U-73
Type | VIIB | |||||
| Ordered | 2 Jun 1938 | |||||
| Laid down | 5 Nov 1939 | Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 1) | ||||
| Launched | 27 Jul 1940 | |||||
| Commissioned | 30 Sep 1940 | Kptlt. Helmut Rosenbaum (Knights Cross) | ||||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 15 patrols | 30 Sep 1940 - 31 Jan 1941 7. Flottille (training) 1 Feb 1941 - 1 Jan 1942 7. Flottille (front boat) 1 Jan 1942 - 16 Dec 1943 29. Flottille (front boat) | ||||
| Successes | 8 ships sunk for a total of 43,945 GRT 4 warships sunk for a total of 22,947 tons (lost aboard transport ships) 3 ships damaged for a total of 22,928 GRT | |||||
| Fate | Sunk 16 Dec, 1943 in the Mediterranean near Oran, in position 36.07N, 00.50W, by depth charges and gunfire from the US destroyers USS Woolsey and USS Trippe. 16 dead and 34 survivors. | |||||
See the 15 ships hit by U-73 - View the 15 war patrols
Attacks on this boat
22 Mar 1942
At 11.50 hours, the boat was attacked by the Blenheim MkIV Z7793 (203 Sqdn RAF/M, pilot P/O Beresford-Peirse) about 50 miles northwest of Derna, Libya. U-73 immediately crash-dived when sighting the aircraft (misidentified as Beaufort), but the four 250lb A/S bombs dropped caused severe damage that left the boat temporarily unable to dive and forced Rosenbaum to abort the patrol. (Sources: KTB U-73/ORB 203 Sqdn RAF)
5 Dec 1942
The boat was attacked in the Mediterranean by an aircraft, and was damaged so badly that she had to return to base.
27 Dec 1942
At 07.15 hours, the boat was attacked by a British Wellington aircraft LA971 (179 Sqdn RAF/T, pilot F/L A.H. Comfort). The aircraft (misidentified as Beaufort) had picked up a radar contact and made a Leigh Light attack, but the boat had been warned by Metox and opened fire with the AA guns, immediately scoring hits on the port engine. Four depth charges missed and the Wellington was forced to head for the coast, making it to Tafaraoui after jettison all loose equipment. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)
27 Dec 1942
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:British Hudson AM689 (500 Sqdn RAF/M, pilot P/O J.R. Pugh)
At 08.17 hours, the boat was attacked by the Hudson. AA fire hit the aircraft during the initial strafing run and its four depth charges fell in 80 to 250 metres distance, causing only light damages. Hit in the cockpit area and in the starboard engine, the Hudson headed for the coast about 50 miles away, but had to ditch only 3 minutes after the attack. The crew of 4 made it into a dinghy and were rescued in the afternoon by a Walrus flying boat (700 Sqdn FAA, pilot SubLt Neil Fuller) after being spotted and escorted by Hudsons (500 and 608 Sqdn RAF).
(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)27 Jun 1943
The boat was depth charged in the Mediterranean by escorts. Due to the heavy damages the boat had to return to base.
30 Oct 1943
The attack on 30 Oct, 1943 in the Mediterranean southeast of Toulon, France, in position 43.04N, 05.57E, by a torpedo from the British submarine HMS Ultimatum was formerly credited with sinking the U-431.
This attack was actually against U-73 inflicting no damage.
(Sources: 1987-11-01, FDS/NHB)13 Dec 1943
During an attack against convoy GUS 24 in the Mediterranean U-73 was rammed by a destroyer, resulting in the loss of her quadruple machine gun.
7 recorded attacks on this boat.
General notes on this boat
11 Aug 1942. U-73 sank the British aircraft carrier HMS Eagle in position 38.05N, 03.02E.
Radiogram sent by U-73 on 11 Aug, 1942:
Geleit - 15 Zerstörer und Geleitboote, 2 Kreuzer, 9 bis 10 Frachter, 1 Flugzeugträger, 1 Schlachtschiff wahrscheinlich. Fächerschuß auf Flugzeugträger. Vier Treffer aus 500 Meter Entfernung. Starke Sinkgeräusche.
- Alles klar! -
Rosenbaum
Convoy - 15 destroyers and escort ships, 2 cruisers, 9 to 10 freighters, one aircraft carrier, probably one battleship. Fan shot against aircraft carrier. 4 hits from 500 meters distance. Strongly audible sinking noises.
- All clear! -
Rosenbaum
Men lost from U-boats
Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-73 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
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There was another U-73 in World War One
That boat was launched from its shipyard on 16 Jun 1915 and commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 9 Oct 1915. The Naval war in WWI was brought to an end with the Armistice signed on 11 Nov, 1918. Read about the U 73 during WWI.