List of all U-boats

U-122

Type

IXB

 
Ordered15 Dec 1937
Laid down5 Mar 1939 AG Weser, Bremen (werk 954)
Launched20 Dec 1939
Commissioned30 Mar 1940 Korvkpt. Hans-Günther Looff
Commanders
30 Mar 1940 - 22 Jun 1940  KrvKpt. Hans-Günther Looff
Career
2 patrols
30 Mar 1940-31 May 1940  2. Flottille (training)
1 Jun 1940-22 Jun 1940  2. Flottille (active service)
Successes1 ship sunk, total tonnage 5,911 GRT
Fate

Missing since 22 June 1940 in the North Atlantic between the North Channel and the Bay of Biscay. 49 dead (all hands lost). (FDS/NHB, December 1985).

Loss position

See the 1 ships hit by U-122 - View the 2 war patrols

U-122 reported last time on 21 June 1940 from approx. position 56.00N, 10.30W while en route to its operational area west of Cape Finisterre, Spain. The boat was posted as missing after repeatedly failing to report its position on 27 July 1940. According to research done by FDS/NHB in December 1985 there is a possibility that this boat was lost due to underwater collision with the British steam tanker San Filipe on 22 June in position 50.47N, 08.48W or by depth charges from the British corvette HMS Arabis on 23 June in position 49.21N, 08.47W. But lack of details of both cases prevent a proper assessment.

General notes on this boat

19 May 1940. On her first patrol in May 1940 U-122 transported material to Trondheim for the Norwegian campaign: one 8.8 cm anti-aircraft gun with ammunition, bombs, 90 cbm (some 750 barrels) aviation fuel and motor oil.

23 May 1940. On May 23, 1940 this boat encountered an enemy submarine in the North Atlantic, but neither boat attacked.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-122 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.


Media links


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War

Blair, Clay

There was another U-122 in World War One
That boat was launched from its shipyard on 9 Dec 1917 and commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 4 May 1918. The Naval war in WWI was brought to an end with the Armistice signed on 11 Nov, 1918. Read about SM U 122 during WWI.


Related page:
U-boats Missing in Action.



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