Ships hit by U-boats


Josif Stalin

Soviet Motor tanker


We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.


NameJosif Stalin
Type:Motor tanker
Tonnage7,745 tons
Completed1934 - Zavod No 198 (Andre Marti), Nikolaev 
OwnerSovtorgflot, Moscow 
HomeportTuapse 
Date of attack18 Nov 1943Nationality:      Soviet
 
FateDamaged by U-18 (Karl Fleige)
PositionGrid CL 9179
Complement? men (? dead and ? survivors).
Convoy
RouteBatumi - Tuapse 
Cargo 
History

Completed in April 1934 as Ural, later that year renamed Josif Stalin.

At 20.34 hours on 23 Jun, 1943, U-18 reported one hit on a steamer near Sukhumi but could not observe the result. In fact, the Josif Stalin was missed in this attack.

Post-war:
1962 renamed Nikolaev. 1971 sold to Japan and renamed Toyo Maru for her last voyage to the breakers yard at Kaohsiung, arriving on 5 December 1971.

 
Notes on loss

At 17.15 hours on 18 Nov, 1943, U-18 fired two torpedoes at a Soviet convoy, observed two hits on the Josif Stalin off Lazarevskoje and reported the sinking of the ship after 20 minutes. However the crew managed to extinguish a fire aboard the tanker and continued to Tuapse at 6 knots, but could not enter the port due to the increased draft. On 20 November, the ship was towed back to Batumi where she was repaired and returned to service.

 

Location of attack on Josif Stalin.

ship damaged.


* Estimated position shown here is based on positions of losses in a roughly the same German grid code. It may be a bit off but should give a good idea as to where the attack took place.


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