Unterseeboot 128

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U-128 was a German Kriegsmarine Type IX submarine that operated during World War II. She was sunk May 17, 1943 by American action.

[edit] History

Ordered on August 7, 1939 from AG Weser in Bremen, U-128 was laid down July 10, 1940, launched February 20, 1941, and later commissioned by Kapitänleutnant Ulrich Heyse on May 12, 1941.

The boat was a training boat in the second flotilla until November 30, 1941 based in Wilhelmshaven. Afterwards she was based in Lorient.

During its 6 completed war patrols, U-128 sank 12 ships, for a total of 83,639 tons. On 01 March 1943 command was transferred to Kptlt. Hermann Steinert.

[edit] Fate

On May 17, 1943 while operating in the South Atlantic near Pernambuco, two Mariner flying boats, PBM 74-P5 and PBM-74-P6 of the US Navy Squadron VP-74, made U-128 surface with water bombs. In addition two US Navy destroyers, USS Jouett and USS Moffet, hit her with 5 inch guns. The boat opened its valves. There were seven death and 47 survivors.