U-217

Type

VIID

Ordered

16 Feb, 1940

Laid down

30 Jan, 1941

Germaniawerft, Kiel (werk 649)

Launched

15 Nov, 1941

Commissioned

31 Jan, 1942

Oblt. Kurt Reichenbach-Klinke

Commanders

31 Jan, 1942 - 5 Jun, 1943

Kptlt. Kurt Reichenbach-Klinke

Career

3 patrols

31 Jan, 1942 - 31 Jul, 1942 5. Flottille (training)
1 Aug, 1942 - 5 Jun, 1943 9. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

3 ships sunk for a total of 10.651 GRT

Fate

Sunk 5 June, 1943 in the mid-Atlantic, in position 30.18N, 42.50W by depth charges from Avenger aircraft of the US escort carrier USS Bogue *. 50 dead (all hands lost).

See the 3 ships hit by U-217 - View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-217 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Steinbrock (1 Aug, 1942 - 7 Aug, 1942)
Trutz (1 Jun, 1943 - 5 Jun, 1943)

General notes on this boat

That was a successful 3 weeks for the USS Bogue! Two weeks before, 22 May, aircraft from the same escort carrier sank U-569 and one week after sinking U-217 she sank U-118 on 12 June.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-217 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.