(vii) Division into Groups

At a specified point in the neighbourhood of the English coast the force divided itself into several gorups, some of which shaped course southward and others northward. Prisoners could not remember the numbers of the boats forming the other groups, or in which direction each had proceeded.

(N.I.D. Note- It is probabl that Group 2 ("S 74", "S 75" and "S 119") proceeded northwards towards Hearty Knoll, another gorup tot he north of the No. 3B Buoy (52° 18' 54" N., 01° 58' 42" E.) and another to the east of the 3B Buoy.)

Survivors were uncertain regarding the exact point at which the groups parted company. One man said it was either in the centre of the British minefield, or just after crossing it. Another said it was about 20 miles off the English Coast.

At this stage "S 71" and her group reduced speed to about 12 knots for fear of detection.

(N.I.S. Note- It is probable that Group 1 proceeded to a position between Buoy No. 3C and Buoy 4 (respectively in positions 52° 25' 27" N., 01° 58' 08" E., and 52° 31' 15" N., 02° 04' 12" E.).)

(viii) Minelaying

From then until beginning the lay, the boats of the "S 71's" group took frequent soundings to determine their exact postion, proceeding generally at about 12 knots, but sometimes reducing speed still further.

One man said that one of the boats of his group went alongside Buoy 4 and put it out of action, but other prisoners did not confirm this statement.

(N.I.D. Note- Examinaiton of Buoy 4 the following morning showed that it might have been tampered with, but the light was not extinguished.)

The lay began about half an hour after the groups had separated, and lasted aobout 20 minutes, not being completed until around 2400.

The three boats of Group 1 proceeded in line abreast, "S 39" being to port, "S 76" in the centre and "S 71" to starboard. The course steered, so far as prisoners were aware, was westerly or north-westerly. Laying was simultaneous. Prisoners believed that the purpose was to lay a field across the War Channel.

Mines were laid in the following order:

1. Port aft.

2. Starboard aft.

3. Port centre.

4. Starboard centre.

5. Port forward.

6. Starboard forward.

The interval between llaying each min was three to four minutes, and the speed of the boat throughout was about 6 knots (dead slow on one engine at 600 r.p.m.).

Survivors said that there were only two orders given for laying each mine; the first was "Klar machen!" (Prepare to lay), whereupon the men detailed would remove the rubber bands holding the mine to the trolley; the second was "Auswerfen!" (Lay), whereupon the mine and trolley would both be pushed overboard.

Throughout the lay the boats should have been in visual contact, but "S 71" steered too much to starboard, with the result that she had to alter course to port on completion before regaining station.

IV.- SINKING OF "S 71"

About 2400, "S 71's" group had just completed its lay and the three boats were lying stopped within hailing distance of each other. It was intended shortly to proceed to the east to contact some of the remaining boats operating before returning to Ymuiden.

At the moment to the C.O. of "S 71," Suhr, noticed the bow-wave of a vessel, afterwards recognised as a destroyer, some 800 yards distant. He immediately sounded the alarm and ordered full speed ahead, setting course due east. The other boats did the same.

Before "S 71" had been able to reach her maximum speed, however, she was twice hit on the port side of her engine room, her port and starboard Diesels being put out of action. She was thus obliged to continue on one engine only.

She also sustained hits forward and a fire broke out below the bridge. The torpedo air-bottles or the leads to them were damaged, so that no torpedoes could be fired.

The forward 20-mm. fired a few rounds at the destroyer, but the gun's crew were all killed except one man, who went aft.

(N.I.D. Note- H.M.S. "Garth", reinforcing Patrol 7 on the night of the 17th/18th February, 1943, heavily engaged several E-Boats north of 3C Buoy (52° 25' 27" N, 01° 58' 08" E. ) at close range. It is considered that two boats recieved damage, one of which was stopped and set on fire.)

(C48823)