U-128

Type

IXC

Ordered

7 Aug 1939

Laid down

10 Jul 1940

AG Weser, Bremen (werk 991)

Launched

20 Feb 1941

Commissioned

12 May 1941

Kptlt. Ullrich Heyse (Knights Cross)

Commanders

12 May 1941	-	28 Feb 1943		Kptlt. Ulrich Heyse (Knights Cross)
1 Mar 1943	-	17 May 1943		Oblt. Hermann Steinert

Career
6 patrols

12 May 1941	-	30 Nov 1941	2. Flottille (training)
1 Dec 1941	-	17 May 1943	2. Flottille (active service)

Successes

12 ships sunk, total tonnage 83,639 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 17 May 1943 in the South Atlantic south of Recife, Brazil, in position 10.00S, 35.35W, by depth charges from two US Mariner aircraft (VP-74 USN/P-5 & P-6) and gunfire from the US destroyers USS Moffett and USS Jouett. 7 dead and 47 survivors.

Loss position

See the 12 ships hit by U-128 - View the 6 war patrols

Attacks on this boat and other events

7 Mar 1942
17.03 hrs, 150 miles south of Bermuda: the boat dived when two PBM Mariner flying boats (USN VP-74) appeared from low cloud. The first aircraft released two depth charges set for 50 feet (15m) just as the U-boat stern disappeared, but they were duds. A second pair of depth charges were then dropped in a second attack run, followed by two more from the other aircraft. U-128 escaped undamaged and remained submerged until dusk. (Sources: ONI)

16 May 1943
U-128 was attacked by an American Mariner aircraft (USN VP-74 / P-2) off Bahia. 12 bombs fell wide, and the boat escaped undamaged (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 223)

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-128 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.