U-509

Type

IXC

Ordered

20 Oct 1939

Laid down

1 Nov 1940

Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg (werk 305)

Launched

19 Aug 1941

Commissioned

4 Nov 1941

Korvkpt. Karl-Heinz Wolff

Commanders

4 Nov 1941	-	Sep, 1942		KrvKpt. Karl-Heinz Wolff
Sep, 1942	-	15 Jul 1943		KrvKpt. Werner Witte (German Cross in Gold)

Career
4 patrols

4 Nov 1941	-	30 Jun 1942	4. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1942	-	15 Jul 1943	10. Flottille (active service)

Successes

5 ships sunk, total tonnage 29,091 GRT
3 ships damaged, total tonnage 20,014 GRT
1 ship a total loss, total tonnage 7,129 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 15 July 1943 in the North Atlantic south of the Azores, in position 34.02N, 26.01W, by a Fido homing torpedo from an Avenger aircraft (VC-29 USN/T-12), assisted by a Wildcat aircraft (VC-29 USN/F-7), of the US escort carrier USS Santee. 54 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 9 ships hit by U-509 - View the 4 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-509 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Streitaxt (20 Oct 1942 - 2 Nov 1942)
Schlagetot (9 Nov 1942 - 15 Nov 1942)

Attacks on this boat and other events

11 Nov 1942
While operating against the Allied Torch landings off Morocco the boat operated for three days in waters less than 200 ft (61m) deep, and Witte reported being constantly bombed and depth charged by Allied surface vessels and aircraft. Damage forced her to move to deeper water and then to France. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 108)

10 Feb 1943
After sinking the British merchantman Queen Anne, U-509 was fired on by ASW trawler HMS St. Zeno, which also dropped seven depth charges before the boat managed to escape. No damage. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 229)

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-509 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.