Kapitänleutnant Manfred
Buchmann
Patrol # 12
| Duration: | 06.07.1941 - 26.08.1941, 51 days on sea |
| Patrol Area: | BE54 and AL44 |
| Ship: | U 122, Crossed Swords |
| Type: | IX B |
| Flotilla: | 9. Flotille, Brest |
6 Jul 1941, 21:57, Port of Brest
We leave the harbour. We have been given instructions to proceed at maximum
speed towards BE54. U-243 has machinery damage, and we have taken on parts
to transfer over to the stricken boat. U-243 sends her status and position
via the frequency wave "Postbote". After the rendez-vous, we are instructed
to proceed to the patrol quadrant AL44.
8 Jul, 09:37, BE5427
We are now alongside U-243, and we inform headquarters. Our own LI hops aboard
U-243 to assist with repairs.
13:17
The unthinkable occurs. A Sunderland bomber sweeps down, machine guns chattering.
We open fire ourselves, but the plane veers towards the damaged U-243, which
has moved off about 200 meters. Depth bombs are dropped with deadly accuracy.
Explosions heave the U-boat high up in the water, and with a low groan she
settles back down. The water cascades around her as all becomes silent. The
Sunderland disappears in the distance. No movement can be seen on the U-243,
which makes us all very nervous. We stare at the boat for an eternity, and
finally crewmen, one by one, make their way out of the conning tower. The
boat is settling lower into the water, and the massive oil slick which begins
to spread reveals both oil tanks are ruptured. She begins to sink, very slowly,
by the bow, while crew members still crawl out. Many are wounded. We approach
the sinking U-boat to take on survivors. As the last of the crewmen in the
water crawl on board the U-122, the U-243 dips suddenly and silently disappears.
We are dumbfounded. A headcount reveals 24 have been saved from U-243. But
we ourselves have suffered a devastating blow - our LI, Paul Franck, is not
one of them. We radio headquarters to request orders.
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Pictures of the rescue-operation |
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15:49
Headquarters instruct us to rendez-vous with a ship which will be approaching
shortly. The ship will carry a new LI, and she will also take on board the
survivors of U-243. We are to travel underwater for as much as possible.
9 Jul, 16:20, BE8327
We are alongside the ship. The survivors have been transferred, and we receive
our new LI. He seems young. I hope is is capable. We must remember that no
one can completely replace our old LI, and we cannot expect this new man
to be exactly like him. Adjustments must be made.
12 Jul, 10:52, AL4435
We reach our assigned patrol quadrant.
15 Jul, 04:27, AL4426
A ship is at 40 degrees (relative). We submerge and plot an intercept course.
As the range closes, she is found to be a patrol yacht. One torpedo disposes
of the "SS Lady Somers" of 3.062 BRT.
22 Jul, 19:39, AL4469
We spot a ship at 34 degrees. We run at high speed on the surface. Two torpedoes
sink the "SS Ida Knudsen", a Norwegian Cargo Steamer carrying general cargo
of 6.000 BRT.
25 Jul, 10:15, AL4461
A troop ship is spotted running at high speed! We plot an intercept course,
and to our dismay she is an American liner! We avoid her and resume our patrol.
26 Jul, 11:40, AL4454
A ship is at 287 degrees. One torpedo sinks the 5.000 BRT "SS Botwey", a
medium tanker carrying gasoline.
28 Jul, 08:32, AL4444
A ship at 25 degrees. After approaching on the surface, she opens fire at
7.000 meters! Very rude. So we submerge and close the distance underwater.
At 780 meters we slam two torpedoes into her. The "SS Lapland", a Turbine
Tanker carrying 9.000 BRT worth of Diesel fuel, breaks in half and sinks.
15:46, AL4472
That same day a ship appears at 347 degrees. She opens fire at 5.800 meters,
so again, we submerge and approach underwater. At 650 meters we fire a stern
shot, and the Swedish Cargo Freighter "SS Norita", which was carrying copper
for 7.000 BRT, is destroyed.
12 Aug, 16:23, AL4488
Finally, after more than two weeks a ship is at 68 degrees. It proves to
be a small tanker. We approach submerged, and surface with a flourish at
810 meters. We man the deck gun and pump 11 rounds into her. The "SS Sangara",
a light steam tanker carrying gasoline for 2.140 BRT, burn the entire length
of her deck. Quite a sight.
13 Aug, 19:37, AL4465
Air Alarm. The aircraft is way too close. 4 depth charges rattle the boat,
but no damage is found. We submerge and then surface an hour later. Could
our watch be getting lazy? We have a talk to wake them back up.
15 Aug, 08:43, AL4427
Air Alarm. We are in dense fog, and a plane out of NOWHERE drops four bombs,
all of which miss. Quick crash dive, and then we resurface at 10:00.
10:30
The Sunderland reappears after the fog has somewhat lifted. There is no time
to dive. We jump for the AA guns, and we manage to shoot it down after one
pass! As we celebrate our victory, a ship is spotted! We rush over and destroy
the small tanker of 1.000 BRT with 9 rounds. The "SS Longtaker", a British
steam tanker, was carrying crude oil.
19 Aug, 04:32, AL4476
Airplane in dense fog. Drops four bombs, but only one shakes the boat a bit.
No damage. We surface at 7:30.
20 Aug, 08:33, AL4437
Air Alarm, No Damage.
22 Aug, 10:00, AL4441
We realize our provisions are nearly gone, so we set a course home for Brest.
25 Aug, 17:32, BF4336
Air Alarm, no damage.
26 Aug, 05:49
We return to the port of Brest.
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Our LI Paul Franck, For ever in our hearts |
PATROL RESULTS
Merchants |
Escorts |
Warships |
BRT |
|
| Patrol results: | 7 |
0 |
0 |
33.202 |
| Total career results: | 71 |
4 |
0 |
456.938 |
DECORATIONS
U-boat badge |
1939 Iron Cross |
1939 Iron Cross |
Knights Cross |
Knights Cross |
Knights Cross with |
Knights Cross with |
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