A Dönitz Signed Official War Diary of the Commander of U-boats for August 1941

24 pages, measuring 227x321mm, near extremely fine condition with light fraying and minimal creasing of the cover. It is an official Kriegstagebuch (War Diary, which is an official daily log) of the Befehlshaber der Unterseebote (Commander of U-boats), describing operations from August 1 to 15, 1941. The document was seized by the British admiralty, indicated by two stamps, one on the cover, one on the first page. The last page holds a strong signature in blue ink by then-Vice Admiral Karl Dönitz. The document describes the U-boat war from the very personal view of Dönitz, describing his orders and thoughts during this two week period. Of particular interest is a retelling of an attack on a convoy of ships west of Ireland on August 5, resulting in at least four enemy ships sunk. Dönitz remarks that even though circumstances were unfavourable – heavily secured convoy by aerial and naval forces, near the coast, in bad weather, by mostly young, inexperienced crews – U-boats can still deliver great results. The fact that one U-boat, U-401, has potentially been lost is to be expected. Dönitz was indeed right: U-401 had actually been sunk during the operation two days earlier. Dönitz notes that the U-boat war is changing in a way that ships don’t dare to go on individual voyages anymore, but almost always form heavily protected convoys now. Especially because of the strong aerial support U-boat operations now have to be planned with three to four more U-boats than were necessary just a year prior. (C:100)