U-517 Delivers Two Weeks of Carnage in the Atlantic
How one U-boat wreaked havoc on Canadian convoys in the early days of World War II.
When The Atlantic Belonged to U-Boats
The treacherous nature of the Atlantic Ocean during World War II has been extensively documented. We've showcased the immense challenges faced by both the Allies at the onset of the war.
In this time, one German U-boat emerged as a formidable force - U-517. Over the course of a gripping two-week period in late August and early September 1942, U-517 encountered a series of Canadian convoys, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
Positioned for Success
Led by the audacious and highly skilled Captain Schmolte, U-517 proved to be a force to be reckoned with. Renowned for his aggressive tactics and ability to evade detection, Schmolte confidently navigated the Atlantic. Having successfully maneuvered through the perilous gap between Iceland and the Faroe Islands, U-517 was poised for extraordinary success.
After manuevering the gap between Iceland and the Faroe Islands, U-517 snuck into an Allied shipping lane near the Gulf of St. Lawrence. U-517 struck a severe blow by sinking the American troopship, the Chatham.
Unbeknownst to the Germans, another convoy had previously encountered a different German U-boat, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation. Just one day after sending the Chatham to the seafloor, U-517 attacked and sank three more convoy ships, leaving the Canadian forces in a state of shock.
Only A Few Days Off
After a brief detour up the St. Lawrence River, U-517 returned to the coast in search of additional convoys. It was there that they intercepted two coastal convoys comprised of Canadian ships. The stage was set, pitting U-517 against the members of the Canadian Navy.
In another encounter, U-517 succeeded in sinking the Donald Stewart, forcing the Canadian escort, HMSC Weybrun, to launch a desperate attempt to ram the German sub. However, U-517 swiftly dived below the surface, and evaded the ensuing onslaught of depth charges.
The days that followed were filled with a tense game of cat and mouse, as U-517 constantly outmaneuvered and eluded relentless depth charge attacks. On September 7th, yet another Canadian convoy sailed into the clutches of U-517. With ruthless efficiency, the German U-boat sank three ships within the convoy.
Another Day, Another Convoy
On September 15th, another convoy crossed paths with U-517. Battle-tested and prepared for the encounter, U-517 unleashed its fury. They sank two more ships and further cemented its reputation as a formidable adversary. In a span of two weeks, U-517 had sunk a staggering total of nine ships.
U-517's success impressive. Much of it can be attributed to the inexperience of the Canadian Navy's convoy escorts. As a relatively small and inexperienced force, the Canadian Navy faced a daunting challenge in anti-submarine warfare. For them, it was baptism by fire, with lessons learned through the crucible of battle.
U-517’s Run Ends
But every reign of terror eventually meets its end. U-517's luck ran out off the coast of Spain. There it encountered a group of British destroyers. In a swift and decisive attack, the destroyers successfully sank U-517. This also marked a significant turning point in the war.
The encounter with U-517 and other U-boats prompted the Allies to reevaluate their strategies and adapt to the evolving threat of submarine warfare. U-boats, once considered invincible, became increasingly vulnerable, leading to a transformation in the balance of power. And ultimately, Allied reclamation of the Atlantic.
History for the Hurried:
May 17, 1792: Two dozen merchants and brokers established the New York Stock Exchange. In good weather they operated under a buttonwood tree on Wall Street. In bad weather they moved inside to a coffeehouse to conduct business.
May 20, 1862: President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act opening millions of acres of government owned land in the West to "homesteaders" who could acquire up to 160 acres by living on the land and cultivating it for five years, paying just $1.25 per acre.