List of all U-boats
U-117
Type | XB | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordered | 31 Jan 1939 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Laid down | 1 Jul 1939 | F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 616) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Launched | 22 Jul 1941 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissioned | 25 Oct 1941 | Korvkpt. Hans-Werner Neumann | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commanders |
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| Career 5 patrols |
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| Successes | 1 ship damaged, total tonnage 7,177 GRT 1 ship a total loss, total tonnage 7,092 GRT | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fate |
Sunk 7 August 1943 in the North Atlantic, in position 39.42N, 38.21W while supplying U-66 by depth charges and a Fido homing torpedo from five Avenger aircraft of the US escort carrier USS Card. 62 dead (all hands lost). | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss position | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Attacks on this boat and other events
7 Aug 1943
The sinking of U-117
U-66 requested medical assistance following an attack by carrier aircraft on 3 August. U-117s doctor, the WO, Oblt Paul Frerks, (as replacement commander) and provisions were transferred on 6 August, and Dr Schenk was able to save the lives of the two men injured.
At 11.54 hrs the next day the boats were surprised by an Avenger aircraft (VC-1 USN) from USS Card while U-117 was refuelling U-66. Two depth charges from the Avenger (Lt (jg) A.H. Sallenger) detonated between the boats and damaged U-117. U-66 tried to assist her, but then crash-dived and on doing so was unsuccessfully attacked with a Fido homing torpedo by the Avenger. About 20 minutes later two more Avengers and two Wildcats from the carrier arrived and forced U-117 to dive by strafing and dropping depth charges. The boat was apparently hit and sunk by one of two Fido homing torpedoes dropped by the Avengers at around 12.45 hrs. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)
1 recorded attack on this boat.
Men lost from the boat
8 Nov 1942
While refuelling U-454 on 8 Nov Leutnant zur See der Reserve Helmut Schwenzel from U-117 was lost overboard.
Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -
U-boat Emblems
We have 1 emblem entry for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.
 Large Fish with Mine |
Media links
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There was another U-117 in World War One
That boat was launched from its shipyard on 10 Dec 1917 and commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 28 Mar 1918. The Naval war in WWI was brought to an end with the Armistice signed on 11 Nov, 1918. Read about SM U 117 during WWI.
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