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 Fairey Swordfish from No. 812 Squadron FAA and heavily damaged by two bombs dropped by the aircraft. Unable to reach her destination, "U-96" made for the port of Saint Nazaire. On the way she encountered the Spanish SS "Cabo De Hornos", which returned from South America, after delivering a group of Jewish refugees to the Dutch colony of Curaçao, when Brazil denied them entry. When "U-96"s torpedo missed, the ship was stopped and her papers checked. On 6 December 1941, after 41 days at sea, "U-96" returned to Saint Nazaire, having sunk one ship of .