U-601 - 1st War Patrol
Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster
Departed |
Date |
Arrived |
Date |
Days at Sea |
Kiel |
4 July 1942 |
Bergen |
6 July 1942 |
3 |
Bergen |
8 July 1942 |
Narvik |
10 July 1942 |
3 |
Narvik |
14 July 1942 |
Kirkenes |
3 August 1942 |
21 |
27 |
Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol. You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file. Download Google Earth here |
Ships Hit |
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Date |
KTB Time |
Position |
Ship |
Tons |
Nationality |
Convoy |
1 Aug 42 |
00.12 |
71°21'N,
51°30'W |
KREST´JANIN |
2,513 |
Soviet Union |
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Total = 2,513 |
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Note: The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website. The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank. |
K r i e g s t a g e b u c h | |||||
" U 6 0 1 " | |||||
Kommandant: | Kapitänleutnant G r a u . | ||||
Beginning: 18.12.41. | |||||
Ending : 3.7.42. | |||||
© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved | |||||
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB |
- 1 - |
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18.12.41 | Hamburg Blohm & Voß | Commissioning U-601 10.00 hours. | |||
18. - 27.12.41 | Hamburg | Training cruise on the Elbe | |||
Christmas. | |||||
27. - 28.12.41 | Transit to Kiel. | ||||
29. - 31.12.41 | Kiel | U.A.K. testing in Kiel. | |||
01. - 14.01.42 | Kiel | U.A.K. testing in Kiel. | |||
14.01.42 | Transit to Rönne. | ||||
15. - 16.01.42 | Haßle | Testing U.A.G. Schall [acoustic trials] | |||
16. - 18.01.42 | Transit to Danzig. | ||||
19. - 23.01.42 | Danzig | Testing U.A.G. 1. | |||
24. - 31.01.42 | Danzig | Tied up in Danzig due to ice conditions. | |||
01. - 15.02.42 | Danzig | Tied up in Danzig due to ice conditions. | |||
16. - 28.02.42 | Danzig | Tied up in Danzig due to ice conditions. | |||
- 2 - |
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01. - 15.03.42 | Danzig | Tied up in Danzig due to ice conditions. | |||
16. - 31.03.42 | Danzig | Tied up in Danzig due to ice conditions. | |||
01. - 02.04.42 | Danzig Bay | Training cruise, independent training. | |||
03. - 06.04.42 | Danzig | Tied up in Danzig due to ice conditions. | |||
07.04.42 | Transit to Gotenhafen. | ||||
07. - 14.04.42 | Gotenhafen | T.E.K. Gotenhafen. | |||
15.04.42 | Transit to Hela. | ||||
15.04. - 02.05.42 | Hela | Agru-Front. | |||
02.05.42 | Transit to Pillau. | ||||
03.05.42 | Pillau | Artillery shooting phase with the 26. U.-Flottille. | |||
04. - 10.05.42 | Pillau | 1st part of torpedo phase with the 26. U.-Flottille. | |||
10.05.42 | Transit to Gotenhafen. | ||||
10. - 20.05.42 | Tactical training with the 27. U.-Flottille. | ||||
20.05.42 | Transit to Pillau. | ||||
- 3 - |
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21. - 22.05.42 | Pillau | 2nd part of torpedo shooting phase with the 26. U.-Flottille. | |||
23. - 25.05.42 | Transit to Hamburg. | ||||
26. - 31.05.42 | Hamburg | Final adjustments and overhaul Blohm & Voß. | |||
01. - 15.06.42 | Hamburg | Final adjustments and overhaul Blohm & Voß. | |||
16. - 28.06.42 | Hamburg | Final adjustments and overhaul Blohm & Voß. | |||
28. - 30.06.42 | Hamburg | Outfitted the boat. | |||
01.07.42 | Transit to Kiel. | ||||
02. - 03.07.42 | Kiel | Radio Direction Finder calibration, | |||
degaussing and outfitted the boat. | |||||
K R I E G S T A G E B U C H | |||||
" U 601 " | |||||
Kommandant: Kapitänleutnant G r a u . | |||||
Beginning: 4.7.1942. | |||||
Ending : 3.8.1942. | |||||
- 1 - |
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04.07.42 | |||||
09.00 | Cast off from the Scharnhorst Pier. Put to sea for the first operation. Chopped from the 5. U.-Flottille to the 11. U.-Flottille. | ||||
12.35 | AO 7498 | Convoy intake U-454, U-601, U-43 by Sperrbrecher 13. | |||
Wind calm, Sea 0, 3/10, Vis. 15 nm | |||||
29.52 | Escort change to Vorpostenboot 0909 at schwarz 01. | ||||
Day's run: 125.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
05.07.42 | |||||
16.00 | Route rot and schwarz | Transit to Kristiansand, | |||
made fast in Kristiansand. | |||||
Day's run: 220.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
06.07.42 | |||||
04.00 | Kristiansand | Cast off. | |||
04.25 | Escort by Vorpostenboot "SEEBÄR" to Bergen. | ||||
04.25 | Test dive. | ||||
04.45 | Surfaced. | ||||
21.45 | Made fast in Marineholm. | ||||
Day's run: 240.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
1.0 nm Submerged | |||||
07.07.42 | Bergen | Supply of fuel oil and provisions. | |||
08.07.42 | Bergen | ||||
15.05 | Put to sea. | ||||
Orders: Proceed to Narvik at a distance of 50 nm from the coast. 36 hours before arrival in Vestfjord report by Radio Message. | |||||
15.12 | AN 2464 | Test dive. Deep dive to depth A +40 meters. | |||
16.36 | Surfaced. | ||||
19.15 | AN 2423 | Disembarked the pilot. Released escort. | |||
Day's run: 27.0 nm Surfaced, 3 nm Submerged | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 04.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 05.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 06.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 08.07.42 |
- 2 - |
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09.07.42 | |||||
03.20 | AT 7923 | Drifting mine. | |||
SSE 1, Sea 1, light Swell, 0/10, Vis. 6-8 nm | |||||
04.50 | AF 7691 | Drifting mine. | |||
15.00 | AF 5849 | Drifting mine. | |||
SSE 1, Sea 1, light cross Swell, 0/10, Vis. 4-6 nm | |||||
17.24 | AF 5852 | Crash dive for aircraft. | |||
N 3, Sea 1, light Swell, 4/10, Vis. 3-12 nm | |||||
17.52 | Surfaced. | ||||
19.50 | Drifting mine. | ||||
22.05 | Drifting mine. | ||||
Day's run: 240.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
1.5 nm Submerged | |||||
10.07.42 | |||||
01.32 | AF 5358 | Crash dive for aircraft (course about 100°). | |||
NNE 2-3, Sea 1-2, 0/10, Vis. 8-10 nm | |||||
01.56 | Surfaced. | ||||
02.15 | AF 5361 | Aircraft (course about 80°). | |||
05.45 | Crash dive for aircraft (course about 315°). | ||||
06.00 | Surfaced. | ||||
17.30 | AF 3556 | Convoy intake for Narvik. | |||
It turned out the sighted aircraft were probably English air reconnaissance of the Norwegian coast. | |||||
Day's run: 311.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
1.0 nm Submerged | |||||
11. - 14.07.42 | U-boat Base Narvik | ||||
"STELLA POLLARIS" | Waiting station. Supply. | ||||
14.07.42 | |||||
15.00 | Narvik | Cast off "TANGA". Escorted to square AB 9864. | |||
Orders: U-boat hunt in square AC 71 - 72 - 73. | |||||
18.00 | Test dive. | ||||
18.30 | Surfaced. | ||||
Day's run: 62 nm Surfaced, 1.5 nm Submerged | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 09.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 10.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 14.07.42 |
- 3 - |
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15.07.42 | |||||
01.20 | AB 9864 | ||||
NE 2-3. Sea 2, 0/10, Vis. 6 nm | Released escort. Transit into U-boat hunting area. | ||||
04.45 | AB 9598 | Drifting mine. | |||
NNE 2, Sea 1, 10/10, Vis. 10-12 nm | |||||
08.15 | Drifting mine. | ||||
20.16 | Test dive, failures for training. | ||||
21.13 | Surfaced. | ||||
Day's run: 180.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
3.0 nm Submerged | |||||
16.07.42 | U-boat hunting area | ||||
NE 1, Sea 0, light NE Swell, 10/10, Vis. 12 nm | Drifting wreckage (Tropical shelters, wooden parts, rafts, drifting fishing gear.) | ||||
20.11 | Test dive. | ||||
20.37 | Surfaced. | ||||
Day's run: 310.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
1.5 nm Submerged | |||||
17.07.42 | |||||
20.43 | AC 7135 | Smoke feather bearing 140°T, closed it. | |||
ESE 4, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. 10-20 nm | |||||
21.00 | Land in sight. | ||||
Assumption: Own vessel on coastal convoy route. | |||||
23.31 | Test dive, training. | ||||
24.00 | Surfaced. | ||||
Day's run: 320.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
1.5 nm Submerged | |||||
18.07.42 | |||||
00.30 | AC 7212 | Drifting U M A in the water a short time. | |||
SE 2-3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. 12 nm | |||||
19.42 | Test dive | ||||
19.58 | Surfaced. | ||||
Day's run: 190.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
2.7 nm Submerged | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 15.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 16.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 17.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 18.07.42 |
- 4 - |
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19.07.42 | |||||
07.00 | AC 4872 | Drifting mine | |||
NW 1, Sea 1, overcast, fog, Vis. 1-5 nm | |||||
On various courses without success, searched for the enemy U-boat that had been reported several times before by other boats. Visibility was mostly good, and I could oversee the entire area. In my opinion the enemy is no longer in this area. | |||||
11.50 | Radio Message from Admiral Nordmeer: | ||||
1.) As attack area occupy square 4290, 4370, 4530, 4610 all Anton Toni. | |||||
2.) Task: Surveillance of the "Matochkin Shar Strait" | |||||
There Luftwaffe reported 4 steamer, 3 patrol vessels intending to pass through. Further traffic and coastal traffic is expected. Expect air surveillance by "Consolidated". | |||||
3.) Arrival at Kirkenes is no longer required. | |||||
AC 8158 | Transit into attack area. | ||||
Day's run: 264.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
2.3 nm Submerged | |||||
20.07.42 | |||||
AC 5060 | Transit into attack area. | ||||
AC 58, 59, 67, 68, 69, 47 | |||||
16.43 | AC 6847 | Test dive, training. | |||
NE 2, Sea 1, 0/10, Vis. 4-12 nm | |||||
17.05 | Surfaced. | ||||
Day's run: 215.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
2.5 nm Submerged | |||||
21.07.42 | |||||
AC 44, 45, 46 | Transit into attack area. | ||||
NE 3, Sea 3, 2/10, Vis. 12 nm | On changing courses off the "Matochkin Shar Strait". Coastal area viewed from a distance. | ||||
17.50 | AT 2613 [AT 4613] | Dived to run into the Matochkin Shar Strait | |||
Except for a signal station nothing of importance determined. | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 19.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 20.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 21.07.42 |
- 5 - |
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continued | |||||
21.07.42 | |||||
22.53 | AT 4615 | Surfaced. | |||
N 1, Sea 0, 3/10, 10-12 nm | |||||
23.56 | Crash dive for aircraft, to remain unseen. Probably a "Consolidated", long range. | ||||
Day's run: 210.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
0.5 nm Submerged | |||||
22.07.42 | |||||
00.12 | AT 4530 | Surfaced. | |||
NE 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. 10 nm | Back and forth on changing courses. Range from the coast according to visibility. | ||||
Day's run: 224.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
23.0 nm Submerged | |||||
23.07.42 | |||||
06.11 | AT 4530 | Aircraft flew by on southerly course. | |||
Range about 5 nm. | |||||
16.45 | AT 4530 | Test dive. Put the boat on the bottom in depth A -24 meters to use the listening gear due to visibility deterioration. | |||
Sea 1, medium N-Swell, overcast, fog, Vis. 2-10 nm | |||||
21.59 | Surfaced. | ||||
22.37 | Submerged due to visibility reduction. | ||||
Day's run: 198.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
6.0 nm Submerged | |||||
24.07.42 | |||||
02.45 | AT 4530 | Surfaced. | |||
13.20 | Radio Message: Attack area expanded [to the south] up to 71°N operate in the coastal area according to defense. Luftwaffe found individual steamers lying under land several times in the area of square AT 4830 and 7230. | ||||
18.03 | Dived. Ran towards the "Malyye Karmakuly" settlement submerged. Explored the channel: One coastal sailing vessel 30-40 tons. Radio station. In order to remain unnoticed and so that the steamers reported by the Luftwaffe are not | ||||
Sun and Moon Data 21.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 22.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 23.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 24.07.42 |
- 6 - |
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continued | |||||
24.07.42 | warned by the radio station, left the port again. | ||||
Intention: Destroy the sailing vessel and the radio station on the return transit. | |||||
20.00 | Surfaced. Moved off under the cover of the Islands. | ||||
Day's run: 180 nm Surfaced | |||||
8 nm Submerged | |||||
25.07.42 | |||||
AT 7220 | |||||
SSE 1, Sea 0, overcast, at times mist, Vis. 3-10 nm | |||||
04.56 | AT 7237 center-right edge | Dived. Ran in on changing course into the Belush'ya Bay. Because there were no steamers there, departed unnoticed submerged. Samoyedic settlement consisted of about 10 houses and primitive sheds. | |||
08.00 | AT 7237 [AT 7672 is incorrect] |
Surfaced. Entered the Roadstead of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich up to the upper edge of AT 7672. No houses, no vessels, hardly any vegetation. | |||
19.59 | AT 7628 | Due to drift ice fields under the coast penetration into Chyornaya Bay is not possible. Took course line on the connecting line Cape Kanin Matochkin Shar Strait. I suspect that the traffic runs on this line and that the Kara Strait is blocked by ice. | |||
SSE 2, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. 8-12 nm | |||||
Day's run: 220.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
9.0 nm Submerged | |||||
26.07.42 | |||||
Square AT 7190, 7180, 7150, 7130, 4519 | Transit to the north. | ||||
SE 2, Sea 1, 6/10, Vis. 8 nm | |||||
16.30 | Course for Malyye Karmakuly. | ||||
22.30 | Dived. Ran in to Malyye Karmakuly. Put the boat on the | ||||
Sun and Moon Data 24.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 25.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 26.07.42 |
- 7 - |
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continued | |||||
26.07.42 | |||||
bottom at the location. Developed an attack plan. Apart from the radio station and the coastal sailing vessel 2 "Consolidated" 2-engined aircraft were determined. | |||||
23.21 | Surfaced after calculated low tide. With 8.8 cm and 2 cm anti-aircraft gun destroyed both flying boats at their berths, the radio station, housing and storage sheds. The coastal sailing vessel was not found, because it was sheltered behind a bluff. In an attempt to approach, I lightly grounded the bow. I did not consider a navigational endangerment of the boat after the destruction of the air and convoy escort base for Novaya Zemlya and an escort for the 40-ton sailing ship to be justifiable. Counter-action from land (defensive fire from land, 1 hit on the conning tower cladding) was silenced. The air surveillance determined on 21 July and 23 July probably emanated from Malyye Karmakuly. Stacked building material (wood) indicates that the base is under construction. I think it is important for the Luftwaffe to monitor the reconstruction. | ||||
23.40 | SSE 6, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 6-12 nm | Departed. | |||
44 shots 8.8 cm | |||||
280 shots 2 cm | |||||
For the 8.8 cm 39 hits observed. | |||||
Day's run: 230 nm Surfaced | |||||
2.5 nm Submerged | |||||
27.07.42 | Off Matochkin Shar Strait | ||||
S 2-3, Sea 1, overcast, fog, Vis. 200 hectometers to 5 nm | |||||
Day's run: 198.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
1.2 nm Submerged | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 26.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 27.07.42 |
- 8 - |
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28.07.42 | Off Matochkin Shar Strait | Back and forth on changing courses, dived due to visibility deterioration to use the listening gear. Put the boat on the bottom at depth A -20 meters at 20.45 hours | |||
20.01 | AF 4610 | ||||
SE 3, Sea 1, fog, Vis. 3-15 nm | |||||
23.50 | Surfaced. | ||||
Day's run: 180 nm Surfaced | |||||
25 nm Submerged | |||||
29.07.42 | |||||
00.13 | AT 4610 | Dived. Put the boat on the bottom at depth A -16 meters. | |||
ESE 3, Sea 1, fog, Vis. 5-20 hectometers, Vis. 1-10 hectometers | |||||
03.45 | Surfaced. | ||||
13.13 | Dived due to low visibility. | ||||
19.45 | Surfaced. No visibility improvement. | ||||
20.35 | Dived. Put the boat on the bottom at depth A -22 meters. | ||||
Day's run: 180 nm Surfaced | |||||
0.5 nm Submerged | |||||
30.07.42 | |||||
04.11 | AT 4610 | Surfaced. Due to visibility deterioration remained off the Matochkin Shar Strait | |||
WNW 5, Sea 5, overcast, fog, Vis. 1.5 to 3 nm | |||||
Day's run: 50.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
2.5 nm Submerged | |||||
31.07.42 | |||||
03.30 | AT 4610 | Coastal patrol on southerly courses. Distance from the coast according to visibility. | |||
22.30 | AT | Steamer under the coast about 1000 tons on course 315°. Maneuvered ahead up to target angle 60°. | |||
23.25 | AT 7259 | Russian 2000-ton steamer on opposite course in sight target angle 0°. | |||
23.27 | Dived. | ||||
Day's run: 189.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 28.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 29.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 30.07.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 31.07.42 |
- 9 - |
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01.08.42 | |||||
00.12 | AT 7252 | Attacked. 3-fan due to inexact shooting data. 1 hit after edge of the engine room. Sinking time 7 minutes. Steamer was empty. | |||
NE 2, Sea 1, light E-Swell, Vis. 6-12 nm | |||||
00.17 | Surfaced. The shipwrecked could not be understood, therefore without determining the name, pursued the 1000-ton steamer. When he didn't come in sight again on an intercept course, pursued into the Kostin Strait, as far as there was depth information on the chart. He was not in the Belush'ya Bay. He escaped in the haze of eastern Kostin Strait | ||||
02.00 | Sea 1, 6/10, to the east Vis. 1/2 nm, to the west 10-12 nm | I didn't think it would be justifiable to pursue from a navigational point of view. Ambushing off the entrance omitted because I received a recall by Radio Message. I'm counting on being deployed against an America-convoy immediately after supply in Kirkenes, and I'm in a hurry. | |||
To the coast on a southerly course, to 70°N on the assumption, that traffic can still be found north of Kolguyev Island, began ordered return transit via square 74. | |||||
Day's run: 240 nm Surfaced | |||||
2.6 nm Submerged | |||||
02.08.42 | AC 9684 | Return transit. | |||
E 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain, thunderstorms, Vis. 1-6 nm | |||||
15.33 | AC 8676 | Test dive. Depth control training, failures for training. | |||
16.43 | Surfaced. | ||||
Day's run: 286 nm Surfaced | |||||
3.0 nm Submerged | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 01.08.42 | |
Sun and Moon Data 02.08.42 |
- 10 - |
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03.08.42 | |||||
06.15 | AC 8421 [position in error] | Taken in convoy. | |||
NW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain, Vis. 2-6 nm | |||||
07.40 | Made fast alongside "SÜDMEER". | ||||
Day's run: 98.0 nm Surfaced | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 03.08.42 |
Enclosures to U-601's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document | |
ChartA | Track chart of period 8 -9 July |
ChartB | Track chart of period 9 - 10 July |
ChartC | Track chart of period 15 - 19 July |
ChartD | Track chart of period 20 - 21July |
ChartE | Track chart of period 21 July - 1 August |
Sketch | Sketch of artillery attack 26 July 23.21 - 23.40 |
Radio | Excerpt of the Radio Log |
Note: the first two endorsements below are for the KTB from 18.12.41 - 3.7.1942 (commissioning to the start of the first patrol) - those following are for the period 4.7.42 - 3.8.42 (first patrol) |
Admiral Nordmeer |
25 July 1942 | |||
B.Nr. G. 3099 AU. | ||||
To |
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The Marine-Gruppenkommando Nord. |
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for information: |
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the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote, |
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the 2. Admiral der U.-Boote, |
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the 11. U.-Flottille. |
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Subject: K.T.B. "U-601" for the period from 18.12.41 - 3.7.1942. | ||||
Action: 11. U-Fl. B.Nr. G. 828 from 15.7.1942. | ||||
Submitted in the enclosure is the K.T.B. "U-601" from 18.12.41 to 3.7.1942 in duplicate. | ||||
There is nothing to note. | ||||
Marinegruppenkommando Nord Command Center, 11 August 1942 |
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B.Nr.G 8984 /43 A II |
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G e h e i m ! |
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U. Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine - 1 Skl. I ac - | |||
Submitted. Nothing to note. | |||
On behalf of! | |||
Comments of the Admiral Nordmeer |
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on the K.T.B. "U-601 for the period from 4.7. - 3.8.1942 |
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On board, 11 December 1942 | |||
B.Nr. Gkdos. 1769 / 42 AU | |||
Admiral Nordmeer | ||||
B.Nr. Gkdos 1769 AU. 11 December 1942 | ||||
To | ||||
Marinegruppenkommando Nord. | ||||
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Marinegruppenkommando Nord Command Center, 30 December 1942 |
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U. |
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S e e k r i e g s l e i t u n g |
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Submitted. | ||
The Admiral Nordmeer's comments are noted. | ||
On behalf of ! | ||
Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote |
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on the Kriegstagebuch "U-601" from 4.7.42 - 3.6.42. |
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There is nothing to add to the comments of the Admiral Nordmeer. |
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For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote |
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- The Chief of the Operations Department - |
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Click the icons to view the associated records |
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Return to the U-boat KTB page | ||