7 U-Boat Flotilla

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

October 21, 1939.

U 53 sailed toward her area of ​​operations. This submersible is to first proceed to an area to the south-west of Ireland, she will operate there against commercial traffic until U 26, due to sail on October 22, has had time to carry out her mine laying operation.

U 46 North Atlantic - CG 18 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special events.

U 47 enters Kiel. U 47 was at sea for two days. In Kiel she will enter the shipyard for overhaul and modernization.

U 48 North Atlantic - AM 18 - On the way back, no special events.

U 53 Kiel - AO 77 / AN 96 - 19:30 - left Kiel. Start of the 2nd patrol. 20:00 - Sailing on the Kaiser Wilhelm canal to Cuxhaven. U 53 belongs to a group of three submersibles that are supposed to enter the Mediterranean. In addition to U 53, U 25 and U 26 also have such an order.

October 22, 1939.

U 26 set sail for Gibraltar. After the laying of mines (Operations Order No. 6) it is intended to be sent to the western Mediterranean along with U 25 and U 53.

U 46 North Atlantic - CG 42 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special events.

U 48 North Atlantic - AM 3226 - On her way back. 10:15 - Sea 6, 2 destroyers passed. Not detected.

U 53 Cuxhaven/North Sea-AN 96-08:00-After sailing through the Kaiser Wilhelm Channel (until 02:30), she arrived at Cuxhaven/Reede.
08:00 - 11:55 Verification of nautical charts on land, OK. 12:00 - Departure from Cuxhaven. 19:50 - 01:00 - walk along Route I (Weg I).

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30249.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

October 23, 1939.

The BdU points out in its KTB: It is true that the use of the torpedo is extremely limited, there is a risk of control with the impact fuse and of premature explosion with the magnetic fuse. Furthermore, after assessing submarine losses to date, he concluded that the issue of the English Channel as an area of ​​operations and as a shipping lane should be reassessed.

The first supply experiment will be carried out with a submersible which, in any case, is stationed near the agreed supply points and does not depend on resupply for its operation. This could be done with U 25, U 26 or U 53 when leaving or returning (Mediterranean area of ​​operations). Fuel must be ordered 10 days in advance and must be requested by November 1st.

On the subject of Atlantic and North Sea submersible losses, U 45 was probably lost (sunk since 14 Oct). Nothing has been heard of it since her departure and she did not respond to orders to report her position.

U 46 North Atlantic - CG 43 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special events.

U 48 North Sea - AN 22 - On the way back, no special events.

U 53 North Sea - AN 6810 - Sailing towards the area of ​​operations. 08:10 - sighted a Dutch vessel and at 09:40 sighted a Norwegian vessel. AN 6490 - 13:10 - Alarm diving due to Swedish steamships. U-boats can only attack ships that can be sunk without warning. These three were not among them.

October 24, 1939.

Report from U 37: Fuel exhausted. Starting the return journey. Presumably, the submersible approached Gibraltar. Her observations of this area are important for U 26, U 25 and U 53. She has been ordered to report her experiences as soon as circumstances allow.

U 46 North Atlantic - CG 43 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special events.

U 48 North Sea - AN 36 - On the way back, no special events.

U 53 North Sea - AN 4560 - Sailing towards the area of ​​operations. Torn inner exhaust flap steel bolt. Repaired with equipment on board.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30249.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

October 25, 1939.

U 48 entered Kiel. The U-boat sank: the French tanker "Emile Miquet" 14,115 tons; English ship S.S. "Heronspool" 5,202 tons; English S.S. "Sneaton" 6,903 tons; unidentified ship of a convoy that could be the "City of Mandalay" 3,667 tons (of 7,028 tons sunk by U 46). Therefore, certainly more than 29,897 tons and probably 36,911 tons. A very successful patrol, especially since it only lasted 3 weeks. U 48 used all of her torpedoes, but reported about 5 misses, causing her to lose several ships that would otherwise have been sunk. There is no need to reanalyze the causes and results of these failures. The Torpedo Inspection is kept informed and the importance is highlighted: the BdU is in close contact with the Inspection.

U 46 spotted a convoy from her position 60 miles northwest of Lisbon. U 25, which was supposed to be in the extreme south-west of Ireland, was ordered to take action. As long as she maintains contact, she may be able to reach the convoy, as the enemy's course is currently restricted by the coastline. This is an experiment to find out if it's good to have a few submersibles working together in a large area. Contact was lost after 4 hours.

U 46 North Atlantic - CG 52 - 10:50 - Convoy in sight. Contact is maintained. 16:00 - Two torpedoes miss against an oil tanker. CG 5125 - 20:00 - Torpedo on another steamer fails. Destroyer approaching, emergency dive.

U 48 Baltic Sea / Kiel - AO 7178 - 01:30 - submarine in sight. The detection signal was not answered (U 61). AO 77 - 09:45 - Arrival in Kiel. End of the 2nd Patrol. U 48 was at sea for 22 days, sinking five Allied merchant ships totaling 37,153 GRT during this period. The U-boat will undergo overhaul in Kiel.

U 53 North Sea - AN 42 - Sailing to the area of ​​operations, no special events.

October 26, 1939.

As U 46 did not regain contact, but instead reported that she was leaving her area of ​​operations due to lack of fuel, it was no longer possible for U 25 to operate against the convoy.

The following submersibles (U-Flotille Wegener) are expected to be ready for the following operations (among others): U 49 on November 4 and U 47 on November 13. Therefore, ships in operational readiness will need to be divided into a mine group and an operational group.

U 46 North Atlantic - CG 2450 - 08:27 - Three neutral ships sighted. The swell is too high to stop.

U 53 North Sea - AN 22 - Sailing to the area of ​​operations, no special events.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30249.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

October 27, 1939.

In order to reduce losses and based on the reflections established in the war diary on 10/23, the BdU issued the following orders:

1) U-boats cannot board ships that have been detained for examination.
2) Ships must be sunk only with torpedoes, even when only attacked after the exam (which can now only consist of reading the documents) or after the resistance has been reduced with shots.

U 46 North Atlantic - BE 96 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special events. Return march.

U 53 North Sea - AE 9996 - Marching to area of ​​operations, no special events. No guard sighted.

October 28, 1939.

The French Admiralty announced the sinking of a German submarine in the Atlantic. The corpses were said to have been salvaged. The Wehrmacht Bulletin announced the following report:
... The trade war in the North and Baltic seas, as well as in the Atlantic, continued to be successful. In the period from October 12 to 25, 1939, they sank: according to confirmed reports and made by the armed forces themselves, 22 ships with 109,370 GRT, according to foreign press reports, three more ships with 12,606 GRT, a total of 25 ships with 121,976 GRT. With that the total losses since the beginning of the war increase to a total of 115 ships with 475,321 GRT.

U 46 North Atlantic - BE 66 - On the way back, no special events.

U 53 North Atlantic - AM 3235 - 01:00 - Dive alarm in front of a ship. AM 3226 - 07:40 - underwater detonation far away. 10:50 - again another detonation. AM 3227 - 11:45 - propellers on approach then stop. 12:00 - At 100 m strong blow to the boat. Unrecognized cause.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30249.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

October 29, 1939.

Naval Warfare General Staff has ordered passenger ships in enemy convoy to be attacked. After going into the question of keeping losses low again, the BdU decided only to order the submersibles to maintain a sufficient distance in actions with guns, and not to go further. Commanding officers should be required not to engage decisively with the enemy, but to keep at a distance that makes it impossible for the enemy to use their weapons effectively, or may disrupt the action if confronted with superior weapons.

The experience report of the U 37 off Gibraltar was received. This report provides valuable information for the operation of the U 53, which will pass through the Strait of Gibraltar towards the Mediterranean.

U 53 North Atlantic - AM 22 - Marching to the area of operations, no special events.

October 30, 1939.

German reconnaissance aircraft sighted an Allied convoy at grid AN 2651, which was a British convoy transporting ore and timber from Narvik.

U 46 North Atlantic - AM 73 - On the way back, no special events.

U 53 North Atlantic - 18 AM - Marching to the area of operations, no special events.

October 31, 1939.

The British timber and ore convoy from Narvik entered the Methil Roads without loss. The 12 cargo ships reached their destination.

Dönitz concluded that around 30% of all torpedoes launched were duds. He describes the rectification of these errors as the most urgent task of the submarine weapon at the moment.

U 46 North Atlantic - AM 43 - On the way back, no special events.

U 53 North Atlantic - AM 48 - Marching to the area of operations, no special events.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30249.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

November 1, 1939.

The B-Dienst reported heavy French aerial reconnaissance activity over the Bay of Biscay, during which several submarine sightings are reported. The Naval Warfare General Staff released a compilation of the ship losses of enemy and neutral countries accumulated to this day. It is assumed that 93 ships with a total of 383,569 GRT have been sunk, probably another 33 ships with a total of 130,070 GRT have been sunk. Together they make 126 ships with a total of 513,639 GRT. Of these, 56 ships are assigned to the submarine branch with a total of 238,810 GRT and four as prey with 6,766 GRT.

U 46 North Atlantic - AM 27 - On the way back, no special events.

U 49 receives the status of operational boat in the U-Flotille "Wegener".

U 50 was launched.

U 53 North Atlantic - AM 7811 - 04:00 - North corner of area of operations reached. AM 7797 - 12:10 - Smoke trail sighted. Underwater navigation. The steamer is the American PRESIDENT HARDING.

November 2, 1939.

The operational readiness of the U 49 will be delayed by a few days. U 47 won't be ready until later either, not before mid-November. There is a choice between letting the subs sail alone at long intervals or holding the former until they can all operate together. I (Dönitz) decided on the latter course, because for once I would like to have several submersibles off and off the coast of Gibraltar. Until now, such an operation has been planned, but never carried out, as events took a different turn. But the attack on the convoy by U 37, U 46 and U 48 opened up possibilities that I want to see fully exploited. If this is successful, all the justifications for stopping the boats will be obtained.

U 26 reported that she had passed 45º north. The other 2 submersibles in this wave (U 25 and U 53) will remain in their areas of operations for about 3 more days to give U 26 enough time to carry out its operation.

U 46 North Atlantic - AN 11 - On the way back, there are no special events.

U 53 North Atlantic - BE 3510 - 10:35 - sighting of smoke clouds. She was a Dutch ship.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30249.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

November 3, 1939.

The Naval Warfare General Staff asked the BdU to address the issue of attacking British timber imports from northern Russian ports. These imports are considered to be of great importance. The Naval Warfare General Staff also informed the BdU at the same time that there was a possibility of establishing a "Northern Base". Dönitz thought that everything possible should be done to clarify this matter. The base would also have to have reliable radio communication with the subs and with the Homeland. Since a large-scale undertaking could not be kept secret for long, there would have to be military protection from the start to prevent surprise blows by the enemy.

The German Navy attaché in WASHINGTON announces the establishment of regular British convoys in the Caribbean. Kingston in Jamaica is named as the general cargo assembly point, and Trinidad as the departure point for oil transportation. The name of the convoy is given with the letters KJ and numbers.

U 46 - North Sea - AN 2215 - On the way back. 10:00 a.m. - Sea 6-7. Submerged in front of destroyers. There was no chase.

U 53 - North Atlantic - BE 3563 - 1:55 a.m. - Spotted Illuminated Neutral Vapor.

November 4, 1939.

The Naval Warfare General Staff informed the BdU that 10 German merchant ships would be ready to sail from Vigo in mid-November and requested that they be given U-boat protection on their way home for as long as possible. This is a task for which submersibles are not suited. While the value of the escort is doubtful, the downside to submarine warfare as a whole would be considerable. Therefore, a close escort is discouraged. Remote protection will be available if the steamers sail at times when there are submersibles in the vicinity ("ROT" position) in accordance with Operations Plan No. 11.

The Naval Warfare General Staff urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make a presentation to the Spanish government to allow German units to supply themselves in SPAIN.

U 46 North Atlantic - AN 28 - On the way back, no special events. U 46 was ordered to take part in the search for the American steamer CITY OF FLINT (*), which is located in Bergen, in order for this steamer, which has been captured as prey, to reach Germany.

U 53 North Atlantic - BF 1440 - 14:15 - Sighting of a steamer. Approach maneuvers. It is not possible to get closer due to the strong sea.

(*) Taken as prey by the German pocket battleship Deutschland en route from New York to the UK in the North Atlantic, because she was suspected of carrying contraband. On November 3, she was stopped by Norwegian minelayer Olav Tryggvason off the Norwegian coast and ordered to Haugesund, Norway. The next day, Norwegian sailors took the German crew into custody, and the ship returned to her rightful captain. https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/2603.html

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

Merry Christmas - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

November 5, 1939.

U 53 was ordered to continue south as U 26 must be far enough ahead to carry out her mining operation. The "City of Flint", once seized by the "Deutschland", has been detained in Bergen. It is said that the German crew was interned there and the ship was released. As the Naval War General Staff attaches great importance to her recapture, U 46 (and others) on her return passage, was ordered to take measures according to her fuel reserve.

U 46 North Sea - AN 34 - On the way back, no special events.

U 53 North Atlantic - BF 14 - In the area of operations, there are no special events.

November 6, 1939.

It is not yet known which bases the British fleet is currently using. The prohibition on anchoring within certain limits in the Firth of Clyde makes it likely that it is based in these ports. Lough Swilly would make a well protected anchorage. According to the information available by the BdU it is a base used by the British fleet. However, planned operations here some time ago were vetoed by Naval Warfare General Staff on the grounds that it extended into part of Irish territory and that Irish neutrality should not be violated at any cost.

U 46 Baltic Sea - AO 44 - On the way back, no special events.

U 53 North Atlantic - BF 19 - In the area of operations, there are no special events.

November 7, 1939.

U 46 ran aground in the Little Belt, but broke free again under its own power after several hours.

U 46 entered Kiel. This submersible sank a steamer of approximately 5,000 tons. The result is pretty meager, but the Commanding Officer's (Kplt. HERBERT SOHLER) verbal report tells another story of the patrol. The unit was over convoys 3 times. On one occasion, the commander launched against a wall of several overlapping ships - missed. The boat had a stationary cruiser in the 90º inclination of the bow of it. Again several failures, which finally warned the cruiser and she escaped. 7 shots were definitely misses and not attributable to training errors. Despite this, due to the commander's determination, the unit continued to search for the enemy and attack. The submersible could have sunk 30 or 40,000 tons; she actually sank 5,000 (*). The crew is naturally somewhat depressed. Several patrols like this will turn wit into indifference, if all efforts are to no purpose. Nine of twelve torpedoes missed

U 46 Baltic Sea/Kiel - AO 7418 - 05:28 - Aground. After the blowing of the tank 2 released. AO 77 - 22:00 - Entered Kiel. End of the 2nd Patrol. The submersible was at sea for 32 days and sank a merchant ship with 7,028 GRT. (*) 10.17.1939 - sank the British ship CITY OF MANDALAY 7,028 BRT.

U 53 North Atlantic - BF 45 - In the area of operations, there are no special events.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

Merry Christmas - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

November 8, 1939.

Admiral Raeder orders the utmost confidentiality regarding the number of German submarines. The numbers of submersibles launched should be established in such a way that no conclusions can be drawn from the total number.

In the future, all submersibles sailing into the Atlantic will have to reach that area through the sea space between the Orkneys and the Hebrides. The possible delay in reaching the area of operations is offset by the possibility of encountering British naval units in the sea area in question.

U 53 North Atlantic - BF 4824 - In the area of operations. There was no traffic for three days. Sea 7, SW 8. Machine gun not usable anymore, gun carriage broke. The special task, which included the passage through the Strait of Gibraltar, has not yet been accomplished. The commander wants to explore the passage first and find a breach in the suspected blocking net. The crossing did not take place.

November 9, 1939.

U 49 sailed into her area of operations in accordance with Operations Order No. 11.

U 49 Kiel / North Sea - AO 77 / AN 96 - 23:00 - set sail from Kiel. Start of the 1st Patrol. Navigation through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal towards the North Sea. Kplt. Kurt von Gossler; IWO Oblt.z.S. Hans Caldeweyer; IIWO Lt.z.S. Alfred Benninghoff-Lühl; LI Oblt. (Eng) Georg Popp.

U 53 North Atlantic - BF 75 - In the area of operations, there are no special events.

November 10, 1939.

Freight rates and insurance premiums in the Mediterranean have been reduced, therefore presumably there is believed to be less danger from submarines. The appearance of a submersible there should cause great alarm. This will be demonstrated in the next few days.

The BdU expects the U 26 to reach the MEDITERRANEAN by this day. He expects the presence of German submarines to cause considerable uncertainty among the Allies.

U 49 - North Sea - AN 9592 / AN 9573 / AN 6943 - Underway towards the area of operations. There are no special events.

U 53 - North Atlantic - CG 1635 - 13:42 - Passenger steamer sighted. No attack CG 2711 - 16:39 - Steamer sighted. She is of Greek nationality and sails with lights. The submersible operates in the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

Merry Christmas - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

November 11, 1939.

Analysis of information on the whereabouts of the British battle fleet shows that it is likely distributed in various locations outside the North Sea. Therefore, the possibilities of mining these places with TMB should be considered. The main difficulties will probably be navigation. Information received so far on the effects of minefields laid by submersibles shows that not all ships that sailed into the mine fields were sunk. Therefore, one should try to place mines in shallow water and reduce their sensitivity so that they are only detonated by large ships.

Dönitz gave a presentation at the Naval High Command on sending a new wave of submarines into the Atlantic and using other submersibles against the British timber supply from Norway and the Soviet Union. Then U 49 and U 47 must attack the maritime traffic between Ireland and Gibraltar.

U 49 North Sea - AN 6654 / AN 6519 / AN 6193 / AN 4987 / AN 4954 - 14:10 - Steamer sighted, submerged. Finns, was not stopped. 16:00 - Dive to 72 m. The U-boat is watertight. Navigation continued through AN 4943 / AN 4678.

U 53 North Atlantic - CG 54 - In the area of operations, there are no special events.

November 12, 1939.

U 36 will not be ready for another week and operations against timber transports will become more difficult as it gets darker (advance of winter), therefore Dönitz decided to send U 38 there. This sub was to have operated alongside U 41, U 43 and U 49, but her navigation has been so delayed that only partial cooperation would now be possible.

U 49 North Sea - AN 4233 / AN 4265 / AN 2797 / AN 2728 / AN 2284 - 12:00 - storm. Sea 7-8, wind force 8-9. Sunny. The submersible is barely moving. It does 3-4 NM on the terrain.

U 53 North Atlantic - CG 8691 - 16:25 - steamer noises on listening device. Steamer heading west. 18:20 - Surface and start tracking.

November 13, 1939.

U 40 declared missing today. U 27 the commander and crew all prisoners. U 39 commander and crew prisoners of war. Regarding the loss of U 42, it is now known for certain that the commander and about half of the crew (at least 16) are prisoners of war. Nothing more is known of U 45.

U 49 North Sea - AN 2249 / AN 2212 / AF 7863 / AF 7833 - 08:33 - Inmersion alarm due to the approach of low-level aircraft. Two detonations at 30 m. Failure in the electrical system. The submersible sinks to 160 m. No problem. Navigating through AF 7917 / AF7914 / AF 7834.

U 53 North Atlantic - CG 8495 - 08:00 - Approach to the steamer detected the day before. Out of sight by squalls of rain. 14:15 - steamer in sight again. The sea is rising. CG 7663 - 16:54 - Submerged in front of a second steamer. She runs in ballast, no badges. Attack. The vapor turned shortly before the shot. failed. The attack on the first steamer continued. 21:15 - Attack abandoned. New attempt to find the second steamer again.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - feliz Ano Novo - gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo - Szczęśliwego nowego roku!!

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

November 14, 1939.

Professor Cornelius visited the BdU. He was nominated "Torpedo Dictator" a few days ago, with wide powers, giving him a wide scope to reorganize and develop torpedoes. His duties are of great importance to the U-Boat branch. It is to be hoped that he will be completely successful. His duties cover 3 main fields:

1) eliminate the faults in the fuzes
2) ensure that the torpedoes will maintain a perfect depth
3) ensure adequate production.

While the torpedo can by no means be considered a useful front-line weapon at present, the TMB mine has proven to be a very effective weapon for submarines. However, it has been found:

1) that large ships do not sink safely at depths of about 30 meters
2) that the mines are fired by smaller ships than anticipated.

The practical conclusions to be drawn are:

1) TMBs can only be placed at depths not exceeding 25 meters.
2) It should be aimed at even shallower depths. For shallow water, mines should be set according to the type of ship they are primarily intended to react against.

The Naval Warfare General Staff prepares a memorandum on the situation of the supply of German submersibles in Spanish ports.

U 49 North Sea / North Atlantic - AF 7843 / AF 7769 / AF 7783 / AF 7776 / AN 1131 / AN 1124 - On sea 5-6, the C/30 gun was torn off and washed overboard. AN 1131 - 16:45 - The Norwegian steamer BAYARD was stopped. Because of the storm, a boat could not be launched. The steamer continued.

U 52 Kplt. Otto Salmann assumed command of the U-boat (in the shipyard and without a commander since September 18, 1939).

U 53 North Atlantic - CG 8912 - 17:00 - Suspicious obscured steamer appears, 19:47 - Flare is lit. It was illuminated almost by day. The steamer stops. Submarine trap? to immersion

U 55 Transfer navigation from the shipyard.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

November 15, 1939.

Based on weather observations, the weather in the southwestern area of Ireland is not likely to improve in the near future and conditions are much calmer on the Portuguese coast; Therefore, U 41, 43 and 49 have been ordered to move to the "ROT" position.

U 53 reported a convoy west of Gibraltar. Over the last few days the Radio Intelligence Service has provided some very useful reports on convoys, no action could be taken as there were no submersibles in the areas in question.

A radio message from U 45, intercepted by another U-boat on October 14, has now reached the BdU; It was not received here.

"BdU of U 45: 3 large steamers with obscuration, 15 knots, sunk. I'm chasing a fourth steamer from 3366 to 3355 BRT."
This is the latest news on this submersible. In any case, the enemy paid a heavy price for the loss of her.

Radio intelligence reports have provided the following information on the whereabouts of the British battle fleet:
1) battleships and battlecruisers and various aircraft carriers are not in territorial waters, but in special operations.
2) Most of the remaining battleships apparently mainly use the Firth of Clyde as anchorage.

The U-boats cannot attack the anchorages themselves, but it would be quite possible for the them to penetrate the widest part of the Firth, right up to the boom. This operation must be carried out as soon as possible. There is a good chance of catching large warships. However, it will be necessary to use mines with a higher explosive effect than TMBs, as they cannot be guaranteed to sink if placed at this depth.

Start of the second wolf pack operation (Rudeltaktik). Three submersibles participate, U 41, U 43 and U 49.

U 49 North Atlantic - AM 3268 / AM 3422 / AM 3444 / AM 3296 / AM 3398 / AM 3554 - There are no special events in the area of operations. 08:00 - Inmersion due to surveillance. 17:47 - Surface.

U 53 North Atlantic - 03:50 - Several ships sighted to port (convoy KS-27). 07:03 - Steamer heading east forces to dive. 12:00 - Surface. The steamer was Italian. CG 8694 - 13:14 - Dive alarm in front of an aircraft. An aerial bomb falls into the water about 30 m next to the submersible. No damage.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

November 16, 1939.

U 47 sailed to her area of operations in accordance with Operations Order No. 11. The next U-boat to be ready for operation will be U 48 on November 20.

The U 48 is a boat with a wide range of action. Therefore, she will operate to the west of Spain and Portugal, where the U 47 and possibly the U 49 will also be. This area has 2 great advantages:

1) The weather is better here in winter than further north.
2) There are fewer patrols, especially air patrols. If there is any aerial activity, it should be very light. The maritime traffic situation is very favourable.

It seems U 53 has lost the convoy she reported on the 15th for good. The last report from her said that she had been pushed back by aerial bombs. It was a small convoy of 7 ships. As the submersible is now west of Gibraltar and her area of operations is east of Gibraltar, she has presumably begun her return journey.

U 47 Kiel - AO 77 / AN 96 - 23:00 - Set sail. Start of the 3rd Patrol. Navigation on the Kaiser Wilhelm Kanal.

U 49 North Atlantic - AM 2835 / AM 2858 / AM 2667 / AM 4337 / AM 4367 / AM 4661 - No special incidents in the area of operations. The attack periscope failed.

U 53 North Atlantic - CG 5492 - 21:05 - Dive due to a destroyer on starboard. Probably combing a convoy rally point. On hold.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939. Attempt in the Mediterranean.

November 17, 1939.

U 53 reported another convoy off Lisbon, 18 ships in 4 columns, 5 destroyers escorting. Speed 7-8 knots, main heading north. It is clearly the same convoy that the Radio Intelligence Service picked up on November 16 and fixed several times. It is valuable for the submarine to confirm the radio intelligence report. If the reports remain as accurate and arrive on such good time, they will be of great use in the conduct of the war. U 53 tracks and reports at intervals of several hours.

Order received from the Naval Warfare General Staff to the effect that unrestricted action may be taken against passenger ships found to be armed. Since most passenger ships are already armed, this will be a big step forward.

U 47 Brunsbüttel / North Sea – AN 96 / AN 9566 / AN 9567 – arrived at Brunsbüttel at 06:17 after sailing through the Kaiser Wilhelm Channel. Shipment of fuzes for the G7e torpedoes. 06:40 - Set sail. She marches on route II towards the North Sea. 12:55 - Radio message received: "Submersibles east of Heligoland!" Return to Heligoland. She subsequently marches on the Blue Route.

U 49 North Atlantic - AM 4926 / AM 7323 / AM 7383 / AM 7623 / AM 7653 / AM 7923 - No special incidents in the area of operations. 09:38 - 14:43 - A dive for underwater navigation. Relocation of combat pistols.

U 53 North Atlantic - CG 5435 - 09:55 - Sighting of a convoy. 10:32 - Dive to attack. Shortly before launch, a steamer approached the submersible at zero position. Quickly dive to 20 m. First opportunity passed.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

War against the Western Allies. 1939.

November 18, 1939.

U 53 continued to pursue the convoy. If contact is maintained, it is possible to approach U 41 and U 43. The last 24 hours show that she can keep up. U 41 and U 43 have been ordered to operate against the convoy.

U 47 North Sea - AN 66 - Marching towards the area of operations, without special incidents.

U 49 North Atlantic - BE 3659 - 10:27 - steamer in sight. Dive attack. 11:05 - Two torpedoes fail against a 5,000 ton steamer. They detonated at the end of the race.

U 53 North Atlantic - CG 25 - 10:50 - The convoy KS-27, sighted the day before, reappears. Approach maneuver. 14:31 - Two detonations near the submersible. Aerial bombs? GC 2193 - 16:38 - Triple salvo against the convoy missed. CG 2126 - 20:20 - escort stern lights in sight. Contact is maintained.

November 19, 1939.

Contact with the convoy was lost after it changed course just before dawn, just at the critical moment. Enemy destroyers drove off U 53. Although this was very regrettable, the commander's achievement in observing for 36 hours should be recognized.

However, at 1:30 p.m., the submersible made contact again. U 53 was therefore ordered to make beacon signals. At 18:20 hours contact was lost again, but only an hour later U 41 sighted the convoy. Soon U 53 was there again as well.

U 49 reported a premature detonation with the adapted fuze. This is so far an isolated case and no judgment can be made.

U 47 North Sea - AN 46 - Marching towards the area of operations, without special incidents.

U 49 North Atlantic - BE 6636 - 06:40 - Steamer heading for the English Channel in sight. Approach. BE 6639-06:47 - first torpedo launched. Early detonation. 07:02 - second shot. Weapon failure. Detected by steamer ROTHESAY CASTLE. She is firing the aft gun. To immersion and contact was broken. BF 4441-09:35 - Steamer in sight again. Approach again. BF 4445-11: 15 - first torpedo shot. Failure. 11:24 - second shot. It also fails. Reloading of torpedo tubes. 12:19 - third shot. Impact. It is the PENSILVA (4,258 GRT) northwest of Cabo Ortegal and loaded with 6,985 t of corn. The PENSILVA is sunk by artillery fire after being hit by a torpedo. 12:25 - Destroyer drops 6 depth charges. Lots of damage, water in the U-boat. 16:10 - More depth charges from 2 destroyers. Damage to torpedo tubes. Attacked by HMS Echo and HMS Wanderer with depth charges for several hours. U 49 was the first German submarine to dive to a depth of 170 meters (BF 4445).

U 53 North Atlantic - BF 7761 - Again with convoy KS-27. BF 7281 - 17:33 - advance maneuver. BF 7261 - 18:36 - Submerged due to destroyer. 20:00 - Surface. The convoy is no longer found.

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)
https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939

Cheers. Raúl M .