Ships hit by U-boats


Leopoldville

Belgian Troop transport



Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection

NameLeopoldville
Type:Troop transport
Tonnage11,509 tons
Completed1929 - John Cockerill SA, Hoboken, Antwerp 
OwnerCompagnie Maritime Belge (Lloyd Royal) SA, Antwerp 
HomeportAntwerp 
Date of attack24 Dec 1944Nationality:      Belgian
 
FateSunk by U-486 (Gerhard Meyer)
Position49° 45'N, 1° 34'W - Grid BF 3553
Complement2374 (819 dead and 1555 survivors).
ConvoyWEP-3
RouteSouthampton (24 Dec) - Cherbourg 
Cargo2235 troops and war material 
History Completed in August 1929 as Belgian steam passenger ship Leopoldville. 1937 lengthened. In May 1940 converted by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) to a troop transport. 
Notes on event

At 17.54 hours on 24 Dec 1944 the Leopoldville (Master Charles Limbor) in convoy WEP-3 was hit by one of two torpedoes from U-486 about five miles off Cherbourg and sank over the stern at 20.40 hours. The ship carried 2235 officers and ratings of the US 66th Infantry Division and a crew of 139 men. The master, 55 crew members and 763 soldiers were lost.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 874 people who were on board


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Media links


S.S. Leopoldville Disaster

Andrade, Allan


A Night before Christmas

Sanders, Jacquin

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats



As an Amazon Associate uboat.net earns a commission from qualifying purchases.