Mediterranean U-boat Campaign
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| Mediterranean U-boat Campaign | |||||||
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| Part of Atlantic Campaign of World War II | |||||||
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| Combatants | |||||||
 Royal Navy |
 Kriegsmarine Regia Marina |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 62 U-boats | |||||||
| Casualties | |||||||
| 95 merchant ships sunk 24 warships sunk |
62 U-boats lost | ||||||
| Atlantic Campaign |
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| River Plate – Altmark – SC-7 – HX-84 – HX-106 – Berlin – Denmark Strait – Bismarck – Mediterranean – Channel Dash – St. Lawrence – Laconia – PQ-17 – Barents Sea – North Cape |
The Mediterranean U-boat Campaign went on and off from September 21, 1941 to May 1944 during World War II. The Nazi Kriegsmarine aimed at isolating Gibraltar, Malta and Suez so as to break Britain's trade route. More than 60 U-boats were sent to seize the dreaded Strait of Gibraltar controlled by Britain of which 9 were sunk while attempting passage and 10 more were damaged.
Had these U-boats been placed in the waters of Western Europe, or directly along the coasts of Britain, Germany would have had an advantage. But the Mediterranean Sea was a dangerous area for the U-boats. Around it were many allied air bases from which hundreds of aircraft threatened them day and night. The sea is very clear and calm body of water which made escape more difficult for the U-boats. Germany's objective failed. No U-boat of the Mediterranean ever returned to the Atlantic and all were either sunk in battle or scuttled.
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[edit] The beginning
U-371 was the first U-boat to enter the Mediterranean. She became the first target of an Allied tactic called "Swamp" after 3 years, in which ships surround and threaten a U-boat forcing her to remain submerged till her batteries run out and then finishing her.
By December 23, 1941, 34 more U-boats hade been sent to the Mediterranean. 27 entered successfully, 3 were sunk at Gibraltar and 5 were damaged and had to return to their French bases. U-95 and U-557 were sunk within a week after arrival into the region.
[edit] Entries in 1942
15 U-boats entered the sea in 1942 while 2 failed. But the year was bad for them. 14 were sunk in 1942. Thus, the fleet's strength remained the same.
[edit] Entries in 1943
14 U-boats were sent this year. Two were sunk at Gibraltar while one cancelled her mission due to damage.
[edit] Irony at Malta
Ironically, only one U-boat, U-375, was lost near the much sought-after Malta. She was sunk on July 30, 1943 in the position 36.40N-12.28E, by depth charges from the US submarine chaser USS PC-624. All 46 men inside, died.
[edit] Entries in 1944
12 U-boats were sent to cross Gibraltar in 1944. 3 of them sank while attempting entry.
Most U-boats failed to sink any ship. The bulk of U-boats lost this year were in Toulon.
U-455 vanished along with 51 men in the Mediterranean some time after 6 April 1944. She was rediscovered at a depth of 120 metres, 2 miles from Portofino, Genoa by Lorenzo Del Veneziano, a 42-year old professional diver in October 2005.
U-466 was the last U-boat to be scuttled in the Mediterranean. This was done when the Allied Operation Anvil was launched.
[edit] Success and Failure
The Germans sank 95 allied merchant ships totalling 449,206 tons, and 24 Royal Navy warships including 4 cruisers and 12 destroyers at the cost of 62 U-boats. Noteworthy successes were the sinkings of HMS Barham, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Eagle.
[edit] U-869
The previously estimated position of U-869 was at about 35N-9W. She was later confirmed to be on the US East Coast instead, having never reached the Gibraltar region.
[edit] U-boats sunk by Allied submarines
The Mediterranean was equally lethal underwater as on surface. Four U-boats here, were sunk by Allied submarines.
- U-95 was sunk on November 28, 1941 in the western Mediterranean, south-west of Almería in position 36.24N-03.20W by torpedoes from the Dutch submarine HrMs O 21. 35 men died but 12 survived.
- U-301 was sunk on 21 January 1943 in the Mediterranean, west of Bonifacio, in position 41.27N-07.04E by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Sahib. 45 men dead but 1 survived.
- U-303 was sunk on 21 May 1943 in the western Mediterranean south of Toulon, in position 42.50N-06.00E by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Sickle. 20 men died and 28 survived.
- U-374 was sunk on January 12, 1942 in the western Mediterranean, east of Cape Spartivento, in position 37.50N-16.00E, by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Unbeaten. Only 1 person out of 45 survived.
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