U-509
Type | IXC | |||||
| Ordered | 20 Oct 1939 | |||||
| Laid down | 1 Nov 1940 | Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg (werk 305) | ||||
| Launched | 19 Aug 1941 | |||||
| Commissioned | 4 Nov 1941 | Korvkpt. Karl-Heinz Wolff | ||||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 4 patrols | 4 Nov 1941 - 30 Jun 1942 4. Flottille (training) 1 Jul 1942 - 15 Jul 1943 10. Flottille (front boat) | ||||
| Successes | 5 ships sunk for a total of 29,091 GRT 3 ships damaged for a total of 20,014 GRT 1 ship a total loss for a total of 7,129 GRT | |||||
| Fate | Sunk 15 July, 1943 in the mid-Atlantic north-west of Madeira, Portugal, in position 34.02N, 26.01W, by aerial (Fido) torpedoes from "Avenger" aircraft (VC-29) of the US escort carrier USS Santee. 54 dead (all hands lost). | |||||
See the 9 ships hit by U-509 - View the 4 war patrols
Wolfpack operations
U-509 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Streitaxt (24 Oct 1942 - 1 Nov 1942)
Attacks on this boat
11 Nov 1942
While operating against the Allied Torch landings off Morocco the boat operated for 3 days in waters less than 200 feet deep and Witte reported being constantly bombed and depth charged by Allied surface vessels and aircraft. The boat developed some damages forcing her to abort to deeper water and then to France. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 108)
10 Feb 1943
After sinking the British vessel Queen Anne, the boat was attacked by the ASW trawler St. Zeno with gunfire and seven depth charges but was not damaged and slipped away. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 229)
2 recorded attacks on this boat.
Men lost from U-boats
Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-509 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
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