Name U-119 Yard number 624 Commissioned 2 April 1942 Launched 6 January 1942 | Ordered 7 August 1939 Laid down 15 May 1940 Construction started 15 May 1940 Draft 4.71 m | |
Fate Sunk on 24 June 1943 by a British warship Builder Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft Part of 2nd U-boat Flotilla, 1st U-boat Flotilla | ||
German submarine U-119 was a Type XB minelaying U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was laid down at the Germaniawerft in Kiel on 15 May 1940 as yard number 624. She was launched on 6 January 1942 and commissioned under Kapitänleutnant Alois Zech on 2 April 1942, he was replaced by Kptlt. Horst-Tessen von Kameke on 1 February 1943, who remained in command until her loss.
Contents
U-119's service career began with the 4th U-boat Flotilla on 2 April 1942 where she underwent training. She was declared operational on 1 February 1943 when she moved over to the 12th flotilla.
Operational career
The boat made a short run from Kiel to Frederikshaven in Denmark and back between 4 August 1942 and the 10th.
1st patrol
Her first patrol commenced with her departure from Kiel on 6 February 1943. She crossed the North Sea and skirted the northern coast of Iceland, arriving at Bordeaux in occupied France on 1 April.
2nd patrol and loss
U-119 was unsuccessfully attacked on 29 April 1943 by a Short Sunderland flying boat of 461 Squadron RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force). The boat sustained no damage but one man was killed.
She sank Halma on 3 June east of Halifax, Nova Scotia and damaged John A. Poor on 27 July. Both ships were attacked with mines laid by U-119 on 1 June.
U-119 was sunk by a combination of depth charges, gunfire and ramming from HMS Starling on 24 June 1943.