Korvettenkapitän Manfred Buchmann
Patrol # 27

Duration:	20.10.1943 - 30.10.1943, 10 days on sea
Patrol Area:	ED 16
Ship:	U 841, Crossed Swords
Type:	IX C/40
Flotilla:	9. Flotille, Brest

20 Okt 1943, 17:13, Brest
We leave the harbour. A wind has picked up, making the spray from the whitecaps dance on the water. We are vigilant against aircraft from above, which may strike at any moment. Even leaving the harbor, we can not be too careful anymore.

21 Okt, 09:15, BF4928
Air alarm. No damage. Attacked again by aircraft at 16:05, but again, no damage.

23 Okt, 08:00
We receive a message from U-274 in AD8847. Escorts and aircraft have damaged the boat and the pumps can't keep up. The transmission stops abruptly.

25 Okt, 05:37, CF1747
The fog, which has blanketed the area since midnight, has no intention of departing. At 05:37, smoke from a convoy is spotted at 297 degrees (relative)! An escort is charging at us. We are probably spotted with RADAR, but because of the fog, he is unsure of us. We maneuver out of the way at top speed. As we make our way to the convoy, three more escorts join the chase. We are able to leave them behind. We rush into the rear of the convoy, and commence launching torpedoes. Nearly an entire row of ships is sunk, leaving behind a massive amount of wreckage, flames, and debris.

As I am lining up another shot, I realize I have come too close to a merchant. Going at top speed, I desperately try to avoid this ship, but it is too late! We duck down into the boat to submerge. Suddenly, there is a horrifying crash, and the boat heels over as we strike a glancing blow. We plummet to 65 meters before regaining control and surfacing. There are several moderate leaks, thank the Lord we only glanced off the side. Upon surfacing, we find the port side fuel tank has ruptured, and we have a slight list. We evade the escorts, which have drawn nearer. We hear the sound of depth charges exploding where we had submerged.

The U-841 draws off to make some repairs and also to reload the tubes. I have every intention of attacking again. I am not going to let this golden opportunity go to waste. After sufficient repairs are made and the tubes are full again, I slice into the convoy, which has just changed direction. Again, I leave a path of burning and sinking ships. The U-841 is a marvelous vessel, and the fog is truly a blessing. In total, we sink 16 ships for 113.645 BRT, an outstanding patrol! We retreat to head home.

26 Okt, 13:09, BE8783
A merchant is spotted. Our last torpedo is used to sink this 6.000 ship.

30 Okt, 14:51, Brest
We enter the harbour after only 10 days at sea.

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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