U-509

Type

IXC

Ordered

20 Oct, 1939

Laid down

1 Nov, 1940

Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg (werk 305)

Launched

19 Aug, 1941

Commissioned

4 Nov, 1941

Korvkpt. Karl-Heinz Wolff

Commanders

4 Nov, 1941 - Sep, 1942	Karl-Heinz Wolff
Sep, 1942 - 15 Jul, 1943	KrvKpt. Werner Witte

Career

4 patrols

4 Nov, 1941 - 30 Jun, 1942 4. Flottille (training)
1 Jul, 1942 - 15 Jul, 1943 10. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

5 ships sunk for a total of 29.091 GRT
3 ships damaged for a total of 20.014 GRT
1 ship a total loss for a total of 7.129 GRT

Fate

Sunk 15 July, 1943 in the mid-Atlantic north-west of Madeira, Portugal, in position 34.02N, 26.01W, by aerial (Fido) torpedoes from "Avenger" aircraft (VC-29) of the US escort carrier USS Santee. 54 dead (all hands lost).

See the 9 ships hit by U-509 - View the 4 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-509 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Streitaxt (24 Oct, 1942 - 1 Nov, 1942)

Attacks on this boat

11 Nov, 1942
While operating against the Allied Torch landings off Morocco the boat operated for 3 days in waters less than 200 feet deep and Witte reported being constantly bombed and depth charged by Allied surface vessels and aircraft. The boat developed some damages forcing her to abort to deeper water and then to France. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 108)

11 Feb, 1943
The boat sank the British vessel Queen Anne and was attacked by the ASW trawler St. Zeno with gunfire and seven depth charges but the boat was not damaged and slipped away. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 229)

2 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-509 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.