German submarine U-171

Unterseeboot 171 (U-171) was one of the World War II German U-Boat submarines stationed in the Gulf of Mexico. It first launched on July 22nd, 1941, under the command of Captain Gunther Pfeffer.

On August 1st, 1942, whiling trolling in the Gulf of Mexico, "U-171" came under attack from an American aircraft, with little damage. For decades it was believed that the U-Boat attacked that day was "U-166", and the credit for the sinking of "U-166" went to that aircraft.

In 2001, the wreckage of "U-166" was discovered just a short distance from its last victim, the SS|Robert E. Lee, meaning that the actual credit for the sinking of "U-166" should have gone to the USS|PC-566, which had reported that they believed they were successful in their depth charge attack on the U-Boat following the U-Boat's successful attack on the "Robert E. Lee", but were believed by investigating officials to have missed. [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/U166.html] [http://www.underwaterarchaeology.org/newsletter_page%203.htm] [http://www.cjchrist.com/contents.htm]

Combat Record

*July 26th 1942, sank SS "Oaxaca", 4,351 tons
*August 13th 1942, sank SS "R. M. Parker Jr.", 6,779 tons
*September 4th 1942, sank SS "Amatlan", 6,511 tons

The "U-171" suffered very little damage inflicted by the American plane, but on its return voyage to Germany it sank in the Bay of Biscay after striking a mine on the way into port, losing 22 of its crew of 54. [http://ubootwaffe.net/ops/boat.cgi?boat=171]

External links

*http://www.uboat.net/boats/u171.htm