 The U-boat spent November patrolling the North Atlantic as part of groups Störtebecker and Benecke, until secretly entering the neutral port 
of Vigo, Spain, and being resupplied by the interned German on 27 November.After leaving Vigo, "U-96" made for the Straits of Gibraltar, with orders to enter the Mediterranean.However, late on 30 November the U-boat was spotted by a Swordfish from No.