German submarine U-518

Unterseeboot 518 or U-518 was a Nazi German U-Boat that saw considerable early success during World War II from its February 11th, 1942 launch until it was sank on March 12th, 1945. [1]

Combat record

U-518 had a crew of 56, and was commanded by Hans-Werner Offermann. It departed on ten active patrols, with the following results;

First patrol

• On 2nd November 1942: Sank the British 5,633 ton PLM 27, at Bell Island, Newfoundland
• On 2nd November 1942: Sank the Canadian 7,803 ton Rose Castle, at Bell Island, Newfoundland
• On 21st November 1942: Sank the British 6,140 ton Empire Sailor, sailing with convoy ON-145, damaged the British 6,997 ton British Renown, a member of convoy ON-145 and damaged the British 8,443 ton British Promise, part of convoy ON-145
• On 23rd November 1942: Sank the American 10,172 ton Caddo

Second patrol

• 14th February, 1943: Came under attack from unidentified allied aircraft, with minimal damage
• 18th February 1943: Sank the Brazilian 6,075 ton Brasiloide
• 1st March 1943: Sank the American 7,176 ton liberty shipSS Fitz John Porter, from convoy BT-6
• 20th March 1943: Sank the Dutch 7,659 ton Mariso
• 25th Mar 1943: Sank the Swedish 1,688 ton Industria

Third patrol

• 27th June, 1943: U-518 came under attack from allied aircraft of RAF squadron 201, suffering massive damage, returning fire with anti-aircraft deck gun, without downing the aircraft
• 30th June, 1943: U-518 came under attack from RAAF squadron, suffering minor damage, defending itself again with anti-aircraft deck gun, without destroying the aircraft

Fourth patrol

• Spent fifteen weeks on patrol, between August 18th 1943 and December 1st 1943, with no results

Fifth patrol

• 7th March, 1944: Sank the Panamanian 3,401 ton Valera

Sixth patrol

• Non-active Patrol, traveling from port to port, lasted from July 4th, 1944 to July 10th, 1944, with no results

Seventh patrol

• 12th September, 1944: Damaged the American ship 7,176 ton George Ade

Eighth patrol

• Spent from October 25th to October 28th, 1944, between ports, Non-active patrol, with no results

Ninth patrol

• Non-active patrol from March 5th 1945 to March 10th 1945, with no results

Tenth and final patrol

• Departed port on March 12 1945. U-518 was sunk in the North Atlantic, northwest of the Azores, by depth charges from the US destroyer escorts USS Carter and USS Neal A. Scott (DE-769) on April 22 1945. There were no survivors from her crew of 56.

References

uboat.net webpage for U-518

43°26′N 38°23′W