U-213

Type

VIID

Ordered

16 Feb 1940

Laid down

1 Oct 1940

F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 645)

Launched

24 Jul 1941

Commissioned

30 Aug 1941

Oblt. Amelung von Varendorff *

Commanders

30 Aug 1941

31 Jul 1942

Oblt. Amelung von Varendorff

Career
3 patrols

30 Aug 1941	-	31 Dec 1941	5. Flottille (training)
1 Jan 1942	-	30 Apr 1942	1. Flottille (active service)
1 May 1942	-	31 Jul 1942	9. Flottille (active service)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk 31 July, 1942 in the North Atlantic east of the Azores, in position 36.45N, 22.50W by depth charges from the British sloops HMS Erne, HMS Rochester and HMS Sandwich. 50 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-213 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Schlei (1 Feb 1942 - 12 Feb 1942)
   Westwall (2 Mar 1942 - 12 Mar 1942)
   Pfadfinder (21 May 1942 - 27 May 1942)

Attacks on this boat

7 Feb 1942
The escorts of convoy ON-63 prevented an attack by forcing the boat to dive, which was then slightly damaged by depth charges. (Sources: Rohwer/Ritschel)

15 May 1942
The boat was slightly damaged by depth charges from a destroyer after being surprised on the surface in foggy weather in the Gulf of Maine. (Sources: Ritschel)

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

14 May 1942. * Oblt. von Varendorff was the II WO of U-47 during the Scapa Flow raid in Oct 1939.

14 May 1942: Abwehr agent Alfred Langbein was landed on the coast near St. Martins, New Brunswick (Operation Grete) by U-213 (von Varendorff). His mission was to provide information about the sailing of convoys, which he failed to accomplish. He surrendered when he ran out of money in September 1944. The Canadians released him after the war.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-213 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.