Oberleutnant Ralf Thomsen
Patrol # 8

Duration:	12.09.1940 - 16.09.1940 , 5 days on sea
Patrol Area:	AL25
Ship:	U-54, The Laughing Sawfish
Type:	VII B
Flotilla:	7. Flotille, St. Nazaire

12.09.1940 11.55
Departure from St.Nazaire
Superb weather conditions, visibility over 30.000m

13.09./12.18
Received radio message from BDU: Intercept convoy AM9194

14.09./00.33
No convoy in sight. I decide to break up the operation, because we received a Kontaktmeldung from U-96 in BF3289, 238 degree, 7 knots.

15.09./02.45
Very bad visibility conditions We dive every hour as we reach BF32 for hydrophonic search. Finally, we have hydrophonic contact in 40 degree. We surface and go with full ahead in heared direction.

/03.00
We are diving to confirm direction. With a good contact we surface and again full flank in direction.

/03.34 BF2565
We have visible contact. It is a big convoy , main course 260 degree. General speed is 7 knots. With low visibility, below 10.000m. I decide for a frontal OS-attack, although escort sighted.

/03.55
We are passing the escort shield. The visibility dropped below 5.000m. We are in front of the first row.

/04.00
Targets selected: Two freighter 4.000 and 6.000 BRT. For the first a G7e torpedo m.i., out of 900m range. The torpedo is a hit. The ship is stopping and overall in fire. A G7e torpedo m.i. for the second target out of 410m range. A hit and the ship is breaking in two pieces.

/04.05
We are shelled by a 4.000 BRT freighter in front of us. We are turning the u-boat and shot a G7e m.i. with the aft tube out of a distance of 450m. The torpedo torpedo hits and the ship is watched sinking.

A document from our intelligence service, showing a hit on the convoy which was attacked by U-54.

/04.10
The burning freighter is leading us to a troop ship with 16.000 BRT in the second column A double shot with G7e m.i. and G7a k.i. out of 500m range. The ship takes the two hits and is turning on side.
We have to reload our inner torpedos.
I am looking for a good place in the convoy, setting speed to convoy speed and begin reload operations.

/04.35
With the first two torpedos G7e m.i. loaded, we are attacking a 11.000 BRT tanker. One torpedo hits, the other one is dud. The tanker is slowing down and leaving the convoy. We follow him to reload in peace and to shell him if the distance to the convoy is big enough.

/05.31
Kontaktmeldung wired: BF2591. Also reporting our results: 4 merchants sunk with 28.275 BRT

/05.40
The tanker is out of the convoy, but escorts are still near.

/06.05
The escorts have left the tanker, we are preparing for a canon-attack.

/06.35
With distance below 500m we are beginning to shell the tanker. After 17 rounds the tanker is sinking. We are setting course back in estimated convoy direction. The deck torpedoes are transferred in the ship.

/06.50
Fog is falling

/08.55
All tubes are reloaded. The deck is clear. Visibility dropped below 3.000m. We are submerging for hydrophonic search. Convoy contact in 180 degree.
Surfacing and with full ahead in direction.

/09.10 BF2576
Kontaktmeldung wired. Main course 240 degree, general speed 7 knots

/09.20
We are targeting a 7.000 BRT freighter. I decide to attack with the aft tube, to have the bow tubes reserved for harder targets.
Shot with G7e m.i out of 880m range. The torpedo is a hit and the freighter is sinking immediately.

/09.27
We are attacking a 11.000 BRT tanker, but an escort in 2.000m distance sighted forces us to break up the attack.

/09.36
Second attack on the tanker. Double shot with G7a k.i. out of 440m distance, both dud! How many guardian angels has this tanker?
Decide to attack the neighbour tanker, also 11.000 BRT. A double shot with G7a k.i., G7e m.i.. Both hit and the tanker is blowing up with big fire.

/10.00
Targeting a 7.000 BRT tanker. It is sinking after one hit with G7a, k.i., from a range of 600m.

/10.30
Targeting a 6.000 BRT freigher with our last torpedo a G7a. With a kontakt igniter the torpedo is sent on his way from a range of 450m. It hits and ship is sinking.
Two escorts are on the way to the sinking place. With no torpedoes left, we retreat.

/10.38
Are there more boats at the convoy? We are hearing explosions and depth charges. Patrol result wired:: 9 merchants sunkt 69.579 BRT. BDU is sending us home.

16.09./04.46
Ordering escorts for St.Nazaire harbour

• Attack by night or by fog, this will allow you to stay on surface.

• Stay on surface as long as possible, by diving you loose speed and you will be a prey of the ASDIC. Persicope attacks are only a one hit strategy, because the enemy will search in your area, forcing you to stay under surface. You will loose the convoy if the enemy attack is a longer one.

• It is a good idea to attack a little target, which is on your way to the convoy. Then break in the convoy and stay in it in a safe distance. The escorts are driving to the first sinking place and you can choose your targets free.

• Stay as long in the convoy as you can. Retreat only when you have to reload the deck torpedos.

Strategic issues:
The patrol was only 4 days long but in the channel and in sea between Ireland and England. This area should be reserved for elite-captains only, because of the hard circumstances for us. This success was only possible due to the bad weather which did not allow any flying activities.

Private commentary:
As we were on the way with the escorts to the pier a motor ship intercepted us. On board Dönitz and a PK-group. Dönitz promoted me on the ship to Kapitänleutnant and gave me command on a IXB boat U-104. The boad is ready on the yard of Wilhemshaven and we should have a short training period there. Te most training will be than the transfer from Wilhelmshaven to St. Nazaire were we got some extra days to learn with the new boat.
The PK-men interviewed me live for the radio on my own ship, what a pain!
My I WO is leaving for his own command, I'm wishing all the best.

PATROL RESULTS

DECORATIONS

U-boat badge	Knights Cross	Knights Cross with Oak Leaves	Knights Cross with Oak Leves and Swords

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