U-boat patrols

Patrol info for U-117


DepartureArrival / FateDuration
22 Jul 1943Bordeaux7 Aug 1943Lost17 days

Commander

Officers *


KrvKpt. Hans-Werner Neumann
WO

Oblt. (R) Paul Frerks

Daily positions, sinkings and allied attacks during the patrol of U-117


We have daily positions for all 17 days on this patrol.

Ships hit by U-117 during this patrol

General Events during this patrol

We have no events listed for this patrol.

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Attacks on U-117 during this patrol

7 Aug 1943
The sinking of U-117
U-66 requested medical assistance following an attack by carrier aircraft on 3 August. U-117s doctor, the WO, Oblt Paul Frerks, (as replacement commander) and provisions were transferred on 6 August, and Dr Schenk was able to save the lives of the two men injured.

At 11.54 hrs the next day the boats were surprised by an Avenger aircraft (VC-1 USN) from USS Card while U-117 was refuelling U-66. Two depth charges from the Avenger (Lt (jg) A.H. Sallenger) detonated between the boats and damaged U-117. U-66 tried to assist her, but then crash-dived and on doing so was unsuccessfully attacked with a Fido homing torpedo by the Avenger. About 20 minutes later two more Avengers and two Wildcats from the carrier arrived and forced U-117 to dive by strafing and dropping depth charges. The boat was apparently hit and sunk by one of two Fido homing torpedoes dropped by the Avengers at around 12.45 hrs. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

About this data
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* These are officers that later became commanders themselves.

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