Kapitänleutnant Manfred Buchmann
Patrol # 8

Duration:     21.09.1940 - 29.09.1940, 9 days on sea
Patrol Area:   AE83
Ship:   U-87, Crossed Swords
Type:   VII B
Flotilla:   9. Flotille, Brest

21 Sep. 40, 19:30
We leave port. Everything is running just fine, no problems.

22 Sep, 06:39, BF5275

On the way to the patrol quadrant, a large troop transport is sighted. It's a passenger liner headed to Italy! I maneuver away.

25 Sep, 14:38, AM2775
Air alarm. No damage.

25 Sep, 18:05, AM2716
A fairly large convoy is spotted. For the moment I can't see any escorts. Incredible! Its course is 170 degrees. I radio BdU my findings, and the reply instructs me to attack. The weather is steadily growing worse (and darker, for that matter), so I go to flank speed and rip into the convoy's left flank at 18:55. One shot sinks a 4.000 BRT merchant. Another bow shot damages a large tanker, so I pass ahead of it and fire the stern tube. It hits and detonates, sending the "S.S. Cape Bridgetown" of 9109 BRT to the bottom. I take another two bow shots at a tanker, but only one explodes. I need to reload, so I move off, keeping an eye on my target. It's drifting out of formation to the west. During the reloading, one escort appears, but it's easily evaded. Once the torpedoes are reloaded, I slash into the convoy again! Two torpedoes send the tanker "S.S. Sulairia" of 9.888 BRT to the bottom. While I was making that torpedo run, I evidently got too close to a merchant, which opened fire. The impudence! One shell hits aft, causing only minor damage. I quickly leave the immediate vicinity. Another two torpedoes send another tanker of 9.000 BRT to the depths below. My damaged friend is in sight, so I give chase. One stern shot is enough to finally destroy the 11.000 BRT tanker. Two more bow shots sink the "S.S. Mabriton" of 8.720 BRT. I now have only 2 exterior torpedoes left, so I break off the attack. I send BdU my victory message, and I'm instructed to return home. The time now is 19:57. Just think! All of this was done in a little over one hour!! One last contact message is sent, and I finally head for Brest. I hadn't even reached my assigned patrol area before my torpedoes were expended.

29 Sep, 07.43, at Brest

Right before the escorts arrive!

We attach the docking lines. On the wharf I am promoted to Kapitanleutnant!!!

Personal analysis:
With each patrol my crew and I become more efficient. The boat is fantastic. I've heard rumours that the type IX boats, although carrying more torpedoes and having a longer range, are slightly slower and less maneuverable. I'd like to find out if that is true or not. If it is, then I would be very content to remain with U-87. My experience tells me that speed and maneuverability are the keys to success. What's the point of having a longer range and carrying more torpedoes if you aren't as effective a fighting machine? Who knows, we shall see. For now I'm content to be called "Kapitanleutnant"!

PATROL RESULTS

Merchants

Escorts

Warships

BRT
Patrol results:

6

0

0

51.717
Total career results:

36

1

0

249.175

DECORATIONS

U-boat badge

1939 Iron Cross
2nd Class

1939 Iron Cross
1st Class

Knights Cross

Knights Cross
with Oak Leaves

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