 "U-96", which had lost contact during the night, remained in the general area encountering a British battleship and her escorts, but could not attack.After 26 days at sea, "U-96" arrived in Lorient in occupied France on 29 December, having sunk five ships for a total of and damaging a further two ships for a total of .On 9 January 1941, "U-96" departed Lorient for her second war patrol.