U-420

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan, 1941

Laid down

3 Dec, 1941

Danziger Werft, Danzig (werk 121)

Launched

18 Aug, 1942

Commissioned

16 Dec, 1942

Oblt. Hans-Jürgen Reese

Commanders

16 Dec, 1942 - 20 Oct, 1943

Oblt. Hans-Jürgen Reese

Career

2 patrols

16 Dec, 1942 - 30 Jun, 1943 8. Flottille (training)
1 Jul, 1943 - 20 Oct, 1943 11. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Missing since 20 Oct, 1943 in the North Atlantic.

No explanation exists for its loss. 49 dead (all hands lost).

View the 2 war patrols

The boat reported for the last time from approximate position 48.00N, 21.00W while enroute to its operational area of Newfoundland.

Previously recorded fate (Last revised by Axel Niestlé during January 1996). More on revised fates

Sunk 26 Oct, 1943 in the North Atlantic, in postion 50.49N, 41.01W, by depth charges from a Canadian Liberator aircraft (RCAF Sqdn. 10/A).

This attack was in fact against U-91 inflicting no damage.

Attacks on this boat

3 Jul, 1943
On 3 July U-420 was attacked by a Canadian B-24 Liberator aircraft (Sqdn 10/B) and two men were killed with one more wounded when the boat was hit with a Fido homing torpedo. She was severely damaged and arrived at Lorient on 16 July. [Bootsmann Heinz Grosser, Matrosengefreiter Willi Noeske]

1 recorded attacks on this boat.

Men lost from the boat

3 Jul, 1943
On 3 July U-420 was attacked by a Canadian Liberator aircraft (Sqdn 10/B) and two men were killed with one more wounded when the boat was hit with a Fido homing torpedo. She was severely damaged and arrived at Lorient on 16 July. [Bootsmann Heinz Grosser, Matrosengefreiter Willi Noeske]

Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -