U-173

Type

IXC

Ordered

23 Dec 1939

Laid down

21 Dec 1940

AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1013)

Launched

11 Aug 1941

Commissioned

15 Nov 1941

Fregkpt. Heinz-Ehler Beucke

Commanders

15 Nov 1941	-	Oct, 1942		FrgKpt. Heinz-Ehler Beucke
Oct, 1942	-	16 Nov 1942		Oblt. Hans-Adolf Schweichel

Career
2 patrols

15 Nov 1941	-	30 Jun 1942	4. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1942	-	16 Nov 1942	2. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 auxiliary warship sunk, total tonnage 9,359 GRT
2 auxiliary warships damaged, total tonnage 18,285 GRT
1 warship damaged, total tonnage 1,630 tons

Fate

Sunk on 16 November 1942 in the North Atlantic west of Casablanca, in position 33.40N, 07.35W, by depth charges from the US destroyers USS Woolsey, USS Swanson and USS Quick. 57 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 4 ships hit by U-173 - View the 2 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-173 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Schlagetot (9 Nov 1942 - 16 Nov 1942)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-173 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.