First Round 1939.

[tigre]

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

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]

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

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]

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

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]

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

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 .

[tigre]

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

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On December 29, 1939, in a briefing of the Naval War General Staff, a further intensification of the trade war was decided. For submarines, within the zone that already applies to tankers, an unannounced attack on the ships of nations that rent out their hold space primarily to the Allies, including GREECE, is also being considered. Initially, however, only individual submarines with the appropriate commands will be used for such tasks.

The British Admiralty reports a submarine attack on a British battleship. The damage was controllable, three crew members died. U-30 reported an attack on a Repulse-class battleship on the 28th northwest of the Herbrides.

No U-Flotilla boat at sea.

On December 30, 1939, New attack orders for the western campaign are discussed at the daily meeting of the Naval War General Staff. This is initially set for mid-January 1940.

OdM RAEDER conference with Hitler. He agreed with the opinion of the Naval Warfare General Staff that he would give the Italians no guarantee regarding safe British ports. Both parties agree that construction of a total of 316 submarines should be possible by anticipating raw material allocations before January 1, 1942.

The Naval Warfare General Staff orders that Greek ships be treated as enemy ships in the sea area from 20° West to 02° East and between 44° North and 62° North and therefore can be attacked without warning. Attacks should be carried out as unseen as possible.

German radio reconnaissance intercepts a report of an Allied sinking of a German submarine off the Spanish west coast.

No U-Flotilla boat at sea.

On December 31, 1939, According to French sources, the B-Dienst reports that a convoy with 30 freighters, including four tankers, is leaving GIBRALTAR. The convoy is escorted by the French destroyers GUEPARD and VALMY.

The weather forecast indicates a very cold wave. The Kaiser Wilhelm Canal and the entrances to the Baltic are expected to freeze. If this is so, then submarine warfare will probably be affected.

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 .

[tigre]

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

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

War with Great Britain and France! 1940.

On January 1, 1940, the OKW instructions of December 30, 1939 are discussed at a Naval Warfare General Staff briefing. Then in accordance with the Führer's decision, Greek merchant ships in the restricted zone around GREAT BRITAIN declared by the US are to be treated as hostile. For the BRISTOL-KANAL, the action is released without warning against any maritime traffic. However, the appearance of being a mine hit should always be achieved. The Naval War General Staff had already given similar instructions to the BdU on December 30.

The BdU has a list of the U-boats ready for action in January:

Date - Ship - Planned operation
* 6.1 U 44 West of Spain and Portugal. torpedoes
11.1 U 34 Falmouth. TMC
15.1 U 31 Loch Ewe. TMC
20.1 U 41 West of Spain and Portugal. torpedoes
22.1 U 37 Same
22.1 U 48 Not yet decided.
24.1 U 29 Bristol Channel. TMB
* 24.1 U 55 West of Spain and Portugal. torpedoes
25.1 U 28 Portsmouth. TMB
* 25.1 U 54 West of Spain and Portugal. torpedoes
* 31.1 U 51 Same

* New U-boats or change of command.

General operating considerations:

New U-boats with new commanders will be used as torpedo carriers to get them used to war conditions. The chosen areas of operations depend on the radius of action and the expected weather conditions.

Weather conditions make it necessary to look ahead and make arrangements for submarines to enter and exit through the freezing river estuaries and through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal. The ice situation discussed with the North Station. I (BdU) believe that all available means of a waterway should be centralized under one authority, which would see that:

a) the waterway is kept open at all times
b) that tug assistance and escort are available when submarines need to pass.

The restructuring of the submarine fleets enters into force. Three new flotillas will be formed from the existing six flotillas. The newly formed 1. U-Flotilla arose from the previous WEDDINGEN, LOHS and EMSMANN U-Flotillas, the 2. U-Flotilla arose from the submersibles of the SALTZWEDEL and HUNDIUS U-Flotillas and the newly formed 7. U-Flotilla comprises the submersibles of the old WEGENER U-Flotilla. The KoKp. ECKERMANN becomes head of the 1. U-Flotilla, the KoKp. HARTMANN Chief of the 2. U-Flotilla.

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 .

FELICES PASCUAS - HAPPY EASTER - FROHE OSTERN - JOYEUSES PÂQUES - FELIZ PÁSCOA - BUONA PASQUA!

[tigre]

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

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

War with Great Britain and France! 1940.

On January 2, 1940, the Naval War General Staff advises on the construction of special types of submarines. In detail, these are tanker submarines (U-tanker) on the one hand and minelayer submarines on the other. The technical benchmarks for the U-tankers are as follows: Size 1,600 t, payload 400 t of fuel, plus 62 t of lubricating oil, potable water, spare parts, etc. No torpedoes, no ammunition. Autonomy (160 t of fuel) 10,000 NM at 10 knots. Maximum continuous speed 12-13 knots, underwater 6 knots. Armament 2 x 3.7 cm, 1 x 2 cm, crew of 51. Decision on construction only scheduled for March 1940, first complete submarines to be delivered in 1941. From Naval Warfare General Staff point of view, awarding a construction contract too soon would result in too great a loss in combat submersible production. In the case of the minelayer boats, the definitive construction of the three ships that are already under construction is decided. For the completion of six minelayer submarines, a deficit of nine torpedo submarines should be expected. The mines of the TMA type planned for use are also currently not suitable for use at the front.

Following a REUTER report on the sale of eight US freighters to a Norwegian company and their planned deployment between NEW YORK, BOSTON and LONDON, the Naval War General Staff considers an intensification of the trade war against Norwegian ships necessary.

The BdU received approval from the OKM, which would guarantee ice-free entry and exit routes for submarines through the use of Linienschiffen (Schleswig-Holstein type). The North Station will request to the Supreme Command of the Navy that the old battleships provide assistance with the ice on the Elbe, where conditions are more difficult, especially off Brunsbüttel. The North Frisian Command has been tasked with breaking the ice on the Elbe and the naval shipyard with breaking the ice on the Jade. The Baltic Station has taken similar measures for the Baltic independently.

No U-Flotilla boat at sea.

On 03 January 1940 The Naval War General Staff is evaluating the reports on convoy traffic on the DOWNS and has concluded that neither British nor neutral ships have experienced a decline in numbers.

The FdU WEST urges the competent authorities to proceed more vigorously against the icing of the ELBE, the JADE and the Kaiser Wilhelm Kanal as this threatens to paralyze submarine warfare.

No U-Flotilla boat at sea.

On January 4, 1940 Nothing to report. The BdU receives the request from the Naval Warfare General Staff to start planning another joint operation of submarines and surface units. The date is scheduled for the end of January. DÖNITZ does not consider implementation before January 30 to be realistic due to the duration of the seven-day one-way voyage of the sU-boats.

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 .

[tigre]

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

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

War with Great Britain and France! 1940.

On January 5, 1940, In a briefing by the head of the Naval Warfare General Staff, the earliest date for another combined operation of submarines and surface units was set for January 25, 1940. The objective of the operation is to attack convoys between NORWAY and SHETLANDS. At the same meeting, DÖNITZ presented his plans for January. For the North Sea operational area, these provide for the deployment of U 15, U 19, U 20 and U 24 in the maritime area off BATTRAY HEAD and between NEWCASTLE and FIRTH OF FORTH between January 5 and 7. On January 9, U 23 is scheduled to sail to the area around the SHETLANDS and ORKNEYS. Starting January 8, the U 60 and U 34 will be available for special tasks. Other submersibles that will be ready on January 12 are the U 57, U 59 and U61, as of January 20 the U 13, U 21 and U 22 are expected to be ready. In the ATLANTIC area, two more submersibles will be deployed around January 6, the U 25 and the U 44. Between January 20 and 25, the U 37, U 41, U 48, U 51, U 54 and U 55 will be ready. For barrage operations in February, U 34 will be ahead of ST. ANTHONY HEAD, U 31 ahead of LOCH EWE, U 38 ahead of SWANSEA and U 28 ahead of PORTSMOUTH.

In a telex, the BdU pointed out to the Naval War General Staff the intolerable delays in the supply of submarines by the shipyards. Delays caused by lack of workers, technical and organizational errors, and negligence range from two days to two months. The BdU proposes immediate countermeasures. The Naval War General Staff fully agrees with this suggestion and considers that the solution of the problems is urgently needed.

Naval War General Staff receives certainty from various reports that the British have further secured the access routes to SCAPA FLOW against penetration by German U-boats with a further 20 steamers sunk.

All submarines at sea are informed by the FdU WEST about the replacement of light buoys with winter navigation marks.

No U-Flotilla boat at sea.

On January 6, 1940, German radio reconnaissance detected two British convoys. At noon, one is 200 nm west of CABO VILLANO, the other 350 nm west of LAS BERLENGAS. In addition, news of the alleged torpedoing of the British oil tanker BRITISH LIBERTY off Dunkirk is received. The German submarine in question is said to have been attacked by French forces. Since no German submarines operate there, Naval War General Staff assumes the ship hit a mine.

The German Naval Attaché in MADRID reports that on January 5, 1940 at 11:00 p.m., an armed auxiliary cruiser presumably French entered the port of VIGO and surrounded and illuminated the German tanker NORDATLANTIK moored there. The action was probably not noticed by the Spanish authorities.

The BdU receives an assessment of the warning area off the British east coast from Naval War General Staff. One comes to the conclusion that it must continue to limit itself to an observation of the situation by the Luftwaffe and the submarines. Minelaying operations on the east coast of GREAT BRITAIN must continue resolutely. In addition, DÖNITZ receives authorization for the full use of weapons by submarines against Greek ships between 61° and 56° North and 4°W and 0°. However, mine strike fiction is always desirable. The Naval War General Staff thus combines significantly improved chances of success for the German submarines operating there. On the same day, the BdU gives the order to its submersibles: "Greek merchant ships must be treated as oil tankers, that is, according to the new standing order 121 Paragraph 5 first targets. Strive to remain inconspicuous."

The German oil tanker NORDMEER enters VIGO.

U 44 (Kplt. Ludwig Mathes) sailed into her area of operations in accordance with Operations Order No. 18 (First Patrol).

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

It's all. Cheers. Raúl M .