Kapitänleutnant Ralf Thomsen
Patrol # 9

Duration:	24.12.1940 - 04.02.1941, 43 days on sea
Patrol Area:	AL47
Ship:	U-104, The Laughing Sawfish
Type:	IX B
Flotilla:	7. Flotille, St. Nazaire

24.12.1940 12.01
Departure from St.Nazaire
Good weather conditions, visibility up to 20.000m
They are sending us out on christmas! The old crew members are reminding us on our third patrol which started one day before christmas and was not under a good sign. I'm telling funny stories and play a little bit the clown to keep morale up. But the crew is very disappointed.
I don't know what the reasons of the BdU are, but sending us out under these circumstances with a new boat is a sign that things are not so good at the moment.

26.12./16.21 AM7795
The II WO is reporting a single tanker 4.000 BRT, distance 19.300m, bearing 25 degree, 6 knots.
In advancing we can identify him as british. Preparing for an OS-Attack. Out of the distance of 450m we shoot one G7e k.i.. The torpedo is a hit and a large flame blows up in the sky.  Burning oil is spred on the sea. This hell can no one survive.

That photo was made from a FW Condor 200 passing us and the torpedoed tanker some minutes after the hit. The crew gave it us in exchange for two bottles of Martell.

Reloading from aft deck torpedo to stern tubes

28.12./10.24 AL4739
Patrol area reached, stormy weather, a lot of water coming into the boat. Beginning up and down search course.

06.01.1941/03.38 AK6867
After ten boring days with nothing happening the third shift is spotting a canadian Freighter with 2.000 BRT. We are advancing for a cannon-attack (C-attack). With in a range of 500m we are opening fire. The ship is sinking after 9 rounds.

06.01./15.46
Radio message recieved from U-74: Convoy, East-course AE4485 Decide to engage.

08.01./18.00
After two days i have to breake up the search for the convoy. No more messages from U-74 received and with the bad visibility we have no chance to get in contact. Returning to patrol area

12.01./07.40 AK6933
II WO is reporting a very fast troop ship 15.000 BRT with 24 knots speed. But we are in a good position to intercept. We are preparing for a persicope attack.
On 800m distance I fire a double shot with two G7e k.i.. One torpedo is dud, the other hits the ship. The ship is only slowing down a litlle bit. We are going up to finish it off with the cannon. After 3 rounds in the aft an enourmous explosion is shaking the ship. It is very fast sinking over the aft, leaving the crew no chance to escape.
Reloading from aft deck torpedoes to stern tubes.

21.01./00.16 AK7039
I WO sees an other fast troop ship with 12.000 BRT. Although with 22 knots faster than we, we are in a so excellent position that I'm able for a P-attack with the aft torpedoes.
A double shot with G7e and G7a both magnetic ingniters from 400m distance out of an angle of 160 degree.
Both torpedos hit at the stern, white smoke shows that we hit directly their machines, after 10 minutes the sea is empty!
Reloading the last aft deck torpedo in to aft tubes.

23.01./14.05 BD3913
I LI (!) spotts a single freighter 6.000 BRT,as he was on the bridge to get some fresh air. In firing position we shot a G7e k.i.from the stern tubes out of  570m distance with an angle of 0 degree. The torpedo hits the ship, is coming up to surface and sinking.

/14.32
Second attack with a G7a m.i.. Distance 400m, angle 0 degree. Torpedo hits and is detonating. Ship is sinking slowly, survival boats set out. We are asking the men in the ships if assistance is needed, but they refused to get in contact with us.
Ships name "Corona Sailor" identified

28.01./15.24 AL4725
A single norwegian freighter with 4.000 BRT is in sight. We are advancing for an OS-Attack. But in a distance of 2.000m the ship is stopping, a white flag is hoisted and the crew is setting out survival boats.
With the 3 survival boats in safe distance, fired a G7a with k.i. out of a distance of 300m. The ship is sinking at once.
Ship´s name asked "Maria M." Donated water and food and showed course to Ireland.

31.01./19.30
Plotting course to base due to low fuel

03.02./13.12 BF1831
We are stumbling over a single french freighter with 10.000 BRT. OS-attack with two G7e k.i.out of a distance of 350m,  angle 0 degree.
Freighter is turning to ramm us, torpedoes explode and we have to go back with full steam, not to collide with the wreck.
Left area immediately

04.02./14.41
Eskorts orderd for escort to St. Nazaire

Strategic issues:
Sending out IX B boats in areas were no convoy is to be expected is a waste of torpedoes. We returned with 10 torpedos remaining. The bad weather conditions in this time of the year made systematic search impossible.

Private commentary:
Although having no convoy encounter this time ,we are still a lucky boat. The two troop ships had bad luck, that we were in so a good position. Returning to St.Nazaire. Dönitz came on board in the lock chamber. I shall travel again to Berlin to get the diamonds from the hands of the Führer. I shall stay in the 7th. but build a long operation group in Wilhelmshaven. So this will be our next port. Strange idea!

PATROL RESULTS

DECORATIONS

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