Korvettenkapitän Manfred Buchmann
Patrol # 22

Duration:	15.12.1942 - 18.12.1942, 4 days on sea
Patrol Area:	EJ 38
Ship:	U 519, Crossed Swords
Type:	IX C
Flotilla:	9. Flotille, Brest

16 Dez. 1942, 15:13, BF7353
A fog, which has recently settled in, blankets the area. It makes me very nervous; I hate being so isolated. I can't see very far, but aircraft might see me with their radar. I start to wonder whether or not I should dive for a while until the fog dissipates. As I contemplate the situation, the aft lookout screams that an aircraft is approaching from dead astern! It is close - too close. One of the lookouts jumps to the gun as the Sunderland begins spitting lead. As it passes over us, four canisters drop from its belly, and land forward. The explosions are immense (could they be using more TNT in their charges?), and the shocks from them nearly throw us to the deck. But hurrah, the man at the anti-aircraft gun has put a burst into the fuselage, and it begins to smoke. We are far from elated as it crashes into the sea, however, for we know our damage is serious.
I have every AA gun manned, for I decide to stay on the surface. Submerging would put extra water pressure on parts that may have been damaged, causing a flood of water to enter the boat. I go down into the forward part of the boat to find out what kind of shape we're in. I guessed right - it's pretty bad. The forward tubes are wrecked beyond repair, and the bow compartment pumps are heavily damaged.
Theoretically, it's possible for U-519 to continue a patrol. But it would put the crew and boat at tremedous (and, might I say, unnecessary) risk. We send off a status report to Headquarters, and we are told to return to base. We turn around and head back. In the meantime, the forward part of the ship is set for diving up to about 50 meters, but more would be pushing it. Our speed is reduced as well.

18 Dez, 1942, 09:00, BF5738
Air alarm. We submerge to 40 meters. Depth charges shake us, but nothing we can't handle. We surface and hour and a half later.

14:00, BF5579
Air alarm. We submerge in plenty of time and cruise comfortably at 30 meters before surfacing an hour later.
21:44, Brest
We return to base.

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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