The German submarine was a Type XB minelaying U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. It is most notable for its dramatic sinking and the subsequent rescue of its crew members in the central Atlantic. Technical Specifications and Design
U-118 served with the 4th U-boat Flotilla for training before moving to the 10th Flotilla for active duty in late 1942. Its career was relatively brief, consisting of only four patrols.
A direct hit with a depth charge caused the boat to explode and break in two. The sinking was famously captured in high-quality combat footage and photographs by the US Navy. uboat-b118
Two diesel engines and two electric motors, allowing for a surfaced speed of roughly 17 knots. Operational History
On June 12, 1943, U-118 was intercepted by Allied aircraft from the escort carrier USS Bogue in the central Atlantic. The German submarine was a Type XB minelaying
Of the crew, 16 men survived the initial explosion and were rescued by the escorting destroyer USS Osmond Ingram . They were subsequently taken as prisoners of war. Historical Significance
U-118 remains a primary example used by naval historians to illustrate the effectiveness of Allied "Hunter-Killer" groups. The combination of carrier-based aviation and surface escorts fundamentally shifted the Battle of the Atlantic, making large, slow minelayers like the Type XB extremely vulnerable. Its career was relatively brief, consisting of only
Its primary mission involved laying minefields off the coast of Africa and in the Mid-Atlantic to disrupt Allied convoy routes. The Sinking of U-118