A striking photograph captures the final battle of German submarine U-118 as Allied carrier aircraft overwhelm the vessel in the Atlantic during the Battle of the Atlantic.
The photograph captures one of the dramatic episodes of the Battle of the Atlantic: the final moments of the German submarine U-118 as it comes under sustained attack from Allied carrier-based aircraft. A long oil slick stretches across the ocean surface, marking the submarine's position after it had attempted to evade destruction beneath the waves.
At first glance, the image appears almost calm. Yet within minutes of its capture, the submarine and much of its crew would disappear beneath the Atlantic.
A Large Supply Submarine:
Unlike the more familiar combat U-boats tasked with attacking Allied shipping, U-118 belonged to a special class of large German supply submarines. These vessels, often referred to by the Allies as "Milk Cows," played a crucial role in extending the operational range of Germany's submarine fleet.
Supply submarines carried fuel, ammunition, spare parts, food, and other essential materials to combat U-boats operating far from European bases. Their destruction became a major objective for Allied naval and air forces because eliminating a single supply boat could cripple the effectiveness of numerous combat submarines.
By 1943, Allied intelligence, radar technology, and carrier aviation had made the Atlantic increasingly dangerous for German submarines.
The Attack of 12 June 1943:
On 12 June 1943, at approximately 13:45, U-118 was detected on the surface of the Atlantic Ocean by four Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bombers operating from the American escort carrier USS Bogue.
The submarine was immediately attacked and suffered damage. Attempting to escape, U-118 submerged, but its position was betrayed by the oil leaking from the damaged hull. The visible oil slick seen in the photograph is evidence of those critical injuries.
Unable to remain underwater, the submarine was eventually forced to surface again. The crew attempted to fight back using anti-aircraft weapons. According to eyewitness accounts, Allied aircraft repeatedly strafed and bombed the vessel. In the photograph, small white figures can reportedly be seen on the deck—likely members of the submarine crew manning their guns during the desperate defense.
The battle was hopeless. Allied aircraft maintained complete control of the situation and continued their attacks until the submarine exploded and sank at approximately 14:08.
A Turning Point in the Battle of the Atlantic:
The destruction of U-118 illustrates how dramatically the balance of power had shifted by mid-1943.
Earlier in the war, German submarines had operated with considerable success against Allied shipping. By 1943, however, long-range patrol aircraft, escort carriers, improved radar, radio intelligence, and increasingly effective anti-submarine tactics were inflicting severe losses on the U-boat arm.
Large supply submarines were particularly vulnerable. Their size made them easier to detect, and their loss deprived multiple combat submarines of logistical support. As more supply boats were sunk, German submarine operations became increasingly restricted.
The destruction of vessels such as U-118 contributed significantly to the eventual Allied victory in the Atlantic campaign.
The Fate of the Crew:
Although the submarine was destroyed, not all aboard perished. Following the sinking, Allied vessels rescued seventeen German sailors from the sea.
For the surviving crewmen, the war continued in captivity. For many others aboard U-118, however, the attack marked the end of their service and their lives in the Atlantic Ocean.
What Makes This Photograph Remarkable:
This image is valuable because it captures not simply a submarine, but a precise moment in a battle already decided by technological and strategic superiority. The oil slick trailing behind the vessel, the visible crew members on deck, and the vast emptiness of the ocean combine to create a powerful visual record of the increasingly desperate situation faced by German submariners in 1943.
Unlike many wartime photographs taken before or after combat, this picture preserves the final minutes of an actual engagement as it unfolded.
Source of information about the photograph: www.nationaalarchief.nl
📍 Photo Location: Atlantic Ocean
📅 Date: June 12, 1943
📷 Photographer: Unknown
Recommended Reading:
- The Battle of the Atlantic — Comprehensive history of the Atlantic naval campaign.
- Hitler's U-Boat War — Detailed study of German submarine operations.
- Black May — Examination of the disastrous period for German U-boats in 1943.
- U-Boats at War — Illustrated history of the German submarine force.
- Aircraft versus Submarine — Analysis of anti-submarine warfare and air power.
- The U-Boat Peril — Overview of submarine warfare in the Atlantic.