German submarine U-51 (1938)

Unterseeboot 51 or U-51 was a Nazi German U-Boat that operated with considerable shortlived success during World War II, between the dates of January 17th, 1940 and August 20th, 1940. It was first launched on June 11th, 1938, with a crew of 52 under the command of Dietrich Knorr. [1]

Combat actions

During those months of operation, U-51 went on four active patrols, with the following results;

On 22nd January, 1940: Sank the Swedish 1,640 ton Gothia
On 29th January, 1940: Sank the Norwegian 1,503 ton Eika
On 25th June, 1940: Sank the British 5,395 ton Windsorwood
On 25th June, 1940: Sank the British 12,049 ton Saranac, sailing with convoy OA-172
On 29th June, 1940: Sank the British 4,724 ton HMS Edgehill
On 15th August, 1940: Sank the British 5,709 ton Sylvafield, a member of convoy HX-62

Allied attacks, eventual sinking

On August 16th, 1940, 210 Squadron Sunderland, of 15th Group Coastal Command RAF, attacked U-51 with depth charges, producing oil and air bubbles. The boat even seemed to be blown out of the water by one explosion. It was initially believed by the allied force that this was a kill, however U-51 survived the attack, although badly damaged. This was the first successful depth charge attack by a Coastal Command aircraft.

U-51 was torpedoed and sank four days later, on August 20th, 1940, by the HM Submarine Cachalot just west of St. Nazaire. There were no survivors.