Unterseeboot 171

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Unterseeboot 171 (U-171) was one of the World War II German U-Boat submarines stationed in the Gulf of Mexico. It first launched on July 22nd, 1941, under the command of Captain Gunther Pfeffer.

On August 1st, 1942, whiling trolling in the Gulf of Mexico, U-171 came under attack from an American aircraft, with little damage. For decades it was believed that the U-Boat attacked that day was U-166, and the credit for the sinking of U-166 went to that aircraft.

In 2001, the wreckage of U-166 was discovered just a short distance from its last victim, the USS Robert E. Lee, meaning that the actual credit for the sinking of U-166 should have gone to the USS PC-566, which had reported that they believed they were successful in their depth charge attack on the U-Boat following the U-Boat's successful attack on the USS Robert E. Lee, but were believed by investigating officials to have missed. [1] [2] [3]

[edit] Combat Record

July 26th 1942, sank the USS Oaxaca, 4,351 tons
August 13th 1942, sank the USS R. M. Parker Jr., 6,779 tons
September 4th 1942, sank the USS Amatlan, 6,511 tons

The U-171 suffered very little damage inflicted by the American plane, but on its return voyage to Germany it was sank in the Bay of Biscay after striking a mine on the way into port, losing 22 of its crew of 54. [4]