U-617

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug, 1940

Laid down

31 May, 1941

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 593)

Launched

14 Feb, 1942

Commissioned

9 Apr, 1942

Kptlt. Albrecht Brandi (Knights Cross)

Commanders

9 Apr, 1942 - 12 Sep, 1943

Kptlt. Albrecht Brandi (Knights Cross)

Career

7 patrols

9 Apr, 1942 - 31 Aug, 1942  5. Flottille (training)
1 Sep, 1942 - 30 Nov, 1942  7. Flottille (front boat)
1 Dec, 1942 - 12 Sep, 1943  29. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

8 ships sunk for a total of 25.879 GRT
1 auxiliary warship sunk for a total of 810 GRT
2 warships sunk for a total of 3.700 tons

Fate

Ran aground under British aerial attack by Hudons (Sqdn 48 and 233) and 2 Swordfish aircraft (FAA Sqdn 833 and 886) on 12 Sept, 1943 in the Mediterranean near Melilla, in position 35.38N, 03.27W. Wreck destroyed by gunfire from the British corvette HMS Hyacinth and the Australian minesweeper HMAS Wollongong. 49 survivors (No casualties).

See the 11 ships hit by U-617 - View the 7 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-617 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Pfeil (13 Sep, 1942 - 25 Sep, 1942)
Delphin (10 Nov, 1942 - 17 Nov, 1942)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-617 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.