U-217

Type

VIID

Ordered

16 Feb 1940

Laid down

30 Jan 1941

F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 649)

Launched

15 Nov 1941

Commissioned

31 Jan 1942

Oblt. Kurt Reichenbach-Klinke

Commanders

31 Jan 1942

5 Jun 1943

Kptlt. Kurt Reichenbach-Klinke

Career
3 patrols

31 Jan 1942	-	31 Jul 1942	5. Flottille (training)
1 Aug 1942	-	5 Jun 1943	9. Flottille (active service)

Successes

3 ships sunk, total tonnage 10,651 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 5 June 1943 in the North Atlantic south-west of the Azores, in position 30.18N, 42.50W, by depth charges from an Avenger aircraft (VC-9 USN/T-11), assisted by a Wildcat aircraft (VC-9 USN/F-13), of the US escort carrier USS Bogue. 50 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 3 ships hit by U-217 - View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-217 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Pirat (30 Jul 1942 - 3 Aug 1942)
Trutz (1 Jun 1943 - 5 Jun 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

19 Aug 1942
Shortly after shelling the schooner Sea Gull D, 60 miles off Caracas, Venezuela, U-217 dived at 21.30 hrs to evade an aircraft which strafed the submerging U-boat and then dropped four depth charges. Two more aircraft arrived shortly afterwards, one of which attacked the U-boat when she surfaced at 23.45 hrs, dropping three more depth charges. U-217 was damaged, but was able to continue after carrying out repairs. (Sources: Ritschel)

1 recorded attack 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-217 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.