Korvettenkapitän Manfred Buchmann
Patrol # 18

Duration:	22.05.1942 - 30.06.1942, 40 days on sea
Patrol Area:	CB 58
Ship:	U 519, Crossed Swords
Type:	IX C
Flotilla:	9. Flotille, Brest

23 Mai, 12:00, BF4167
After confirming his position, I maneuver alongside U-90. We transfer the extra LI and we stay on the surface to help out with AA firepower if it be needed. After three hours repairs are completed and we are on our way again.
As U-90 was being repaired, I could not help but notice how much his crew respects him. The way they act, the way they talk, and especially how Reiss handles everything; if a split-second decision needs to be made, he makes it, and from what I see, it turns out to be the right decision. I admire him greatly, and I hope we get the chance to work the sea-lanes together in a wolfpack some day.

KvtKptn Buchmann writes his KTB

27 Mai, 00:52, BD6428
A lone merchant is spotted. After maneuvering into position, one torpedo is fired at 01:14 from 1000 meters. It destroys the 7.000 BRT tanker.
This marks the beginning of a series of lone-merchant sinkings. The following sinkings are, unless otherwise stated, straight-forward, by-the-book sinkings.

3 Jun, 05:17, CB5866
As I enter the patrol area, a ship is sighted. One shot sinks the 6.000 BRT freighter. As I am turning away from the sinking wreck, the look-outs sight another ship on the horizon! I close the distance on the surface, firing two shots at 07:39 to sink the 9.000 BRT tanker.

5 Jun, 06:40, CB5832
A plane is spotted at the last minute in heavy fog. Four depth charges, which are released, shake the boat but cause no damage. We quickly dive and wait an hour before surfacing and continuing the patrol.

19:20, CB5832
Later that day, we sight a 5.000 BRT merchant at 80 degrees (relative). It is sunk with one torpedo.

8 Jun, 01:20, CB5828
Ship at 223 degrees. One torpedo sinks the 7.000 BRT merchant.

04:52, CB5842
A Catalina flying boat is off in the distance. We dive and stay out of its sight.

12:46, CB5886
Ship at 48 degrees. 14 rounds are used to sink the 2.000 BRT ship.

9 Jun, 07:23, CB5823
A fast troop ship approaches at 313 degrees. We submerge and prepare our stern tubes. Of two shots, one hits, the other misses. We surface and run up for flank speed. The ship has slowed down, but not by much. I fire two other torpedoes, and both miss. How rude! The crewmen slam 34 rounds into the burning ship, and it slides beneath the waves. What a score! 15.000 BRT!
I would like to take the time to mention that this surface action was in compliance with both Phase 5 specifications, which states, "Deck gun may be used only on merchant shipping under 4000 tons, or merchant ships already damaged by torpedo", and also with the Submarine Commander's Handbook ("U.Kdt.Hdb."), 1942 (new edition 1943), High Command of the Navy, Section V-277, which states, "In areas not frequently patrolled by the enemy, the use of artillery against ships which have been hit by a torpedo, but are still afloat, is likely to be successful, and saves torpedoes." Under careful consideration of the circumstances, it was my belief that the artillery would overcome the fleeing troop ship, whose own guns had been put out of action by the torpedo blast. It most certainly paid off.

10 Jun, 14:05, CB5859
Ship at 355. One torpedo sinks the 3.000 BRT tanker.

14 Jun, 04:18, CB5835
Ship at 271. One torpedo sinks the 4.000 BRT merchant.

23:43, CB5844
Ship at 288. 2 shots sinks a 12.000 BRT tanker!

16 Jun, 07:32, CB5835
Ship at 298. Two eels sink a 10.703 BRT tanker.

22:50, CB5817
Ship at 326. A big troop ship, headed right for me. Three torpedoes from a submerged position destroy the 17.385 BRT ship! How marvelous!

18 Jun, 03:33, CB5855
Ship at 350. One torpedo sinks the 4.000 BRT merchant.

13:38, CB5861
Ship at 331. A slow tanker (going only two knots!). One torpedo sinks it for another 4.000 BRT.

19 Jun, 07:25, CB5859
Ship at 302. One torpedo sinks the 4.000 BRT tanker. No more torpedoes; time to head home!

30 Jun, 00:58, Brest
We arrive in the harbour.

PATROL RESULTS

DECORATIONS

U-boat badge	1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class	1939 Iron Cross 1st Class	Knights Cross	Knights Cross with Oak Leaves	Knights Cross with Oak Leves and Swords	Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds

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