U-203

Type

VIIC

Ordered

23 Sep 1939

Laid down

28 Mar 1940

F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 632)

Launched

4 Jan 1941

Commissioned

18 Feb 1941

Kptlt. Rolf Mützelburg (Oak Leaves)

Commanders

18 Feb 1941	-	11 Sep 1942	Kptlt. Rolf Mützelburg (Knights Cross)
11 Sep 1942	-	20 Sep 1942	Oblt. Hans Seidel
21 Sep 1942	-	25 Apr 1943	Kptlt. Hermann Kottmann

Career
11 patrols

18 Feb 1941	-	1 May 1941	1. Flottille (training)
1 May 1941	-	25 Apr 1943	1. Flottille (active service)

Successes

19 ships sunk, total tonnage 91,577 GRT
3 ships damaged, total tonnage 17,052 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 25 April 1943 in the North Atlantic south of Cape Farewell, in position 55.05N, 42.25W, by depth charges from a Swordfish aircraft (811 Sqn FAA/L) of the British escort carrier HMS Biter and by the British destroyer HMS Pathfinder. 10 dead and 38 survivors.

Loss position

See the 22 ships hit by U-203 - View the 11 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-203 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Schlagetot (20 Oct 1941 - 1 Nov 1941)
   Raubritter (1 Nov 1941 - 5 Nov 1941)
   Seydlitz (27 Dec 1941 - 7 Jan 1942)
   Ziethen (7 Jan 1942 - 22 Jan 1942)
   Iltis (6 Sep 1942 - 10 Sep 1942)
   Streitaxt (20 Oct 1942 - 30 Oct 1942)
   Raufbold (11 Dec 1942 - 22 Dec 1942)
   Spitz (22 Dec 1942 - 31 Dec 1942)
   Lerche (10 Apr 1943 - 16 Apr 1943)
   Meise (16 Apr 1943 - 22 Apr 1943)
   Specht (23 Apr 1943 - 25 Apr 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

28 Jul 1941
The boat was depth charged by the British corvettes HMS Rhododendron and HMS Fleur de Lys but escaped without damage. (Sources: Blair, vol 1, page 329)

26 Sep 1941
HMS Larkspur dropped 26 depth charges following a successful attack by U-203 on convoy HG 73, but without causing any damage. (Sources: ADM/KTB)

22 Oct 1941
An aircraft dropped two bombs on U-203 in the North Atlantic. Minor damage.

11 Nov 1941
14.15 hrs, Bay of Biscay, inbound: a British Hudson bomber (53 Sqn RAF/D) dropped four depth charges as U-203 dived, damaging one engine and the aft hydroplanes. The boat nonetheless managed to reach Brest the next day. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

4 recorded attacks on this boat.

Men lost from the boat

11 Sep 1942
The commander of U-203 (Kptlt. Rolf Mützelburg) died in a unique accident on this day. He had stopped the boat to allow the crew to swim in the sea, and as he dived from the conning tower, the boat moved and he hit the saddle tank, suffering serious injuries. He died the next day.

Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -