U-117
Type | XB | |||
| Ordered | 31 Jan 1939 | |||
| Laid down | 1 Jul 1939 | F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 616) | ||
| Launched | 22 Jul 1941 | |||
| Commissioned | 25 Oct 1941 | Korvkpt. Hans-Werner Neumann | ||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 5 patrols | 25 Oct 1941 - 31 Jan 1942 2. Flottille (training) 1 Feb 1942 - 30 Sep 1942 1. Flottille (training) 1 Oct 1942 - 14 Oct 1942 1. Flottille (front boat) 15 Oct 1942 - 30 Nov 1942 11. Flottille (front boat) 1 Dec 1942 - 7 Aug 1943 12. Flottille (front boat) | ||
| Successes | 1 ship damaged for a total of 7,177 GRT 1 ship a total loss for a total of 7,092 GRT | |||
| Fate | Sunk 7 August, 1943 in the North Atlantic, in position 39.42N, 38.21W while supplying U-66 by depth charges and a Fido homing torpedo from five Avenger aircraft of the US escort carrier USS Card. 62 dead (all hands lost). | |||
See the 2 ships hit by U-117 - View the 5 war patrols
Attacks on this boat
7 Aug 1943
The sinking of U-117
On 3 August, U-66 was attacked by carrier aircraft and needed medical assistance. Dr. Schenk, the WO Oblt Paul Frerks (as replacement commander) and provisions were transferred to the boat from U-117 on 6 August. This rescued the lives of the two men.
At 11.54 hours the next day, the boats were surprised by an Avenger aircraft (VC-1 USN) from USS Card while U-117 was refuelling U-66. Two depth charges from the Avenger (Lt(jg) A.H. Sallenger) detonated between the boats and damaged U-117. U-66 tried to assist her, but then crash-dived and doing so was unsuccessfully attacked with a Fido homing torpedo by the Avenger. About 20 minutes later two more Avengers and two Wildcats arrived from the carrier and forced U-117 to dive by strafing and attacks with depth charges. The boat was apparently hit and sunk by one of two Fido torpedoes dropped by the Avengers around 12.45 hours. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)
1 recorded attack on this boat.
Men lost from the boat
8 Nov 1942
While refuelling U-454 on 8 Nov Leutnant zur See der Reserve Helmut Schwenzel from U-117 was washed overboard.
Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -
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There was another U-117 in World War One
That boat was launched from its shipyard on 10 Dec 1917 and commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 23 Mar 1918. The Naval war in WWI was brought to an end with the Armistice signed on 11 Nov, 1918. Read about the U 117 during WWI.