U-190

Type

IXC/40

Ordered

4 Nov 1940

Laid down

7 Oct 1941

AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1036)

Launched

8 Jun 1942

Commissioned

24 Sep 1942

Kptlt. Max Wintermeyer

Commanders

24 Sep 1942 - 5 Jul 1944	Kptlt. Max Wintermeyer
6 Jul 1944 - 12 May 1945	Oblt. Hans-Erwin Reith

Career

6 patrols

24 Sep 1942 - 28 Feb 1943  4. Flottille (training)
1 Mar 1943 - 30 Sep 1944  2. Flottille (front boat)
1 Oct 1944 - 1 May 1945  33. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

1 ship sunk for a total of 7,015 GRT
1 warship sunk for a total of 590 tons

Fate

Surrendered to Newfoundland on 12 May, 1945 at Bay Bulls. The boat was taken to St. John's in June and then to Halifax, Canada. .

See the 2 ships hit by U-190 - View the 6 war patrols

She was used for tests and finally sunk 21 Oct, 1947 off Nova Scotia by bombs and gunfire from the Canadian destroyer HMCS Nootka and the Canadian minesweeper HMCS New Liskeard and several Fireflies and Seafire aircraft.

Wolfpack operations

U-190 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Neuland (6 Mar 1943 - 8 Mar 1943)
   Ostmark (8 Mar 1943 - 11 Mar 1943)
   Sturmer (14 Mar 1943 - 20 Mar 1943)

Attacks on this boat

28 May 1943
An American B-24 (pilot J. M. Vivian) bombed the boat causing serious damage. The boat survived and the damage was repaired and the patrol continued. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 347)

23 Oct 1943
While escorting convoy GUS-18 the American destroyer USS Turner (DD-648) attacked a surfaced German U-boat ahead of the convoy with gunfire and then depth charges as the U-boat dived. The boat escaped almost unharmed. (Sources: http://www.ussturner.org/history648.php)

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

Read about U-190's career, both in German and Canadian hands here.

The Crow's Nest Officers Club in St. John's, Newfoundland had a ceremony on 22 Oct, 1998 because the periscope of U-190 has been completely overhauled, and is now looking at Water St. (street in St. John's) from the club. It has been there since 1963 at appears, and it eventually gave way to the "horrible weather" (local quote :). Once more one can look through the scope!

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in August 1944 but it was of course installed prior to that date. Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-190 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.