The boat is credited with sinking three merchant ships (totaling over 14,000 GRT) and damaging the British corvette HMS Sunflower .
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. uboat-b118
1,763 tons (surfaced) / 2,710 tons (submerged). The boat is credited with sinking three merchant
The Type XB was the largest class of German U-boats, designed primarily as ocean-going minelayers. 1,763 tons (surfaced) / 2,710 tons (submerged)
Equipped with 66 SMA mines, two stern torpedo tubes, and a 10.5 cm deck gun.
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.
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