U-221

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug 1940

Laid down

16 Jun 1941

F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 651)

Launched

14 Mar 1942

Commissioned

9 May 1942

Oblt. Hans-Hartwig Trojer

Commanders

9 May 1942 - 27 Sep 1943

Kptlt. Hans-Hartwig Trojer (Knights Cross)

Career

5 patrols

9 May 1942 - 31 Aug 1942 5. Flottille (training)
1 Sep 1942 - 27 Sep 1943 7. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

11 ships sunk for a total of 69,589 GRT
10 warships sunk for a total of 759 tons (lost aboard transport ships)
1 ship damaged for a total of 7,197 GRT

Fate

Sunk 27 Sept, 1943 south-west of Ireland, in approximate position 47.00N, 18.00W, by depth charges from a British Handley Page Halifax aircraft (Sqdn 58/B). 50 dead (all hands lost).

See the 22 ships hit by U-221 - View the 5 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-221 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Lachs (15 Aug 1942 - 27 Sep 1942)
   Pfeil (13 Sep 1942 - 25 Sep 1942)
   Wotan (8 Oct 1942 - 16 Oct 1942)
   Draufgänger (1 Dec 1942 - 11 Dec 1942)
   Raufbold (15 Dec 1942 - 22 Dec 1942)
   Spitz (24 Dec 1942 - 21 Dec 1942)
   Neuland (8 Mar 1943 - 12 Mar 1943)
   Dranger (14 Mar 1943 - 20 Mar 1943)
   Drossel (8 May 1943 - 13 May 1943)
   Trutz (1 Jun 1943 - 16 Jun 1943)
   Trutz III (16 Jun 1943 - 2 Jul 1943)

Attacks on this boat

11 Mar 1943
In convoy action against HX 228 having just sunk 2 ships and damages another its escorts attacked the boat with 6 depth charges causing serious damage. The boat aborted this action to make repairs at sea. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 255)

27 Sep 1943
The sinking of U-221 Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:British Halifax HR982 (58 Sqdn RAF/B, pilot F/O E.L. Hartley)

At 17.13 hours, the boat was attacked at low level by the Halifax southwest of Ireland, straddled with 8 depth charges and was seen to sink by the stern. The aircraft had been hit by AA fire and a fire in the starboard wing forced the pilot to ditch the Halifax about 3 miles from the attack position. Two gunners were lost, but the remaining six crewmen survived and were rescued after 11 days by HMS Mahratta.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

21 Mar 1943. On 21 March, 1943 a captured crew member from the motor merchant Jamaica jumped overboard during an excercise alarm in the North Atlantic, either trying to escape or to commit suicide.