List of all U-boats

U-217

Type

VIID

 
Ordered16 Feb 1940
Laid down30 Jan 1941 F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 649)
Launched15 Nov 1941
Commissioned31 Jan 1942Oblt. Kurt Reichenbach-Klinke
Commanders
31 Jan 1942 - 5 Jun 1943  Kptlt. Kurt Reichenbach-Klinke
Career
3 patrols
31 Jan 1942-31 Jul 1942  5. Flottille (training)
1 Aug 1942-5 Jun 1943  9. Flottille (active service)
Successes3 ships sunk, total tonnage 10,651 GRT
Fate

Sunk on 5 June 1943 in the North Atlantic south-west of the Azores, in position 30.18N, 42.50W, by depth charges from an Avenger aircraft (VC-9 USN/T-11), assisted by a Wildcat aircraft (VC-9 USN/F-13), of the US escort carrier USS Bogue. 50 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 3 ships hit by U-217 - View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-217 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Pirat (30 Jul 1942 - 3 Aug 1942)
   Trutz (1 Jun 1943 - 5 Jun 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

19 Aug 1942
Shortly after shelling the schooner Sea Gull D, 60 miles off Caracas, Venezuela, U-217 dived at 21.30 hrs to evade an aircraft which strafed the submerging U-boat and then dropped four depth charges. Two more aircraft arrived shortly afterwards, one of which attacked the U-boat when she surfaced at 23.45 hrs, dropping three more depth charges. U-217 was damaged, but was able to continue after carrying out repairs. (Sources: Ritschel)

1 recorded attack 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-217 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-boat Emblems

We have 2 emblem entries for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


The Laughing Sawfish - 9th Flotilla

Rings with Heart and Sun

Media links


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, Vol II

Blair, Clay


Hitler's U-boat War

Blair, Clay




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