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# The Hunters: German U-Boats at War, 1939-43 - Patrol 10 (July 1941)
- URL: https://www.slowburn.nz/the-hunters-german-u-boats-at-war-1939-43-patrol-10-july-1941/
- Published: 2026-08-22T05:21:43.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-22T05:21:43.000Z
- Author: Walter

1/7/1941

We sailed from St. Nazaire assigned to the British Isles.

The Bay of Biscay outbound and the transit were quiet, as were the first two sectors on station.

In the third sector, at night, we found a large freighter: the *River Afton*, 5,500 tons. I closed to short range on the surface and opened with the deck gun. One miss, one hit that caused only light damage. The aft G7A struck but proved a dud. Two forward G7As both missed. We were forced to circle. No SSS signal had been sent.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/49/77497e94-57f0-4097-b157-16e7e3df5c21/content/images/2026/08/1-7.png)

Encounter with River Afton

On the second approach the gun again scored one hit and one miss. With only the remaining aft G7E left I fired it. The electric ran true, detonated, and the damage was severe enough to put her under.

In the fourth sector, in daylight, we encountered a small freighter, the *Quiberon*, 1,300 tons. Close-range gunfire produced two hits and sent her down cleanly.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/49/77497e94-57f0-4097-b157-16e7e3df5c21/content/images/2026/08/2-6.png)

Daytime spotting of Quiberon

We attempted a resupply but failed to locate the tanker and turned for home. The inbound transit was empty.

In the Bay of Biscay a Sunderland gained a good fix on us and pressed two attacks, scoring four hits and wounding members of the crew. The fuel tanks, deck gun, hull and aft torpedo door were all damaged. The engineer (LI) sustained only light wounds. Our return fire was ineffective.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/49/77497e94-57f0-4097-b157-16e7e3df5c21/content/images/2026/08/3-3.png)

Routine Coastal Command attacks crossing the Bay of Biscay

Once the immediate danger had passed the crew set to work. The deck gun and fuel tanks were restored to service. The aft torpedo door proved beyond repair at sea.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/49/77497e94-57f0-4097-b157-16e7e3df5c21/content/images/2026/08/4-2.png)

Aftermath of the attack

We reached St. Nazaire without further incident.

ObLt (I) Wolfgang Klein has been awarded the Wound Badge and is expected to make a speedy recovery. The hull damage, however, will keep us in the yards until October.

In recognition of good conduct and valuable service I have been promoted to Korvettenkapitän. A number of the crew also received advancement: among them Marineoberarzt Laurens Laar, Stabsmaschinist Timm Mencken, several of the engineering and torpedo ratings, the radio personnel, and a solid list of the seamen and leading rates who have carried the boat through the harder months. The promotions were well earned.

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### *Context*

*The three months of July through to September 1941 confirmed that the easy conditions of the previous year were over. Although more U-boats were at sea than in early 1941, their effectiveness declined sharply. July produced one of the lowest monthly sinking totals for some time. Allied escort groups were stronger and better organised, air cover from Iceland and Coastal Command continued to expand, and improved convoy routing (aided by intelligence) made contacts harder to achieve.*

*There were still costly convoy battles. In September, SC 42 lost around fifteen ships southeast of Greenland, but the same action saw Canadian escorts achieve their first U-boat kill when U-501 was sunk. Overall, however, the number of boats required to achieve each sinking was rising steadily.*

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/49/77497e94-57f0-4097-b157-16e7e3df5c21/content/images/2026/08/USSTwiggsDD127.jpg)

HMS Leamington, former USS Twiggs assigned to SC 42

*On the Eastern Front, Operation Barbarossa was in full swing. In August, Churchill and Roosevelt issued the Atlantic Charter. American involvement in the Battle of the Atlantic continued to deepen through expanded neutrality patrols and convoy escort support. Fighting in North Africa persisted.*

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/49/77497e94-57f0-4097-b157-16e7e3df5c21/content/images/2026/08/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-351-1427-21A-_Russland-_Panzer_IV.jpg)

German Panzers near Vitebsk, Russia, July 1941

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### *Commentary*

*Another straight forward patrol with minimal encounters.* 

*The threat on the Bay of Biscay is becoming a bit much. At this rate we'll be lucky to make it through the campaign without being sunk here.*

*The promotion to Korvettenkapitän will help us somewhat in giving us greater flexibility in choosing patrol areas, although at this stage it is still only a 33% chance of succeeding in this.*