U-73

Type VIIB

Laid down 5 Nov 1939 Vegesacker Werft, Vegesack
Commissioned 30 Sep 1940 Kptlt. Helmut Rosenbaum (Knights Cross)
Commanders 09.40 - 09.42
09.42 - 12.43 Kptlt. Helmut Rosenbaum
Oblt. Horst Deckert
Career 15 patrols 09.40 - 01.41 7th Flotilla (Kiel) training
02.41 - 01.42 7th Flotilla (Kiel) St. Nazaire)
01.42 - 12.43 29th Flotilla (La Spezia)
Successes 9 ships sunk for a total of 65,313 tons
including the British aircraft-carrier HMS Eagle (22,600 tons)
3 ships damaged for a total of 22,928 tons
Fate Sunk 16 Dec, 1943 in the Mediterranean near Oran, in position 36.07N, 00.50W, by depth charges and gunfire from the US destroyers USS Woolsey and USS Trippe. 16 dead, 34 survivors.

U-73 sank on 11 Aug, 1942 the British aircraft carrier HMS Eagle in position 38.05N, 03.02E.

Radiogram sent by U-73 on 11 Aug, 1942:

Geleit - 15 Zerstörer und Geleitboote, 2 Kreuzer, 9 bis 10 Frachter, 1 Flugzeugträger, 1 Schlachtschiff wahrscheinlich. Fächerschuß auf Fugzeugträger. Vier Treffer aus 500 Meter Ent- fernung. Starke Sinkgeräusche.
- Alles klar! -
Rosenbaum

Convoy - 15 destroyers and escort ships, 2 cruisers, 9 to 10 freighters, one aircraft carrier, one battleship probably. Fan spread shooting against aircraft carrier. 4 hits from 500 meters distance. Heavy sinking noises.
- All clear! -
Rosenbaum

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

Type	VIIB
Laid down	5 Nov 1939	Vegesacker Werft, Vegesack
Commissioned	30 Sep 1940	Kptlt. Helmut Rosenbaum (Knights Cross)
Commanders	09.40 - 09.42 09.42 - 12.43	Kptlt. Helmut Rosenbaum Oblt. Horst Deckert
Career	15 patrols	09.40 - 01.41 7th Flotilla (Kiel) training 02.41 - 01.42 7th Flotilla (Kiel) St. Nazaire) 01.42 - 12.43 29th Flotilla (La Spezia)
Successes	9 ships sunk for a total of 65,313 tons including the British aircraft-carrier HMS Eagle (22,600 tons) 3 ships damaged for a total of 22,928 tons
Fate	Sunk 16 Dec, 1943 in the Mediterranean near Oran, in position 36.07N, 00.50W, by depth charges and gunfire from the US destroyers USS Woolsey and USS Trippe. 16 dead, 34 survivors.