Uboat-b118 -

U-118 served with the 4th U-boat Flotilla for training before moving to the 10th Flotilla for active duty in late 1942. Its career was relatively brief, consisting of only four patrols.

1,763 tons (surfaced) / 2,710 tons (submerged).

Eight aircraft (Avengers and Wildcats) coordinated a strike using depth charges and machine-gun fire. uboat-b118

On June 12, 1943, U-118 was intercepted by Allied aircraft from the escort carrier USS Bogue in the central Atlantic.

Of the crew, 16 men survived the initial explosion and were rescued by the escorting destroyer USS Osmond Ingram . They were subsequently taken as prisoners of war. Historical Significance U-118 served with the 4th U-boat Flotilla for

Its primary mission involved laying minefields off the coast of Africa and in the Mid-Atlantic to disrupt Allied convoy routes. The Sinking of U-118

U-118 remains a primary example used by naval historians to illustrate the effectiveness of Allied "Hunter-Killer" groups. The combination of carrier-based aviation and surface escorts fundamentally shifted the Battle of the Atlantic, making large, slow minelayers like the Type XB extremely vulnerable. Eight aircraft (Avengers and Wildcats) coordinated a strike

The boat is credited with sinking three merchant ships (totaling over 14,000 GRT) and damaging the British corvette HMS Sunflower .