U-173

Type IXC

Laid down 21 Dec 1940 AG Weser, Bremen
Commissioned 15 Nov 1941 Fregkpt. Heinz-Ehler Beucke
Commanders 11.41 - 10.42
10.42 - 11.42 Fregkpt. Heinz-Ehler Beucke
Oblt. Hans-Adolf Schweichel
Career 2 patrols 11.41 - 06.42 4th Flotilla (Stettin)
07.42 - 11.42 2nd Flotilla (Lorient)
Successes 1 ship sunk for a total of 9,359 tons
3 ships damaged for a total of 20,343 tons
including the destroyer USS Hambleton (1,630 tons)
Fate Sunk 16 Nov 1942 at Casablanca, by depth charges from the US destroyers USS Woolsey DD437 , USS Swanson DD443 and USS Quick. 57 dead (all crew lost).

1st patrol - Fregkpt. Heinz-Ehler Beucke

Departure Kiel, Germany 15 June, 42 Operational Area
Mid Atlantic / Azores
End of patrol Lorient, France 20 Sept, 42

No Successes

2nd patrol - Oblt. Hans-Adolf Schweichel

Departure Lorient, France 1 Nov, 42 Operational Area
Mid & Southern Atlantic
End of patrol Sunk 16 Nov, 42

Successes
11.11.1942 DJ 25 American Joseph Hewes 9.359
11.11.1942 DJ 25 American Winooski 10.600 (d.)
11.11.1942 DJ 25 American Hambleton 1.630 (d.)
15.11.1942 DJ 22 American Electra 8.113 (d.)

U-173 was the first U-boat that reached the coast of Morocco on 11 Nov, 1942, where the Allied landings on took place on 8 Nov during Operation "Torch". There U-173 scored all her victories, before she was sunk 5 days later by our Benson/Bristol class destroyer team.

Go Back to the Action against the U-boats Page

Information was provided by Uboat.net and Richard Angelini, Benson Class Destroyers Page

Type	IXC
Laid down	21 Dec 1940	AG Weser, Bremen
Commissioned	15 Nov 1941	Fregkpt. Heinz-Ehler Beucke
Commanders	11.41 - 10.42 10.42 - 11.42	Fregkpt. Heinz-Ehler Beucke Oblt. Hans-Adolf Schweichel
Career	2 patrols	11.41 - 06.42 4th Flotilla (Stettin) 07.42 - 11.42 2nd Flotilla (Lorient)
Successes	1 ship sunk for a total of 9,359 tons 3 ships damaged for a total of 20,343 tons including the destroyer USS Hambleton (1,630 tons)
Fate	Sunk 16 Nov 1942 at Casablanca, by depth charges from the US destroyers USS Woolsey DD437 , USS Swanson DD443 and USS Quick. 57 dead (all crew lost).

1st patrol - Fregkpt. Heinz-Ehler Beucke
Departure	Kiel, Germany	15 June, 42	Operational Area Mid Atlantic / Azores
End of patrol	Lorient, France	20 Sept, 42	Operational Area Mid Atlantic / Azores

Successes
11.11.1942	DJ 25	American	Joseph Hewes	9.359
11.11.1942	DJ 25	American	Winooski	10.600 (d.)
11.11.1942	DJ 25	American	Hambleton	1.630 (d.)
15.11.1942	DJ 22	American	Electra	8.113 (d.)
U-173 was the first U-boat that reached the coast of Morocco on 11 Nov, 1942, where the Allied landings on took place on 8 Nov during Operation "Torch". There U-173 scored all her victories, before she was sunk 5 days later by our Benson/Bristol class destroyer team.