 cloudy; unusually good Opponent is against the light horizon. I choose course and

visibility. speed so that he remains in the light and I can approach in thefast increasing darkness.

1817 Vessel turns away. My supposition that he would follow orders

and begin his twilight zigzag course is confirmed. At the same time, this makes it clear that

he is enemy. Besides, he is travelling blacked-out.

1821 Full speed ahead, so that the opponent does not escape me in

the approaching darkness. He is identified as a medium tanker in ballast.

1829 Alarm.

1841 Decamouflage. No range finding, estimation in this light very uncertain.

PTE.006.0025


26/134

1918 Searchlight on. The searchlight does reach far enough, to be sure, but

cannot stay on the target the way the ship is rolling, therefore star shells fired. Range

measured at 60 hectometers. [*hm = 100 metres], thus underestimated.

1919 Artillery opens fire. Third salvo hits target.

1920 5 enclosures: Opponent wirelesses: RRR British Union shelled. 2624'N, 30

58'W.1 sketch of battle

1924 1 gunnery report Cease fire, since opponent does not open fire and sends morse signal

3 torpedo reports [*by lamp], so that I assume that he wants to surrender, therefore

1925 Turn towards him on course 340.

1929 Opponent opens fire with his stern gun.Open fire again at34 hm. Opponent fires only four rounds, then his poop

deck is ablaze. Approach closer. Speed reduced.

1944 Cease fire. Opponent abandons ship.

1948 The fire on the poop deck collapses more and more into itself.

Since empty tankers sink with difficulty, I intend to blow it up.

1955 Boat for the examination party just lowered to water when

continuous explosions begin on opponent's poop deck. It would no longer be

responsible to board the tanker.

2006 Boat brought aboard again. Take up position to fire torpedo.

2034 First torpedo fired. Self detonation at end of safety distance.

Second torpedo fired. Hit at level of foremast.

Morse signal from lifeboats: SOS boats are sinking.

2042 - 28 survivors rescued, among them the captain. All English.

2121

2156 Open fire again with two guns, as the tanker will not sink. Although

every shot hits, no success, therefore:

2212 Third torpedo. Hit amidships. Ships turns slowly on the starboard

side and sinks quite slowly.2230 2629'N; 3107'W. British Unionsunk.

2234 Course 290. High speed: 15 knots.

2243 Course 270.

During the shooting, the radar set became totally unserviceable

and cannot be repaired aboard this time.

19.1

0430 NE later NW 1-2; Operations received call for help fromBritish Unionandcalm sea; light swell presumed correctly that we had something to do with it.

from WNW and E; cloudy;

very good visibility.0600 Course 260.0900 Reduced to search speed (9.5 kn)

0930 Course 270.

W/T re success of Ship 33 in Antarctic received.

W/T fromNordmarkrendezvous 3.2 in Lbeck.

[*Coded RV point] That is too early for me.W/T from Operations: resume delayed progress RV with

Nordmark1. to 10.2; route and product of wireless intelligence service [*B-Dienst]

Report position and intention.

PTE.006.0026


27/134

W/T from Operations: Ship 41 not to go to Antarctic, no transfer of

personnel for Ship 33's prizes; one whale catcher at disposal if desired.

EvaluationBritish Union:

TankerBritish Union, 6987 gross, British Tanker Co. Ltd, London; in ballast from Gibraltar to

Trinidad/Aruba. Presence of auxiliary cruiser in area not known, hence travelled direct route,slow ship (10 kn). Auxiliary cruiser not seen until fire opened, then thought to be a U-boat. 28

men saved, 17 men including First and Second officer lost. [*Some of these were picked up by

HMSArawa.] Behaviour of the British in the water was good, calm, objective, comradely.

Therefore it was possible to save all persons sighted. Boats were leaking on account of gunfire,

floated only on their air tanks and could only with difficulty be kept on an even keel. Many men

scantily clad, as a boat kept ready with possessions fell when being lowered. They brought theirmonkey with them. As long as he does not introduce any disease, they may keep him. While

picking up the first lifeboat, cries for help were heard in the lee; night rescue buoy thrown, later

2 men picked up there; third lifeboat not seen. The completely exhausted wireless operator was

the last to be rescued, when a man from my crew jumped in after him. In the trouser pocket of

the wireless operator the following torn secret papers were found:

1.) Two British Admiralty instructions already known to us.2.) Several wireless messages, partly decoded, produced only a few new groups for Bigramm

Table 7. Text could not be determined, as there is no Merchant Navy Code on board. The fact of the

capture ofBritish Uniondoes not alter my opinion that there is hardly any enemy shipping in the open

Atlantic. The consumption of ammunition was unfortunately very high, 3 torpedoes, 61x15-cmshells, 36x15-cm star shells.However it was a baptism of fire for the crew. The opponent's shots lay

short, one of them wide.

PTE.006.0027


28/134

20.1

0015 WNW 3; calm sea; low W/T Ship 10 wants to pass the line Bahia-Freetown

NNW swell; variable at the next full moon.

cloud; clear visibility.

0234 Light sighted 80 to port. Turned to approach it.0304 Ship recognised as brightly lit neutral, therefore turned away.

To course 270 .

0835 Course 180. I must gradually go south in order to

meetNordmarkon time.

1200 2532'N; 3802'W.


1700 Course 140, direction Cape Verde Islands. Until today the

U-boat square has been at the disposal of the Italian. According to the reports of

successes, he was stationed mostly east of the Cape Verde Islands, therefore I should

like to search through the western half of the square, particularly the region south-west

of the reference point Pogo.

21.1

0317 W 1 from 0400h ESE 1 Short Signal to Operations (0517 GMT): Shifting operational

calm sea; light swell area to # EJ, ES. Intend to pass Bahia-Freetown expect to be

from N and E; variable at rendezvous about 29 January. 7.2. By oversight date 29.1

cloud, good visibility not given

1200 2242'N; 3549'W.


2030 W/T from Operations: Confirmation of short signal,operational boundaries for us and Ship 10. Until 31.1 remain north of Equator or pass in

Neutrality Zone; 1.-5.2. forbidden to attack 10N 10S. Herewith everything is clear; I

still have a few days in which to carry out my intentions. The proposed correction to the

short signal is made unnecessary.

22.1

E 2, calm sea; low NNE

swell; heavy cloud; very

clear air.

1200 1942'N; 3313'W.

Day's run: 231 n.m.


23.1

0416 NE Trade, slight sea; W/T received re rendezvous, route and appearance of

variable cloud; good Tannenfels.

0813 visibility. W/T received about the whereabouts of the material for

the Italian submarine. It is good that I do not have to bother about this query, as I

do not want to use the wireless at present.

1644'N; 3041'W. W/T received, that Scheerhas sunk or captured 132,000 tons

Day's run: 229 n.m. gross; our 10,700 tons are quite miserable compared with that.


PTE.006.0028


29/134

24.1

NE by N 3-4; slight sea;

ENE swell; heavy cloud;

good visibility.1200 1343'N; 2823'W. According to the reported position of the ships allotted as our

Day's run: 225 n.m. disguises,there would not be any advantage in changing

Total run: 12384 n.m. camouflage here. Ship again inspected

thoroughly from outside. Camouflage looks good; we shall remain

Molotoffor the present.

25.1

NE 2-3, slight sea; slight

0900 northerly swell; very Course 290. We have arrived in the new operational area;

variable cloud; slight the searching begins.

haze.

1200 1115'N 2630'W.Day's run: 238 n.m.


26.1

NE-ENE 6-7; medium to Course 290.

fairly heavy sea; long NNW

swell; mostly overcast, damp,

0800 hazy air; medium visibility. Course 135.

1200 1145'N; 2918'W.Day's run: 228 n.m.


27.1

NE Trade 4; slight sea;

1000 moderate N swell; variable Course 90.

cloud; light haze;

moderate visibility.

1200 912'N; 2647'W. Ship sometimes rolls heavily in the northerly swell.

Day's run: 218 n.m.


1641 W/T from Operations: Rendezvous

withNordmarkat Lbeck

on 7.2. confirmed. Supply of the Prize crew for Ship 33 by Ship

41 is being considered.1643 Course 110.

28.1

NE Trade 3; calm sea; N

swell; light clouds; haze;


1200 814'N; 2316'W.

1800 Day's run: 219 n.m. Course 310, in order to cross the Trinidad-Freetown route again.


PTE.006.0029


30/134

PTE.006.0030


31/134

29.1

NE 2-3; calm sea; N swell;

0800 fine trade wind weather; Course 250.

light haze; moderate W/T from Operations about political situation complete.

visibility. These W/T are the ones we want most.1200 852'N; 2426'W.

Day's run: 249 n.m.


1316 Vessel appears quite suddenly and large out of the haze,

distance 152 hm [*15.2 km], and turns away at about 70 true. Vessel seems to

be a large refrigerator ship and is making at least 15 knots. Since I cannot dovery much at this distance, I play the innocent and maintain course and speed.

1320 The trick succeeds, the vessel keeps turning slowly and

obviously intends to return to its old course behind our stern. Thus he is running

into the range of the guns at a decreasing distance. Thus I can keep on waiting.

1329 Decamouflaged, stop signal, shot across the bow.

Course 195 at Full speed.1330 Since nothing happens, fire opened. The third

salvo is on target, distance about 90 hm.

Opponent signals QQ and position, is jammed by us.

1332 Opponent turns away to about 220 true.

1334 Opponent has stopped and ceased transmitting.

1335 Cease fire. Signal: Leave the ship.

1340 Another salvo fired, as the opponent appears to

man the gun, then they take to the boats.

1350 Examination party clear.1400 Boat with examination and scuttling party away. The vessel was

abandoned head over heels; a mentally disturbed man was left on board; he helps theexamination party aboard. The ship isAfric Star, 11900 gross, a refrigerator ship of the Blue

Star Line, with 5709 tons of meat and 634 tons of butter from Buenos Aires to England via

Sao Vincente. Since the complicated construction of the specialised ship would cause a prize

crew extraordinary difficulty, and besides it has been hit badly and is on fire, I decide to sink

it. The preparation of the charges takes a lot of time, as the ship has hardly any large

compartments, and all bulkheads have been closed hydraulically. Meanwhile the crew (72

men) and four passengers (2 men, 2 women) are taken aboard. They are all English.

1518 Explosives activated.

1529 Two detonations. Ship takes on a list to port and is sinking.

1532 Motor boat taken aboard. Examination party is

back aboard and has brought the mentally disturbed Englishman with

them.

1556 The ship is no longer sinking. It is floating on its manysmall compartments. 3.7 cm anti tank gun given permission to open fire.

1600 - No. 2 gun individual fire. Every shot hits, but the ship does not sink

1604 .

1606 Torpedo fired, hit in front of mizzen mast. Vessel sinks slowly by the stern.

1618 844'N; 2438'W. Afric Starsunk.

1619 Course 225. Full speed, in order to get away.

AlthoughAfric Star's call for help has not been understood by Freetown,

a vessel in the vicinity has repeated it. Lively wireless traffic in the whole

area.

PTE.006.0031


32/134

1825 Blacked-out vessel sighted ahead. By the tall

smoke-stack, it could be from the Blue Funnel Line.

1828 Decamouflaged. The opponent obviously does not see us.

1831 Permission to open fire to star shells and guns. In the hazyair the opening distance was over-estimated; later firing was well on

target. Despite many hits the vessel keeps transmitting.

1840 Cease fire. Opponent has stopped and no longer transmits.

1851 Crew takes to the boats; suddenly the vessel transmits a

messagein numbers. Permission to fire given to main guns and 2 cm guns, until

opponent ceases to transmit. The superstructure of the ship is completely shot topieces. The wireless traffic is even livelier than withAfric Star. Thanks to the

Merchant Navy Code and complete Bigram Table 7 captured onAfricStar, we

understand that the loss ofEurylochusis being reported to the Air Ministry in

London. The wireless traffic has become so lively that I decide to sacrifice a

torpedo. The crew is given a little more time to leave the ship, then

1911 Torpedo fired. Hit amidships at the level of the engine room. Vesselsinks slowly over the stern.

1939 819'N; 2501'W. Eurylochussunk.

Four Englishmen and 39 Chinese are taken aboard from 2 boats

totally shot to pieces.

[* Thanks to the captured code books it was known that a message fromEurylochuswas addressed to

the Air Ministry.]

2012 Course 270. Full speed.

2022 Course 320, towards the open sea.

I do not have much time left and intend to cross once more the route 200n.m. west of the Cape Verde Islands, as reported by Operations; and then to head

forNordmarkdirectly through the Neutrality Zone.2217 Reduced to 14.5 knots.

30.1

NE 2-3; slight sea;

0600 northerly swell; Course 225.

overcast; by day some

0820 cloud; slight haze. Proceeded at search speed.


1200 909'N; 2727'W.

Day's run: 257 n.m.


1317 W/T from Operations: R-message

fromEurylochus. Skl guesses correctly, that we are responsible.1922 W/T from Operations warning about torpedo boats on merchant vessels.

20.15 Course 174, 16 knots. I shall have to travel at

higher speed for a few days, in order to be at the rendezvous on time.

Evaluation ofAfric Star:

Statements by prisoners confirm that the captain fell for our trick and considered us

harmless. Thus our disguise must be good. The outstanding point about this is probably the

fact that we have no superstructure behind which one could suspect a gun. [*This is

significant in relation to the encounter with Sydney.] The captured charts show nothing of

importance; the charts on which there are entries will be sent to Operations. A copy of the

PTE.006.0032


33/134

division of ocean areas will be kept aboard. Very advantageous for us is the capture of the

Merchant Navy Code with Bigram Table. The table will be sent on to Operations. Despite heavy

hits, there were no injuries on AfricStarexcept for the captain, who has burns to the face. On

the bridge there was shrapnel protection similar to ours. In addition, the upper deck was cleared

when the firing began. Armament corresponded to the list. The captain claimed that he did notuse it because he had passengers aboard. The vessel was also equipped with a bow gun and a

smoke shell thrower at the stern.

Battle sketch, artillery and torpedo reports are enclosed.

Evaluation ofEurylochus:

Eurylochus, 5723 gross, A. Holt and Co. Line, Liverpool, with aircraft on the way to Takoradi

on the Gold Coast. Number of aircraft not determined. A Chinese who has served on the

Donauspeaks some German. He maintains there were 24. The Second Officer, the onlyofficer rescued, speaks of 6 heavy bombers, which were to be assembled in Takoradi and flown

to the front to be used against the Italians. He maintains also, that 4 shots were fired from the

poop gun. We did not notice this.Eurylochuswas standing so far from land, because they

wanted to avoid the U-boats off Freetown, and thereby they ran straight into our arms. Not

rescued are 18 Englishmen and 20 Chinese. [*More than half of these were picked up byMonteTeide.] Among those taken aboard 3 were seriously and 2 slightly wounded. One of the Chinese

died, despite an operation undertaken straight away during the night.

Firing with the help of star shells is for us the only possibility owing to our poor

gunsights. Unfortunately, our stock of star shells is so meagre, that we are now forced to an

alternative procedure. The illumination with our searchlight alone is not sufficient. Never-

theless, I switched it on from time to time, since the opponent, who is not equipped with a range

finder, then underestimates the range considerably. ThusEurylochus, likeBritishUnion, fired

too short, according to several observations by the gunnery officer. When he noticed it, it was

too late. Battle sketch, gunnery and torpedo reports enclosed.

31.1Light variable winds;

0800 NE-ESE 1-5; slight sea; Course 170.

SE swell; overcast; rain

showers; poor visibility.

1200 422'N; 2806'W.

Day's run: 316 n.m.


1.2

SE Trade 2; slight sea;

0030 cloudy; clear by day; W/T from Operations: heavy operational traffic [*W/T] .

moderate visibility through Freetown. Might we be responsible for it?

That would be right. In any case, I shall go south unseen if possible.07.30 Course 135.

1200 112'N; 2633'W. [* Should this be 1 12' South?]

Day's run: 359 n.m.


1822 W/T from Operations: Hand over

prisoners toNordmarkfor transfer to Portland; take on oil from

Nordmark. Great joy, for both were our most fervent wishes.

PTE.006.0033


34/134

2.2

SE 4-5, moderate sea and

SE swell; heavy cloud;


1200 536'S; 2236'W.Day's run: 353 n.m.


1235 Course 157.

[End of this section of War Diary, at page 44.]

3.2

SE 4-5; moderate sea;slight swell; clear;

1000 good visibility. Course 166.

1200 1007'S; 1844'W.

Day's run: 362 n.m.

Total run: 15182 n.m.1530 Clocks set forward one hour.

Ship's time is now 1 hour behind GMT.

2327 (0057 GMT) Short signal to Operations:

Position #FL 96; up till now accounted for 28,000 tons gross.

0137 Signal repeated three times, as not acknowledged as

understood, and in this isolated area of the ocean I have no misgivings

about a repetition.

4.2

SE 4; moderate sea; fine Trade wind

weather; good visibility.0515 Short signal acknowledged by Operations.

1200 1544'S; 1728'W.

Day's run: 345 n.m.


1400 Reduced to Search speed. At this

speed shall be at Lbeck at 07.00 on 7.2.

1423 Course 163.

2300 Ship 16 has accounted for 111,000 tons gross.

5.2.

ESE 2-3; slight sea Caught up on Crossing-the-Line ceremony.

and swell; unusually Although the Line was crossed at 04.00 on the morning of

clear fine weather. 1.2, we have more time and quiet here.1200 1928'S; 1628'W.

Day's run: 231 n.m.


1301 W/T from Operations:Nordmarkto be at Lbeck

from 6.2.

Ship 33 to report on suitability of whale chaser for mine-laying operations. After handing over

equipment toNordmark, Ship 41 to report whether whale chaser is desired. If not, proceed.

Operation on the Cape to Freetown route and mining South Africa by magnetic mines permitted.

Congratulations from Operations on previous success.

PTE.006.0034


35/134

1410 W/T from Operations re division of

operational areas in the

Indian Ocean. We get the north-east

quadrant.

6.2.

SSE 1-2; calm sea; slight

SSW swell; clear; very

good visibility.

1200 2317'S; 1516'W. W/T 91-95 to All received. Ship 16 wishes to meet us

Day's run: 239 n.m. with regard to experiences in Indian Ocean.


7.2.

SE-ESE 3; afternoon

0133 freshening to 5; W/T Ship 33 considers Whale chasers suitable for mine

moderate sea and SE laying.swell; fine clear weather.

0503 Two ships in sight ahead on the port bow, apparently

Nordmarkand a prize ship.

0515 Course 157.

0520 Exchange of recognition signals. It

isNordmarkand the prizeDuquesa. At the suggestion of

Nordmark, towing gear set up first.

0727 Towing cables made fast. First Officer ofNordmarkon board.

0738 - 0746 Oil hose connected.0758 Oiling commenced.

0800 - 1730 U-boat equipment handed over. Discussion with the First OfficerofNordmarkdiscloses thatNordmarkcan take on the torpedoes of one set of U-boat

equipment only. Since in the experience of Nordmark the rest of the equipment is

extensive and Nordmark has little room, I keep one complete set of U-boat equipment

on board. Unfortunately, one of the holds for prisoners thus is unusable.

1115 W/T from Operations re departure

of Coburg. Even old tankers are valuable for the homeland.

1200 2546'S; 1400'W

Day's run: 169 n.m.


2235 Oiling completed. 1338 tons have been taken on; the ship is filled up.

2352 Oil hose cast off; towing cables remain, since the transfer of

material is made significantly easier thereby. The ship being towed is always at the

correct distance, pulls out to the weather side and thus creates a lee for the workboats.

8.2

ESE 4-5; moderate sea;

0800 - easterly swell; cloudy; Handed over 10 G7e and 5 G7a torpedoestoNordmark.

1630 evening overcast; rain Transfer by rubber boats proves itself splendidly. Since

showers; otherwise good Nordmarkis to carry out the U-boat provisioning, and her own

visibility. rubber boats are no longer seaworthy, she receives one from us.

1143 W/T from Operations: Ship 41 to

PTE.006.0035


36/134

take one whale catcher for mining duties, transfer at Andalusia.

I find this W/T incomprehensible. I was not supposed to express an opinion regarding

the whale catcher until after the rendezvous withNordmark. Besides, according to W/T of 5.2. I

am supposed to use the magnetic mines in South Africa. Whatever is going on now?

1200 2538'S; 1423'W.Day's run: 27 n.m.


1400 - Commanders' conference onNordmark.

1630 Result: 1) Ship 10 has understood where I made my catch,

thus knows, that the most rewarding area in the North Atlantic is south of

the Cape Verde Islands.

2) War Diaries of ScheerandNordmarkare given to me to peruse.3) I shall make the report on transfer of supplies at the same time as rejecting the whale catcher.

If Operations continues to insist, I shall be at Ursula on 18.2 to take over the whale catcher.

4) On 9.2, usingNordmark's excellent boats, I shall take fromDuquesaas much meat and eggs

as I can accommodate. Unfortunately, when I sankAntonis, I did not know aboutDuquesa's

lack of coal. With that coal she could have been sent home.1729 Tow cast off. During the night, remained in the vicinity ofDuquesa.

9.2

E 3; slight sea; moderate

SE swell; fine clear

0800 - weather. Taking on provisions fromDuquesa.

1700 Taken over: 600 cases of eggs at 360 each.100 quarters of beef.

1200 2541'S; 1456'W.


1300 170 prisoners transferred toNordmark. 4 Chinese kept onboard as laundrymen. Handed over the 2 captured machine guns with 1000

rounds for the transport leader of the whale chaser flotilla. (Lt Cmdr Kraft)

1600 Course 90, 16.5 kn. Rendezvous withNordmark

completed. The cooperation was exemplary.

1900 Course 65. In order not to compromise the Andalusia area, I do not

want to wireless until tomorrow night. I intend to operate on the Freetown to Cape Town

route, although there is little prospect here, according to the experiences ofScheerand Ship

10. A thrust into the La Plata to Cape route would have even less purpose, because at

present one great low pressure after another passes through andKormoranfully loaded has

again become the Rollmoran and thus with a heavy sea is not fully battle-worthy.

10.2

E by N 2-3; slight sea;

0600 easterly swell; light After the dates recorded here for taking over whale chasers wereclouds; very good confirmed onNordmark, I have decided to reject the whale

visibility. chaser.

1200 2412' S; 1055' W.

Day's run: 245 n.m. According to Annex b of the Operational Order and the cover

Total run: 16486 n.m. of the magnetic mine regulations, use of the

these mines is forbidden in water depths greater than 20 metres.

That means that

they must be taken to within at least 1 nautical mile of the South African coast, to 700

PTE.006.0036


37/134


38/134


2010 W/T Ship 41 and Ship 16

awarded each 2 Iron Crosses First Class and 50 Iron

Crosses Second Class.

PTE.006.0038


39/134

14.2

SE 5-6; fairly heavy Ship rolls and takes on spray. The Trade, which is fairly strong

SE -SE swell; heavy at this time of the year anyway, is much increased by the deep

clouds; sometimes fair low pressure passing through to the south, and the high off

visibility. South Africa.The meteorologist and the prize officer from the Africa Line

confirm my opinion that in the present weather conditions there will be very heavy

weather in the cold current off the coast. Since that makes the use of the LS-boat

impossible, I must give up the action in Walvis Bay. Thus:

1000 Course 220.

Since the exterior paint is flaking off in the bad weather, I intend to cross the Freetownto Cape Town route again, seek out the calm area in the Atlantic high, and paint there,

before I go to the Cape area. The provenMolotofpaintwork will be retained.

1200 2112'S; 346'E.

Day's run: 208 n.m.


15.2

SE by E 5-7; fairly heavy

0015 sea; SE swell; overcast; W/T regarding WS6. [?]

good visibility.

0031 W/T: English have noticed

departure of 4 ships from Chisimaio. Task Force Toni named for

the first time.

0830 W/T that Scheeris extending action in the south-west Indian

Ocean. Breaking off the Walvis Bay action has proven to be right. A Spanishvessel asks urgently for allocation of a harbour, as it has got into heavy weather

200 n.m. west of Walvis Bay.1200 2351'S; 100'E.

Day's run: 221 n.m.


1230 Two high speed runs made.

Crossing the Freetown to Cape Town

route was again

unsuccessful.

1225 W/T Material captured by Ship 45

brings nothing new except that the English intend to equip

lifeboats with portable transmitters.

1920 W/T from Operations: Because of the extension of

Scheer's operation, we are to operate at first from the Cape to south of

Madagascar.

16.2

SE 2-3; slight sea; E

0315 swell; cloudy; fine W/T from Operations: Rendezvous of Ship 10 (must mean

clear weather. Ship 41) with Ship 33 desired in March to give

experiences

mining Australia. Tomorrow I shall be 550 n.m. from Ursula,

where Ship 33 is to arrive tomorrow. If I go there now, it means a loss of 5 days for

me. That is not much, especially as I have a little time owing toScheer's intentions.

PTE.006.0039


40/134

However, I shall leave it out, as the mining action Australia lies in the unforeseeable

future for me, and because the weather conditions on the La Plata to Cape Town route

and at the Cape at present will turn favorable on account the combination of a strong

Pampero wind, stationary Low and the strong development of the Atlantic High.

1025 To search speed.1030 Presentation of Iron Crosses.

1200 2819'S; 0327'W.

Day's run: 360 n.m.


1800 Twice at high speed (15.5 knots)

1905 To search speed onaccount of bearing damage in main engine

IV. (see Engine room log)

17.2

0730 Stopped to paint outboard. At this opportunity, all engines

inspected again. The three previous cases of damage to engines II and IV occurred inbearings which were cast with whitemetal 10. All bearings with whitemetal 80 are

faultless. There is a strong suspicion that whitemetal 10 is not adequate for bearings.

Engines I and III have only whitemetal 80, II and IV only whitemetal 10. Our supply of

whitemetal 80 is not sufficient to provide for even the most necessary, i.e. the upper

bearings of engines II and IV. Some bearing surfaces must already be cast with

whitemetal 10. Supply of whitemetal 80 is ur

kormoran kriegstagebuch

Documents

Transcript of kormoran kriegstagebuch