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U BOATS SUNK IN SOUTH ATLANTIC - U 128 / U 1062

8)U-161

Ordered - 25 Sep 1939

Laid down - 23 Mar 1940 Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG, Bremen (werk 700)

Launched - 1 mar 1941

Commissioned - 8 Jul 1941 Kptlt. Hans-Ludwig Witt (Knights Cross)

Commanders -

8 Jul 1941 - 30 Nov 1941 KptLt. Hans-Ludwig Witt (Knights Cross)

1 Dec 1941 - 31 Dec 1941 Kptlt. Hans-Ludwig Witt (Knights Cross)

1 Jan 1942 - 27 Sep 1943 KptLt. Albrecht Achilles ( Knights Cross)

Career

6 patrols 8 Jul 1941 - 31 Dec 1941 4. Flotille (training)

1 Jan 1942 - 27 Sep 1943 2. Flotille (active service)

Successes

12 ships sunk, total tonnage 60,107 GRT

1 warship sunk, total tonnage 1,130

5 ships damaged, total tonnage 35,672 GRT

1 warship damaged, total tonnage 5,450 tons

1 ship a total loss, total tonnage 3,305 GRT

Fate - Sunk on 27 September 1943 in the South Atlantic some 130 miles east of Salvador Bahia, Brazil, in position 12.30S, 35.35W, by depth charges from a US Mariner aircraft (VP-74 USN/P-2). 53 dead (all hands lost).

By www.uboat.net

THE SINKING OF U 161

Mariner P 2 from VP 74 was flying a barrier sweep in vicinity of DF obtained the previous evening. At 10:50 the radar operator Bealer, reported a ship bearing 8º to port, range 68 miles. Plane was on course 091º T, speed 110 kt, altitude 4500 ft. Closing range, the wake of a submarine was first sighted visually by the 2nd pilot about 18 miles dead ahead, his course at right angles to ours, headed to our right.

Battle stations were manned, as we immediately increase speed and commenced a shallow turn to left to take advantage of the sun, as well as to get in position for a stern attack. No clouds were in the area. I believe we were sighted at this time. About 7 to 8 miles distant the sub opened fire while in left turn apparently attempting to bring his after guns to bear on us. (This was puzzling as the past the subs usually turned to present a beam target. ) The shells were exploding short, leaving white puffs in a line across our course.

As we came within range, approximately 3 or 4 miles distant, some large brown puffs could be seen. The gunners were very accurate and the explosions made the air very turbulent. The bow gunner opened fire at about 3000 yards, the fire was falling short, getting on the target as the range closed. LT (jg) FERGERSON, co pilot, dropped a string of 6 MK 44 Torpex filled D/C’s as I passed over or just forward of the conning tower from sub’s Port quarter at an angle of about 20º from stern between 75 and 100 feet altitude, airspeed 185 kts. I made a sharp left turn.

Sub appeared to to be just emerging from bomb slick, most of which seemed to be on starboard side of sub’s track. The sub started to turning right. When the plane was broadside, the sub again opened fire, the shells exploding off our port side. After reaching 800 ft altitude, I gave orders to standby and commenced 2nd attack. During this run, the fire was heavier and more accurate.

We were hit just forward of the galley door by a shell that exploded just as it struck. Ensign BRETT, was emerging from bombing compartment after having reset the intervalometer, as was severely wounded by shrapnel and aluminum from this shell, as was radioman BEALER. At this time I did not know that BEALER was hit nor where or how badly the plane was damaged. LT (jg) FERGERSON dropped the remaining two bombs and the plane passed directly over the target from stern to bow at about 165 knots at 150 feet altitude. I immediately gained altitude believing there was a possibility that my engines or fuel tanks were damaged.

Ensign LARSON, navigator, carried Ens. BRETT back aft to a bunk where LARSEN administered first aid. BEALER was sending F. C.’s and the flight engineer reported that we were hit in many places and that our inverter line was shot away, putting our electrical instruments out of commission just before reaching 2500’ altitude a which I leveled of, I glanced back and noticed that BEALER, was wounded in his right leg. He was still at station helping Ensign LARSON with the amplifying report and had never reported being hit.

After checking Ensign BRETT’s injuries, and the damage to plane, I realized he needed medical attention quickly. Although we were out of range at this time, the sub kept up a continuous fire. It maneuvered erratically after the second attack and the speed was noticeably reduced. It squared away an straight course of 140º T and submerged at 11:22P. I flew over the swirl and dropped D/C marker and then departed to base.

Source Cap. Jerry Mason. USN. Ret www.uboatarchive.net

One of the shrewdest commanders of the U Boat Arm, the tiny strategist Albrecht Achilles sent to the bottom 18 ships, 6 of them in the South Atlantic. Benalder, West Humhaw, Tjileboet, Ripley, St. Usk and Itapagé. The others were: Angelus, British Consul, Mokihana, Circe Shell, Lihue, Uniwaleco, Lady Nelson, Umtata, Sarniadoc, USS Acacia, Nueva Altagracia, San Pablo, Fairport, and Phoebe.