U-751

Type

VIIC

Ordered

9 Oct 1939

Laid down

2 Jan 1940

Kriegsmarinewerft (KMW), Wilhelmshaven (werk 134)

Launched

16 Nov 1940

Commissioned

31 Jan 1941

Kptlt. Gerhard Bigalk (Knights Cross)

Commanders

31 Jan 1941

17 Jul 1942

Kptlt. Gerhard Bigalk (Knights Cross)

Career
7 patrols

31 Jan 1941	-	1 Jun 1941	7. Flottille (training)
1 Jun 1941	-	17 Jul 1942	7. Flottille (active service)

Successes

5 ships sunk, total tonnage 21,412 GRT
1 warship sunk, total tonnage 11,000 tons
1 ship damaged, total tonnage 8,096 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 17 July 1942 in the North Atlantic north-west of Cape Ortegal, Spain, in position 45.14N, 12.22W, by depth charges from a British Whitley (502 Sqn RAF/H) and a Lancaster aircraft (61 Sqn RAF/F). 48 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 7 ships hit by U-751 - View the 7 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-751 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   West (16 Jun 1941 - 20 Jun 1941)
   Hammer (5 Aug 1941 - 12 Aug 1941)
   Grönland (12 Aug 1941 - 27 Aug 1941)
   Bosemüller (28 Aug 1941 - 2 Sep 1941)
   Seewolf (2 Sep 1941 - 5 Sep 1941)
   Reissewolf (21 Oct 1941 - 31 Oct 1941)

Attacks on this boat and other events

17 Oct 1941
At 17.00 hrs the boat was sighted by HMS Veronica, which was en route to rejoin convoy SC 48, and crash dived when the corvette approached. The escort then dropped 34 depth charges during five attacks between 17.18 and 17.53 hrs, observed oil on the surface, and then returned to the convoy because she only had twelve depth charges left. None of the attacks were accurate and U-751 escaped undamaged. Unknown to both, U-502 was nearby after diving to avoid aircraft and heard the depth charges. This U-boat had a problem with an untraceable fuel leak, and it is likely this was the source of the oil observed by HMS Veronica. (Sources: KTB U-751 & U-502/ADM 237-164)

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-751 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.