First Round 1939.

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On October 24, 1939, U 37 reports: 2 ships sunk today off Gibraltar, one Q ship hit. Attacked with depth charges for 9 hours. The fuel runs out. Starting the return step.

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 his experiences as soon as circumstances allow.

The Naval War General Staff is considering extending the trade war to the Gulf of Finland to stop the increasing number of food shipments from the Baltic States to Sweden and from there to the UK. This will happen after an announcement to the German and Soviet military attachés.

U 37 - Strait of Gibraltar - 01:16 - The torpedo against the steamer sighted the day before fails (CG 9467). underestimated 06:16 - Second torpedo. Impact. The British ship MENIN RIDGE (2474 BRT) was sunk. 08:00 - Another steamer in sight (CG 9454). Two torpedoes against the ship miss, the steamer turned. To surface. The steamer radioed and wants to save the survivors of the first ship. Shot across the bow. Effective shooting. Sunk after 34 shots. The British ship LEDBURY (3528 BRT) was sunk. Moving away at high speed. 10:30 - Tanker sighted with air cover (CG 9449). U-boat forced under water. The tanker moves away. 10:30 - Steamer sighted again. 11:19 - torpedo against steamer. Impact in the middle. Sinking not observed. The British ship TAFNA was sunk. Under water due to minesweepers. 11:47 - 18:29 - depth charges at irregular intervals (CG 9449). 21:35 - To the surface. No sign of the enemy. Away to the southwest. No more incidents. PQ: HQ 9581 → HQ 9467 → HQ 9454 → HQ 9449.

MENIN RIDGE, U 37's first casualty, was sunk with a torpedo hit. The MENIN RIDGE took almost all of her crew, 20 men, to the bottom of the sea, five men survived the sinking (CG 9467/36°01'N-07°22'W). The MENIN RIDGE was loaded with 4,200 tons of iron ore. Three hours later, U 37 attacks the British steamer LEDBURY and sinks her through artillery fire (CG 9454 /36°01'N - 07°22'W). On the LEDBURY, the entire crew, 31 men, survived the sinking of her boat. Like the five survivors of the MENIN RIDGE, they are rescued by the American steamer CROWN CITY. The LEDBURY was carrying 5,800 tons of bauxite. Two hours later the U 37 torpedoed and sank the British steamer TAFNA in which two crew members lost their lives, 29 men were rescued (CG 9449 / 35°44'N - 07°23'W). 6,900 t of iron ore were sunk with the ship.

Source: http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30247.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
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Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On October 25, 1939 After evaluating the reports of the B-Dienst, the Naval War General Staff determined that FREETOWN had been established as one of the main bases in the British convoy system. Other news about the purchase of neutral coastal shipping and the takeover of smaller civilian vessels by the British government is interpreted by the Command as a generous expansion of British anti-submarine warfare. For convoys coming from the WEST, subsequent evaluations result in an approach point with a width corresponding to BREST. Major ships would be brought in by warships from 30° West and submarine cover.

Expansion of the trade war zone by Germany. Now this area in the EASTERN BALTIC extends north to 56° and to the longitude of REVAL. However, the neutral zones of the AALAND ISLANDS must continue to be respected, and the area of ​​operation must not be extended beyond MOONSUND and IRBENSTRASSE.

U 37 - West Strait of Gibraltar - 00:00 - Fuel level reduced to 60 m³. Large loss due ripped hull liner (CG 8931). 07:00 - 09:20 - Works on the gun and escape ports (CG 8589). 09:30 - Submerged. Reloaded torpedoes. The submersible is back in full operation. Gun cleared, upper deck damage repaired, four tubes loaded. 15:45 - Clouds of smoke in sight. 16:00 - Trawler sighted on approach (CG 8559). Radio message received from U 46 1413/90/846: "Enemy in sight Qu. 5271 CG." Too far. 17:24 - Submerged in front of a steamer. American passenger liner. No more occurrences. PQ: CG 8931 → CG 8833 → CG 8589 → CG 8589 → CG 8528

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30250.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
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Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On October 26, 1939, the Naval Warfare General Staff (SKL) discovered that there was a radio direction-finding network that worked very well on the French Atlantic coast, which located German submarines based on radio messages and could determine their location with fairly well precision. After localization, all maritime traffic is diverted and countermeasures are taken.

The following U-Flotille submersibles will be available to operate next:

U 38 from November 08
U 43 from November 1
U 41 from November 02

The BdU consider the following mine laying operations to be of the following importance:

1) within the Bristol Channel, north of the Foreland
2) outside of Swansea
3) across from Milford Haven.

Available information suggests that they would be very successful. But since it involves entering an area that is likely to be heavily patrolled, they must be carried out as soon as possible, before the anti-submarine defenses reach their maximum extent. The submarines of the U-Flotilla "Saltzwedel" should be considered for this, due to their range.

U 37 - North Atlantic - West Coast of Portugal. 00:00 - 30 minutes from the coast, without traffic (CG 8287). Approaching the coast. 15:07 - 18:13 - At station in front of Cap Espichel. Only one trawler sighted (CG 5839). 20:00 - Offshore Lisbon and Cap Roca only neutral steamers (CG 5813). No more incidents. PQ: CG 8287 → GC 8246 → GC 8215 → GC 5859 → GC 5831

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30250.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
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Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On October 27, 1939 and in order to reduce our losses and based on the reflections established in the War Register of October 23, I have decided (Dönitz - BdU) to issue the following orders:

1) Submersibles must not board ships that have been detained for examination.
2) Ships must be sunk with torpedoes only, even when they are only attacked after examination (which may now only consist of looking at documents) or after resistance has been put down with gunfire.

Admiral RAEDER orders the publication of the successes and losses of German submarines. In the opinion of the Naval Warfare General Staff, it is unacceptable to hide one's losses, especially if the war last longer, since they are natural. Concealment would only result in a loss of confidence in the leadership among the people. However, own losses should only be announced if the loss has been clearly established and the opponent is also aware of it with certainty. In any case, the percentage of own losses should seem small. The loss of the U-boats U 12, U 27 and U 39 is released for publication.

After British radio reported that a German submarine had run aground on GOODWIN SANDS (U 16), the Luftwaffe was ordered to discontinue the salvage and diving work begun by the British.

U 37 - North Atlantic - West Coast of Portugal. 00:00 - Positioned at the height of Berlanga during the day, starting at noon below. Very few ships sighted (CG 5557). Slow march back due to lack of fuel. No more incidents. PQ: HQ 5557 → HQ 5521 → HQ 5246 → HQ 2879 → HQ 2846 → HQ 2821

On October 28, 1939 the Wehrmacht Bulletin announced the following statement:... The trade war in the North and Baltic seas, as well as in the Atlantic, continued to be successful. In the period between October 12 and 25, 1939, were sank: according to confirmed reports 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 rises to a total of 115 ships with 475,321 GRT. Since all unconfirmed reports are not taken into account in this compilation, it must be assumed that the actual sinking numbers are significantly higher. Despite these successes of our naval forces in the trade war, our own losses remain within very small limits. So far, the loss of three submarines due to their long absence should be expected.

The Naval Warfare General Staff authorizes the commercial war with submarines in the North Sea. Current restrictions remain in effect only in the maritime area south of 61°N and east of 5°W. This is to counteract the increasing number of transports of timber and minerals from Norway to Great Britain.

U 37 reported a convoy near the coast off Finisterre, heading northeast. Lost contact after an hour. The French Admiralty announced the sinking of a German submarine in the Atlantic. The bodies were said to have been salvaged.

U 37 - North Atlantic - Northwest corner of Spain. 00:00 - Little traffic on the coast at night (CG 2555). 09:30 - Several plumes of smoke in sight. Only kept in touch briefly due to fuel. Outgoing radio message 1109/28/71: "Several smoke plumes in sight. Q. 7891 BF, medium speed, heading NE." The puffs of smoke are out of sight. 13:00 - Return march started. The fuel situation is already precarious. No more incidents. PQ: CG 2555 → CG 2286 → CG 2228 → BF 7882 → BF 7824 → BF 7549

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30250.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On October 29, 1939 the Naval Warfare General Staff has ordered that passenger ships in enemy convoy be attacked. After re-addressing the issue of keeping losses down, the BdU decided to only order submersibles to keep a sufficient distance in artillery actions, and not to go all out. He did not think it necessary or justifiable to further restrict the use of the cannons.

a) order the submersibles to avoid all artillery actions, i.e. to flee from combat as soon as they encounter opposition, or
b) completely give up the use of artillery.

Commanding officers should be required not to engage decisively with the enemy, but to keep 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:

1) Patrolling by Q boats, motor ships and aircraft. cooperation between these.
2) Air patrol in the area of ​​Cape Spartel, Trafalgar, St. Vincent Larache. It hunts apparently only with hydrophones, with no location.
3) Traffic: Ships making 9 knots or more have independent routes, more than 10 miles south of the usual steamer routes.

This report provides valuable information for the operation of the submersibles that will cross the Strait of Gibraltar to the Mediterranean (U 25, U 26 and U 53).

A conference was held between the BdU and the Luftwaffe General Staff on the problem of getting more information on the Channel. The Luftwaffe agreed to carry out an extensive photographic reconnaissance of the entire Dover-Calais area. It remains to be seen whether images taken of the sea surface from such a height can provide practical clues about mines and net barriers and other details of navigational importance. The only experiences are from much smaller marine areas. However, the BdU was of the opinion that all means of reconnaissance should be used. Even if the results cannot be accurately analyzed from a navigation point of view, they will still be of great value.

U 37 - North Atlantic - Biscay. 00:00 - 24:00 - No remarks. No ships sighted. PQ: BF7278 → BF7139 → BF4759 → BF4728 → BF4457 → BF4416

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30250.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
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Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On October 30, 1939 Situation reports are received from U 25 and U 34, so the French Admiralty's claim can only refer to U 40, whose radio is apparently out of service. However, it is not entirely impossible that the reports relate to the loss of U 16 off Dover (see FO U/B West's War Log).

DÖNITZ and the F.d.WEST receive instructions from the Naval Warfare General Staff on how to behave in case of war in the west, which said command had drawn up the day before.

The Naval Warfare General Staff is pushing for a review of the use of skilled workers in operations that are less important to warfare so that it can provide more workers for shipyards. In addition, the outsourcing of unallocated orders to external companies is being considered.

U 37 - North Atlantic - South West Ireland. 11:15 - Steamboat sighted. Approach. 11:30 - Signal given to stop, steamer stops. She brings her papers. Steamer with contraband on board. The crew enters the boats. 12:12 - Torpedo on the ship (BF 1711). Impact. The steamer sinks astern. The Greek ship THRASYVOULOS was sunk. SOS calls from steamer. The Greek steamer, sunk south-southwest of FASTNET, takes with it her entire crew, 23 men (BF 1711/49°25'N-11°18'W). The THRASYVOULOS was sailing loaded with 5,701 tons of coal. 20:00 - The weather turns bad again. The ship makes only 6 NM. No more incidents. PQ: BF 4148 → BF 1778 → BF 1742 → BF 1711 → BF 1447 → BE 3633

On October 31, 1939 the British timber and ore convoy from Narvik entered the Methil Roads without loss. All 12 cargo ships reached their destination.

Unfortunately, the problem of torpedo failures is still far from being solved. The instructions of the Torpedo Inspection were observed. Therefore, there is no longer any doubt that the Torpedo Inspectorate itself does not understand the matter. Torpedoes cannot currently be fired with non-contact firing units, as this has led to premature detonation. The depth setting has to be 2 meters less than the draft of the target. Its depth cannot be less than 3 meters, otherwise there may be surface runs in which especially the G7a engines may be damaged. Exact instructions to establish the safety range are given and followed. However, at least 30% of torpedoes are misses. Either they don't detonate at all or they detonate in the wrong place. There doesn't seem to be any point in giving submersibles new instructions, as they never lead to the desired results. The commanding officers must be losing confidence in their torpedoes. In the end, their fighting spirit will suffer. The problem of torpedo failure is currently the most urgent of all problems in submarine warfare.

The German Naval Attaché in MADRID reports that the Spanish government is not willing for the time being to allow the supply of German naval units within its sovereign waters. The BdU will be informed of this.

BdU discussion in the WEST Group in the presence of the B.S.W. (Befehlshaber Sicherung West). Various issues of submarine warfare are discussed, including the prize law system.

U 37 - North Atlantic - West of Ireland. 00:00 - 20:00 - Outside tank is leaking (BE 3369). This makes the fuel situation even more precarious. Staying close to shore. No traffic seen. No more incidents. PQ: BE3369 → BE3332 → BE7964 → BE7694 → BE7637 → BE7292

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30250.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 1, 1939, B-Dienst reported extensive French aerial reconnaissance activity over the Bay of Biscay, during which several U-boat sightings were reported. The Naval Warfare General Staff released a compilation of ship losses of enemy and neutral countries accumulated to date. 93 ships totaling 383,569 GRT are assumed to have been sunk, another 33 ships totaling 130,070 GRT probably have been sunk. Together they make 126 ships with a total of 513,639 GRT. Of these, 56 ships are assigned to the submarine arm with a total of 238,810 GRT and four as a prey with 6,766 GRT.

The Naval Warfare General Staff informed the BdU that U 25 could not be supplied off the Spanish coast, as Spain had recently had political difficulties. The supply could only be arranged in El Ferrol in case of extreme need. Dönitz decided not to send the submersible there, in order to have this possibility at hand for really urgent cases and expressed: I am not surprised by this development; I always considered this matter very uncertain.

U 37 stops and searches the Norwegian steamer HAVMÖY. After the inspection, the ship can continue its journey (AM 5443).

The U 43 receives the status of ready for the front (operational ship) in the U-FLOTTILLE HUNDIUS.

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 02, 1939 The BdU is of the opinion that there is a choice between letting the submersibles sail alone at long intervals or retaining the former until they can all operate together. He decided on this last course, because he would like for once to have several submersibles in navigation and operating outside of Gibraltar. So far such an operation has been planned but never carried out as events took a different turn. But the attack on the convoy by the U 37, 46 and 48 opened up possibilities that he want to see exploited to the fullest. If this is successful, it will have been justified to retain the submarines.

U 37 - North Atlantic - Near St Kilda. 12:17 - Submerged in front of a steamer. Trawler/Guard. 16:10 - Surface. Navigation on the water. No more occurrences. PQ: AM 2998 → AM 0241 → AM 2849 → AM 2822 → AM 2689 → AM 3547

On November 3, 1939, the Naval War General Staff asked the BdU to address the issue of attacking England's timber imports from northern Russian ports. These imports are considered of great importance. With regard to timber shipments from northern Russian ports to GREAT BRITAIN, DÖNITZ believes that the issue will be resolved at the political level. 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 submersibles and with the Motherland. Since a large-scale operation could not be kept secret for long, there would have to be military protection from the start to prevent surprise hits by the enemy.

In the Naval Warfare General Staff, the use of the Navy as a support measure in the event of a Western campaign is discussed as part of a conference. Depending on weather conditions, submarines will be used as mine and torpedo carriers. For the deployment of submarines, an advance announcement with keywords of at least five days is required.

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

The listening service, the B-Service intercepts a report of a British aircraft attacking a submarine north of the HEBRIDES at 10:50 hours. The submersible escaped by going into a dive. The attack was directed at U 37.

U 37 - North Atlantic - North West Orkney. 09:07 - Submerged in front of a trawler. 10:22 - Surfaced. 10:40 - Immersion in alarm due an aircraft. Two aerial bombs. glass damage. To surface for navigation on the water. No more occurrences. PQ: AM3525 → AM3393 → AM3442 → AM3427 → AM3426 → AM3296

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 04, 1939 the Naval War General Staff informed the BdU that 10 German steamers would be ready to sail from Vigo in mid-November and requested that they be given submarine protection on their way home as far as possible. This is a task for which the submersible is imperfectly suited. If it is forced to submerge, which it always does if airships appear, it cannot keep up with the speed of the vapors. They'll have to stop, or else contact will be lost. The submarine is not very effective against destroyers as it is. Also in escort service, starting from Vigo means that afterwards the submersible(s) cannot be used elsewhere as their fuel reserves will run out. While the value of the escort is doubtful, the downside to submarine warfare as a whole would be considerable. Therefore, I must advise against a close escort. Remote protection will be available if the steamers sail at times when there are submarines in the vicinity ("ROT" position) in accordance with Operations Plan No. 11. These times will be communicated to the Naval Warfare General Staff for subsequent transmission to the steamers.

The BdU receives a directive from the Naval Warfare General Staff to deploy U 61 and, if possible, other submersibles to recapture the ship CITY OF FLINT, which is now in port in BERGEN, and bring it back to GERMANY according to the regulations of prey.

U 37 - North Atlantic/North Sea - 04:00 - fuel reserve 20 m3. Diesel-electric navigation for another four days (AN 1212). 11:00 - Alarm dive due aircraft. 17:05 - Surfaced. Radio message received: To U 34, U 37, U 46, U 61 and U 63: "1.) German prey "City of Flint" liberated by Norway in Haugesund. Commander interned. Recapture desired,if this is not possible: Course and escort instructions Sinking prohibited 2.) Holding position of U 61 in front of Sletta 3.) U 34, U-37, U 46, according to the fuel situation , avoid Utvär on the way back". 16:00: the fuel situation does not allow a diversion, the use of weapons is not possible due to weather conditions. Several unsuspecting ships off the Norwegian coast at night. No more incidents. PQ: AN 1152 → AN 1212 → AF 7792 → AF 7873 → AF 7881

U 44 - Commissioned on U-FLOTTILLE HUNDIUS at WILHELMSHAVEN under the command of Kplt. Ludwig Mathes.

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
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Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 05, 1939 The ship "City of Flint", once captured as prize by the pocket battleship "Deutschland", has been stopped in Bergen. The German prize crew is said to have been interned there and the ship to have been liberated. Since the Naval War General Staff attaches great importance to her recovery, U 34, U 37, and U 46 have been ordered, on their return voyage, to take measures in order to recapture her as their stockpile of fuel will allow.

The BdU informs the OKM of planned measures against British imports of timber from northern Russian ports in the sea area east of North Cape (North Cape is a cape on the north coast of the island of Magerøya in the north of Norway).

U 37 - North Sea - 08:00 - reception of radio message 1235/76: "1.) U 34, U 37, U 61: 1.) Urgent retrieval of ship City of Flint. The ship probably still at Bergen. 2.) U 34 and U 37 remain at Utvär until fuel limit. 3.) U 61 waiting off Korsfjord." 16:00 - The order cannot be executed due to lack of fuel (AN 2826). 20:00 - Outgoing radio message 1330/78: "Standing at Grid 2392 AN Fuel stock 14 cbm Can only get home with the most economical navigation." No more incidents. PQ: AN 2211 → AN 2227 → AN 2265 → AN 2373 → AN 2826 → AN 2866

On November 06, 1939 It is not yet known which bases the British fleet is currently using. The prohibition of anchoring within certain limits in the Firth of Clyde makes it probable that it is intended to base in these ports. Lough Swilly would make a good sheltered wharf. According to the information available to the B.d.U. It is a base used by the British fleet. However, operations planned here some time ago were vetoed by the Naval War Office on the grounds that they extended into parts of Irish territory and that Irish neutrality must not be violated at any cost.

After renewed pressure, the Naval War General Staff has promised to obtain information on the political aspect of this area through our Ambassador to Ireland. U 43 set sail for her area of ​​operations (Operations Plan No. 12).

U 37 - North Sea - 00:00 - 20:00 - Taking of the first estimates of the afternoon. Only eastbound steamers were sighted in the Skagerrak. No more incidents. PQ: AN 2979 → AN 3152 → AN 3186 → AN 3453 → AN 3494 → AN 3737

U 43 - Wilhelmshaven/North Sea - 13:30 - Departed from Wilhelmshaven (AN 9814). Beginning of the 1st Patrol under command of Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Ambrosius. March to the North Sea via Route II PQ: AN 9814 → AN 9581

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 7, 1939, US President ROOSEVELT announces the creation of the COMBAT ZONE IN EUROPEAN WATERS, which can no longer be navigated by US ships.

Naval Warfare General Staff welcomes the creation and announcement of the US BATTLE ZONE as it sees the possibility of an escalation of the commerce warfare.

U 41 sailed toward her area of ​​operations.

U 37 - North Sea - 00:00 - March through alert zone en route "Blau 12" (AN 6313). 08:45 ES - Exchange with patrol ship (Vorpostenboot) 206. 10:00 - ES - Exchange with Vorpostenboote 208/207. 12:00 - Run aground (AN 6663). No more incidents. PQ: AN 6313 → AN 6329 → AN 6398 → AN 6663 → AN 9378

U 41 - Wilhelmshaven/North Sea - 15:00 - Departed from Wilhelmshaven (AN 9814). Beginning of the 2nd Patrol. March along route II c to the North Sea. PQ: AN 9814

U 43 - North Sea - No special incidents. PQ: AN 6698 → AN 6644 → AN 6518 → AN 6192 → AN 4972

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 08, 1939 Admiral Raeder orders the greatest confidentiality regarding the number of German submarines. The numbers of launched U-boats must be stated in such a way that no conclusions can be drawn from the total number.

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

U 37 entered port. She sank:
1) SS Vistula 1,018 tons Swedish
2) SS Asis 4,810 tons Greek
3) SS Vermont 5,186 tons French
4) SS Yorkshire 10,183 tons English
5) SS Menin Ridge 2,474 tons English
6) SS Ledbury 3,528 tons English
7) SS Tafna 4,413 tons English
8) SS Thrasyroulos 3,693 tons Greek
Total 35,305 tons.

Very good work. On leaving, the boat encountered a Royal Sovereign-class battleship and a "C" or "D"-class cruiser between Orkney and Hebrides. She was unable to attack, as weather conditions did not allow her to stay at attack depth. This confirms the impression that the Home Fleet often uses this sea area. Information so far has been obtained from observation of U 56 (see F.O. U/B West war log), radio intelligence, and reports of unusual agents. Therefore, all U-boats in the Atlantic have been ordered to alter course to pass through this area, even if this means a delay.

The Naval Warfare General Staff sends to the BdU the letters of the WO Lt. JAHR (Prisoner of War) of the U 39 for its evaluation

U 37 - North Sea/Wilhelmshaven - 02:30 - Norderney beacon in sight. 03:34 - ES change with ship dimmed. 09:13 - Wilhelmshaven/III. access Coordinated. BdU comes aboard to greets. Adjoining lock discarded. 09:58 - Arrival at the Wilhelmshaven/U base (AN 9814). Completion of the 2nd Patrol. PQ: AN 9543 → AN 9588 → AN 9677 → AN 9814

U 41 - North Sea - No special incidents. PQ:AN

U 43 - North Sea - 06:10 - Alarm dive in front of a steamer heading directly for the submersible (AN 4594). 08:33 - Surface (AN 4552). 09:13 - Immersion in front of patrol vessels (AN 4525). 13:17 - Surfaced. 15:05 - Immersion in front of patrol boats again (AN 4254). 17:52 - Surfaced. PQ: AN 4594 → AN 4552 → AN 4525 → AN 4254

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 09, 1939 The German Foreign Office is urging the Naval Warfare General Staff to respect American ships at this time to avoid any further tension with the US.

U 42, sunk on October 13, 1939, is finally declared missing after the arrival in GERMANY of the first letters from the crew prisoners of war.

Naval Warfare General Staff memorandum on BASIS NORD. A tour of the area on November 1, 1939 served as the basis for the considerations.

The Naval Warfare General Staff receives a brief report from the BdU on the use of the U 37 in the period from October 5 to November 8, 1939.

U 41 - North Sea - Unable to determine position, heavy seas (AN 2690). PQ: AN 2690

U 43 - North Sea - 04:50 - Sumburgh Head Lighthouse in sight (AN 2619). 07:35 - Dive in front of trawlers (AN 1429). March through the North Passage of Faire Isle. No guards. PQ: AN 2619 → AN 1429

On November 10, 1939 RAEDER Conference to Hitler. Also present were Generaloberst KEITEL and the KoKp. von PUTTKAMER. RAEDER gives a new status report on submarine warfare. He also addresses the loss rate of six submarines, which has already reached the rate of increase expected by 1939. To minimize further losses, RAEDER proposes a further intensification of submarine warfare.

The Naval Warfare General Staff once again emphatically points out the need to stop timber shipments to GREAT BRITAIN off the north coast of Norway. The BdU is instructed to use all possibilities in this regard.

U 38 will also be several days late. Freight rates and risk premiums in the Mediterranean have been reduced, thus presumably it is believed that there is less danger from submarines there. The appearance of one in that area should cause great alarm. That will be seen in the coming days.

U 41 - North Sea - No special incidents. PQ: FA

U 43 - North Atlantic - 02:33 - Steamer sighted (AM 3437). Approach. 03:27 - The first torpedo on the steamer misses. 03:43 - The second torpedo misses. 03:55 - The third torpedo misses. Cancelled. PQ: AM 3437

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.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 November 11, 1939, an analysis of the information on the whereabouts of the British battle fleet shows that it is probably distributed in various places outside the North Sea. Therefore, the possibilities of mining these places with TMB should be considered. The main difficulties will probably be navigational. The information received so far about the effects of minefields laid by submersibles shows that not all ships that sailed into the fields were sunk. Therefore, try to place mines in shallow water and reduce their sensitivity so that they are only detonated by large ships. The first area to consider is Oban Bay. The battleship Rodney lay there some time ago.

Dönitz gave a presentation at the Naval High Command on sending a new wave of U-boats to the Atlantic and the employment of other submersibles against British timber supplies from Norway and the Soviet Union. The U 38, U 41 and U 43 are scheduled to continue the war against maritime traffic between IRELAND and GIBRALTAR.

The Naval Warfare General Staff receives instructions from the OKW for the employment of the Navy in the event of a Western campaign. Consequently, all Navy combat operations can only begin with the entry of the Wehrmacht. Submarine operations against Belgian ports can only be carried out the night before the army operations.

U 41 - North Sea/North Atlantic - En route to theater of operations. 15:10 - Many sighted trawlers were dodged (AM 3630). PQ: AN 13 → AN 3630

U 43 - North Atlantic - 13:30 - Steamer sighted. Port diesel fails, no pursuit. PQ: AM 2477 → AM 2705 → AM 2722 → AM 2749 → AM 2912 → AM 0193

On November 12, 1939, U 36 will not be ready for another week and operations against timber transports will become more difficult as it gets dark (advancing winter), therefore Dönitz decided to send U 38 over there. This U-boat was to have operated together with U 41, U 43 and U 49, but her navigation has been so delayed that only partial cooperation would now be possible.

Naval Warfare General Staff receives general approval from Hitler on the sinking without warning of all tankers sailing to or from Britain.

U 41 - North Atlantic - 07:00 - Cuter sighted (AM 3572). Stopped with artillery. crew sent to the boats. The suspicion that she could be a trap for submarines is not confirmed. Cuter sunk with artillery. Eight survivors rescued (turned over to another cutter the same day), one deceased. The British ship CRESSWELL (275 BRT) was sunk. Six of the crew lost their lives. 07:05 - Tanker with zigzag course in sight. Submerged to attack. 09:55 - torpedo hit the tanker (AM 3570). Impact. The Norwegian tanker ARNE KJÖDE (11019 BRT) sank, five crew members of the tanker lost their lives. 16:42 - Trawler FD 144 stopped. The seven survivors of the CRESSWELL boarded. PQ: AM 3572 → AM 3570

U 43 - North Atlantic - 03:00 weather report sent. 13:00 - 13:23 - Test dive. PQ: AM4319→AM4377→AM4568→AM4837→AM4867→AM4897

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.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 November 13, 1939, U 40 declared missing today. There is definite news that a member of the crew is a prisoner of war. After all, it must now be assumed that she was lost in the Channel. Otherwise, she would have reported that she had passed. In the meantime, more information has been received from the other missing boats, giving a different view of the circumstances of her loss.

The letters of the prisoners, whose names have gradually become known over English radio, show:

U 27: Commanding Officer and crew, all prisoners. The submersible was chased by destroyers and finally could do no more.
U 39: Commanding Officer and crew prisoners of war. This submersible was also hunted with depth charges. It is said that she suffered the same fate as U 27.

Therefore, the original assumption that these submersibles were surprised on the surface is incorrect. Close attention should be paid to the problem of pressure tightness. Therefore, the stern tubes will be repacked after each patrol. The exhaust valves have been fitted with new gaskets.

As there are so few submersibles available to operate at any one time, it is particularly important that they be able to spend a long time at great depths. The enemy can use a large proportion of his anti-sub forces against each detected boat and thus cover a wide area, from which the submarines have to escape. The long nights will make it easier for them to escape from the formations that are chasing them, but the summer will bring more trouble. Regarding the loss of U 42, it is now known for certain that the Commanding Officer and about half of the crew (at least 16) are prisoners of war. Therefore, she must have faced a different difficulty than U 27 and U 39.

The German Naval Attaché in WASHINGTON reports that a large convoy will depart east from BOSTON via HALIFAX in the next few days. In addition to war material of all kinds, its cargo would also include 350 planes and oil.

Meeting at the Naval Warfare General Staff on the supply of German submarines in SPAIN

U 41 - North Atlantic - Nothing special to report. PQ: AM

U 43 - North Atlantic - 00:00 - Diesel maintenance work completed. The southwest corner of the area of ​​operations was reached. PQ: AM 7237 → AM 7267 → AM 7534 → AM 7592 → AM 7839 → AM 7893 → BE 3311

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30251.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .