U-573

Type

VIIC

Ordered

24 Oct, 1939

Laid down

8 Jun, 1940

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 549)

Launched

17 Apr, 1941

Commissioned

5 Jun, 1941

Kptlt. Heinrich Heinsohn

Commanders

5 Jun, 1941 - 2 May, 1942

Kptlt. Heinrich Heinsohn

Career

4 patrols

5 Jun, 1941 - 1 Sep, 1941  3. Flottille (training)
1 Sep, 1941 - 31 Dec, 1941  3. Flottille (front boat)
1 Jan, 1942 - 2 May, 1942  29. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

1 ship sunk for a total of 5.289 GRT

Fate

Damaged by depth charges from a British 'Hudson' aircraft (Sqdn. 233) north-west of Algiers in approx. position 37.00N, 01.00E.

Interned at Cartagena, Spain on 2 May 1942. Sold to Spain on 2 Aug, 1942. Became the Spanish submarine G 7. In service until 1971. 1 dead and 43 survivors.

See the 1 ships hit by U-573 - View the 4 war patrols

General notes on this boat

On 29 April, 1942 U-573 was attacked with 325-pound depth charges launched by Lockheed Hudson aircraft of the No. 233 RAF Squadron north-west of Argel. Seriously damaged, U-573 headed for Spain. On 2 May, U-573 arrived at Cartagena and the Spanish authorities conceded a three months period for repairs. This was a very irregular concession because this long period was not allowed by international regulations, and for this reason the British embassy in Madrid sent several strong protests to the Spanish foreign affairs ministry.

S-01, former U-573, in Barcelona harbor during a protocol visit.

Finally, after several talks the Kriegsmarine sold the U-573 (without torpedoes) to the Armada (Spanish Navy) for 1.500.000 reichsmarks. On 2 August, 1942 at 10 a.m., the Spanish navy took over the ship and the Spanish flag was put on in a very simple ceremony only one day before the conceded period finished.

S-01 in Cartagena's slipway number 2 during regular maintenance

This was a very good solution for everyone because it was not possible to repair the boat during the period established. After repairing it resumed sailing in 1947. In 1970, renamed S-01, the boat was put out of service and auctioned for 3.334.751 Pts (about $26,500). Despite efforts to save and preserve it as a museum, U-573 was finally broken up.

* Kptlt. Heinsohn went back to Germany in March 1943, where he took over U-438 on which he perished with all his crew on 6 May, 1943.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-573 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.