U-225
Date of Action: 21 February 1943
USCG Units Involved: USS Spencer, CG
Sinking/Capture/Assist? Sinking
Location: 51.25N x 27.28W
Credit by U.S. Navy? Yes
Enemy Warship's Commanding Officer: Oberleutnant zur See Wolfgang Leimkuhler
Enemy Casualties: 46 killed in action; no survivors
USCG Casualties: None
Misc: Credit under question by Royal Navy; see below.
Details/Updates:
After World War II, the USCGC Spencer received credit by the US Navy for attacking and sinking the U-225, a Type VII U-boat, in the North Atlantic on 21 February 1943. Spencer was the flagship of the escort group, Task Force 24, Unit 24.1.3, escorting convoy ON-166. The British have since recorded that the U-225 was actually destroyed by the Liberator "S" of RAF No. 120 Squadron on 15 February 1943 and they have changed the official British records to reflect this change.**
The renowned German historian, Dr. Jurgen Rohwer states that the Spencer "probably" attacked and sank the U-529 on this date, although the Spencer has not received official credit from the US Navy for that sinking.
**Our thanks to Mr. A. Austin for bringing this correction to our attention.
For further information, see:
J. Rohwer and G. Hummelchen. Chronology of the War At Sea: 1939-1945: The Naval History of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1992, p. 194.
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