Unterseeboot 509

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Unterseeboot 509 (usually abbreviated to U-509) was a Type IXC U-Boat of Nazi Germany during World War II. Her keel was laid down on November 1, 1940 at Deutsche Werft in Hamburg, and commissioned on November 4, 1941. It was first commanded by Captain Karl-Heinz Wolff, then later commanded by Captain Werner Witte. It's homebase was Lorient with the 10. Unterseebootsflottille.

[edit] War record

U-509 first launched on August 19, 1941, with a crew of 59. It was first commanded by Captain Karl-Heinz Wolff, then later commanded by Captain Werner Witte. Its most deadly month was October, 1942, when it came into contact with British convoy SL-125, and shadowed it for several days. During that time it sank or damaged the following vessels:

• October 26, 1942: damaged the British SS Anglo Maersk, 7,705 tons
• October 27, 1942: sank the British SS Stentor, 6,148 tons
• October 27, 1942: sank the British SS Pacific Star, 7,951 tons
• October 28, 1942: damaged the British MV Hopecastle, 5,178 tons
• October 28, 1942: sank the British SS Nagpore, 5,283 tons
• October 29, 1942: damaged the British SS Corinaldo, 7,131 tons
• October 30, 1942: sank the British MV Brittany, 4,772 tons

Following that stroke of luck, U-509 returned to port in December, 1942. Although due to the liaison with SL-125 the convoys for Operation Torch were able to get through unmolested.

On its next patrol, U-509 had the following encounters;

• February 10, 1943: sank the British SS Queen Anne, 4,937 tons
• March 7, 1943: U-509 was attacked by SAAF squadron 25, but was not damaged during the attack
• April 2, 1943: fatally damaged the British SS City of Baroda, 7,129 tons

After returning once again to port for resupply, U-509 departed for its fourth patrol on July 3, 1943. It was sunk July 15, 1943 in the Atlantic Ocean north-west of Madeira, Portugal, in position 34°02′N, 26°01′W, by aerial Fido torpedoes from an TBF Avenger aircraft of the US escort carrier USS Santee. 54 dead (all hands lost).

[edit] References

• U-boat.net webpage for U-509
• Ubootwaffe.net webpage for U-509
• convoyweb.org.uk webpage for british convoy SL-125

See Also: List of U-boats