U317 sailed from Kiel on 31.05.44 her maiden sailing, she arrived at Egersund three days later. This being recorded as her first patrol. However other boats, eg U426, U467 and U644 also all sailed from Kiel on their maiden patrols, each taking four days to reach Bergen yet none are recorded as being their first patrols. Did U317 have specific orders for this to be classed as a patrol? john