The Sinking of U-166

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German submarine U-166 was a Type IXC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 6 December 1940 at the Seebeckwerft (part of Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG, Deschimag) at Wesermünde (modern Bremerhaven) as yard number 705, launched on 1 November 1941, and commissioned on 23 March 1942 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Günther Kuhlmann. After training with the 4th U-boat Flotilla, U-166 was transferred to the 10th U-boat Flotilla for front-line service on 1 June 1942. The U-boat sailed on only two war patrols and sank four ships totalling 7,593 gross register tons (GRT). She was sunk on 30 July 1942 in the Gulf of Mexico.

#ww2 #wwii #uboat #submarine #navy #history

[dhhudson]

Great story, but it's only half the story. If memory serves, the commander of the patrol boat that sank U-166 was actually reprimanded by the navy for claiming the sinking of a u-boat. As I recall, he was relieved of his command and sent for re-training. It took years after finding the wrecks of the Robert E Lee and U-166 that the navy acknowledged its error and (posthumously) corrected the commander's service record.

[brooksbrown]

During WW2 My Grandfather and Grandmother were on a Passenger Ship only 150 miles from The Louisiana Coast, they were out on deck one sunny day just relaxing, drinking, and off the Port Bow a German Sub a U-Boat Surfaced about 100 yards out! They could not believe it! They at first thought it was an American Sub, but looking closer at the Sub they realized it was a German U-Boat! The Captain of the Passenger Ship told the Passenger's to get ready to go into the water, that this German Sub was probably going to either fire at the ship, or launch a Torpedo's at it, everyone got on life jackets, they started to lower the ships small boats, getting ready to abandon ship, but the German Sub, The men on deck just watched the ship, My Grandfather had Binocular's and he said he could see them clear as could be, then The Germans just waved at them, took pictures, and all of The Germans went down in the Hatches, and then the U-Boat Submerged, just like that! They were not interested in this Passenger Ship, lucky for the passenger's and crew, my Grand Dad would laugh years later and say " Your Grand Ma and I " were face to face with the Germans, !

[terrymurphy]

Reminds me of the USS Ward at PearlnHarbor. Had to wait for many years to set the record straight. Belated Congrats to PC 566.

[paulmasterson]

The Royal Navy warned the Americans about U boats and advised them to introduce protected convoys. The US Navy ignored them. 40 sinkings later they grudgingly admitted us British were right. 🇬🇧

[claiborneeastjr]

U-166 is the only U-boat sunk in the Gulf of Mexico. During 1942, U-boats sunk 56 Allied merchant ships between Galveston and the Straits of Florida. That's a long ride from Germany for U-boats, which were not built for creature comfort. Brave men, all.

[JUNKERS]

I am a 5th. Generation Conch and Captain of over 40 plus years. I have taken plenty of trips down to the the fort. It is where they IN prisoned Dr. S. Mudd the doctor set John Wilkes Booths leg after he killed the president. You can visit his cell and the troops at the fort let him walk around freely because he helped them survive malaria. I fellow Captain Billy Deans found the German freighter "The Rhine" and was a pioneer in deep water wreck diving and tri mix. Great video. Thanks for all your hard work.

[bwilliams]

US Govt refused to black out cities because of fears about civilian morale. Didn't do any favors for Merchant Marine morale, though. I don't know how some minds can so easily justify condemning sailors to certain death for an intangible.

[dfxl]

My Fathers ship HMS Phoebe was torpedoed by the U161 off the coast of Cote de Voire, West Africa with the loss of over 50 men. Must have been out of the Bremen ship yard just before this boat.

U-161 was attacked and sunk by a PBM of VP-74 from the Seaplane base at Aratu Brazil on September 27, 1943.

[daystatesniper]

I truly enjoyed this video thank you .

[MarkElzey-xkkj]

Type lX subs were equipped with 10.5 cm deck guns, Type Vll carried 8.8 cm cannon

[johnschofield]

U-171, reminds me of the climax scene in Das Boot.

[derekrohan]

“ out of the 407 people on board 25 10 crewmen and 15 passengers survived “ What the hell is 25 10 ?

[jimcarney]

So, the patrol plane that dropped the single 350lb depth charge failed to sink anything even though it had been wrongly credited with the sinking of U166? And U171 that was actually the sub targeted by the patrol plane eventually struck a mine just off the coast of France when returning home. I’ve listened to this video twice trying to sort this out. Getting old sucks!

[svenerikjohansson]

A lot of interesting historical facts..

[bilplaymo]

wow Mexico Gulf ! yes U boot were well everywhere : Canada have also sinked u boot in their waters..Wow a real historical piece, dream of make it out of water, and restore it for a museum....thanks for sharing : )

[westfale]

Between January 1942 and June 1942, a few German U-boats sank 397 ships off the coast of North America. It was only through the late introduction of the convoy system that the losses decreased. This was the biggest defeat of the US Navy in its history. which can be traced back to the complete failure of the US naval leadership in this area.

[markgarin]

Sailing boat....and a shipment of onions....what a killer.
But what did the aircraft attack? So what happened to u-171?

[ristube]

0:29 My god it’s buried up to its deck!

[online]

Nobody ever talks about u-boat ops in the Gulf of Mexico during the war. I wonder why that is?

[christinebridges]

Wow, I wonder if it drove itself into the mud that far, or was it deposited over time? Sure wish they'd locate Surcouf.