7 Sep 1941

1132: Depart St. Nazaire for Grid CF88 - our final patrol of the summer.  With any luck, things will go as they have on our last three glorious patrols: intercept a convoy, move into position undetected, sink prime targets, and escape undetected.  The men know the routine now and we're working as single functional unit.  Once again we're headed back to the Gibraltar area.  Who knows – maybe there’s another unsuspecting cruiser out there waiting for its doom. 

I’m feeling shades of sadness today.  My wife came to visit at the end of August and we had a warm, bittersweet stay.  Naturally she’s always worried about me, especially with the silence that follows my departure on each patrol.  I can’t really console her, but try to have some effect with brave talk and confidence.  The truth is that I will do everything in my power to keep U-71 safe, for her.  I owe her my safety, and this responsibility competes with my loyalty to Germany.  I will serve both powers, for I love them both.  With a long kiss goodbye, I walked the gang-plank to U-71 and nodded to Mayer, who then barked the order for departure.  Wissman, my Watch Officer, seems to have the blues as well but he won’t speak of it.  Anyway, I’m confident that he also believes that first and most importantly, above all else, is our responsibility to U-71. 

Helmut Wissman, Oberleutnant, z. S.  Watch Officer. 

13 Sep 1941

0400: Radio Report - Enemy Large Convoy CF83 heading SSW.  Moving to intercept.

0610: Convoy Sighted Grid CF86.  High seas, overcast sky.  Plotting course and moving into attack position.  Father of war has smiled upon us again.  

0703: Ship Sunk!  Large Cargo.  Other tubes fired at second and third Large Cargo ships.  2 hits, but neither crippled.  Break contact at silent running, depth 165m.

1145: Ships Sunk!  Large Cargo and medium tanker destroyed in second attack.  Dive to 165m.  Pinged, DCed - nothing close.  Escort DCed the area for about half an hour. 

1549: Ship Sunk!  Large Cargo in third attack.  Second Large Cargo and Medium cargo hit hard with remaining torpedoes.  Dove to 165m, moved perpendicular to convoy route. 

1729: move to PD.  Crippled Large Cargo and Medium cargo visible, both stopped.  Men can be seen preparing to abandon ship.  The sea is very high – they don’t stand a chance.  Surface and attack with 2 of 3 remaining torpedoes.  Both sunk.  Proceed in flank pursuit of convoy with one remaining torpedo. 

1759: close pass by two Black Swan Frigates moving back from convoy to intercept/rescue.  It seems that our grey hull is disguised in the rolling sea.  

1917: lost convoy - fog closing in.  Then - ship sighted!  Medium and Large cargo - moving NNE - a small convoy!  Moving for intercept.

1951: Ship Sunk!  Large Cargo.  Last torpedo hit the engine room and blew up the ship.  Dropping to 60m for a few hours - can still hear Black Swan screws off to 80 degrees.

14 Sep 1941

0204: Radio BdU - torpedoes spent.  BdU - RTB.

15 Sep 1941

0626: Aircraft Spotted BF76.  Crash Dive.  No DC.  Ran at PD for the whole day. 

18 Sep 1941

1160: Return to St. Nazaire.  Great patrol - ended the summer with a bang, and put a lot of allied tonnage below the waves.  The air patrol over Biscay was foreboding - it's the first time we've encountered air cover.  The crew response was rapid, and we were quickly out of danger.  But, it may now be necessary to spend the days at PD, especially in Biscay.  We’re off to celebrate another victory.  U-71 sits high on the leader boards now, very close to U-99.  I try to be a modest person, but it’s hard not to bask in the warmth of glory.  The men in training look upon us with awe.  We are now highly decorated, and many of the crew have achieved special qualifications.  I never have to pay for drinks anymore – there’s always someone eager to trade a pint for some talk about the strategy and tactics that have brought U-71 to fame. 

Awarded Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Awarded German Cross

Ships Sunk: 7
Hull Integrity: 100%
Patrol tonnage: 45158