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War Diary German N 441943 Germ
War Diary German N 441943 Germ
PART A VOLUME 44
J:
D
"__ .
APRIL 194 3 ^
i
UNCLASSIFIED _ \*™
to b:
clas lii ry
A-6599
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Washington 25, D. C.
In reply
refer to
Op-292/LM/gd
Ser 02312P29
19 December 1956
E. M. ELLER-,
By direction
DISTRIBUTION LIST
CIA (2)
DI/USAF
G-2, USA Library
OIKC r VCFI,r
COtiSUBPAC
CCASUBLANT
A .-.VIlAfELSCH
•t; TICK AX :,i CGI oGJ3
I. .VAT. r.vR CCILiSGii;
U.S, N'-.V.-iL ..GADEK5T
CP-92 (10)
CF-29 (10)
0P-02S (4)
US AC, History Division
J3C, History -ivision
STATE DCPARTAA1T, History Division
AAIAIA FCRCiS S.'AFF COLLEGE
Historical Section, The .dmiralty, London 3. .7. 1, England ( Atn:
R-^ar '.dmiral Roger II. fiellairs, R.ii.) (2)
Capitaine dc Frigate RCSTAAD, Chef du Service liistorique de la
Aarine, 3, Avenue Octave-GrAard, PARIS VII, FR-i Or, (2)
'•
•*-
Editorial Note:
Nothing to report.
was thought, however, that April 18, the date set on the
basis of Organization Todt's report, would be adhered to.
-1- CONFIDENTIAL
1 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Special Items
The KAISER and ROLAND are, for the time being, to remain
at the disposal of Commander, Minesweepers , Baltic.
Further instructions on the allocation of minelayers will
be issued to Group North. Copy In accordance with Tele-
type l/Skl I op. 9475/43 Gkdos. In War Diary, Part C d.
III. With reference to the report from the Naval Attache, Rome
on the administration of the Toulon arsenal (see 'Jar Dia.ry
23 March), Naval (Ship) Construction Division considered
the Italian Navy Department's apprehensions to be ground-
less in view of the agreement reached in Italy with High
Command, Navy's representative for naval ship construction
in Southern France on 31 March 1943.
-2- CONFIDENTIAL
. '
1 Enemy Situation :
Nothing to report,-
2 Own Situation ;
-3- CONFIDENTIAL
1 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
1 . Enemy Situation s
-4- CONFIDENTIAL
1 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
2 . Own Situation ;
Atlantic Coast s
-5- CONFIDENTIAL
. ,
;i
Elisabeth'"'
-6- CONFIDENTIAL
. . . .
Channel Coasts
Nothing to report
1. North Sea ;
Enemy Situation s
Own Situation s
-7- CONFIDSNTIAL
. .
V. Submarine Warfare ;
1. Enemy Situation ;
2 Own Situation ;
-8- CONFIDENTIAL
. . ,
VI Aerial Warfare ;
Between 1600 and 1800 the air force station and city
of Trier were heavily raided. For further details
see "Daily Situation Report' 5
.
2 Mediterranean Theater ;
3. Eastern Front ;
-9- CONFIDENTIAL
.
-10- CONFIDENTIAL
I April 1943 COITFIDBITTIAL
The transports ;;
5
;?
,
i?
6n
and "IS were
,
w 7'li
,
"9 ;i 1 1
Aegean Sea s
-11- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Black Sea :
Enemy Situation :
Nothing to report.
Own Situation ;
-13- CONFIDENTIAL
1 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
-14- CONFIDENTIAL
2 April- 1943- CONFIDENTIAL
Great Britain s .
.
-• •
United States ;
France s
Turkey s
Japan ;
Hungary ;
-15- CONFIDENTIAL
. . . s
-16- CONFIDENTIAL
2 April .1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Special Items
-17- CONFIDENTIAL
:
1. Enemy Situation ;
-18- CONFIDENTIAL
2 April 1943 2 CONFIDENTIAL
2 ; Own Situation ;
-19- CONPIDENTIAI
. .
1. Enemy Situation :
2 Own Situation s
Atlantic Coast :
Two ELM/ J mines were swept off Brest. The town and
dockyard area of St. Nazaire were raided by about 15
enemy planes at 2303. The locks were undamaged. One
four-engined plane was shot down by two patrol boats
on the outer Gironde
-20- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
'
Channel Coast s
Nothing to report.
1. North Sea s
2 Norway/Northern Waters g
Enemy Situation ;
Own Situation ;
-21- CONFIDENTIAL
.
accepted.
Special Items i
V. Submarine V/arfaro s
2 Own Situation ;
-2'3- CONFIDENTIAL
2 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
2 • Mediterranean Theater ;
3. Eastern Front s
Nothing to report.
24- CONFIDENTIAL
2 April-1943 CONFIDENTIAL ,
-25- CONFIDENTIAL
.
6'
The transports KT r'5 , i?
,
7" and
i? 9'
,?
entered Tunis
!i i? ,?
Aegean Sea ;
-28- CONFIDENTIAL
2.%iL 1943,. CONFIDENTIAL
Enemy -Situation s
"
Nothing to report.
29- CONFIDENTIAL
3. .-April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
-30- CONFIDENTIAL
3' April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Special Items
-31- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Reasons z
-32- CONFIDENTIAL
.
III. For a summary for March 1943 of losses within the Axis
sphere of influence of merchant vessels sailing under
flags other than German see War Diary files "Own
Shipping Losses 1943 as per l/Skl 9898/43 Gkdos,
,!
-33- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
Situation 5 April
Nothing to report.
2 . Own Situation ;
7 knots
1. Enemy Situation ;
Q Our Atlantic reconnaissance was without result.
2 Own Situation ;
Atlantic Coast ;
"
3 April '1943' CONFIDENTIAL
Channel Coast s
-36- CONFIDENTIAL
3-- April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
1. Norway/Northern Waters ;
Enemy Situation s
Own Situation ;
Defense Unit.
V. Submarine V/arfr.ro ;
1. Sncr.iy Situation s
Nothing to report.
2 . Own Situation ;
Special Items ;
VI Aerial \7 a r f ar c ;
-38- CONFIDENTIAL
. . .
2 Mediterranean Theater ;
I
The 2nd Air Force went Into action in Tunisia in
support of the Army. Two steamers sailing In an
enemy convoy west of Tenes were torpedoed by seven
Ju 88's. The Italian Air Force reported the sinking
of one tanker sailing in convoy northeast of Tobruk.
During the night of 3 April some torpedo planes were
detailed to attack an enemy convoy off the Algerian
coast
3 Eastern Front s
-39- CONFIDENTIAL
3 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
-40- CONFIDENTIAL
3 April. 1943.. CQNFIDENTIAL -
Aegean Sea s
Black Sea ;
Enemy Situation s
Own Situation s
Submarine U ,i
24 w entered Feodosia for replenishment
at 1600.
Nothing to report.
-42- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Special Items
-43- CONFIDENTIAL
4 April 194-3 CONFIDENTIAL
Situation 4 April
1. Enemy Situation s
Nothing to report.
2. Own Situation s
-44- CONFIDENTIAL
.
1. Enemy Situation ?
2. Own Situations
Atlantic Coasts
Jn.
Channel Coasts
1. North Sea ;
2. Norway/Northern Waters :
Enemy Situation ;
Own Situation ;
temporarily suspended.
-47- CONFIDENTIAL
. . )
V. 5 ub ma r i no \'i a rf arc s
1. Enemy ..Situation?
2 . Own .Situation ;
VI . Aerial Warfare s
2 . Mediterranean Theater s
-49- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
3. Eastern Front ;
-50- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
Aegean Sea s
Own Situation s
Nothing to report.
-52- - CONFIDENTIAL
5 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Eden has returned to London from the United States and
will give an account of his stay In the House of Commons.
-53- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
Special Items
Situation 5 April
1. Enemy Situation ;
Nothing to report.
2 • Own Situation ;
-55- CONFIDENTIAL
.
except that the PIETRO ORSEOLO had put In. The Attache
pointed out that in the course of the routine pro-
cedure, it is, despite the most exhaustive counter-
measures, well nigh Impossible to prevent the reports
on the blockade runner movements from filtering through
to the crews, and thereby ashore, via the radio
stations and ship's officers, owing to the tremendous
interest they arouse in all quarters in Japan.
1. Enemy Situation s
2. Own Situation ;
Atlantic Coast s
Channel Coast ;
1 . North Sea s
-57- CONFIDENTIAL
5 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
2 . Norway/Northern Waters ;
Enemy Situations
-58- CONFIDENTIAL
5 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Own Situation s
-59- CONFIDENTIAL
5 Apr£l 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
V. Submarine Warfare g
1. Enemy Situation ;
2. Own Situation:
-60- CONFIDENTIAL
5 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
VI • Aerial Warfare s
2 . Mediterranean Theater s
-61- CONFIDENTIAL
.
?• Eastern Front s
I)
Four Italian submarines were in the operational area.
No special reports were received from our own
submarines
-64- CONFIDENTIAL
.
w 9'
and !
entered Naples according to plan. Ten
Italian naval landing craft from Trapani and Palermo
entered Bizerta at noon. The missing Siebel ferries
and infantry landing craft meanwhile entered Tunis.
One transport submarine and five. Siebel ferries are
on passage from Marsala to Tunis
Aegean Sea ;
-65- CONFIDENTIAL
5 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Black Sea
' ;
Enemy Situation s
Nothing to report.
Own Situation ;
Nothing to report.
-67- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
-68- CONFIDENTIAL
) s ,
6. April. 1943 :
CONFIDENTIAL
-69- CONFIDENTIAL
. "
"A few days ago, the Italian Navy, evidently using the
C-erman Staff attached to the Italian Admiralty as a
pattern, established a High Command, Italian Escort
Forces under Admiral Somigli. This High Command has
been made responsible by decree for the entire
organization and training of the Italian escort
forces, and in the case of operational tasks, merely
for the commitment of submarine chaser flotillas
under special circumstances Although on the face
.
dd. Submarine U i!
2.4' ! southeast of Cape Chugoropas as
far as Tuapse;
-71- CONFIDENTIAL
" s .
Special Items
I. On 9 March Armed Forces Nigh Command, Operations Staff
made the following reports
As a result of the report made by Reichsministcr Spoor,
,J
-72- -. CONFIDENTIAL
) : . . .
quarter of 1943
Dutch shipyards )
-73- CONFIDENTIAL
;
V-\
Mine- exploding
vessels 2 Full allocation.
«
March losses 15
n
in commission on 1 April 1943 423
n
plus foreign submarines
2. Distribution?
n
On operations 235
On trials 124 ii
u
For training purposes 64
ij
423
3 . In March
Atlantic 194 ii
Mediterranean 17 !!
Northern Waters 21 SI
Black Sea 3 J!
Q^c; ii
-75- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Vol. VI,
Part C d. '-
a. Scandinavia n
-78- CONFIDENTIAL
.
-79- CONFIDENTIAL
6 April 1945 CONFIDENTIAL
c . Western Mediterranean s
-80- CONFIDENTIAL
S April 1943'- • CONFIDENTIAL
-81- CONFIDENTIAL
6 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
-82- CONFIDENTIAL
.
d. Eastern Mediterranean ?
-83- CONFIDENTIAL
.
4 . Summary ;
-84- CONFIDENTIAL
.
13 LCT's
86 LCA s
'
-85- CONFIDENTIAL
6 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
-86- CONFIDENTIAL
. s .
Situation 6 April
1. Enoray Situation ;
Nothing to report.
2 . Own Situation :
-87- CONFIDENTIAL
. ; )
1. Enemy Situation ?
2 Own Situation s
Atlantic Coast s
-88- CONFIDENTIAL
. . .
Channel Coast ;
Air reconnaissance did not throw any light on the
whereabouts of the boat WIKING which disappeared
from St. Brlcux between 2200 and 2400 on 5 April.
One patrol boat and four gun carriers of the 2nd
Gun Carrier Flotilla were attacked by enemy planes
off Le Touquct on the evening of 5 April. Among
those killed was the Commander of the 2nd Gun
Carrier Flotilla.
One ELM/ J mine was swept off Calais
III. North Sea/Norway/Northcrn Waters s
% 1. North Sea s
2 Norway/Northern waters ;
Enemy Situation s
-89- CONFIDENTIAL
6 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Own Situation ;
--"
War Diary, Part C, Vol. Ila.
-90- CONFIDENTIAL
6 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Swedish note announcing that the DIGTO and the LIONEL "
will definitely not sail for, six months. In view of
those circumstances,, the Swedish Government requested
that the Gothenburg traffic be provisionally resumed
and following 'further- agreements., permanently re-
established. For further reference 'to the political
aspects of the matter-see War Diary, -Part C, Vol. VIII.
1. Enemy Situation s
-91- CONFIDENTIAL
6 April 1945 CONFIDENTIAL
2. Own Situations
VI Aerial Warfare t
-92- CONFIDENTIAL
. s
« .
VII. Warfare
m i i
in the Mediterranean
ma., wlwi iiww ww nw ^^^—
»
and Black
«^—
i«i — Sea:
wn
in.. anw ^w— i i —
1. Enemy' Situation Mediterranean ;
v
-
-93- CONFIDENTIAL
-
-94- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Aegean Sea :
-95- CONFIDENTIAL
.
^ | f. n
-lie:::" Situation s
U..U
fi Si -h --<-> ul^.l
O-l'^... 1 r>n aa -f- -1
Not hing to re p o r t
-96- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Hayy had for quite some time felt the heed for clarifying
several issues in discussions with the Reich Commissioner
of maritime Shipping, but it had unfortunately been quite
impossible, because the Reich Commissioner cf Maritime
Shipping had 'c^zn abroad. At ail events, the Naval
Staff's apprehensions at the creation cf the post cf a
civilian Reich Commissioner of Maritime Shipping were
entirely justified. Smooth cooperation, which could
have only been guaranteed by the Havy surrendering its
responsibility for merchant shipping for the duration,
was unfortunately inadequately achieved. In the fac:
of a further undoubtedly imminent straining of supply
lines in the various theaters of war - a decisive factor
in the recent plan to increase escort forces - a thorough
settlcment of this question cannot be evaded either.
-97- COH?IDZ::_i-.L
.
Special Items
-98- CONFIDENTIAL
7 ;.pril 1943. CONFIDENTIAL
Situation 7 April
1. Enemy Situation s
Nothing to report.
2. Own Situations
m
The Naval Staff informed the KARIN in Radiogram 1345
that our submarines have received permission to
attack single vessels on the KARIN s route south of
1
-99- CONFIDENTIAL
. . .
1. Enemy Situation ;
2 Own Situation ;
Atlantic Coast ;
-100-
.
as far as 30° W.
0R3S0L0
Channel
p —i
Coastsi
-101- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
1. North Sea ;
2 Norway/Northern Waters %
Enemy Situation ;
Two planes were observed over the North Sea and two
over the Iceland ares.
f
Own Situation ;
-102- CONFIDENTIAL
s ;
merchant shipping."''
""
-103- CONFIDENTIAL
7 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
V. Merchant Shipping ;
-104- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
CONFIDENTIAL .,
2. Own Situation ;
outstanding.
2 Mediterranean Theater ;
3. Eastern Fronts
Nothing to report.
-105- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
-107- . CONFIDENTIAL
. .
Aegean Sea s
Nothing to report.
Black So a. ;
Enemy Situation ;
- 108- C ONFIDENTIAL
.
Nothing to report.
-109- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Special Items ;
-110- CONFIDENTIAL
S x.pril 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Situation 8 <vpril
1. En c my Situation ;
Nothing to report.
2. Own Situation ;
-Ill- CONFIDENTIAL
.
( ^>.
is to be moved 5° cast (sec Radiogram 2218).
1. Enemy Siturtion ;
-112- CONFIDENTIAL
. . .
2 . Own Situation s
Channel Coast ;
* 1. North aea ;
Enemy Situation s
Own Situation s
-114- CONFIDENTIAL
8 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
V. Me r ch ant S hi p p i ng i
-115- CONFIDENTIAL
8 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
VI . S ubma r i no \ * crfc.ro i
1. Enemy Situations
2. Own Situations
-116- CONFIDENTIAL
.
3 . Eastern Front s
-117- COIoFIDFMTIaL
. . .
Aegean Sea ;
-118- CONFIDENTIAL
8 Apral 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Black Sea s
Encny Situations
Own Situation ;
Nothing to report.
•119- CONFIDEITTIAL
. .
-120- CONFIDENTIAL
.
9 April 1943
:
-
CONFIDENTIAL
Special I tens
II. Group North advised the Naval Staff of the request made
to the 5th Air Force for a reconnaissance of Denmark
Strait and the ice areas because of the REG-EN3BURG- and.
EAR IN which arc overdue
-121- CONFIDENTIAL
. . .
Situation 9 April
1. Enony Situation ;
Hothing to report
2 Own Situation :
1. Enemy Situation ;
-122- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
2* Own Situation ;
Atlantic Coast ;
Channel Coast s
-123- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
1. North Sea ;
Enemy Situation s
Own Situation s
V. Merchant Shipping ;
1. Enemy Situation !
2 Own Situation ;
The 3rd Air Force had 117 planes out over the Western
Area, four over the Mediterranean. Four F.7 190' s
carried out a nuisance raid on Folkestone in the late
afternoon. One plane was shot down by anti-aircraft
fire. For the results of the reconnaissance by the
Air Commander, Atlantic Coast sees '"Situation West
Area"
-126- CONFIDENTIAL
. . . .
2. Mediterranean Theater ;
3 Eastern Front :
-127- CONFIDENTIAL
9 April 1943 .
CONFIDENTIAL
-128- - '•
CONFIDENTIAL
.
-129- CONFIDENTIAL
9 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Black Sea ;
Enemy Situation s
Own Situation s
-130- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
-131- CONFIDENTIAL
-
Special Items
-133- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Situation 10 April
1 Enemy Situation 2
April.
2. Own Situation :
1. Enemy Situation:
-134- CONFIDENTIAL
.
2. Miscellaneous s
-136- CONFIDENTIAL
10 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Channel Coast ;
-137- CONFIDENTIAL
.
1. North Sea s
Enemy Situation s
Kildin.
According to radio intelligence, two tankers, the
destroyer URITZKI and three minesweepers left Kola
Bay for the Gorlo Straits. The following vessels
were observed? 6 submarines off the north coast of
Norway, 16 small craft In the Murmansk area, 4 ice-
breaker and 13 small craft in the Gorlo Straits and
the Archangel area.
-138- CONFIDENTIAL
10 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Own Situation ;
V . Submarine warfare i
!• Enemy Situation s
2 . Own Situation s
to 8916.
-140- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
-141- CONFIDENTIAL
. . .
2 Mediterranean Theater s
3. Eastern Front s
-142- CONFIDENTIAL
10 April
Mr 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
-143- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Aegean Sea s
Nothing to report.
Black Sea ;
Enemy Situation ;
-144- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Own Situation ;
-145- CONFIDENTIAL
j
-146- CONFIDENTIAL
. . . .
Special Items
Situation 11 April
1. Enemy Situation s
2 Own Situation s
" _
~'
1'. Bnerny Situation t
-147- CONFIDENTIAL
.
2 . Own Situation ;
Atlantic Coast ;
1. Operation "Fonto" ;
-148- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
2. Further Items t
Channel Coast .
Nothing to report.
1 North Sea ;
One ELIvl/j mine was swept off Heligoland and one off
Borkum, both ahead -of a convoy. Escort and patrol
duties were carried out according to plan.- The patrol
positions wore occupied.
Enemy Situation ;
-149- CONFIDENTIAL
11 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Own Situation ;
-150- CONFIDENTIAL
11 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
furnace oil and 996 cbm of gas oil fit for use.
-151- CONFIDENTIAL
.
Submarine Warfare i
1. Enemy Situation s
2. Own Situation s
-152- CONFIDENTIAL
11 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
2. Mediterranean Theater s
-153- CONFIDENTIAL
11 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
3 . Eastern Front s
-154- CONFIDENTIAL
.
•
There wore no minesweeping operations owing to the
weather.
n
42
i?
IPHIGENIE as FR u 43"
, .
-156- CONFIDENTIAL
11 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Aegean Sea ;
Black Sea ;
Enemy Situation ;
Nothing to report.
Own Situation ;
-157- CONFIDENTIAL
11 A-oril 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Nothing to report.
<*
Qs
-158- C0NFID3HTIAL
12 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
Items of
..1
Political Importance
/ III. i i
r l I I I III II i .
Nothing to report.
-159- CONFIDENTIAL
April -1943 — CONFIDENTIAL
-160- CONFIDENTIAL
. .
-161- CONFIDENTIAL
12 April 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
-162- CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL