U-163
Type | IXC | |||
| Ordered | 25 Sep, 1939 | |||
| Laid down | 8 May, 1940 | Seebeck, Bremen (werk 702) | ||
| Launched | 1 May, 1941 | |||
| Commissioned | 21 Oct, 1941 | Korvkpt. Kurt-Eduard Engelmann | ||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 3 patrols | 21 Oct, 1941 - 31 Jul, 1942 4. Flottille (training) 1 Aug, 1942 - 13 Mar, 1943 10. Flottille (front boat) | ||
| Successes | 3 ships sunk for a total of 15.011 GRT 1 warship a total loss for a total of 2.000 tons | |||
| Fate | Sunk 13 March, 1943 in the North Atlantic north-west of Cape Finisterre in position 45.05N, 15.00W by depth charges from the Canadian corvette HMCS Prescott. 57 dead (all hands lost). | |||
See the 4 ships hit by U-163 - View the 3 war patrols
Previously recorded fate (Last revised by FDS/NHB during April 1987). More on revised fates
The attack from the American submarine USS Herring on 21 March, 1943 formerly credited with sinking U-163 was actually against a nonsub target or possibly a Spanish fishing 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-163 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
 German U-Boat Losses During World War II Niestle, Axel Buy this title at amazon.co.uk See more sellers |
Books dealing with this subject include: German U-Boat Losses During World War II, Niestle, Axel, 1998 U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998 U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998 |
There was another U-163 in World War One
That boat was launched from its shipyard on 1 Jun, 1918 and commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 21 Aug, 1918. The Naval war in WWI was brought to an end with the Armistice signed on 11 Nov, 1918. Read about the U 163 during WWI.