First Round 1939.

[tigre]

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On December 8, 1939, Conference of the Head of the Naval War General Staff to Hitler. RAEDER deals with the mining operations of the German submarines in the British coasts, gives a report on the incursion of the U 26 in the MEDITERRANEAN, talks about the Allied convoys from NORWAY to the SHETLANDS, and about the planned operations with TMC mines with new proximity magnetic fuzes. Among other things, problems in the construction of submarines are again addressed. In addition to Hitler and RADER, Generaloberst KEITEL and KvKp von PUTTKAMER were present.

U 38 has launched 12 torpedoes and has reported that she is returning. She had new type fuzes. It remains to be seen how many of these shots were missed.

The B-Dienst presents the situation in the HOLLAND-GREAT BRITAIN traffic as follows: Cargo ships assemble at NORDHINDER between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. and are then taken under escort there by the British naval forces between 23:00 and 02:00.

U 38 - North Sea - Marching back. Aborted attack on multiple targets, too small. 23:22 - Two torpedoes miss an illuminated steamer (AF 3370). One misses the other explodes on a cliff. PQ: AF3370

U 43 - North Atlantic - 09:31 - Emergency dive in front of an aircraft (AM 3395). Two depth charges very close. Automatic batteries fail. All lamps destroyed. Tubes I and II were automatically flooded. All control lights and indicators have failed. The boat sinks up to 145 m. Surface. On the upper deck, the roof of the starboard diving cell is broken, the counterweight of the 3.7 cm gun has come off. Hatches for tubes I and II are loose and hanging on hinges. Submersible only conditionally ready for immersion. PQ: AM 3395

On December 9, 1939 The B-Dienst reports the departure of a convoy of 50 ships with an escort of two British destroyers and two French destroyers, as well as four other escorts on December 8, 1939 from Gibraltar.

The WEHRMACHTSBERICHT announces the following message: ... The British Admiralty confirms that the destroyer HMS JERSEY was torpedoed on December 07 by a German submarine.

U 38 - North Sea - 00:47 - Second attack on steamer sighted the day before. These two torpedoes also miss. consumed. the return continued. PQ:FA

U 43 - North Atlantic - Nothing special to report. PQ:AM

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30252.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On December 10, 1939, the Naval War General Staff begins preparations to supply food and fuel to Soviet submarines. These submarines are supposed to blockade FINLAND. In return, we will have the ability to supply German units at any desired location. Preparations begin after Hitler's approval. Since normal steamers do not have fuel supply facilities, a ship must first be converted accordingly, the German Attaché in MOSCOW is instructed to obtain more detailed requests from the Soviet government.

U 38 - North Sea - No special incidents. PQ:FA

U 43 - North Sea - No special incidents. PQ: AF 7849 → AF 7867 → AF 7947 → AF 7948 → AF 7949 → AF 7984

On December 11, 1939, the Naval War General Staff encourages a propaganda exploitation of the British announcement about the new regulation of maritime traffic in British waters and estuaries. In effect, all of these maritime areas would become war zones and lose their status as peaceful trade routes. In this case, the German Naval Warfare General Staff would bear no responsibility if the neutral ships were victims of acts of war in the future.

All U-boats operating in the northern North Sea are prohibited from attacking steamers sailing without lights by FdU WEST. The background is the attempt by BREMEN, which is trying to reach Germany from Murmansk.

U 38 - North Sea - 07:15 - Steamer sighted (AF 6479). 07:40 - Approach. 08:19 - Torpedo over steamer. Impact. She doesn't sink. 09:20 - Coup de grace. Impact. The Greek ship GAROUFALIA was sunk, four men from the crew of the steamer that was sailing in ballast died. PQ: AF 6479

U 43 - Norwegian Sea/North Sea - 03:32 - Surfaced to charge batteries. Lost containers on the upper deck. 08:27 - Submerged for underwater navigation. 13:19 - Surface. PQ: AF 7988 → AN 2226 → AN 2237 → AN 2261 → AN 2266 → AN 2732

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30252.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 December 12, 1939, the German Naval Attaché in MOSCOW informed the Naval Warfare General Staff by telephone that the SOVIET UNION would not be able to supply its submarines with German merchant ships. Then all measures initiated in this regard will be stopped. The High Command regrets this development given the future possibility of supplying its own units.

U 38 - North Sea - No special incidents. PQ:FA

U 43 - North Sea - Marching back for return. 10:33 - Dive alarm due to a plane. Radio message received: "Plane in emergency on grid AN 3740". the search began. 12:05 - Submerged in front of a plane. 21:15 - On command, the search for the plane and the return march continued. PQ: AN 2845 → AN 4321 → AN 4383 → AN 4397 → AN 4390 → AN 4666 → AN 3479

On December 13, 1939, at a meeting of the Naval Warfare General Staff, the annexes to the Führer's Directive No. 8 will be discussed. As before, the time limit for land operations of surface and submarine forces remains in effect for the Yellow Case (Fall Gelb).

An English submersible successfully attacked some of our light surface forces in the North Sea. So that as extensive an anti-submarine search as possible can be organized, all U-boats in the North Sea were ordered to report positions. All Atlantic units reported except U 38. However, there is some clue to its position, due to a report of a sinking off the west coast of Norway.

U 38 - North Sea - 02:00 - 06:00 - Observed three detained neutral steamers (AF 8528). They continued. 08:13 - Ten steamers in sight (AF 8540). Approach. They are Norwegian. 15:28 - Steamer with cannon sighted (AF 8544). Torpedo against her. Impact. The British ship DEPTFORD was sunk. There are still two more torpedoes left, the return continued. PQ: AF 8528 → AF 8540 → AF 8544

U 43 - North Sea - 07:00 - Stranded at the start of the Blue Route. Waiting for the dark. At dusk the return march continued. PQ: AN 3872 → AN 6333

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30252.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On December 14, 1939, the torpedo failure had a very negative effect on submarine operations. The material weaknesses of the U-Boats are no less important and seem to have become more apparent since the motor casings were changed. Even if this matter is resolved, there remains the fact that the periods in the shipyard are very long compared to the number and duration of the patrols and that this situation cannot continue.

1) One of the reasons for the long periods in the shipyard is the defects in the submersibles that are only coming to light now in the war and can lead to losses.
2) Long periods in the yard mean there are many submersibles in the yard at once, leading to a shortage of skilled labor and supervisors. Personnel not trained in submarine work cannot replace skilled workers. Therefore, skilled workers are overworked or untrained men make mistakes that mean an even longer period in the shipyard.
3) The periods in the shipyard must be shortened through a rigid organization of work.

On December 5th I (BdU) had a conference with the Admiral Superintendent of the Shipyard to discuss these matters. The following was established:
a) that short shipyard periods of 3-4 weeks are necessary after the patrols, in addition to changing engines and making other alterations.
b) that the number of trained shipyard personnel must be increased to meet the increased demands.
c) The work elements must be organized by the shipyard quickly and efficiently. The length of shipyard periods for operational submersibles must be reduced at all costs.

U 38 reported her position off Utsire. U 43 entered port. U 43 sank:
1) unidentified steamer: 6 - 8,000 GRT
2) tanker, unidentified: 10 - 12,000 GRT
3) SS Uskmouth: 2,483 GRT
Total at least 18,483 GRT
The commanding officer did very well despite his young and inexperienced crew and under the circumstances he was very successful.

U 38 - North Sea - No special incidents. PQ:AN

U 43 - North Sea/Wilhelmshaven - 12:30 - Arrival in Wilhelmshaven (AN 9814). Completion of the 1st Patrol. PQ: AN 9814

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30252.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On December 15, 1939, the "Graf Spee" is damaged and has entered Montevideo after its action in the South Atlantic. The Naval War General Staff has asked the BdU what support the submarines could give to the pocket battleship off the mouth of the Plata. I have (Dönitz) assured the Naval War General Staff that I will do everything I can and I am determined to try everything possible, despite the great difficulties involved in such an operation with submarines.

Two submarines (U 44 and U 46) can be prepared in time to arrive at Plata in early February. The operation mainly depends on the supply issue. It will be necessary to refuel on departure, on return and in the area of operations. The Naval War General Staff promises supplies in the Canary Islands and in front of La Plata from the "Altmark". This means that the operation can be attempted. It means going to the tropics and there is no submarine experience in these areas. Preparations must be made accordingly.

Special attention should be paid to food, clothing and medical matters in view of climate changes, high temperatures and strong sun. Torpedo fuzes, electric torpedo batteries, and ammunition are also likely to be affected. The necessary measures are being taken immediately.

The German Attaché in WASHINGTON reports that a convoy left HALIFAX on December 12, 1939. The mail steamers EMPRESS OF BRITAIN and EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA will also travel on this convoy. The convoy will carry 10,000 troops and 700 aircraft and will be secured by two cruisers and five destroyers.

U 38 - North Sea - No special incidents. PQ: AN

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30252.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 December 16, 1939, the BdU receives the message that the use of submarines to support the GRAF SPEE in MONTEVIDEO will be cancelled. Political events leave no more time for an operation of this type.

U 38 entered port. The U-boat sank:
1) SS "Tomás Walton" 4,500 GRT
2) SS "Garonfalia" 4,700 GRT
3) SS "Bredford" 4,000 GRT
In total 13,200 GRT

She observed independent and lively neutral traffic on the Norwegian coast. No English convoys or warships are seen. Light traffic in Kola Bay, medium patrol. Adequate illumination of the northern lights.

U 38 - North Sea/Wilhelmshaven - 15:00 - Arrival in Wilhelmshaven (AN 9814). End of the 2nd patrol. PQ: AN 9814. The submersible spent 33 days at sea. She will enter the dock for review.

On December 17, 1939, the commander of U 23, Kplt. KRETSCHMER reported to FdU WEST late in the afternoon to inform on their task of reconnaissing and clarifying the situation in the ORKNEY AND SHETLAND ISLANDS.

No U-Flotilla U-boats at sea.

On December 18, 1939, the German Attaché in WASHINGTON announces the departure of an allied convoy from the Saint Lawrence River. The convoy will consist of eight British, four French and two Norwegian ships and, in addition to food, will also carry a troop transport with air force personnel.

No U-Flotilla U-boats at sea.

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30252.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 December 19, 1939, The Naval War General Staff has received reports that the Norwegian NOSOLD LINE has recently been established and will commence scheduled services between NEW YORK and LIVERPOOL. GREECE is said to have simultaneously chartered 20 steamers to the Allies for traffic between the US and GREAT BRITAIN.

The large-scale search for British submarines, which have been sighted several times in the GERMAN BAY, which has been carried out since December 16, 1939, remains unsuccessful. In the opinion of FdU WEST, the threat to incoming and outgoing submarines remains.

No U-Flotilla U-boat at sea.

On December 20, 1939, German radio listening intelligence confirms the message from the German attaché in WASHINGTON. The Allied convoy HXF-13 left port on December 19, 1939. Strong surveillance activity and escort services are observed in the BREST area.

No U-Flotilla U-boat at sea.

On December 21, 1939, Convoy OG-11 is formed from merchant ships of Allied convoys OA-55G and OB-55 southwest of LANDS END. The convoy consists of 43 merchant ships from both convoys and begins the march towards GIBRALTAR.

No U-Flotilla U-boat at sea.

On December 22, 1939, the allied convoy OA-58 left SOUTHEND. The convoy consists of 15 merchant ships. Allied convoy OB-58 leaves LIVERPOOL. The convoy consists of 21 merchant ships.

No U-Flotilla U-boat at sea.

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30252.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 December 23, 1939, in a note, the Italian government requests security for the Italian merchant marine from the German government. Ultimately, Italy wants to have a designated port in Great Britain where their ships can safely call. The Naval War General Staff rejects this request.

DÖNITZ inspects depth charge damage on U 43. Damage to the lining of the forward hatches: this could be improved. Damage to an external fuel tank, behind the conning tower, to starboard; from what can be deduced in hindsight, the depth charge exploded about 3 meters away. Dented siding sheet, several small holes, a few cracks. The pressurized hull shows no effects from the explosion. Upper deck container mounts for torpedoes bent. Overall Impression: The material and construction of this type of ship held up remarkably well. This impression is confirmed by the experience of the commanding officer, who says that the ship was absolutely pressure-tight at depths well in excess of normal maximum diving depths.

No U-Flotilla U-boat at sea.

On December 24, 1939, At a briefing by the head of the Naval Warfare General Staff, he orders that the high immersion depths that German U-boats have hitherto reached be treated as top secret. It is important to maintain the resulting advantage in depth charge activities. The names (numbers) of the submarines will also be classified as secret in the future. Therefore, only the hull numbers of the boats will be used in radio communications.

The following radio message is addressed to all sailing submarines: “Warm Christmas greetings. successful patrol. Commander in Chief of the Naval War General Staff".

DÖNITZ reconvenes the OWD (Oberwerftdirektor - General Director of the Western Shipyard). Despite the promise that there would be enough personnel available at the shipyards, U 28 and U 29 had to be diverted to HAMBURG for overhaul (BdU Order). The OWD assures that the situation will be rectified.

No U-Flotilla U-boat at sea.

On December 25, 1939, the allied convoy OA-58 breaks up, its merchantmen continue the march alone towards their assigned ports. Allied convoy SL-12F enters LIVERPOOL. The convoy consists of 6 merchant ships and thus reaches its destination without losing any ships.

No U-Flotilla U-boat at sea.

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30252.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 December 26, 1939, the Radio Intelligence Service fixed the position of a convoy on the west coast of Portugal. U 46 was informed.

No U-Flotilla boat at sea.

On December 27, 1939, Based on the report provided by an informant (V-Männer), the Naval War General Staff orders the examination of his report, according to which Italian engineers are working together with British specialists at the MARCONI company in ITALY to combat German magnetic mines.

OKW orders Naval Warfare General Staff to instruct U-boats against Greek steamers in the war zone around GREAT BRITAIN to only carry out an unwarned scuttling by torpedo fire if it can be ruled out that the attack is identified as coming from a German submarine and the German government can disclaim any responsibility.

Discussion of the FdU WEST with the BSW (Befehlshaber der Sicherung West - Commander of Security West). The subject is the actual mining of the entrance routes of the German submarines. These must remain free in any case and across the entire width.

No U-Flotilla boat at sea.

On December 28, 1939, the Naval War General Staff proposed to repair the torpedoed cruiser LEIPZIG only provisionally. A basic repair would have too great an impact on the submarine building program. By July 1, 1941, six fewer ships could be completed.

The BdU is informed by the Naval War General Staff of an intensification of the anti-submarine combat in the GERMAN BAY. Several measures, such as the increased use of own mines and the change of route, are mentioned as future measures.

No U-Flotilla boat at sea.

Source: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTB30252.htm
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/1939
http://ktb.ubootwaffe.net/ (off-line)

Cheers. Raúl M .