First Round 1939.

[tigre]

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 14, 1939, Professor Cornelius visited the BdU. He was nominated "Torpedo Dictator" a few days ago, with wide powers, giving him ample scope to reorganize and develop torpedoes. The duties of him are of great importance for the submarine Branch. Hopefully he will be completely successful. His duties cover 3 main fields:

1) eliminate faults in the fuses
2) ensure torpedoes will maintain perfect depth
3) ensure proper production.

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

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

The practical conclusions to draw are:

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

The Superior Naval Leadership prepares a memorandum on the situation of the supply of German submersibles in Spanish ports.

U 38 sailed towards her areas of operations. Attacks on English timber traffic. (Operating Orders No. 10).

U 38 - Wilhelmshaven/North Sea - 12:30 - Departed from Wilhelmshaven (AN 9814). Start of the 2nd Patrol. The U-boat is to sail to MURMANSK and conduct reconnaissance tasks there. PQ: AN 9814

U 41 - North Atlantic - 05:35 - The Norwegian ship SIRENES stopped (AM 4330). No contraband. Released. Storm, Sea 6. Broken periscope mount. All the conning tower flaps opened. Flaps detached and thrown overboard. A man overboard. Brought aboard with a line, a petty officer injured in one eye. PQ: AM 4330

U 43 - North Atlantic - Storm, Sea 6. No weapons may be used. 12:50 - 13:36 - Test dive. PQ: BE 3315 - BE 3354 → BF 1416 → BF 1177 → BF 1171

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]

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On 15 November 1939, U 43 reported from the south-west area of ​​Ireland that the weather was so bad that no offensive action could be taken. According to metrological observations, it is not likely to improve in the near future and conditions are much calmer on the Portuguese coast; Therefore, U 41, 43 and 49 have been ordered to proceed to the Position "ROT".

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

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

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

The operation of many submarines against the Home Fleet in the Firth of Clyde, therefore, only promises to be worthwhile if carried out in cooperation with own surface forces.

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

U 38 - North Sea - Encounter with U 29 (AN 6529). Problems with the radiogoniometer. PQ: AN 6529

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

U 43 - North Atlantic - 10:55 - Steamer sighted (BF 1471). attack maneuver. A convoy comes into view (probably the KS-27). Storm, the lookout posts are torn from their pedestals. Still going to attack. 15:09 - Torpedo against a steamer fails (BE 3699). Approach over another steamer aborted. PQ: BF 1471 → BE 3699

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 16, 1939, the B-Dienst reports the Allied HX-9 convoy underway from HALIFAX to GREAT BRITAIN. According to these reports, the convoy will be seized by British units of WESTERN APPROACHES in the position 48° north – 29° west. In fact, the convoy reported as HX-9 must be the fast convoy HX-8F.

The Naval Warfare General Staff draws up a memorandum on the use of German submarines in the MEDITERRANEAN. The central content is the behavior of TURKEY in the event of such an operation in the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN. Prospects for success are rated as good, assuming the element of surprise.

U 38 - North Sea - Nine steamers passed at night. Bad weather. PQ: AN

U 41 - North Atlantic - 11:31 - Steamer sighted (BF 1890). Submerged to attack. Torpedo against steamer fails. 13:17 - The second torpedo misses. Steamer shoots at the periscope. 16:32 - The third torpedo misses. New approach. 17:45 - The fourth torpedo misses. aborted attack. The British steamer HOPESTAR escaped. Q: BF1890

U 43 - North Atlantic - New attack on convoy SL-7 sighted the day before. 10:20 - Steamer sighted (BF 4171). Approach. 14:07 - Torpedo against steamer (BF 4177). Impact. The steamer stops, it does not sink. 14:55 - Shot of grace. Impact. The British ship ARLINGTON COURT (4915 BRT) was sunk, a straggler from convoy SL-7, in which seven sailors lost their lives and 28 crew members were saved. (BF 4175 /48°14N – 11°42'W). With the ARLINGTON COURT, 7,340 tons of corn went to the bottom. PQ: BE 3992 - BE 6338 - BE 6631 → BF 4171 → BF 4177

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]

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 17, 1939, the order was received from the Naval Warfare General Staff that unrestricted measures can be taken against passenger ships that are seen to be armed. As most of the passenger ships are already armed, this will be a big step forward.

U 53 reported another convoy off Lisbon, 18 ships in 4 columns, 5 destroyers escorting. Speed ​​7-8 knots, main heading north. It is clearly the same convoy that the Radio Intelligence Service picked up on November 16 and fixed several times. It is valuable to have the radio intelligence report confirmed by a submarine. If the reports continue to be as accurate and come in as good a time, they will be of great use in the conduct of the war. U 41 and U 43 are still far to the north. It is known from experience that it is still too early to order them to operate against this convoy; but they are moving south and should be at the same level in 2 days.

The Home Fleet is located in the north and north-west of Scotland.

U 38 - North Sea - Bad weather. The aft hatches open. Stern cargo defences cut and overboard (AN 2870). PQ: AN 2870

U 41 - North Atlantic - 04:04 - Italian steamer SANTA GERO (BF 4293) inspected. 16:45 - The Greek steamer SALMINIA was stopped (BF 4865). No contraband. Since the eggs have spoiled on board. Some eggs were ordered from the steamer. The boat brings much more: bread, butter, cigarettes and cigars. Submarine delivered signed receipt. Embarked. 20:30 - The Italian steamer COR JESU was stopped (BF 4868). Without checking. Released. PQ: BF4293 → BF4865 → BF4868

U 43 - North Atlantic - 11:00 - Search for convoy reported by U 53. 12:00 - First situation after three days (BF 7115). 23:00 - Lighthouse sighted on the Spanish coast. PQ: BF4441 → BF4477 → BF4744 → BF7165 → BF7189 → BF7544

On November 18, 1939, the B-Dienst again locates the allied convoy HX-8F, referred to here as HX-9. Based on these reconnaissance findings, the convoy is 350 nautical miles west of LA ROCHELLE at 10:00 hours and is being covered by the battleship HMS RESOLUTION with an escort of cruisers and destroyers. The convoy is expected on November 19 on the BRISTOL Channel.

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

U 38 - North Sea - The weather has calmed down. Cold, good view. PQ: AF 8430

U 41 - North Atlantic - 17:06 - Steamer sighted (BF 7538). surface approach. 19:02 - Torpedo over steamer misses. Submerged. After two minutes, two detonations pushed the submersible to 123 m. 20:42 - Surfaced. Steamer chase and follow. PQ: BF 7538

U 43 - North Atlantic - 02:00 - Torpedo transfer from upper deck (BF 4667). One torpedo is lifted, the second flaps back and forth and is damaged at the rudder and thrown overboard. 07:50 - Submerged to rest. Lone ship sighted (BF 7670). No attack, too dark. Operations begin on the convoy reported by U 53. PQ: BF 4667 → BF 7670

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 19, 1939, contact with the convoy was lost after it changed course just before dawn, just at the critical moment. In the afternoon the other submersibles could have been there. However, by 13:30, U 53 had made contact again. The others should have been around. It must be borne in mind that they have been in the north for several days in bad weather. Considerable errors in E.P. were to be expected. Therefore, U 53 was ordered to make beacon signals.

At 18:20 contact was lost again, but only an hour later U 41 sighted the convoy. It had ocurred; a second submersible had been brought up to the convoy. Nothing was heard from U 43, but this does not necessarily mean that she was not there. She had no reason to report, as the enemy was under constant observation.

U 38 - North Sea - 19:10 - Steamer with dimmed lights sighted close to land (AF 6129). Torpedo against it fails. She's just a trawler, but she saw the submersible. The second torpedo misses. Boat flees and presents the stern. The third shot also misses, steamer turns to the bow. Abandoned. The steamer must have been armed. PQ: AF 6129

U 41 - North Atlantic - Attack on steamer sighted the day before. 00:43 - Second torpedo misses (BF 7454). 01:15 - The third torpedo misses. The steamer moved away. 01:50 - Fourth torpedo. Impact. The British ship DARINO (1,351 gross register tons) was sunk. 11 survivors brought aboard. 07:45 - Encounter with U 43 (BF 7455). Operating Area Agreement. 13:38 - An Italian steamer was stopped and the 11 survivors of the DARINO (BF 7538) were handed over to it. PQ: BF7554 → BF7455 → BF7538

U 43 - North Atlantic - 07:43 - Submersible sighted (BF 7455). Underwater detection signal with U 41. 17:05 - Convoy sighted (BF 7288). Approach. 22:50 - Immersion and escape aside due a destroyer (BF 7234). PQ: BF 7455 → BF 7234

On November 20, 1939, U 53 lost the convoy when it changed course. However, U 41 was still there and made beacon signals. It is strange that there is still no news of sinking after such a long chase. U 53 attacked and heard 2 explosions. Presumably U 41 also attacked. No fails have been reported. Probably the submersibles have not been able to observe results after launching.

So far nothing is known about U 43 and U49. According to a French report, a German submarine is said to have been sunk. Both submersibles have been ordered to report their positions and intentions. U 43 subsequently issued a radio message. She was ahead of the convoy, but she still couldn't see it and was waiting for dawn to attack.

U 38 - North Sea - Entered the Westfjord. Nothing to report, no patrol boats either. Determine if ships coming from Narvik can enter the inner waterways. 18:40 - 03:30 - Submersible stopped. traffic observation. Four ships leave Narvik and five arrive. Four ships cross the fjord. Therefore, an inner channel is used. 08:25 - Sighting of a Norwegian steamer. Too far 20:00 - Thunderstorm, no traffic. PQ: AF 3823 → AF 3614

U 41 - Vizcaya - 19:45 - Convoy KS-27, forced to submerge by a destroyer, sighted by the French destroyer SIROCCO (BF 8312). 24 depth charges at 60 m. Minor damage. 23:45 - Attempt to transfer torpedoes from upper deck fails. Heavy seas (BF 5876). PQ: BF 8312 → BF 5876

U 43 - North Atlantic - 02:06 - Surfaced. She missed the convoy sighted the day before. 02:16 - Following a report from U 41, the search for a convoy resumed. However, it could not be found. PQ: BF4947 → BF4929 → BF5751 → BF5847 → BF5886

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 21, 1939, Ended the second tactical wolf-pack operation by German U-boats. In the so-called VERSUCHSFALL B had taken part the U 41, U 43 and U 53. Although the submersibles sank several ships sailing alone independently of each other, no joint action took place.

After completing their mission against the Allied convoy KS-27, U 41 and U 43 were assigned the sea area between 48° and 50° North and East of 12° West.

U 38 - North Sea - Completion of special task, surveillance of Westfjords and Asvafjords (AF 3614). Norwegian steamer sighted (AF 3822). Too far to attack. PQ: AF 3614 → AF 3822

U 41 - Vizcaya - 10:50 - Two Spanish trawlers stopped. 12:50 - French trawler detained (BF 6778). The crew abandoned her. Sunk with six artillery shells. The French ship LES BARGES II (296 GRT) (BF 6778 / 45°35'N – 03°22'W) sunk. All 15 crew members survive the sinking. Between 10:50 and 16:00, 17 trawlers stopped. All Spanish except one. The gyroscope is temporarily out of order due to depth charges. PQ: BF 6778

U 43 - North Atlantic - Still searching for convoy KS-27. However, it could not be found. 20:14 - Five destroyers sighted (BF 6788). Dodged in immersion. 23:30 - New operational area assigned. Move there. PQ: BF6777 → BF6788 → BF9222 → BF9229 → BF9226 → BF6798

On November 22, 1939, The B-Dienst announces various convoy movements. Consequently, a convoy with 20 ships on November 21 and another with 30 steamers heading west passed GIBRALTAR on November 22. Another convoy is reported 100 nautical miles south of the CANARY ISLANDS.

U 38 Staying outside Westfjord for a few days. The weather was very bad and the submersible saw no traffic. In accordance with her orders, she reported that she was heading north.

U 38 - North Sea - Storm, storm, surge. The bridge overtaken by the waves (AF 3760). Bridge guard taken inside. Hatches are banging, torpedo canisters have come loose from the mount and are banging, two upper deck canisters fall overboard. High fuel consumption, barely stays on course. PQ: AF3760

U 41 - Vizcaya - No special incidents. Q: FB

U 43 - North Atlantic - 13:45 - Convoy 14-BS in sight (BF 5881). Tracing. 15:48 - Torpedo against lead ship misses. New try. 16:05 - Torpedo on the last boat (BF 5887). Impact. The French ship ARIJON (4,374 GRT) was sunk. The ship was part of the French convoy 14-BS. The entire crew of the ARIJON, loaded with pig iron and general cargo, survived the sinking. (BF 5887 / 45°40'N – 04°50'W). Alarm dive due destroyer. At 60 m and 80 m 23 depth charges. No damage. 20:00 - Surface (BF 5848). Persecution. PQ: BF 5887 → BF 5848

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]

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 23, 1939, German U-boats are ordered not to take on board crews of merchant ships, except those who may be taken to Germany as prisoners of war.

Second day of operation of the German surface units, to support them several submarines have taken up holding positions to the west and east of the Orkneys.

U 43 made contact with a convoy 60 miles north of Cape Ortegal. Unfortunately there are no other submersibles in the vicinity. In the afternoon, U 43 was driven back and contact was lost.

The BdU receives authorization from the Naval Warfare General Staff for immediate full use of weapons against oil tankers in the sea areas west of 2° Long. This one, which the US has designated as a war zone. It is forbidden to attack the tankers of the USA, USSR, JAPAN, ITALY and SPAIN. DÖNITZ immediately transmits this order to the submarines.

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

U 41 - Vizcaya - No special incidents. PQ: FB

U 43 - North Atlantic - Allied convoy 14-BS was caught up again early in the morning (BF 8157). In the early afternoon, the submersible reaches a firing position and attacks convoy 14-BS with a single launch. This one again misses its target (BF 7533). The U-boat then loses contact with the convoy. PQ: FB

November 24, 1939, Third day of operations of the German surface fleet in the northern North Sea, running with submarine support. Due to the current confusion of the situation, Dönitz decided to leave the submarines in the Orkneys and Shetlands area in his position. The worsening weather, however, significantly limits the use of weapons by the U-boats.

The Wehrmacht Communiqué announces the following report: ...The New York Times reported heavy damage to the British cruiser BELFAST confirmed by a submarine report that a SOUTHAMPTON-class cruiser has been torpedoed in the FIRTH OF FORTH.

The B-Dienst collects the report of a French surveillance steamer that reported the sinking of a German submarine in the ENGLISH CHANNEL. At this time, however, there are no German submarines there.

U 38 - North Sea/Barents Sea - Passed North Cape (AC 72). Enter the area of ​​operations. 13:00 - Intense coastal traffic, nine steamers sighted (AC 7390). Attacks were planned for five of them, all of which were too small. Sea state 5 severely obstructs surveillance, there is no ice formation. PQ: AC72 → AC7390

U 41 - Vizcaya - No special incidents. PQ: FB

U 43 - North Atlantic - 12:00 - Position error 26 nm at 249°. Storm, wind 7, very rough sea. Lookouts secured in position. 12:00 - Submerged. PQ: BF 7573 → BF 7816 → BF 7849 → BF 7889 → BF 7888 → CG 2214

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]

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 25, 1939, there is still no indication of what steps the British High Command is taking. Weather conditions prevent aerial reconnaissance. However, as the British fleet can no longer be assumed to be in the Clyde, the 2 western submersibles, U 47 and U 35, were ordered to move further north-east, off the Pentland Firth and Fair Island Passage. Here too they will be in a better position to cut off the fleet east of Shetlands if this were necessary.

Abwehr reports from Spain stated that a large escorted convoy arrived in GIBRALTAR the day before. The convoy consisted of 25 ships, including 20 with weapons. Other reports inform that the British no longer assembled their convoys in MALTA, but only in GIBRALTAR. From there to LE HAVRE, the convoys would be escorted by French naval units and then taken over by the British.

U 38 receives accurate information from the BdU about the Soviet alert area off KOLA BAY. U 38 is to remain concealed within this warning area and not carry out any attacks there.

The BdU receives the letter from a prisoner of war crew member of the U 40 and is asked to take further action on it.

U 38 - Barents Sea - 18:30 - Steamer sighted (AC 8828). overstepped. 23:55 - Torpedo against this steamer misses. 23:42 - The second torpedo launch also misses the target. PQ: AC8828

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

U 43 - North Atlantic - 07:55 - Steamer sighted. Due to bad weather, there is no attack. 21:30 - Another steamer in sight (BF 7754). Advance maneuver. 22:38 - Torpedo on the ship misses. 22:45 - Surface. The second torpedo on the steamer misses. Steamer emits SSS. 22:56 Opened fire with the gun (BF 7760). The steamer catches fire. Barrel malfunction. 23:11 - Torpedo salvo misses. The steamer stops. Gun ready again. Fire in the steamer. The entire deck is burned and the British ship USKMOUTH slowly sinks after 149 shots. PQ: CG 2138 - CG 2155 - CG 2128 → BF 7754 → BF 7760

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!

November 26, 1939, is the Fifth day of the German naval operation in the northern NORTH SEA, which is carried out with the support of submarines. Due to persistent bad weather, the four submarines deployed in support are moving to the eastern side of the SHETLANDS and ORKNEYS. The submersibles are there to hunt down light ship units seeking shelter on the shore or rush to their bases to refuel. The German Battleship formation begins its return march.

U 38 - Barents Sea - 01:55 - Third torpedo against the previous day's steamer misses (AC 8828). Abandoned target. PQ: AC8828

U 41 - North Atlantic - Nothing special to report. PQ: FB 13

U 43 - North Atlantic - 00:12 - Following artillery bombardment, previous day's steamer sinks (BF 7727). The British ship USKMOUTH (2483 BRT), loaded with 3,900 tons of coal, was sunk; Two men from her crew die (BF 7761/43 ° 22'N – 11 ° 27'W) 00:17 - Alarm dive in front of escort. 26 depth charges partly very close. No major damage. PQ: BF 7727 → BF 7718 → BF 7715 - BE 9696 → BF 7416 → BF 7164

On 27 November 1939, aerial reconnaissance identified several groups of light and heavy naval forces at noon in the Shetland-Norway Strait, on different courses. Contact was lost after 2 hours, due to the lack of fuel of the following aircraft. However, it is clear that the enemy intends to take a cutting position here. The search along the leeward coast was apparently unsuccessful. A slight temporary improvement in the weather is expected. I decided to let the 3 submersibles off the Shetland coast do a reconnaissance east to the Norwegian coast.

Reasons:
1) Searching the coast did not lead to anything; apparently there is nothing there.
2) The enemy was in the Shetlands-Norway Strait. Since the situation as a whole has not changed, it can be expected that it will still be there tomorrow (our own battleships have not returned yet).
3) The improvement in the weather forecast should mean that the ships will be able to attack.

Our own battleships have returned from the operation; the return passage apparently went unnoticed.

The BdU receives instructions to redeploy U 38 operating at MURMANSK to combat British ore transports at NARVIK. According to reports from the German Attaché in MOSCOW, no more timber exports from MURMANSK are expected. U 36 will also be deployed there after leaving port. A new supply of the U 36 is still planned at BASIS NORD.

U 38 - Barents Sea - Patrolling in Teribka Bay/Kildin Strait. 13:30 - Morse coming from a ship. Submerged. Well guarded warning area. The big Lighthouses are off. Inside bay Lighthouses work normally. Very bright Visibility 1000 m. PQ: AC

U 41 - North Atlantic - Nothing special to report. Return march. Fuel still 40 t (BF 1267). PQ: BF 1267

U 43 - North Atlantic - 16:34 - Steamer sighted. Tracked. Canceled due to bad weather. PQ: BF 4799 → BF 4851 → BF 4597 → BF 4644 → BF 4621 → BF 4393

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 .

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 28, 1939, DÖNITZ decides to maintain the reconnaissance strip between the ORKNEYS and the Norwegian coast in this sea area after German reconnaissance planes again sighted parts of the British fleet there.

The Naval Warfare GeneralStaff sent the BdU lists of crew members from U 40 and U 42 ​​who had been taken prisoner or died.

U 38 - Barents Sea - 22:30 - steamer in sight (AC 8825). Attack. The ship sees the periscope and sails towards it. She stops 100 m from the side of the submersible. She retreated under the water. PQ: AC8825

U 41 - North Atlantic - no special incidents. PQ:AM

U 43 - North Atlantic - 01:59 - Steamer sighted (BF 2785). Attack canceled too close to the coast. PQ: BF 2785

On November 29, 1939 Again, aerial reconnaissance identified light naval forces and a convoy northeast of them in the same area. The weather is still very stormy. Apparently, the submarines have not been able to attack. Since it must now be taken that the return of the German Surface Fleet cannot remain unknown to the enemy for much longer, it makes no sense for the submersibles to remain in the Shetland-Norway Strait for another day, especially since it is believed that there are many destroyers nearby.

Radio message from U 38: No traffic sighted off Lola Bay. No hits. This submersible was sent there by order of the Naval Warfare General Staff, in the belief that there was considerable traffic in the area. Subsequent information received by said Command indicated that these hopes were not justified. Now the U-boat itself has confirmed it. Given the circumstances, it doesn't make sense to keep the boat there any longer. She has been ordered to return.

U 38 - Barents Sea - nothing special to report. PQ:CA

U 41 - North Atlantic - no special incidents. PQ:AM

U 43 - North Atlantic - no special incidents. 10:04 - Immersion due to bad weather. underwater navigation. 14:40 - Surface. PQ: BF 2742 → BF 1933 → BF 1692 → BF 1656 → BF 1653 → BF 1659

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 .

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

[tigre]

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On November 30, 1939, Conference of the BdU in the Naval War General Staff on the current state of submarine warfare and future intentions. DÖNITZ gives a detailed report on previous successes in the trade war, the use of mines, and difficulties with torpedo misfires. It also provides information on submarine crew observations and provides an assessment of enemy action. For the next period, one of the focuses of submarine operations will be the mining of British port facilities, specifically the FIRTH OF FORTH, FIRTH OF CLYDE, BRISTOL CHANNEL and the maritime area off LIVERPOOL. At the same time, minor operations will take place against the ports of NEWCASTLE and LOWESTOFT on the east coast. For subsequent assignments, DÖNITZ designates FALMOUTH, PLYMOUTH, ST. ALBANS HEAD, ST. CATHERINES DEEP, ROYAL SOVEREIGN and DUNGENESS. He points out that in addition to mining operations, the use of torpedoes must be maintained. The BdU does not consider the use of submarines off the Norwegian coast very promising. It is also pushing for the construction of submarine tankers, preferably small or medium boats rather than large ones. The Naval War General Staff decides to build at least two ships of this type, which will be carried out in an accelerated manner. DÖNITZ continues to be tasked with preparing for minelaying at HALIFAX and BLYTH.

Following the meeting between the Naval Warfare General Staff (SKL) and the BdU, the SKL wrote a memorandum entitled: "Status of the U-boat war at the end of November 1939 and other intentions".

U 38 - Barents Sea - 12:41 - Radio message received: "Withdrawal order". Navigation towards Vardö (AC 8850). PQ: AC8850

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

U 43 - North Atlantic - Alarm dive due to a ship (BF 1659). 16:20 - Smoke clouds sighted. Fishing boat. PQ: BF 1659 → BF 1933 → BF 2717 → BF 2745 → BF 2784 → BF 2794

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 .

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

[tigre]

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

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On December 1, 1939, the meteorological observation ship SACHSENWALD and the accommodation ship CORDILLERA arrive at SAPADNAJA-LIZA Bay. They reinforce the so-called BASIS NORD.

U 38 - Barents Sea - No special incidents. Return march. PQ:CA

U 41 - North Atlantic/North Sea - Marching back. 15:50 - Torpedo against sighted British steamer MARI II misses (AN 1519). PQ: AN 1519

U 43 - North Atlantic - 08:00 - Sighting steamer (BF 2738). Attack. It is identified as Greek 14:56 - Two destroyers sighted (BF 2764). No attack, Current too strong. PQ: BF 2738 → BF 2764

On December 2, 1939, Foreign Affairs is considering issuing a warning to the neutral countries NORWAY and GREECE threatening to revoke their neutral status if both nations do not agree to stop chartering space to the United Kingdom. The plan receives the support of the Naval War Command.

U 38 - Barents Sea - 08:00 - The Danish steamer LEISE MAERSK is stopped (AC 7340). No contraband. Released. PQ: AC7340

U 41 - North Atlantic - Nothing special to report. PQ: AN 13

U 43 - North Atlantic - 08:35 - Submerged due to seaplane (BF 2714). 10:20 - Large steamer in sight (BF 2711). It is too fast, it is not possible to get closer. PQ: BF 2714 → BF 2711

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 .

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

[tigre]

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

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On December 3, 1939, according to reports received, it could still operate south of Finisterre for a few days. No decision can be made until we see what the weather will be like when they leave the channel, not before 05/12. It would be better to have them out of the channel itself, as they could operate there longer.

U 38 receives the order from the BdU to combat the British ore transports in the VESTFJORD, since these have reached a considerable extension according to the available reports. After that, the ore ships in LÖDING are combined into convoys. Since there is uncertainty about the time of its departure, DÖNITZ decides to send the boat to the FJORD, since the sea area in front of the VESTFJORD is too large for a single submersible to control it, but there are no others available for this purpose. In addition, the BdU determines the operational areas for U-boats that are ready to go to sea in the near future.

U 38 - North Sea - Entered Knivskär Bay (AC 7374). Three torpedoes transferred from the upper deck. PQ: AC7374

U 41 - North Sea - On the way back, nothing special happened (AF 75). PQ:FA

U 43 - North Atlantic - Nothing special to report. Report on the situation and weather. PQ: BF 1612 → BF 1375 → BF 1346 → BF 1344 → BF 1262

On December 4, 1939, After evaluating letters from German POWs from the crew of U 40, DÖNITZ decides that the loss of the sub was due to striking mines, no more subs will be deployed to the Atlantic via the English Channel.

U 43 reported that she was beginning her return voyage, adding that a south-westerly gale was battering the Irish Sea.

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

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

U 43 - North Atlantic - Nothing special to report. Fuel still 48 m³. Return march started (BF 1241). PQ: BF 1241.

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 .

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

[tigre]

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

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

War with Great Britain and France!

On December 5, 1939, the BdU considered it a mistake to send U 25, U 26 and U 53 to the Mediterranean. U 25 had to turn back before getting there, U 53 was unable to get through, and U 26 encountered almost no traffic worth noting. This patrol shows all the disadvantages of a long outward voyage. The submersible can only operate for a few days and the operation is unsuccessful if it finds no traffic in those few days.

The Kriegsmarine Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Erich Raeder visits the BdU Headquarters (Dönitz).

U 38 - North Sea - Nothing Special: PQ: AB

U 41 - North Sea - 10:20 - Alarm dive in front of an aircraft (AN 4564). Two aerial bombs. broken glass damage. PQ: AN 4564

U 43 - North Atlantic - 08:00 - Submerged due to bad weather. 13:15 - Surface. PQ: BF 1154 → BF 1142 → BF 1111 → AM 7996 → AM 7968 → AM 7961

On December 6, 1939, the BdU requested the Naval Warfare Staff to extend the limits within which darkened ships can be attacked without warning. This is desirable:
1) in view of the current operation of the U 38 in the Westfjord. The English ships are most likely obscured. Almost all of them are painted gray, to make them less conspicuous, and they are armed.
2) for submarine operations in the Mediterranean and off the Portuguese coast. Returning submersibles say they sighted obscured ships there and were never sure what to do. The action according to the prize law is very difficult and dangerous for the submarine, especially near Gibraltar.

The Naval War Staff would not give its approval, since there could be German ships off the Norwegian and Spanish coasts.

The German Naval Attaché in Rome, Kapitän z.S. Löwisch, in a meeting with the Naval War Staff, was ordered to clarify several questions about the future behavior of ITALY. Among other things, what possibilities are there really for the supply of submarines in Italian ports and bases?

The BdU reports that four submersibles are not operational due to sand being found in the engine oil. Submarines are out of action for a week (Affected are U-13, 46, 51 and 52). Investigations are already underway.

U 38 - North Sea - Reconnaissance in Westfjords. From 03.12. many attempts against steamers. Too small. 22:46 - Torpedo on steamer sighted misses (AF 3624). PQ: AF3624

U 41 - North Sea - No special incidents. PQ: AN 37

U 43 - North Atlantic - Nothing special to report. 12:03 - 12:17 - Test dive. PQ: AM 7697 → AM 7664 → AM 7397 → AM 7361 → AM 4994 → AM 4697.

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 7, 1939, the BdU received a negative order from the Naval War General Staff of the previous day regarding his request to expand the attack zones for submarines, which again essentially refers to the return of camouflaged German merchant ships from Norwegian and Spanish ports.

14:54 hours, all submarines receive a warning from FdU WEST about an obstacle to navigation at position 55°52'N - 00°37'W, which is probably a drifting wreck.

U 41 entered port. The boat sank:
1) Trawler Creswell 275 tons
2) Tanker Arne Kjode 11,500 tons
3) SS Darine 1,350 tons
4) Trawler Les Barges 290 tons

Total of 13,415 tons

Coming out, the weather was bad and sometimes stormy and she didn't find many boats. Northwest of Cape Finisterre in fine weather, she met the convoy reported by U 53, but was unable to maneuver into a good attack position. The U-boat suffered a series of misfires and missed launches, for reasons that are being investigated. She still had the old type fuzes. The results of her patrol were fair, due to these failures, but she nonetheless showed skill and determination.

U 38 - North Sea - 17:09 - Torpedo on steamer sighted (AF 3618). Impact. The British ship THOMAS WALTON was sunk. 19:10 - Torpedo against another steamer (AF 3615). She was rescuing castaways. Torpedo circulates and detonates after eight minutes. Fortunately, the steamer was not hit, it was the German ship SEBU. PQ: AF 3618 → AF 3615

U 41 - North Sea/Wilhelmshaven - 10:50 - Arrival in Wilhelmshaven (AN 9814). Completion of the 2nd Patrol. PQ: AN 9814

U 43 - North Atlantic - Nothing special to report. 12:05 - 12:30 - Test dive. PQ: AM 4639 → AM 5145 → AM 2989 → AM 2932 → AM 2672.

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 .