U-180

Type

IXD1

Ordered

28 May 1940

Laid down

25 Feb 1941

AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1020)

Launched

10 Dec 1941

Commissioned

16 May 1942

Fregkpt. Werner Musenberg

Commanders

16 May 1942 - 4 Jan 1944	Werner Musenberg
Oct, 1943 - 7 Nov 1943	Oblt. Harald Lange
2 Apr 1944 - 23 Aug 1944	Oblt. Rolf Riesen

Career

2 patrols

16 May 1942 - 31 Jan 1943  4. Flottille (training)
1 Feb 1943 - 1 Nov 1943  12. Flottille (front boat)
1 Apr 1944 - 23 Aug 1944  12. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

2 ships sunk for a total of 13,298 GRT

Fate

Missing since 23 Aug, 1944 in the Bay of Biscay west of Bordeaux, France in approximate position 44.00N, 02.00W.

Her loss to mines as listed in many sources is not very likely. 56 dead (all hands lost).

See the 2 ships hit by U-180 - View the 2 war patrols

General notes on this boat

27 Apr 1943.

In the Indian Ocean, U-180 met the Japanese submarine I-29. Two Indian Nationalists, including Subhas Chandras Bose, transferred to the Japanese submarine, which continued on its way to Japan.

Fregkpt. Werner Musenberg, commander of U-180, and Subhas Chandras Bose.

There is an interesting video on Youtube showing this incident among other things.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in April 1944. Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-180 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.