List of all U-boats

U-420

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered20 Jan 1941
Laid down3 Dec 1941 Danziger Werft AG, Danzig (werk 121)
Launched18 Aug 1942
Commissioned16 Dec 1942Oblt. 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 (active service)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Missing since 20 October 1943 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland. No explanation exists for its loss. 49 dead (all hands lost). (Axel Niestlé, January 1996).

Loss position

View the 2 war patrols

U-420 reported for the last time from approximate position 48.00N, 21.00W while en route to operational area north-east of Newfoundland. It was posted missing on 17 November 1943 after repeatedly failing to report its position.

Previously recorded fate

  • 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). (Postwar assessment)
    Notes. This attack was in fact against U-91 inflicting no damage.

Attacks on this boat and other events

3 Jul 1943
A Fido homing torpedo launched from a Canadian B-24 Liberator (10 Sqdn RCAF/B) killed two men and wounded another. The boat was severely damaged but managed to reach base at Lorient on on 16 July. [Bootsmann Heinz Grosser, Matrosengefreiter Willi Noeske]

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Men lost from the boat

3 Jul 1943
A Fido homing torpedo launched from a Canadian B-24 Liberator (10 Sqdn RCAF/B) killed two men and wounded another. The boat was severely damaged but managed to reach base at Lorient on on 16 July. [Bootsmann Heinz Grosser, Matrosengefreiter Willi Noeske]

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


Media links


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel




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