Kapitänleutnant Michael Hoffmann
Patrol # 7

Duration:	05.07.1940 - 12.07.1940, 8 days on sea
Patrol Area:	AM46
Ship:	U-302, U-Flachs
Type:	VII B
Flotilla:	9. Flotille, Brest

05.07.1940 / 12.03
We are departing the pen and turning towards the escorts at Pte. des Espagnols. At the pier the whole flotilla is waving good bye.CO Thomsen is very pale in his face and turning with a painful look to the army brass band which is playing "Muß I denn zum Städele hinaus" as loud as they can.Obltn. von und zu Kronau-Wahrsteiner had to be held by Obltn. Reiss who has a blue eye from an unfriendly encounter with Conny. It was a very good idea to force von und zu Kronau-Wahrsteiner to drink two bottles of his damned Nußschnaps. A very fine departure as he went through the window as he tried to pass the door of Logonna Manor. I think that will cure him for ever.Our both Kapitänleutnants Rumey and Timmermann went behind a corner of the bunker. I do not know what they do, but we can hear bells from elks in their rutting-season, so I assume it was not so a good idea that they tested who is the fast one in drinking a bottle of Bimber.Overall a very good departure celebration!

A swarm of 4 Me 110 of ZG 26 is bussing over our heads. The barrage breaker in front and two mine sweepers to the left and right also in front of us. Too much honour for us. We are orderd to patrol AM46, west but very near to the Irish Coast.The Luftwaffe tries to do it best, but the desaster with the convoy of Obltn. Reiss, where 12 FW Condors were not able to locate that convoy and the mine dropping activities in the Goulet shows their real capabilities.

07.07./14.21 AM4694
We have reached the southern corner of our patrol area. Beginning search course.

09.07./07.30.AM4378
I WO reports a british tanker appearing. In advancing we can identify him as the 2.000 BRT "Oiler Star". We send signals that they shall leave the ship, because we will start to shell them in 40 minutes. They are warned that we open fire immediately when they use their radio.

/08.20
The crew has left the ship in two life boats and we sink it after 15 rounds. The crew does not want any help and we can leave them with good hope, because the irish coast is relative near.

09.07./15.35 AM4395
Third shift reports smoke on the horizon.

/17.56
We have located the course and speed of the convoy. Kontaktmeldung: Small convoy, course 290 degree, 9 knots

/18.21
Strange, we can count only 5 merchants, but 4 escorts. The freight must be very valuable for the Tommies

/20.26
The escorts have turned behind the convoy and we are in front of it. A good chance for the first attack. Full flank ahead towards the convoy.

/20.57
Scheisse! A destroyer is coming up and turning towards us. If he want´s it, we can play hard. I'm ordering a periscope attack against the destroyer. The destroyer is only 2.000m away and ASDIC is pinging around. He has reduced it's speed from 34 knots to 12 and is on search course. It is an old 4-pipe destroyer with 1.000 tons.
Beginning silent run. With the destroyer 600m away I release a double shot with G7e and G7a both kontakt igniters.
- Fahrkarte!
Next one, a single shot G7e kontakt igniter out of 400m. Hit! But only little smoke in the mid ship.
The last torpedo, a G7a out of 300m. The steam is pearling bubbles on the water and the destroyer is stepping aside. Very fine. Ab in den Keller! With crash dive and all men forward we are on 155m depth. Only two or three depth charges are falling. But soundman reports sometimes 3 hs-screw contacts. ASDIC is pinging all around us and we are running on a roller coaster up and down and left and right. But it seems that they are not able to locate us. No Wabos.

/22.14
Back on periscope depth. No escorts visible, but soundman reports the convoy in 357 degree. In emerging the torpedomixer stumbles over a pile of wet laundry and is releasing the aft torpedo which was watered and ready for the destroyer. What a luck that the outer bay was still open. I'm saying nothing but my eyes tell enough. I'll have some words with him when we have more time. The deck torpedoes must be taken inside.

10.07./00.26
All torpedoes are reloaded and we are in front of the convoy again. With that heavy protection for these ships I have to order a persicope attack.

/00.33
Convoy in 6.100m. Some small course adjustments. Slow ahaed. Periscope is only up all 5 minutes

/00.39
Silent run. 2 escorts to the left and the right of the convoy

/00.47
I'm releasing a double shot towards a 9.000 BRT freighter in the first row out of 1.400m. Never shot out of such a far distance....
And will never do it again, because both miss

/00.49
A third shot out of 1.000m distance.

/00.50
Firing the aft torpedo towards a 4.000 BRT tanker out of 750m. Than with crash dive on 155m, because escorts turning towards us. In diving we hear the hit of the third torpedo and sinking noises. Soundman reports the aft torpedo as dud.Sometimes all four escorts are around us, but we can hear nothing as ASDIC and some depth charges far away. Greenhorns!

/01.44
With no hs-srew contacts we are back on persicope depth. We see the convoy far away in 43 degree and three escort between us and the convoy. Back to surface and again racing to get in front of the convoy

/04.01
Wired Kontaktmeldung. Convoy in AM0217, course 140 degree, 9 knots.

/04.52
Second periscope attack, beginning in 14.300m before the convoy. Periscope only up for some seconds.

/05.10
Convoy in 8.700m

/05.20
Convoy in 3.300m

/05.25
Soundman reports 3 contacts

/05.30
We are in the convoy. Firing with the aft tube a G7a on a 4.000 BRT tanker out of 470m distance. Selecting next target. A tanker with 9.000 BRT gets two torpedoes out of 1.200m distance. Turning towards the last target. A 2.000 BRT freighter receives a G7a out of 670m. We have to dive immediately, becasue escorts turning towards us. In diving we hear the hits on the first two targets. The third was missed. Sinking noises from two ships. ASDIC and wabos far away. These guys are really new.

/06.15
Back on surface with convoy in 17.000m distance bearing 350 degree.

/06.45
The 4-pipe destroyer and a korvette are behind us. We run with full flank ahead to the south.

/10.56
After more than 4 hours hunting only the destroyer is following. With our last torpedo now ready, we will try to get him with an periscope attack.

/11.29
The destroyer sinks after the hit in two pieces. Oil overall and no survivors. Setting course back to base.

12.07./05.31
We follow the escorts in the harbour. At the pier Kvtkptn Thomsen and BdU Dönitz promoting me to Kapitänleutnant. Oh shit, this means a new party in Logonna!

PATROL RESULTS

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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