German submarine U-502

Unterseeboot 502 or U-502 was a very effective and successful Nazi German U-Boat that served during World War II. She was first launched on February 18th, 1941, with a crew of 52 under the command of Jurgen von Rosenstiel. [1]

Combat actions

Operating out of the U-Boat bases at Kiel and Lorient, U-502 sank fourteen allied vessels between September 1941 and July 1942.

First patrol

• On 7th October, 1941: Damaged the British 14,795 ton Svend Foyn, sailing with convoy HX-152

Second patrol

• Was out only four days, between December 18th, 1941, and December 22nd, 1941, with no result

Third patrol

• On 16th February, 1942: Sank the British 2,391 ton San Nicolas
• On 16th February, 1942: Sank the British 2,395 ton Tia Juana
• On 16th February, 1942: Sank the Venezuelan 2,650 ton Monagasa
• On 22nd February, 1942: Sank the American 9,033 ton JN Pew
• On 23rd February, 1942: Sank the Panamanian 8,329 ton Thalia
• On 23rd February, 1942: Damaged the American 9,002 ton Sun

Fourth patrol

The fourth and final patrol of U-502 was her most damaging and successful. From April 22nd, 1942, until July 5th, 1942, she saw the following actions;

• On 11th May, 1942: Sank the British 4,963 ton Cape of Good Hope
• On 24th May, 1942: Sank the Brazilian 4,996 ton Gonçalves Diaz
• On 28th May, 1942: Sank the American 6,759 ton Alcoa Pilgrim
• On 3rd June, 1942: Sank the American 6,940 ton MF Elliott
• On 9th June, 1942: Sank the Belgian 5,085 ton Bruxelles, a member of convoy TA-5
• On 9th June, 1942: Sank the American 6,589 ton Franklin K Lane, part of convoy TA-5
• On 15th June, 1942: Sank the Panamanian 5,010 ton Cold Harbor
• On 15th June, 1942: Sank the American 5,702 ton West Hardaway
• On 15th June, 1942: Sank the American 8,001 ton Scottsburg
• On July 5th, 1942: U-502 was sank by allied forces in the Bay of Biscay, just west of La Rochelle, with all hands lost

Continued reading

http://ubootwaffe.net/ops/boat.cgi?boat=502