U-652

Type

2 ships sunk, total tonnage 8,152 GRT
1 auxiliary warship sunk, total tonnage 558 GRT
2 warships sunk, total tonnage 2,740 tons
2 ships damaged, total tonnage 9,918 GRT
1 auxiliary warship damaged, total tonnage 10,917 GRT

Fate

Badly damaged by depth charges from a British Swordfish aircraft and scuttled on 2 June, 1942 in the Mediterranean in the Gulf of Solum, in position 31.55N, 25.11E, by torpedoes from U-81. 46 survivors (no casualties).

Loss position

See the 8 ships hit by U-652 - View the 8 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-652 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Grönland (23 Aug 1941 - 27 Aug 1941)
Markgraf (27 Aug 1941 - 16 Sep 1941)

Attacks on this boat and other events

4 Sep 1941
On 4 September 1941, the American destroyer USS Greer had been signalled by a British bomber, that a German submarine was hiding in the vicinity. Greer found sound contact, and started to pursue the U-boat (U-652) from close range. The aircraft dropped 4 depth charges, and left the scene, leaving the two fighting ships. Soon after the U-boat fired a torpedo at the US warship, perhaps believing she dropped the four bombs. After this USS Greer went into attack, and a 2 hour battle followed, during which she dropped 19 depth charges, and the U-boat fired another torpedo, without results. President Roosevelt used this event in his campaign to convince the US to go to war, and the "undeclared war" between U-boats and US escorts escalated dramatically.

1 recorded attack 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-652 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.