U-159

Type

IXC

Ordered

23 Dec, 1939

Laid down

11 Nov, 1940

AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1009)

Launched

1 Jul, 1941

Commissioned

4 Oct, 1941

Kptlt. Helmut Witte (Knights Cross)

Commanders

4 Oct, 1941 - 6 Jun, 1943	Kptlt. Helmut Witte (Knights Cross)
7 Jun, 1943 - 28 Jul, 1943	Oblt. Heinz Beckmann

Career

5 patrols

4 Oct, 1941 - 30 Apr, 1942 4. Flottille (training)
1 May, 1942 - 28 Jul, 1943 10. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

23 ships sunk for a total of 119.554 GRT
1 ship damaged for a total of 265 GRT

Fate

Sunk 28 July, 1943 in the Caribbean Sea, south of Haiti, in position 15.57N, 68.30W, by depth charges from an American Mariner aircraft (VP-32, P-1). 53 dead (all hands lost).

See the 24 ships hit by U-159 - View the 5 war patrols

Previously recorded fate (Last revised by Axel Niestlé during December 1997). More on revised fates

Sunk 15 July, 1943 in the Caribbean Sea east of Jamaica, in approximate position 15.58N, 73.44W, by depth charges from a US Mariner aircraft, P-10 (VP-32).

This attack sank the U-759.

Wolfpack operations

U-159 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Wohlgemut (12 Mar, 1943 - 22 Mar, 1943)
Seerauber (22 Mar, 1943 - 30 Mar, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

13 Jul, 1942
At 01.02 hours, the inbound boat was attacked with 3 bombs by a Leigh-Light equipped British Wellington (RAF Sqdn 172) in the Bay of Biscay. The bombs fell close on the port side and caused severe damages, leaving the boat unable to dive. Nevertheless, they managed to reach Lorient after about 12 hours. (Sources: Ritschel)

28 Mar, 1943
Wolfpack Seeräuber (Pirate) attacked small convoy RS 3 and during which 3 ships were sunk and 3 U-boats (of 8) seriously damaged. U-159 was hit by aerial depth charges and was seriously damaged. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 204)

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-159 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.