U-boat patrols

Patrol info for U-459

Date lookup for 24 Jul 1943


DepartureArrival / FateDuration
22 Jul 1943Bordeaux24 Jul 1943Lost3 days

Commander

Officers *


KrvKpt. Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf

U-459's position on 24 Jul 1943

Ships hit by U-459 on this date

General Events during this patrol

We have no events listed for this date.

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Attacks on U-459 during this patrol

24 Jul 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:
British Wellington (172 Sqn RAF/Q, pilot: F/O W.H.T. Jennings)

The sinking of U-459

approx. 17.15 hrs, NW of Corunna, Spain: despite taking the boat by surprise, the Wellington was hit by heavy and accurate AA fire on the initial attack run, lost control, and crashed into the boat on the starboard side. Only the tail gunner (Sgt A.A. Turner) survived, when his turret separated on impact and he found himself in the water close to an inflated dinghy. The remaining five aircrew were killed. U-459 lost several gunners and most of the AA guns in the crash, and the crew found three unexploded depth charges on deck when clearing the wreckage. They decided to roll them into the sea at high speed, but at least one exploded, close enough to disable the steering gear and cause severe damage to the stern compartments.

At approx. 17.30 hrs, a second Wellington (547 Sqn RAF/V, pilot F/O J. Whyte) strafed the boat and dropped seven depth charges, causing further damage. The commander then ordered the crew to abandon ship and scuttled the boat - apparently choosing to go down with his ship. 41 Germans and the sole British survivor were picked up by ORP Orkan some 8 hours later.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

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