The Hunt and Kill of U-173



Here is a general profile of a Type IXC boat.


History of U173:
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
DepartureKiel, Germany 15 June, 42 Operational Area
Mid Atlantic / Azores
End of patrolLorient, France20 Sept, 42

No Successes

2nd patrol - Oblt. Hans-Adolf Schweichel
DepartureLorient, France 1 Nov, 42 Operational Area
Mid & Southern Atlantic
End of patrolSunk16 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 based out of Lorient, France was part of a wolf pack which failed to spot US Task Force 34, and in particular TG 34.9, which was heading for Fedhala, North Africa.

In September 1942, Olzs Hans Schweichel relieved Fkpt. Heinz-Ehler Beuke as Commading Officer of U-173.

U-173 and U-130, part of the wolf pack, caught up to TG 34.9 on November 11, 1942 at Fedhala outside of Casablanca harbor, sinking the Troop Transports:
Joseph Hewes,Hugh Scott,Edward Rutledge, and Tasher Bliss.

Fortunately, the transports had already offloaded their troops ashore and most of their cargo. U-173 then torpedoed, and thus heavily damaged, the Oiler Winooski and our sister ship, USS Hambleton DD455. On 15 November, 1942, the U-173 got her last kill by sinking the US Cargo ship Electra 17 miles north of Fedhala.

On 16 November, 1942, USS Woolsey caught the scent of U-173 and began a series of depth charge attacks that resulted in U-173 going deep to invade the lethal blows. With Woosley clear, USS Swanson DD443 and USS Quick DD490 entered the fray and pounded U-173 with more salvos of depth charges. Post-war records show that USS Swanson, USS Woolsey,and USS Quick sank U-173 that day with a loss of life of all 57 German submariners. The tide against the German submarine menace was soon to change in the Allies favor as our Hunter-Killer teams were learning how to counter this threat.

Swanson's daily log states:

Monday 16 Nov. 1942 0830-1300

Steaming as before in outer screen of formation. On course 150 degrees T at 15kts. 0-846 Changed speed to 10kts. 0915 Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples. Condition normal. 0918 Patrolling assigned sector 20,000 yards from Breakwater on alternate course 000 degrees 180 degrees. 1227 Proceeding to investigate sound contact bearing 120 degrees T. 1247 Dropped three 600lb and three 300lb depth charges in 30 fathoms of water Latitude 33-38 N Longitude 08-40W. Proceeding to regain contact on various courses and speeds, contact doubtful.

A.M. Purdy, Lt. USN.

Monday 16 Nov. 1942 1300-1500

1340 Lost contact. 1402 sound contact bearing 015 degrees T. 1700 yards. 1405 Dropped three 600lb depth charges and two 300 lb depth charges in 18 fathoms of water. 1420 Dropped three 600 lb depth charges and two 300 lb charges in Lat. 33-42 N and Long 08-32W.

Action Report from 16 Nov. 1942 :

Ship on ASW patrol just outside entrance to Casablanca, French Morocco. U-boats known to have been in area. This contact developed and attacked by USS Woolsey who reported excellent contact, movement, and on course 060 degrees true, bubbles, and some oil after attacking. After Woolsey attacked 3 times, this ship attacked once with five charges centered on a continuous stream of bubbles. Bubbles are moving but relative speed and doppler radar indicated target stopped. Movement of bubbles may have been caused by current. Although the echo is sharp and well defined, relative speed was unreadable. After attack the contact was turned over to the USS Quick for investigation using her SMSD (Anti-Submarine Magnetic Detector). Results were obtained by Quick. The target attacked is believed, absence of evidence to the contrary, to have been non-sub--probable wreck.

LCDR L.M. Markham, USN, CO of USS Swanson DD443

Post-war records revealed that U-173 was sunk at the approximate coordinates explained above. Therefore the U.S. Navy Department gave credit to the Woolsey, Swanson, and Quick team.

Related Information:

Below are pages from the German Archives regarding U-173, her history, and crew. Please click the picture below to view:








Back to Swanson action page



Surfaced U-boat.