(xxi) Decoy Boats

A single E-Boat is sometimes detailed to draw off the escort of a convoy, while the remainder attack. This procedure is, however, infrequent.

(xxii) Speed while Minelaying

Minelaying is always done on one engine at 600 r.p.m. (6 knots).

(xxiii) Turning Circle

At 600 r.p.m. on three Diesels, the normal turning circle of an E-Boat is estimated at about five Boat's length.

(xxiv) Tactics before Attack

While waiting for a target to appear, it is normal for E-Boats to remain in visual contact with each other, though prisoners stated that the current often rendered this difficult.

(xxv) Escape after Torpedo Attack

Boats making a torpedo attack on a convoy normally do so from seaward. They therefore find it relatively easy to escape after carrying out the attack. If, by any chance, a boat found herself to landward of the convoy, she would not attempt to run through the convoy, but would circle it to escape.

(xxvi) Method of Return to Base

It is normal for boats of the same group to return to base together. As far as possible, a point of rendezvous prior to return is determined beforehand.

(xxvii) Firing Torpedoes at Speed

E-Boats cannot fire torpedoes at emergency speed owing to the vibration.

(xxviii) Opinion of British Coastal Forces

Prisoners were all of the opinion that British M.G.B.s are faster than E-Boats. They had also a great respect for the superior armament they carried. They therefore tried to evade them rather than seek action.

As far as prisoners were aware, no special efforts are normally made to intercept British Coastal Force Patrols off the Netherlands coast.

(xxix) Damage from Mines

Prisoners admitted they had lost several boats on drifting mines.

(xxx) Sweeping and E-Boats

Prisoners admitted that E-Boats ight be used for sweeping mines, but added that "S 71" had never done so, nor had they heard of any other E-Boat minesweeping.

(xxxi) Refitting

Boats based on Ymuiden frequently proceed to Wilton's Yards at Rotterdam for short engine overhaul. During this period their ship's companies are accommodated at Scheveningen. A long engine overhaul takes place an average after 600 running hours (sometimes as little as 400 and sometimes up to 800) and usually takes place in Germany. A short engine overhaul is usual after 300-350 running hours.

(xxxii) E-Boat Engines

The 20-cyliner Mercedes Benz engines fitted to E-Boats are known as Type M.B.501 ; the older 16-cylinder engines are known as Type M.B.502.

(N.I.D. Note - C.B. 4051 (43), Section VII, Sub-section (i) (a) should be corrected accordingly.)

VII. - ORGANIZATION OF 6TH E-BOAT FLOTILLA (YMUIDEN)

(i) Component Boats

"S 39" (Oberleutnant zur See Martin Kultzen).

"S 71" (Oberleutnant zur See Rudiger Suhr).

"S 73" (Leutnant zur See Quisteroff (?)).

"S 74" (Oberleutnant zur See Herbert Witt).

"S 75" (Oberleutnant zur See Wolf Horning).

"S 76" (Leutnant zur See Enno Brandi).

"S 91" (Oberleutnant zur See Heinz Nolte).

"S 113" (Oberleutnant zur See Walter Schnebel).

"S 114" (Oberleutnant zur See Hans Joachim ("Hajo") Nitsche).

"S 113" (Leutnant zur See der Reserve August Licht).