7 U-Boat Flotilla

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Phil Nix
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7 U-Boat Flotilla

#1

Post by Phil Nix » 04 Sep 2009, 11:31

Here is a listing of the 7th U-Boat Flotilla 1940
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Peter
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#2

Post by Peter » 04 Sep 2009, 20:02

That is fascinating thanks for posting it Phil,

Graf v Gudenus was later IWO U71 and commanded U427 later, Wilhelm Sattler was LI of U19 in 1936 and then U37 in 1938, Erhard Konrad was formerly a member of U8's crew.

I'll dig out my notes on Krieg and see what I have on him.


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FAlmeida
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#3

Post by FAlmeida » 05 Sep 2009, 12:17

Krieg, Ernst
19-11-1915
Swinemünde / Landkreis Usedom-Wollin / Reg. Bez. Stettin / Preußische Provinz Pommern
Linien Seeoffizier Eintritt in Reichsmarine / Kriegsmarine, Crew 1935
01-04-1938 Leutnant zur See
01-10-1939 Oberleutnant zur See
01-11-1942 Kapitänleutnant
18/08/1939-23/10/1939 2. WO U 28 [Kdt. Kuhnke] / U-Flottille Saltzwedel, Wilhelmshaven. Ein Feindfahrten 42 Seetage. (Second Watch Officer. Made one war patrol 42 days)
24/10/1939-07/01/1940 Adjutant U-Flottille Wegener, Kiel (Aide de Camp)
08/01/1940-06/07/1941 Adjutant 7.U-Flottille, Kiel / St. Nazaire (Aide de Camp)
07/07/1941-12/10/1941 Torpedooffizier Hilfskreuzer Schiff 10 Thor (Torpedo Officer. No operacional sailings)
13/10/1941-16/11/1941 zur Verfügung Zerstörer u. Torpedobootsstammabteilung, Swinemünde (At disposition)
17/11/1941-30/11/1942 3. WO Schwerer Kreuzer Admiral Hipper [Kdt. Meisel] (Third Watch Officer. Completed two offensive sailings)
01/12/1942- 01/1944 Flaggleutnant Ausbildungsverband der Flotte, Gotenhafen
01/1944-05/11/1944 Führungsstabsoffizier Ausbildungsverband der Flotte, Gotenhafen (Operations Staff Officer)06/11/1944-08/05/1945 Kompaniechef 1. Abteilung Marineschule, Mürwik (Company Leader)

Regards, Fernando

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tigre
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#4

Post by tigre » 16 Jan 2021, 16:31

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Development. 1936-1937.

November 21, 1936, the KRUPP GERMANIAWERFT shipyard in KIEL was awarded the construction contract for the U-boats Type VII B U 45, U 46, U 47, U 48, U 49, U 50, U 51 .... The following day, November 22, 1936, Operation Úrsula began with the participation of two Type VII A submarines (U 33 and U 34).

23 to 26 February 1937 laying of the keel of the following Type VII B U 45 (23, # 580), U 46 (24, # 582), U 47 (25, # 583) and U 51 (26 , # 581). Time elapsed since the adjudication, three months and two days.

March 10, 1937 Laying of the keel of U 48 (# 585).

May 15, 1937 the KRUPP GERMANIAWERFT shipyard in KIEL was awarded the construction contract for the U-boats Type VII B U 52 and U 53.

July 16, 1937, the KRUPP GERMANIAWERFT shipyard in KIEL was awarded the construction contract for the U-boats Type VII B U 54 and U 55.

December 15, 1937, the KRUPP GERMANIAWERFT shipyard in KIEL was awarded the construction contracts for the U-boats Type VII B U 99, U 100, U 101 and U 102.

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wplves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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image111.jpg
http://www.u-historia.com/uhistoria/tecnico/astilleros/krupp/krupg.jpg
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tigre
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#5

Post by tigre » 23 Jan 2021, 12:17

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Development. 1938.

March 9, 1938 laying of the keels of U 52 (# 584) and U 53 (# 586).

April 27, 1938, U 45 was launched; time elapsed since keel placement 14 months and four days.

June 1, 1938, creation of the U-Flotille Wegener (later 7. U-Flotille), mother unit of the new Type VII B being built at the KRUPP GERMANIAWERFT shipyard.

June 2, 1938, the VULKANWERFT VEGESACK shipyard was awarded the construction contracts for Type VIIB U-73, U-74, U-75 and U-76.

June 11, 1938 U 51 launched.

June 18, 1938 transfer from the shipyard of U 45 and commissioned on June 25, 1938 under Kapitänleutnant Alexander Gelhaar (U-Flotille Wegener).

July 30, 1938 transfer from the shipyard of U 51 and commissioned on August 6, 1938 under Kapitánleutnant Ernst-Günther Heinicke.

September 10, 1938 U 46 launched. Thus by September 1938, the Unterseebootsflottille Wegener consisted of only two submersibles: U 45, commanded by Kplt. Alexander Gelhaar and U 51, under the command of Kplt. Ernst Günther Heinicke. The latter had only entered service on the previous August 6. In addition, two more U-boats were due to enter service within the next four months (U 46 and U 47).

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wplves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image005.jpg
Progress in the construction of U 46 (right) and U 47 almost sixteen months after the keels were laid on June 20, 1938................
http://www.u47.org/english/u47_pho.asp
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tigre
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#6

Post by tigre » 30 Jan 2021, 16:20

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Development. 1938.

With just two U-boats, the flotilla was far from ready for combat, despite the increasing emphasis that Dönitz placed largely on realistic exercises, developed in the Baltic Sea. The Munich crisis of October 1938 almost led to war, and Kvkpt Sobe was ordered to put its two boats on high alert. Ready or not, the submarine fleet was ordered to put to sea, although Dönitz and his strategic planners were still finalizing their plans on how to fight a future submarine campaign against Great Britain and France. U 45 and U 51 had orders to maintain patrol stations in the North Sea, awaiting any incursion by the British Fleet based on the islands. Although the crisis passed, Sobe and his two captains knew very well that the war was simply a matter of time.

Meanwhile, on September 10, 1938, U 46 had been launched. On October 27, 1938 she made her transfer sailing and was commissioned in Kiel on November 2, 1938 under command of Kapitänleutnant Herbert Sohler. Furthermore, on September 13, 1938, the keel of U 54 was laid under work number # 588 # at the KRUPP GERMANIAWERFT shipyard in KIEL and on September 15, 1938, the keel of U 49 was laid under work number # 587 # in the same shipyard.

For its part, on October 29, 1938, U 47 was launched. On December 6, 1938, she made her transfer sailing and was commissioned in Kiel on December 17, 1938 under command of Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien. In addition, on November 2, 1938, the keel of U 55 was laid under work number # 590 and on November 3, 1938, the keel of U-50 was laid under work number # 589 # , both at the KRUPP GERMANIAWERFT shipyard in KIEL.

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wplves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image013.jpg
U 51 (Type VII B) entering port, in the background the Laboe Naval Monument (Marine - Ehrenmal)..............
Fotoalbum Kieler Woche, Zerstörer Uboot U-Boot, KM Bau.
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#7

Post by tigre » 07 Feb 2021, 01:56

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Development. 1939.

In the spring of 1939, Commodore Dönitz ordered all operational flotillas to participate in a series of near-constant large-scale exercises, designed to test the U-boats in near-combat conditions. For these exercises the flotilla was augmented by three newcomers: U 46 (Kplt. Herbert Sohler), U 47 (Kplt. Gunther Prien) and U 52 (Kplt. Wolfgang Barten). The latter had been launched on December 21, 1938 and entered service on February 4, 1939. This increased Sobe's force to five ocean going boats, all modern Type VII B. Support for the flotilla was provided by two mother ships: the Begleitschiff (support ship) Hertha, and the U-bootsbegleitschiff Wilhelm Bauer. The flotilla personnel were housed on the depot ship Hamburg.

The exercises these captains conducted included attacks on enemy convoys, prototype of Rudeltaktik (wolf pack) operations, and vital communications practice, allowing the staff to converge submarines on one target. Still on March 8, 1939, U 48 was launched, which entered service the following April 22 at the command of Kplt. Herbert Schulze.

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wplves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image068.jpg
By the spring of 1939 the flotilla had significantly increased its strength; here U 46, U 47, U 52 and U 51, among others, moored in a row...........................
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpspr ... 223539.jpg
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tigre
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#8

Post by tigre » 13 Feb 2021, 17:11

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Development. 1939.

An additional form of attack was practiced under the express orders of Dönitz. Each U-boat could be converted to carry 12 mines, and commanders learned how to place them in precise locations, both on the surface and when submerged. The intention was that when war was declared, a select group of submarines would be able to seal off the entrances to Britain's main ports with minefields.

The routine on U 46 was broken for a month in May 1939 when Kplt. Sohler and his crew were selected to join U 39 on a goodwill trip to Ceuta in Spanish Morocco, an exercise to "show the flag" and impress new Spanish allies.

During June 1939, the U 45, U 46, U 47, and U 51 participated in long-range patrols, allowing commanders to experience first-hand what conditions would be like on their future hunting grounds. After months of daily target navigations and operations in the limited confines of the Baltic, this was the first real opportunity to test both men and their boats.

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wplves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image084.jpg
The Altmark, U 51, U 47, U 45 (all Type VII B) in Ceuta in May 1939, in the background the Admiral Graf Spee; probably after the end of the Atlantic exercises..........................
Der Stier von Scapa Flow: Feindfahrten auf U 47. Wolfgang Meyer.
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#9

Post by tigre » 20 Feb 2021, 18:14

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Ready for action. 1939.

On May 6, 1939, U 53 had been launched and entered service on June 24, 1939 under command of Oblt.z.S. Dietrich Knorr, who commanded the boat until shortly before the start of the war. On that same date, a new boat for the flotilla, U 49, was launched. This unit would enter service very shortly before the war on August 12, 1939 under command of Kplt. Kurt von Gossler.

During the month of July, the flotilla was engaged in torpedo launch exercises in the Baltic, but all crews knew that the real launches would begin at any moment. This activity was followed by more massive maneuvers, this time in the Atlantic.

August 15, 1939. (Kiel)

12:00 hours. Phone call from the Supreme Command of the Navy (Lieutenant Fraesdorf) saying that the officer's party for the submarine officers would be Saturday 19 August and they should attend as many as possible.

13:00 hours. The following steps were taken: U 47 called from Neustadt. U 48, with U-Flotilla Wegener Senior Officer on board, called in and the senior officer briefed on the emergency exercise in the North Sea. He is making preparations immediately. U 45 to U 51 will arrive, tonight.

22:40 hours. The mother ship "Memel" arrived, having been called, with 1 G7a (air-powered torpedo) and 15 G7e (electric torpedo) belonging to the Wegener U-Flotilla on board to be delivered to the U-Flotilla U-boats.

On this day a new U-boat Type VII B for the U-Flotille Wegener was launched at the Germaniawerft shipyard in Kiel, it was U 54. Her keel had been laid almost a year earlier, on September 13, 1938.

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wplves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image004.jpg
U 54 is launched at the Germaniawerft shipyard.....................
https://uboot-recherche.de/en/U-54
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#10

Post by tigre » 27 Mar 2021, 15:15

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Ready for action. 1939.

August 17, 1939.

Instructions for U-Flotilla Wegener : the U-Flotilla will set sail at 0000/19/8.

The Station Commands will provide the U-boats of the flotilla with 2nd watch officers (IIWO).

19:00 hours. During a telephone conversation with Wilhelmshaven, it emerged that there were not enough operational torpedoes ready. This was immediately reported by phone to Berlin.

August 19, 1939. (Kiel)

On August 19, 1939, the U-boats of Unterseebootsflottille 'Wegener' left Kiel and proceeded to their patrol positions on the Western Approaches to the English Channel. All U-boatmen knew that this was no longer an exercise, and the war had to start at any moment. U 45, U 46, U 47, U 48 and U 52 took position. The only ship that was omitted from the patrol was Kplt. Ernst-Gunther Heinicke's boat, U 51, which was reserved for duties in the Baltic.

On board the following officers: U 45 (Kplt. Alexander Gelhaar, IWO Olt.z.S Ernst v. Bergen-Windels, WO Lt. S. Heinz Döring); U 46 (Kplt. Herbert Sohler, IWO Oblt.z.S. Erich Topp); U 47 (Kplt. Günther Prien, IWO Oblt.z.S. Engelbert Endrass, IIWO Lt.z.S. Amelung v. Varendorff); U 48 (Kplt. Herbert Schulze, IWO Lt.z.S. Reinhard Suhren, IIWO Lt.z.S. Otto Ites); U 52 (Kplt. Wolfgang Barten, IWO Oblt.z.S. Hans-Jürgen Radke, IIWO Lt.z.S. Wolfgang Römer).

August 21, 1939.

The Atlantic U-boats are on their way to their positions. I am of the opinion (BdU) that the convoy system will not come into effect in the first days of the war. All my plans have been restricted due to lack of boats. The situation at dusk on August 21 there are a total of 35 submersibles (including 5 Type VII B of the U-Flotille "Wegener").

During the period until August 30, the following will be ready (among others): 1 U-boat of the U-FLotilla "Wegener" (U 53) sailing at 12:00 hours on August 29 towards the Atlantic. We cannot count with U 49 with the submarine test group.

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wplves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#11

Post by tigre » 03 Apr 2021, 18:25

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Ready for action. 1939.

August 22, 1939.

Non-Aggression Pact with the Soviet Union. Operation "Fritz" canceled (This operation sought to recognize over the Gulf of Finland and the U 45, U 46 and U 47 were planned at first). U 53 - ready from noon on August 29.

An intelligence report (radio listening) about a cruiser and 8 steamers in the center of the North Sea indicates that convoys have been formed. U 45/46/47/48/52 en route to their Atlantic area of ​​operations.

August 23, 1939.

Operations Order No. 3 Atlántic was drafted for U 28 and U 53; the latter with the Commander of the U-Flotille "Wegener" (Kvkpt Hans-Ernst Sobe) on board will deploy at the northern entrance to the Irish Sea, outer position. When these U-boats arrive there will be a flotilla commander to the North and another to the South, and if a new arrangement is ordered, they can assume tactical command. For the moment, however, the submersibles must operate individually.

The U 49/51 planned to carry out target practice from August 28 or from September 04 to 09. These U-boats will not be operational yet, however, it is still in testing and training, and the U 51 has to undergo modifications that will last 3 months.

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wplves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image037.jpg
Despite entering service in August 1938, the U 51 did not take part in the first operations in the Atlantic........
https://uboot-recherche.de/en/U-51
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#12

Post by tigre » 17 Jul 2021, 14:34

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Ready for action. 1939.

August 24, 1939.

Beginning of the period of preparation for the Fall Weiß. The BdU telephoned the Naval Warfare General Staff (1st Division) and suggested giving up the Turkish U-boat Batiray and speeding up new construction. The Naval Warfare General Staff (1st Division) responded that no obvious preparations should be made at this time, but preliminary steps could be taken towards the crew of the submersibles.

The Chief of Staff of the Submarine Force telephoned Lieutenant Fraesdorf to find out if the S.S. "Ammerland" (ex- "August Schulze") could still be shipped to Spain with supplies of weapons and ammunition. The Naval Warfare General Staff (1st Division) responded that the "Ammerland" was under repair. Repairs will be expedited where possible.

August 25, 1939.

Following the command group's verbal instructions, the keyword for the Y date, Fall Weiß was communicated to the U-boats. Telephone instructions from the Supreme Command of the Navy to use U 26 and U 53 with TMB marine mines against ports of embarkation of English troops. The discussion of this issue was postponed until the following day because at 20:18 hours the order Y (date and time of the attack on Poland) was canceled.

August 26, 1939.

Contrary to the plans of 1938, it was not planned this time to use mines in the English Channel. In accordance with the instructions of the Supreme Navy Command, the submersibles have now been arranged against enemy maritime traffic only. Submarine warfare must be concentrated at all times against commercial traffic.

For this reason it was planned to send U-Flotille Commander Wegener aboard U 53, so that later on, 2 groups could be formed under the respective tactical commands of U-Flotilla commanders Hundius and Wegener. U 53, with U-Flotille Commander Wegener, will join the Atlantic U-boats as planned.

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wolves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image049.jpg
The U-53 Type VII B would set sail with the Commander of the flotilla on board...................
https://uboot-recherche.de/en/U-53
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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#13

Post by tigre » 21 Jul 2021, 22:39

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Ready for action. 1939.

August 27, 1939.

OKM asked to confirm that the Atlantic U-boats have been informed that the encryption memoranda in peacetime are still in effect, despite time X.

U 45 at 7:25 pm - Entered the area of ​​operation (AL 8590). So far undetected. The rest of the boats in navigation to the area of ​​operation, there are no special events.

August 28, 1939.

Captain Fricke reported the BdU's views by phone. The proposal to let U 53 sail with the Flotilla Commander on August 29 as planned was approved. The following was radioed to the Atlantic forces: German secret mobilization, Position of the English cruiser Ajax, Closure of the Mediterranean to English maritime traffic, British Admiralty control of English merchant ships, use of old and new grids, key material of war will not enter into force, etc. Modification to the communications order of August 19.

U 45 North Atlantic - AL 77 - In the area of ​​operations, without incidents.
U 46 North Atlantic - BE 2430 - 04:00 - Waiting position (BE 2430) reached. In order not to be discovered, she dive in the presence of merchant ships.
U 47 North Atlantic - BF 4853 - at 05:15 - Waiting position reached (BF 4853). Stopped.
U 48 North Atlantic - BE 3790 - at 14:10 - northern limit of the area of ​​operations reached (BE 3790).
U 52 North Atlantic - BE 13 - On the way to the area of ​​operations, without special incidents.

August 29, 1939.

U 53 (with the U-Flotilla's CO on board) set sail. Lieutenant Fraesdorf telephoned the decision of the Naval War Staff that no other submersibles would be sent to the Canal. The Atlantic submarines have received a detailed review of the political situation. A top secret message was received from the Supreme Command of the Navy, regarding fuel and supplies. If the current state of emergency continues, the supply of dry supplies will be of prime importance.

U 45 North Atlantic - AL 77 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special incidents.
U 46 North Atlantic - BE 20 - In the operational area, without special occurrences.
U 47 North Atlantic - BF 48 - In waiting position, without special incidents.
U 48 North Atlantic - BE 6812 - At 16:29 - Radio message to all submarines (BE 6812): "English merchant ships have instructions, position lights off at night." The commander suspects treason.
U 52 North Atlantic - BE 49 - In the area of ​​operations. On hold there are no special incidents.
U 53 North Sea - AN 91 - Sailing towards the area of ​​operations, there are no special occurrences.

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wolves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#14

Post by tigre » 24 Jul 2021, 14:32

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

Ready for action. 1939.

August 30, 1939.

The information sent to the U-boats on August 29 was incomplete to the extent that important reports about the darkening of the ships and the diversion of the ordinary maritime traffic routes were not transmitted by the OKM. Therefore, the ships were informed by the BdU via the radio message T.O.O. 1305. The submersibles deployed in the Atlantic were informed of the departure of U 26, 27, 30 and 53 by radio message T.O.O. 1308.

U 45 North Atlantic - AL 77 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special incidents.
U 46 North Atlantic - BE 20 - In the area of ​​operations, without special incidents.
U 47 North Atlantic - BF 48 - In waiting position, without special incidents.
U 48 North Atlantic - BE 6812 - 16:29 - Radio message to all submarines (BE 6812): "English commercial maritime traffic has instructions, to turn off the position lights at night." The commander suspects treason.
U 52 North Atlantic - BE 49 - In the area of ​​operations. On hold there are no special incidents.
U 53 North Sea - AN 91 - On the march to the area of ​​operations, there are no special incidents.

August 31, 1939.

The OKM radioed the ships in the Atlantic the following via the message T.O.O. 1743:

1) Start of hostilities against Poland 0445/1/9.
2) The attitude of the Western powers is uncertain.
3) Do not carry out attacks against English forces, etc., except in self-defense or by special order.
4) Remain in waiting positions for the present.

U 45 North Atlantic - AL 77 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special incidents.
U 46 North Atlantic - BE 20 - In the area of ​​operations, without special incidents.
U 47 North Atlantic - BF 48 - In waiting position, without special incidents.
U 48 North Atlantic - BE 59 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special incidents.
U 52 North Atlantic - BE 71 - In the area of ​​operations. On hold there are no special incidents.
U 53 North Sea - AN 37 - On the way to the operations area, without special incidents. Radio message received: "1. Start hostilities against the Poles in territorial waters 1.9.39 04:45. 2. Uncertain behavior of the Western powers. 3. Faced with the Western powers entering the war, own forces open hostilities only in defense against enemy attacks or given special order 4. Pocket battleships, Atlantic submersibles initially remain in standby position, even against Polish merchant ships if initially there are no actions by the enemy ".

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wolves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

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Re: 7 U-Boat Flotilla

#15

Post by tigre » 30 Oct 2021, 13:31

Hello to all :D; the early history of the Seventh.................................

U-Boot Type VII B of the U-Flotille Wegener.

War. 1939.

September 1, 1939.

Submersibles deployed in the Atlantic will have to leave their respective areas of operations when their fuel reserves are depleted. The U-Flotilla Wegener will depart on September 26, arriving in port on October 5.

Dates can only be estimates. How long it will take to check the submersibles when they return cannot be predicted. It will probably be around 3 weeks. There will therefore be a large gap from mid-September.

U 45 North Atlantic - AL 77 - In the area of ​​operations. On hold. U 46 North Atlantic - BE 24 - In the area of ​​operations. On hold. U 47 North Atlantic - BF 48 - In waiting position, without special incidents. U 48 North Atlantic - BE 5936 - In the area of ​​operations. Standby position (BE 5936). U 52 North Atlantic - BE 74 - In the area of ​​operations. On hold, there are no special incidents. U 53 North Sea - AN 28 - In march towards the area of ​​operations, without special incidents.

September 2, 1939.

Radio intercepted intelligence reports show that there is an assembly area for inland-bound steamers in the Bristol Channel. This seems to suggest that there is no protection for merchant traffic even further offshore. It is not yet possible to bring in the U-boats, since, by order of the Naval High Command, they cannot abandon their waiting positions.

U 45 North Atlantic - AL 77 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special incidents. U 46 North Atlantic - BE 24 - In the area of ​​operations, without special incidents. U 47 North Atlantic - BF 4868 - In holding position (BF 4686). 05:47 - Two French submarines spotted. U 48 North Atlantic - BE 67 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special incidents. U 52 North Atlantic - BE 47 - In the area of ​​operations. On hold, there are no special incidents. U 53 North Sea - AF 75 - In march towards the area of ​​operations, there are no special incidents.

Sources: 7 U boat Fotilla. Dönitz's Atlantic Wolves.
http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/bau/werften/index-w.html
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

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