U-503
Type | IXC | |||
| Ordered | 25 Sep, 1939 | |||
| Laid down | 29 Apr, 1940 | Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg (werk 293) | ||
| Launched | 5 Apr, 1941 | |||
| Commissioned | 10 Jul, 1941 | Kptlt. Otto Gericke | ||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 1 patrol | 10 Jul, 1941 - 1 Feb, 1942 2. Flottille (training) 1 Feb, 1942 - 15 Mar, 1942 2. Flottille (front boat) | ||
| Successes | No ships sunk or damaged | |||
| Fate | Sunk 15 March, 1942 in the North Atlantic south-east of Newfoundland, in position 45.50N, 48.50W, by depth charges from a US Hudson aircraft (Sqdn VP-82). 51 dead (all hands lost). | |||
The Hudson PBO-1 aircraft was from a US Navy patrol squadron (VP-82) that was flying support for convoy ON.72. The Hudson PBO-1 was one of 20 Lend-Lease Hudson IIIA's used by the USN to equip one squadron.
These aircraft sank the first 2 U-boats sunk by the USN, U-656 on 1 March, 1942 and U-503 on 15 March.
Men lost from U-boats
Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-503 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
 German U-Boat Losses During World War II Niestle, Axel Buy this title at amazon.co.uk See more sellers |
Books dealing with this subject include: German U-Boat Losses During World War II, Niestle, Axel, 1998 U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998 U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998 |