Oberleutnant Manfred Buchmann
Patrol # 1

Duration:	26.10.1939 - 31.10.1939, 6 days on sea
Patrol Area:	AN52
Ship:	U-59, Crossed Swords
Type:	II C
Flotilla:	9. Flotille, Brest

26.10.1939 17.40
Departed Base and set course for Grid Square AN52. Crew morale high, as  we’re all very anxious to sink our first ship. The record player is up and  running!

27 Oct, 1939 11:23
A very fast merchant was spotted at 52 degrees relative. It was headed south at an extremely high rate of speed, away from us. Distance nearly 10,000 yards and increasing. We decide it would be fruitless to persue, so we continue.

28 Oct, 1939 05:32
We arrive in our patrol quadrant. Radio headquarters.

29 Oct, 1939 09:39
Masthead spotted bearing 334 degrees relative. We alter course and run at flank speed to investigate. Hurrah! A British tanker, estimated at 10,000 BRT! We swing around and attack on its port side.

13:24
Three torpedoes launched at a distance of 700 yards. Fingers are crossed! First torpedo - dud. I stare anxiously at the tanker, almost hoping to “will” the next torpedoes to explode. Second torpedo - dud. Curses are mumbled under our breaths. Third torpedo - hit! We all cheer, but it looks as if one torpedo will not be enough. We pass astern of the tanker to attack on the starboard side as the crew reloads the torpedoes.

14:03
Last three torpedoes fired at 650 yards. First two torpedoes - duds! We can not believe our bad luck! We wait for our third torpedo, which finally explodes amidships! Target destroyed! Everyone is very jubilant. We radio in our report, and begin our return trip to base.

31 Oct, 1939 11:37
Arrive safely at base.

Personal analysis:
The crew peformed exceptionally, although we were all quite concerned with the reliability of the torpedoes. Four of our six did not explode. It’s not enough that we fight the British, we have to fight our own weapons as well! How ridiculous. Hopefully the problem is being solved as I write this. It was a very short patrol, and most of our food is still relatively fresh.
It’s a shame the Type II’s don’t carry more (reliable!) torpedoes.

PATROL RESULTS

DECORATIONS

U-boat badge	1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class

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