U-602

Type

VIIC

Ordered

22 May 1940

Laid down

8 Feb 1941

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 578)

Launched

30 Oct 1941

Commissioned

29 Dec 1941

Oblt. Philipp Schüler

Commanders

29 Dec 1941

19 Apr 1943

Kptlt. Philipp Schüler

Career
4 patrols

29 Dec 1941	-	30 Sep 1942	5. Flottille (training)
1 Oct 1942	-	31 Dec 1942	7. Flottille (active service)
1 Jan 1943	-	19 Apr 1943	29. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 warship a total loss, total tonnage 1,540 tons

Fate

Missing since 19 April 1943 in the Mediterranean Sea north of Oran. There is no explanation for its loss. 48 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 1 ships hit by U-602 - View the 4 war patrols

U-602 sent its last radio message on 19 April 1943 from its operational area north of Oran, in approx. position 36.50N, 00W. The boat was posted as missing after repeatedly failing to report its position on 23 April 1943.

Previously recorded fate

Sunk on 23 April, 1943 in position 36.10N, 00.30W by depth charges from a British Hudson aircraft (RAF 500/N). (Postwar assessment)
Notes. That attack was in fact against U-453 inflicting no damage.

Wolfpack operations

U-602 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Panther (6 Oct 1942 - 16 Oct 1942)
Puma (16 Oct 1942 - 29 Oct 1942)

Attacks on this boat and other events

4 Dec 1942
Vectored to a convoy by signals from the inbound U-603, U-602 was herself driven down and hunted extensively, but managed to escape and resume shadowing the convoy. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 136)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Annoucements related to this boat

U-602 reported as found off Ibiza (8 Apr 2005)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-602 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.