First Round 1939.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; reading about the deployment of the U-boats Type IX A at the start of the war..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

"Fall Weiss".

On August 20, 1939 the Kriegsmarine Supreme Command was requested to transmit to the Submarine Force Command any observations of German submersibles made by British airplanes.

U 37 North Sea - AN 3749 / AN 3727 - On the way to the area of ​​operations. 08:30 - meeting with U 38 (AN 3749). 13:18 - meeting with U 39 (AN 3727).

U 38 North Sea - AN 3413 - On the way to the operations area. Constantly stopped by fishing boats and steamboats. 19:20 - sighted British submarine SS-181 (AN 3413). Sailing smoothly, without incident.

U 39 North Sea - AN 3871 / AN 3727 - Underway towards the area of ​​operations. 06:30 - sighted U 41 (AN 3871). 13:18 - meeting with U 37 (AN 3727).

U 40 North Sea - AN - On the way to the operations area, without special events.

U 41 North Sea - AN 3871 - On the way to the area of ​​operations. 06:30 - sighted U 39 (AN 3871).

Source: http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/ind ... 20.08.1939.

I couldn't find anything whether the British submersible sighted the German and reported or not, does anyone have any idea about this? Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

"Fall Weiss".

On August 21, 1939 the BdU asked if all ready U boats should be dispatched or if it would not be better to keep some as relief or operational reserve. The Supreme Command of the Navy decided that all submarines should be employed. The decision was received in the afternoon, the sailing times were reported.

Situation at 21.8:

The equipment was carried out according to plan, except for the operational torpedoes. The excessive number of orders and keywords has been a disadvantage. The transmission of instructions has not been reliable either.

Operational situation: Atlantic U boats are on their way to their positions. The BdU was of the opinion that the convoy system would not go into effect in the first days of the war. A flotilla commander has been dispatched with the submersibles and then a second senior officer (another commander) is intended to be dispatched. Therefore, the U boats can always be divided into a Group N. and S., each under a tactical commander and under the operational command of the BdU.

5 U boats of the U-Flotilla "Hundius" en route to the Atlantic (out of 35 in total)

The Flotilla cannot count with U 42 ​​due to a long period in the shipyard.

U 37 North Sea - AN 28 - to dive twice in front of planes.

U 38 North Sea - AN 23 - In march towards the area of ​​operations, there are no special events.

U 39 North Sea - AN 23 / AN 2262 - In march towards the area of ​​operations, there are no special events.

U 40 North Sea - AN 28 - In march towards the area of ​​operations, there are no special events.

U 41 North Sea - AN 2310 - On hold. 06:30 - U 39 (AN 2310) sighted.

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://www.ebay.it/itm/U-Boot-Flottille ... 1335850816

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

"Fall Weiss".

On August 22, 1939, the "ERWIN WASSNER" sailed from Kiel to Swinemünde with the BdU on board, arriving at that place at 7:30 p.m. Operational control: the BdU will exercise operational control as such and also as BdU in the Baltic. It became known about the Non-Aggression Pact with the Soviet Union. Operation "Fritz" canceled (This operation sought to carry out reconnaissance over the Gulf of Finland). An intelligence report (radio listening) about a cruise ship and 8 steamers in the center of the North Sea indicates that convoys have been formed.

Situation at 22.8:

The following U-boats of the flotilla en route to the Atlantic: U 37 / U 38 / U 39 / U 40 / U 41

All available submersibles for the Atlantic have sailed and cannot be relieved. If the situation continues as it is today, or if war breaks out, they will begin to return in mid-September. The Commander of the U-Flotilla "Hundius" aboard U 37. Later, he can take tactical command and if necessary if the situation makes it necessary to change the order of operations.

Still in training U 42.

U 37 North Sea - AF 75 - On the way to the area of ​​operations, there are no special events.

U 38 North Sea - AF 75 - On the way to the area of ​​operations, no special events.

U 39 North Sea - AF 75 - On the way to the area of ​​operations, no special events.

U 40 North Sea - AF 75 - On the way to the area of ​​operations, there are no special events.

U 41 North Sea - AF 75 - On the way to the area of ​​operations, no special events.

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

"Fall Weiss".

On August 23, 1939 after the non-aggression pact with Russia, some U-boats are likely to leave the Baltic. By order of the Naval War Staff, the reconnaissance of the Gulf of Finland and the offshore of Gotland has been canceled by the Fall Weiss. Atlantic Operations Order No. 3 was drafted for U 28 and U 53; U 28 will take over operations in the interior area instead of U 37.

U 37 - North Sea - AE 92 - Very bad radio reception.

U 38 North Sea - AF 9? - On the way to the operations area, there are no special events.

U 39 - North Sea - AE 93 - In march towards the area of operations, there are no special events.

U 40 - North Sea - AF 9650 - Good weather in the Faroe Islands.

U 41 - North Sea - AE 69 - On the way to the operations area, there are no special events.

U 42 - Still in training.

On August 24, 1939, the preparation period for the White Case (Fall Weiss) began. The Maßnahme Schweden (Sweden Measure) entered into force; it was intended to prevent Polish ships from escaping into the North Sea.

U 37 North Atlantic - AM 20 - Mar 5-6.

U 38 North Sea - AE 97 - In march towards the area of operations, there are no special events.

U 39 North Atlantic - AM 22 - In march towards the area of operations, there are no special events.

U 40 North Atlantic - AM 21 - Bad weather. Sea damage to the upper deck (AM 2100).

U 41 North Sea - AE 94 - Bad weather (AE 94).

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)
https://reibert.info/threads/foto-ebay- ... ot.101259/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

"Fall Weiss".

On August 25, 1939 at 01:30 hours the keyword "Unternehmen ULLA" was received. Broadcast on "emergency" priority at 01:40 to naval communications officers Wilhelmshaven, List, Borkum, info BdU West.

At 16:36 hours followed the verbal instructions of the Group Command, the key word for the Y-Hour Fall Weiss was communicated to the U-boats. At 20:18 hours, Y-Hour was canceled.

All boats In march towards the area of operations, there are no special events. U 37 North Atlantic - AM 47 - U 38 North Atlantic - AL 37 - U 39 North Atlantic - AM 20 - U 40 North Atlantic - AM 01 - U 41 North Atlantic - AM 43.

On August 26, 1939 U 43 was commissioned in the U-Flotille "Hundius" under Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Ambrosius.

Contrary to the 1938 plans, it was now not intended to use TMB mines in the English Channel. According to the instructions of the Supreme Command of the Navy, submarines are now to be used only against enemy maritime traffic. Portsmouth, Portland, Plymouth and Falmouth are possible ports where mines could be installed. Falmouth is ruled out as it is not important enough.

The submarine warfare must be concentrated at all times against commercial traffic. For this reason, it was planned to send the commander of the U-Flotilla Wegener in U 53, so that later 2 groups could be formed under the respective tactical commands of the Senior Officers of the U-Flotillas Hundius and Wegener.

U 37 North Atlantic - AM 47 - U 38 North Atlantic - AL 37 - U 39 North Atlantic - AM 20 - U 40 North Atlantic - AM 01 - U 41 North Atlantic - AM 43.

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

"Fall Weiss".

On August 27, 1939 the OKM, Naval Operations (3rd Division) requested to confirm that the U-boats in the Atlantic have been informed that the encrypted memoranda in peacetime are still in effect, despite time X.

U 37 North Atlantic - AM 47 - U 38 North Atlantic - AL 95 - U 39 North Atlantic - AM 20 - U 40 North Atlantic - AM 48 - U 41 North Atlantic - AM 71

On August 28, 1939, the BdU concluded that at present, although all available submersibles are being used, there are not enough operational units and the time has come to reconsider the question of new construction. It is intended to request the Supreme Command of the Navy to do everything possible to accelerate the new construction.

In the afternoon the following information was radioed to the forces in the Atlantic:
German secret mobilization
Position of the English cruiser Ajax
Closing the Mediterranean to English merchant maritime traffic
British Admiralty control of English merchant traffic
Use of old and new grid charts.
Cipher material in wartime should not take effect, etc.
Modification of the communications order of August 19

U 37 - North Atlantic - BE 53 - U 38 - North Atlantic - BE 29 - U 39 - North Atlantic - AM 20 - U 40 - North Atlantic - BE 31 -
U-41 - North Atlantic - BE 2870 - 18:08 - submerged in front of a steamer. The exhaust valve cannot be closed properly. big quantity of water intake. The ship falls to 60 m. The disposable oil tank is full of water. Thrown out. Maschinenmaat Brunotte and Obermaschinist Daugs on the upper deck for repairs. Brunotte is dragged overboard. Brought back on board with a line. Repair is not possible during swell.

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

"Fall Weiss".

On August 29, 1939, the Atlantic U-boats received a detailed review of the political situation with the very secret message No. 5802 of the Naval War Staff (first division).

A very secret message No. 3812 was received from the Supreme Command of the Navy, on the subject of fuel and supplies. If the current state of emergency continues, the supply of dry supplies will be of prime importance. It is doubtful that this can be achieved in Spain. I consider it necessary to send these items there, either by air or by camouflaged ships.

The Supreme Command of the Navy has ordered that the fuel be transferred by funnel and 45 mm hose. At the moment the U-boats have 60 mm hoses. and fit for 90mm. As it is necessary to supply fuel overnight as fast as possible, hose with a diameter greater than 45 mm. must be provided.

U 37 North Atlantic - BE 8520 - 16:00 - Arrival at the operations area northwest of Porto (BE 8520); U 38 North Atlantic - BE 52 - In march towards the area of ​​operations; U 39 North Atlantic - AM 20 - In march towards the area of ​​operations, there are no special events; U 40 North Atlantic - BE 64 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special events; U 41 North Atlantic - BE 55 - Eighth line broken by sea, hemp rope washed into the sea.

On August 30, 1939, the information sent to the U-boats on August 29 was incomplete to the extent that important reports on the darkening of ships and the diversion of ordinary maritime traffic routes were not transmitted by the OKM. Therefore, the U-boats were informed by the BdU via 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 37 Atlántico Norte - CF 3310 - 08:00 - Waiting position northwest of Porto, without special incidents (CF 3310); U 38 North Atlantic - BE 82 - In march towards the area of ​​operations, there are no special events; U 39 North Atlantic - AM 20 - In march towards the area of ​​operations, there are no special events; U 40 North Atlantic - BE 86 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special events; U 41 North Atlantic - BE 57 / CF 26 - weather improvement. 09:30 - 16:00 exhaust valve repaired.

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

"Fall Weiss".

On August 31, 1939, the Supreme Command of the Navy (Kriegsmarine) informed the U-boats operating in the Atlantic about the situation in message TOO 1743.

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

U 37 North Atlantic - CF 33 - Waiting position northwest of Porto, without special incidents; U 38 North Atlantic - CF 62 - Entry into the area of operations west of Porto, without special incidents; U 39 North Atlantic - AM 20 - In the area of operations, there are no special events; U 40 North Atlantic - CF 33 - In the area of operations, there are no special events; U 41 North Atlantic - CF 23 - Sailing on hold, without special events.

On September 1, 1939 the U-Flotilles "Weddingen" operating in the Baltic and "Saltzwedel", "Lohs", "Hundius" and "Wegener" operating in the Atlantic. U-boats deployed in the Atlantic will have to leave their respective areas of operations when their fuel reserves run out. The U-Flotilla "Hundius" will depart on September 19, arriving in port on October 3.

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

U 37 North Atlantic - CF 31 - Waiting position northwest of Porto, without special incidents; U 38 North Atlantic - CF 62 - In the area of ​​operations. On hold; U 39 North Atlantic - AM 16 - In the area of ​​operations. On hold.; U 40 North Atlantic - CF 8686 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special events; U 41 North Atlantic - CF 58 - Underway to its holding position, no special events.

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

"Fall Weiss".

On September 2, 1939 Radio intelligence reports show that there is a concentration point for the steamers entering the Bristol Channel. This seems to indicate that there is no protection for the merchant traffic offshore. It is not possible to take the U-boats there yet, because on the orders of the Naval Warfare General Staff, they still cannot abandon their waiting positions.

U 37 North Atlantic - CF 31 - Waiting northwest of Porto. Part of the completely broken boat falls overboard. The use of the gun is questionable as no maintenance has been possible for a week; U 38 North Atlantic - CF 68 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special events; U 39 North Atlantic - AM 16 - In the area of ​​operations. On hold; U 40 North Atlantic - CF 67 - In the area of ​​operations, there are no special events; U 41 North Atlantic - CF 8760 - 08:00 - Waiting west of Gibraltar (CF 8760). The crew bathes, two men each under a punctured fire hose.

War with Great Britain and France!

On September 3, 1939 at 12:56 p.m., the Naval High Command transmitted the following radio message to the forces operating in the Atlantic: hostilities with England, effective immediately. In order to avoid confusion with the radio message of August 31, the BdU sent the message TOO 1550: "start hostilities against England immediately, without waiting to be attacked first. In the radio message TOO 1400 the OKM ordered:" the U-boats must carry out the war against the merchant traffic, in accordance with the order of operations. "This should exclude any misunderstandings, since the order of operations expressly indicated to develop the actions against the merchant marine, in accordance with the current legislation.

The Naval High Command transmitted the following message to the ships in the Atlantic at 5:52 p.m.: "France is considered at war with Germany from 5:00 p.m. Do not take any hostile action against merchant ships for the present, except in self-defense." This order meant that, in the war against maritime traffic according to the prey law, French ships and cargo had to be released.

U 37 North Atlantic - CF 3269 - Waiting northwest of Porto (CF 3269). 12:30 pm - Receipt of the radio message: "Hostilities have begun". (Declaration of war of England); U 38 North Atlantic - CG 4950 - In the area of ​​operations. 12:00 - Reception of the radio message (CG 4950): "Hostilities have begun". (Declaration of war of England); U 39 Atlántico Norte - AM 16 - In the area of ​​operations. Receipt of the message "Hostilities have begun"; U 40 Atlántico Norte - CF 8686 - In operations area. 13:10 - Receipt of radio message (CF 8686): "Hostilities have begun". (Declaration of war of England); U-41 Atlántico Norte - CF 8874 - In operations area. 13:02 - Receipt of radio message (CF 8874): "Hostilities have begun". (Declaration of war of England). The inventory of provisions showed that there was enough food left for 40 days. Fuel 22.2 t.

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

War with Great Britain and France!

On September 04, 1939, Admiral Karl Dönitz told his collaborators: this war is very serious and you must bear in mind that it will be very long, maybe seven years and in the end we should be grateful if we at least achieve a draw! Atlantic U-boats are informed of the forces present in their areas as they come out. But the information is so inaccurate that it will have no practical use. The sinking of the SS "Athenia" was known through intelligence and radio transmissions. There is no precise information on the position of the sinking.

The orders given so far were rechecked after the sinking of the Athenia. It is inconceivable that they could be misinterpreted. However, to be absolutely certain, the radio message 1655 was sent, to draw the attention of the U-boats once again to the war against the merchant traffic in accordance with the prey law: "Paragraph VIa of the Operations order remanis in force for the war against the merchant navy. "

At 2353 Radio message from the Naval Warfare General Staff to all submarines: "By order of the Führer no hostile action will be taken at the moment against passenger ships, even if they are in convoy."

U 37 North Atlantic - CG 12 - In the area of ​​operations northwest of Porto, without special incidents; U 38 North Atlantic - CG 7321 - 16:30 - French ship Pluto in sight. Too fast; U 39 Atlántico Norte - AM 25 - In the area of ​​operations. (Since the submersible was lost, there is no precise information); U 40 North Atlantic - CF 9980 - Arrived at the center of the area of ​​operations. Without incident; U 41 North Atlantic - CF 8786 - Sail towards the Azores Islands. Search for steamers.

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[dgfred]

Just wanted to thank you for posting... reading right along.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; thank you dgfred . More..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

War with Great Britain and France!

On September 5, 1939 the convoy assembly points in the Bristol Channel are still transmitted to the U-boats. It is true that English merchant ships have been instructed that the Strait of Dover outside the Downs can only be passed at their own risk. There are also several reports of buoys off off the Warne lightship and East Goodwin lightship, but there are no reports or warnings of minefields so far. Under these circumstances, I think it would be wrong to exclude the Canal route.

At 8:50 p.m., a radio intelligence report mentions mines in the Strait of Dover for the first time.

U 37 North Atlantic - CG 2149 / CG 2126 - 02:45 - Sighting of illuminated steamer (CG 2149). In approach. 05:22 - Steamer is the Dutch "TYSA". No attack. 12:00 - Tanker in sight (CG 2126). Unrecognizable nationality. No attack.

U 38 North Atlantic - CG 5470 - The French steamer POLVOISE was stopped. Released. 16:07 - The British steamer "HIGHLANDER" in sight. It wasn't reached, very fast.

U 39 Atlántico Norte - AM 25 - In the area of ​​operations. No special occurrences.

U 40 North Atlantic - CF 9790 - 07:50 - mast, probably warship in sight. Emergency dive. 10 steamers spotted on the periscope. 21:25 - Torpedo against a steamer. Impact, no explosion. The Convoy went on.

U 41 Atlántico Norte - CF 87 - In the area of ​​operations, without special incidents. On the 600 m wave, called SOS from BOSNIA.

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[Tic Tac]

The photos are labeled on the back:
... in the spring of 1939
Photos own collection
Greetings Heiko

[tigre]

Thanks for sharing here Heiko . Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; thank you dgfred . More..................................

The U-Flotille "Hundius" and its oceangoing U-boats.

War with Great Britain and France!

On September 6, 1939, the Naval War Staff issued the following radio message T.O.O. 1748: "The situation with France is still unclear. No hostile action will be taken against French units, including merchant ships, except in self-defense. Merchant ships identified as French must not be stopped. Avoid incidents with France at all costs . "Therefore, French merchant ships must be treated better than neutrals. There are several radio intelligence reports pointing to the introduction of the convoy system. Assembling ports Milford and Plymouth. A clear picture cannot be expected after only 3 days of war.

U 37 North Atlantic - In the area of ​​operations northwest of Porto, without special incidents (CG 21).

U 38 North Atlantic - 06:00 - Steamer on collision course in sight (CG 5573). Requested to stop. The steamer changed course. Shot through the bow. Steamer radio transmits. Effective fire. Ship returns fire. After 4-5 hits, the crew leaves the ship. 07:20 - The first torpedo was launched. Failure. Second torpedo, impact. She does not sink. 07:30 - third torpedo, hit. 07:44 - fourth torpedo. Hit. The steamer sinks. The British MANAAR (7242 GRT) sunk. It carried a load of goods and agricultural machines. In the artillery duel with the U-boat 7 crew members perished.

U 39 North Atlantic - In the area of ​​operations, without special incidents (AM 27).

U 40 North Atlantic - The pursuit of the convoy sighted the previous day was canceled (CF 89).

U 41 North Atlantic - In the area of ​​operations, without special incidents (CF 84).

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mint-WW-2-Ge ... 0005.m1851

Cheers. Raúl M .

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