Ulrich Thilo

Kapitän zur See (Crew 22)

Successes
5 ships sunk, total tonnage 30,813 GRT

Born	4 Jan 1903		Münster
Died	9 Sep 1980	(77)

If you can help with photo or any information on this Officer please contact us at gummi@uboat.net.

Ranks

1 Apr 1924		Fähnrich zur See
1 Oct 1926		Leutnant zur See
1 Jul 1928		Oberleutnant zur See
1 Oct 1934		Kapitänleutnant
1 Jul 1938		Korvettenkapitän
1 Jun 1942		Fregattenkapitän
1 Jul 1943		Kapitän zur See

U-boat Commands

U-boat	From	To
U-174	26 Nov 1941	8 Mar 1943	2 patrols (134 days)

Ulrich Thilo joined the German Navy (Reichsmarine) in 1922. From Nov 1938 to Nov 1939 he served as Commander of Torpedo School Flotilla, then he became an adviser to German Navy high command (OKM) until March 1941. Entering U-boat training in April he finished in October 1941.

FregKpt. Ulrich Thilo went through U-boat familiarization (Baubelehrung) from Oct to Nov 1941 when he was given command of his boat, the new U-174 at Bremen on 26 Nov 1941. For the next 8 months the boat and crew was worked up and finally left for their first patrol on 30 July 1942 from Kiel.

When he left for patrol on Thilo was 39 years old, among the oldest Commanders to go out on patrol. He brought the boat back after 39 days. His 95-day second patrol to Brazilian waters from Oct 1942 to Jan 1943 was very successful with 5 ships sunk for almost 31,000 GRT.

He left the boat on 8 March 1943 and worked in several staff positions regarding torpedo schools until Dec 1944. He ended the was as Commander of Naval Transport Gdynia and Swinemünde.

Sources

Busch, R. and Röll, H-J. (1998). German U-boat commanders of World War II.

Patrol info for Ulrich Thilo

	U-boat	Departure		Arrival
1.	U-174	30 Jul 1942	Kiel	6 Sep 1942	Lorient	Patrol 1,	39 days
2.	U-174	7 Oct 1942	Lorient	9 Jan 1943	Lorient	Patrol 2,	95 days
2 patrols, 134 days at sea

Ships hit by Ulrich Thilo

Date	U-boat	Name of ship	Tons		Convoy
31 Oct 1942	U-174	Marylyn	4,555	br
1 Nov 1942	U-174	Elmdale	4,872	br	TRIN-20
2 Nov 1942	U-174	Zaandam	10,909	nl
2 Dec 1942	U-174	Besholt	4,977	nw
15 Dec 1942	U-174	Alcoa Rambler	5,500	am
			30,813
5 ships sunk (30,813 tons). Legend We have a picture of this vessel.