List of all U-boats

U-174

Type

IXC

 
Ordered23 Dec 1939
Laid down2 Jan 1941 AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1014)
Launched21 Aug 1941
Commissioned26 Nov 1941Fregkpt. Ulrich Thilo
Commanders
26 Nov 1941 - 8 Mar 1943  FrgKpt. Ulrich Thilo
9 Mar 1943 - 27 Apr 1943  Oblt. Wolfgang Grandefeld
Career
3 patrols
26 Nov 1941-31 Jul 1942  4. Flottille (training)
1 Aug 1942-27 Apr 1943  10. Flottille (active service)
Successes5 ships sunk, total tonnage 30,813 GRT
Fate

Sunk on 27 April 1943 in the North Atlantic south of Newfoundland, in position 43.35N, 56.18W, by depth charges from a US Ventura aircraft (VP-125 USN/B-6). 53 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 5 ships hit by U-174 - View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-174 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Lohs (11 Aug 1942 - 26 Aug 1942)

Attacks on this boat and other events

25 Aug 1942
While picking up survivors of the sinking of Trolla in thick fog astern of convoy ONS 122, HNoMS Potentilla obtained a radar contact approaching her in this vulnerable situation. At 05.21 hrs the corvette turned towards the contact and engaged U-174 with all weapons at a range of less than 300m (329 yds). One of five rounds from the 4in gun was observed to hit the base of the conning tower, and several hits by the AA guns were also observed. She had completely surprised the U-boat, but missed ramming her by a few metres, turning astern and coming up on her port side, then dropping five depth charges so close that the charge from the starboard thrower went over the diving U-boat to detonate on her starboard side, while the others landed to port. HNoMS Potentilla then dropped four depth charges ahead of the diving point, afterwards circling the area for an hour without obtaining an Asdic contact. The area was littered with wreckage and oil from convoy ships sunk, so no traces could be attributed to the U-boat. U-174 surfaced more than five hours later and surveyed the damage: several hits to the upper deck and conning tower, together with a leak in the galley and an untraceable leak that left a trail of oil behind the boat, forcing the commander to break off the patrol. (Sources: ADM reports, KTB U-174)

15 Dec 1942
An American Catalina flying boat from squadron VP 83 based at Natal, Brazil (Lt Wall) surprised the surfaced U-174 and dropped bombs before she dived, without result. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 55)

15 Dec 1942
Later in the day another Catalina from Squadron VP 83, this time piloted by Bertram J. Prueher, attacked a U-boat, probably U-174. U-174 left the area shortly afterwards due to lack of fuel. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 55)

3 recorded attacks 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-174 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-boat Emblems

We have 1 emblem entry for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


Viking Ship with Trident on Sail

Media links


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


Hitler's U-boat War

Blair, Clay




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