APPENDIX "A"

EARLY HISTORY OF "S 71"

(i) Launching

"S 71" was launched from the yards of the Lurssen Yacht and Bootswerft G.m.b.H. at Vegesack near Bremen towards the end of 1941.

(ii) Commissioning

She commissioned from the yards on Saturday, 10th January, 1942. The occasion was marked by a celebration at the Hotel zum Norddeutschen Hof. where her ship's company were accommodated during the final stages of building. Prior to commissioning "S71" had completed her engine trials on the River Weser. Her first Captain was Oberleutnant zur See Jopping of the April, 1937 term, who is stated to since been killed in action.

(iii) Fitting-out at Kiel

Shortly after commissioning "S 71" proceeded to Kiel, where she fitted-out at the Arsenal, close to the Deutsche Werke, for some days. This was follwed by one day's local trials in the Kieler Forde. She was then considered ready for operational duties.

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APPENDIX "B"

EARLY SORTIES OF "S 71"

(i) Period at Kiristiansand S.

Having fitted-out at Kiel, "S 71" proceeded in February, 1942 through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal to Heligoland. where she made fast for the night, and proceeded next day to Kristiansand S. Here she joined the other boats of the 6th Flotilla, to which she was henceforth to be attached.

"S71" remained at the Kristiansand S. for eight or nine weeks, utilising this periods for exercising locally.

(ii) Period at Ostend

In March/April, 1942, "S 71" and the remainder of her flotilla proceeded for Kristiansand S. to Ostend, on which port she was to be based. Oberleutnant Klaus Thomsen, of the 1936 term, here relieved Oberleutnant zur See Joppig.

First Sortie.-- In April, from Ostend. Searchlights from the English Coast and from a trawler were said to have picked her up. This was a torpedo sortie. Nothing sunk.

Second Sortie.--In April, 1942, from Ostend. This was a minelaying sortie off the English coast.

Third Sortie.--In April, 1942, from Ostend. This was a torpedo sortie. Nothing was sunk.

(iii) Second Period at Kristiansand S.

At the end of April, 1942, "S 71" accompanied the 6th Flotilla from Ostend to Kristiansand S., calling at a German port en route.

(iv) Period at Svolvaer

After a short period in Kristiansand S., "S 71" and the flotilla proceeded up the Norwegian coast to Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands, where the flotilla was based until July, 1942. Their dutiies while based here were to exercise locally and to assist in repelling any possible Russian invasion.

(v) Period at Kirkenes

In July, 1942, the flotilla sailed from Svolvaer to Kirkenes, where it remained until the beginning of September. While at Kirkenes, the boats exercised locally and were constantly at readiness to attack any Russian or Allied shipping they could find. No such attacks were, however, made.

A week before leaving Kirkenes, Oberleutnant zur See Rudiger Suhr relieved Oberleutnant zur See Thomsen.

(vi) Passage to Ymuiden

In September, 1942, the flotilla sailed from Kirkenes, to Ymuiden via Norwegian ports, Helsingor and Copenhagen.

(vii) Short Engine Overhaul

After a week in Ymuiden, "S 71" sailed to Rotterdam, where she underwent a short engine overhaul at Wilton's Yard, Fijenoord. She was also wiped. Her ship's company were meanwhile accommodated at the Hotel des Galeries, Scheveningen. While "S 71" was in dock, there was a heavy British air raid on Rotterdam.

(viii) Period at Ymuiden

"S 71" sailed from Rotterdam to Ymuiden at the beginning of October, 1942, to rejoin her flotilla.

D. Fourth Sortie.-- At the beginning of October, 1942, from Ymuiden. Torpedo sortie. No sinkings.

E. Fifth Sortie.-- At the beginning of October, 1942, from Ymuiden. Torpedo sortie. No sinkings.

F. Sixth Sortie.-- At the end of October, 1942, from Ymuiden. Torpedo sortie. No sinkings.

G. Seventh Sortie.-- At the end of October, 1942, from Ymuiden. Torpedo sortie. No sinkings. Either on the sixth or seventh sortie, "S 71" was attacked by M.G. fire froma British aircraft on the returning to her base.

H. Eighth Sortie.-- On 2nd November, 1942, from Ymuiden. Torpedo sortie. No sinkings.

I. Ninth Sortie.-- On 9th November, 1942, from Ymuiden. Torpedo sortie. It was this sortie that "S 71" fired the only torpedos of her career. Survivors said that the first of these was aimed at the merchantman of about 3,000 tons off the English coast, and they thought it failed to find its mark. The high command nevertheless