Feb 23, 2009

Operation Drumbeat



(uboat.net) - With the japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbour on Dec 7, 1941 Hitler was bound by a promise to Japan to also declare war on the US. He did so promptly on Dec 11 and after that all restrictions on German U-boats (which had been attacked and hunted by US convoy escorts in the North Atlantic for the last 5-6 months of 1941 anyway without permission to attack the US escorts) not to attack American shipping were removed. This opened up a whole new field for Dönitz which immediately drew up plans for a devastatingly swift blow on the US eastern seaboard. Continued


Chronology of Attacks off the East Coast of the United States (Wikipedia)

  • 14 January - Panamanian tanker Norness sunk by U-123 at 40°26′24″N 70°54′29″W / 40.44°N 70.908°W / 40.44; -70.908 (Norness sunk by U-123)[2]
  • 18 January - United States tanker Allan Jackson sunk by U-66 at 35°57′N 74°20′W / 35.95°N 74.33°W / 35.95; -74.33 (23 of 35 crewmen perish)[3]
  • 18 January - United States tanker Malay damaged by U-123 at 35°25′N 75°23′W / 35.42°N 75.38°W / 35.42; -75.38 (5 crewmen perish)[3]
  • 19 January - United States steamship City of Atlanta sunk by German submarineU-123 at 35°42′N 75°21′W / 35.7°N 75.35°W / 35.7; -75.35 (43 of 46 crewmen perish)[3]
  • 19 January - Canadian steamship Lady Hawkins sunk by U-66 at 35°00′N 72°30′W / 35.0°N 72.5°W / 35.0; -72.5[3]
  • 22 January - United States freighter Norvana sunk by U-123 south of Cape Hatteras (no survivors)[4]
  • 23 January - United States collier Venore sunk by U-66 at 35°50′N 75°20′W / 35.83°N 75.33°W / 35.83; -75.33 (17 of 41 crewmen perish)[4]
  • 25 January - United States tanker Olney damaged by U-125 at 37°55′N 74°56′W / 37.92°N 74.93°W / 37.92; -74.93[4]
  • 26 January - United States freighter West Ivis sunk by U-125 (all 45 crewmen perish)[4]
  • 27 January - United States tanker Francis E. Powell sunk by U-130 at 37°45′N 74°53′W / 37.75°N 74.88°W / 37.75; -74.88 (4 of 32 crewmen perish)[5]
  • 27 January - United States tanker Halo damaged by U-130 at 35°33′N 75°20′W / 35.55°N 75.33°W / 35.55; -75.33[5]
  • 30 January - United States tanker Rochester sunk by U-106 at 37°10′N 73°58′W / 37.17°N 73.97°W / 37.17; -73.97 (3 of 32 crewmen perish)[5]
  • 31 January - British tanker San Arcadio sunk by U-107 at 38°10′N 63°50′W / 38.17°N 63.83°W / 38.17; -63.83[5]
  • 31 January - British tanker Tacoma Star sunk by U-109 at 37°33′N 69°21′W / 37.55°N 69.35°W / 37.55; -69.35[5]
  • 2 February - United States tanker W.L.Steed sunk by U-103 at 38°25′N 72°43′W / 38.42°N 72.72°W / 38.42; -72.72 (34 of 38 crewmen perish)[6]
  • 3 February - Panamanian freighter San Gil sunk by U-103 at 38°05′N 74°40′W / 38.08°N 74.67°W / 38.08; -74.67 (2 of 40 crewmen perish)[6]
  • 4 February - United States tanker India Arrow sunk by U-103 at 38°48′N 73°40′W / 38.8°N 73.67°W / 38.8; -73.67 (26 of 38 crewmen perish)[6]
  • 5 February - United States tanker China Arrow sunk by U-103 at 38°44′N 73°18′W / 38.73°N 73.30°W / 38.73; -73.30[6]
  • 6 February - United States freighter Major Wheeler sunk by U-107 (all 35 crewmen perish)[7]
  • 8 February - British freighter Ocean Venture sunk by U-108 at 37°05′N 74°45′W / 37.08°N 74.75°W / 37.08; -74.75[7]
  • 10 February - Canadian tanker Victolite sunk by U-564 at 36°12′N 67°14′W / 36.2°N 67.23°W / 36.2; -67.23[7]
  • 15 February - Brazilian steamship Buarque sunk by U-432 at 36°35′N 75°20′W / 36.58°N 75.33°W / 36.58; -75.33[8]
  • 18 February - Brazilian tanker Olinda sunk by U-432 at 37°30′N 75°00′W / 37.5°N 75.0°W / 37.5; -75.0[9]
  • 19 February - United States tanker Pan Massachusetts sunk by U-128 at 28°27′N 80°08′W / 28.45°N 80.13°W / 28.45; -80.13 (20 of 38 crewmen perish)[9]
  • 20 February - United States freighter Azalea City sunk by U-432 at 38°00′N 73°00′W / 38.0°N 73.0°W / 38.0; -73.0 (All of 38 crewmen perish)[10]
  • 21 February - United States tanker Republic sunk by U-504 at 27°05′N 80°15′W / 27.08°N 80.25°W / 27.08; -80.25 (5 of 29 crewmen perish)[10]
  • 22 February - United States tanker Cities Service Empire sunk by U-128 at 28°00′N 80°16′W / 28.0°N 80.27°W / 28.0; -80.27 (14 of 50 crewmen perish)[10]
  • 22 February - United States tanker W.D.Anderson sunk by U-504 at 27°09′N 79°56′W / 27.15°N 79.93°W / 27.15; -79.93 (35 of 36 crewmen perish)[10]
  • 26 February - United States bulk carrier Marore sunk by U-432 at 35°33′N 74°58′W / 35.55°N 74.97°W / 35.55; -74.97[11]
  • 26 February - United States tanker R.P.Resor sunk by U-578 at 39°47′N 73°26′W / 39.78°N 73.43°W / 39.78; -73.43 (47 of 49 crewmen perish)[11]
  • 28 February - United States destroyer Jacob Jones sunk by U-578 at 38°42′N 74°39′W / 38.70°N 74.65°W / 38.70; -74.65[11]
  • 7 March - United States freighter Barbara sunk by U-126 at 20°00′N 73°56′W / 20.00°N 73.93°W / 20.00; -73.93[12]
  • 7 March - United States freighter Cardonia sunk by U-126 at 19°53′N 73°27′W / 19.88°N 73.45°W / 19.88; -73.45[12]
  • 7 March - Brazilian steamship Arbabutan sunk by U-155 at 35°15′N 73°55′W / 35.25°N 73.92°W / 35.25; -73.92[12]
  • 9 March - Brazilian steamship Cayru sunk by U-94 at 39°10′N 72°02′W / 39.16°N 72.03°W / 39.16; -72.03[12]
  • 10 March - United States tanker Gulftrade sunk by U-588 at 39°50′N 73°52′W / 39.84°N 73.87°W / 39.84; -73.87[13]
  • 11 March - United States freighter Texan sunk by U-126 at 21°32′N 76°24′W / 21.53°N 76.4°W / 21.53; -76.4[13]
  • 11 March - United States freighter Caribsea sunk by U-158 at 34°40′N 76°10′W / 34.67°N 76.16°W / 34.67; -76.16[13]
  • 12 March - United States tanker John D. Gill sunk by U-158 at 35°55′N 77°39′W / 35.92°N 77.65°W / 35.92; -77.65 (4 crewmen perish)[13]
  • 12 March - United States freighter Olga sunk by U-126 at 23°39′N 77°00′W / 23.65°N 77.0°W / 23.65; -77.0[13]
  • 12 March - United States freighter Colabee damaged by U-126 at 22°14′N 77°35′W / 22.23°N 77.58°W / 22.23; -77.58[13]
  • 13 March - United States schooner Albert F. Paul sunk by U-332 at 26°00′N 72°00′W / 26.0°N 72.0°W / 26.0; -72.0 (no survivors)[13]
  • 13 March - Chilean freighter Tolten sunk by U-404 at 40°10′N 73°50′W / 40.16°N 73.84°W / 40.16; -73.84 (15 of 16 crewmen perish)[13]
  • 14 March - United States collier Lemuel Burrows sunk by U-404 at 39°12′N 74°16′W / 39.20°N 74.27°W / 39.20; -74.27[13]
  • 15 March - United States tanker Ario sunk by U-158 at 34°20′N 76°39′W / 34.33°N 76.65°W / 34.33; -76.65 (7 of 36 crewmen perish)[13]
  • 15 March - United States tanker Olean sunk by U-158 at 34°24′N 76°29′W / 34.40°N 76.48°W / 34.40; -76.48[13]
  • 16 March - United States tanker Australia sunk by U-332 at 35°07′N 75°22′W / 35.12°N 75.37°W / 35.12; -75.37[13]
  • 16 March - British tanker San Demetrio sunk by U-404 at 37°03′N 73°50′W / 37.05°N 73.84°W / 37.05; -73.84[14]
  • 17 March - United States tanker Acme damaged by U-124 at 35°06′N 76°40′W / 35.1°N 76.67°W / 35.1; -76.67[14]
  • 17 March - Greek freighter Kassandra Louloudi sunk by U-124 four mile off Diamond Shoals gas buoy[14]
  • 17 March - Honduran freighter Ceiba sunk by U-124 at 35°43′N 73°49′W / 35.72°N 73.82°W / 35.72; -73.82[14]
  • 18 March - United States tanker E.M.Clark sunk by U-124 at 34°50′N 75°35′W / 34.84°N 75.58°W / 34.84; -75.58[14]
  • 18 March - United States tanker Papoose sunk by U-124 at 34°17′N 76°39′W / 34.28°N 76.65°W / 34.28; -76.65[14]
  • 18 March - United States tanker W.E.Hutton sunk by U-332 at 34°05′N 76°40′W / 34.08°N 76.67°W / 34.08; -76.67 (13 of 36 crewmen perish)[14]
  • 19 March - United States freighter Liberator sunk by U-332 at 35°05′N 75°30′W / 35.08°N 75.50°W / 35.08; -75.50 (5 crewmen perish)[14]
  • 20 March - United States tanker Oakmar sunk by U-71 at 36°21′N 68°50′W / 36.35°N 68.84°W / 36.35; -68.84 (6 of 36 crewmen perish)[14]
  • 21 March - United States tanker Esso Nashville sunk by U-124 at 33°35′N 77°22′W / 33.58°N 77.37°W / 33.58; -77.37[14]
  • 21 March - United States tanker Atlantic Sun damaged by U-124[14]
  • 22 March - United States tanker Naeco sunk by U-124 at 33°59′N 76°40′W / 33.98°N 76.67°W / 33.98; -76.67 (24 of 39 crewmen perish)[14]
  • 25 March - Dutch tanker Ocana sunk by U-552 at 42°36′N 64°25′W / 42.6°N 64.42°W / 42.6; -64.42[14]
  • 26 March - United States Q-ship USS Atik sunk by U-123 at 36°00′N 70°00′W / 36.0°N 70.0°W / 36.0; -70.0 (All of 139 crewmen perish)[15]
  • 26 March - United States tanker Dixie Arrow sunk by U-71 at 34°59′N 75°33′W / 34.98°N 75.55°W / 34.98; -75.55 (11 of 33 crewmen perish)[15]
  • 26 March - Panamanian tanker Equipoise sunk by U-160 at 36°36′N 74°45′W / 36.6°N 74.75°W / 36.6; -74.75[15]
  • 29 March - United States steamship City of New York sunk by U-160 at 35°16′N 74°25′W / 35.27°N 74.42°W / 35.27; -74.42 (24 of 157 crewmen perish)[15]
  • 31 March - United States tug Menominee and barges Allegheny and Barnegat sunk by U-754 at 37°34′N 75°25′W / 37.57°N 75.42°W / 37.57; -75.42[15]
  • 31 March - United States tanker Tiger sunk by U-754 (1 of 43 crewmen perishes)[16]
  • 3 April - United States freighter Otho sunk by U-754 at 36°25′N 71°57′W / 36.42°N 71.95°W / 36.42; -71.95 (31 of 53 crewmen perish)[16]
  • 4 April - United States tanker Byron D. Benson sunk by U-552 at 36°08′N 75°32′W / 36.13°N 75.53°W / 36.13; -75.53 (9 of 37 crewmen perish)[16]
  • 6 April - United States tanker Bidwell damaged by U-160 34°25′N 75°57′W / 34.42°N 75.95°W / 34.42; -75.95 (1 of 33 crewmen perishes)[17]
  • 7 April - Norwegian freighter Lancing sunk by U-552 off Cape Hatteras[17]
  • 7 April - British tanker British Splendour sunk by U-552 off Cape Hatteras[17]
  • 8 April - United States tanker Oklahoma damaged by U-123 at 31°18′N 80°59′W / 31.3°N 80.98°W / 31.3; -80.98 (19 of 37 crewmen perish)[17]
  • 8 April - United States tanker Esso Baton Rouge damaged by U-123 at 31°13′N 80°05′W / 31.22°N 80.08°W / 31.22; -80.08 (3 of 39 crewmen perish)[17]
  • 9 April - United States freighter Esparta sunk by U-123 30°46′N 81°11′W / 30.77°N 81.18°W / 30.77; -81.18 (1 of 40 crewmen perishes)[18]
  • 9 April - United States freighter Malchace sunk by U-160 at 34°28′N 75°56′W / 34.47°N 75.93°W / 34.47; -75.93 (1 of 29 crewmen perishes)[18]
  • 9 April - United States tanker Atlas sunk by U-552 at 34°27′N 76°16′W / 34.45°N 76.27°W / 34.45; -76.27 (2 of 34 crewmen perish)[18]
  • 9 April - tanker Tamaulipas sunk by U-552 at 34°25′N 76°00′W / 34.42°N 76.0°W / 34.42; -76.0 (2 of 37 crewmen perish)[18]
  • 10 April - United States tanker Gulfamerica sunk by U-123 at 30°14′N 81°18′W / 30.23°N 81.3°W / 30.23; -81.3 (19 of 48 crewmen perish)[18]
  • 11 April - United States tanker Harry F. Sinclair Jr. damaged by U-203 at 34°25′N 76°30′W / 34.42°N 76.5°W / 34.42; -76.5 (10 of 36 crewmen perish)[18]
  • 11 April - British steamship Ulysses sunk by U-160 at 34°23′N 75°35′W / 34.38°N 75.58°W / 34.38; -75.58[18]
  • 12 April - Panamanian tanker Stanvac Melbourne sunk by U-203 at 33°53′N 77°29′W / 33.88°N 77.48°W / 33.88; -77.48[18]
  • 12 April - United States freighter Leslie sunk by U-123 at 28°37′N 80°25′W / 28.62°N 80.42°W / 28.62; -80.42 (3 of 32 crewmen perish)[18]
  • 14 April - British freighter Empire Thrush sunk by U-203 at 35°12′N 75°14′W / 35.2°N 75.23°W / 35.2; -75.23[19]
  • 14 April - United States freighter Margaret sunk by U-571 at 35°12′N 75°14′W / 35.2°N 75.23°W / 35.2; -75.23 (All of 29 crewmen perish)[19]
  • 15 April - United States freighter Robin Hood sunk by U-575 at 38°39′N 66°38′W / 38.65°N 66.63°W / 38.65; -66.63 (14 of 38 crewmen perish)[19]
  • 16 April - United States freighter Alcoa Guide sunk by U-123 at 35°34′N 70°08′W / 35.57°N 70.13°W / 35.57; -70.13 (6 of 34 crewmen perish)[19]
  • 17 April - Argentine tanker Victoria damaged by U-201 at 36°41′N 68°48′W / 36.68°N 68.8°W / 36.68; -68.8[19]
  • 18 April - United States tanker Axtell J. Byles damaged by U-136 at 35°32′N 75°19′W / 35.53°N 75.32°W / 35.53; -75.32[20]
  • 19 April - United States freighter Steel Maker sunk by U-136 at 33°05′N 70°36′W / 33.08°N 70.6°W / 33.08; -70.6 (1 of 45 crewmen perishes)[20]
  • 20 April - United States freighter West Imboden sunk by U-752 at 41°14′N 65°54′W / 41.23°N 65.9°W / 41.23; -65.9[20]
  • 21 April - United States freighter Pipestone County sunk by U-576 at 37°35′N 66°20′W / 37.58°N 66.33°W / 37.58; -66.33[20]
  • 21 April - United States freighter San Jacinto sunk by U-201 at 31°10′N 70°45′W / 31.16°N 70.75°W / 31.16; -70.75 (14 of 183 crewmen perish)[20]
  • 29 April - United States tanker Mobiloil sunk by U-108 at 26°10′N 66°15′W / 26.16°N 66.25°W / 26.16; -66.25[21]
  • 29 April - United States tanker Federal sunk by U-507 at 21°13′N 76°05′W / 21.22°N 76.08°W / 21.22; -76.08 (5 of 33 crewmen perish)[21]
  • 2 May - United States armed yacht Cythera sunk by U-402 off North Carolina (66 of 68 crewmen perish)[20]
  • 4 May - United States tanker Norlindo sunk by U-507 at 24°57′N 84°00′W / 24.95°N 84.0°W / 24.95; -84.0 (5 of 28 crewmen perish)[22]
  • 4 May - United States tanker Munger T. Ball sunk by U-507 at 25°17′N 83°57′W / 25.28°N 83.95°W / 25.28; -83.95 (30 of 34 crewmen perish)[22]
  • 4 May - United States tanker Joseph M. Cudahy sunk by U-507 at 25°57′N 83°57′W / 25.95°N 83.95°W / 25.95; -83.95 (27 of 37 crewmen perish)[22]
  • 4 May - United States freighter Delisle damaged by U-564 at 27°02′N 80°03′W / 27.03°N 80.05°W / 27.03; -80.05 (2 of 36 crewmen perish)[22]
  • 5 May - United States freighter Afoundria sunk by U-108 at 20°00′N 73°30′W / 20.0°N 73.5°W / 20.0; -73.5[22]
  • 5 May - United States tanker Java Arrow damaged by U-333 at 27°30′N 80°08′W / 27.5°N 80.13°W / 27.5; -80.13 (2 of 47 crewmen perish)[22]
  • 6 May - United States tanker Halsey sunk by U-333 at 27°14′N 80°03′W / 27.23°N 80.05°W / 27.23; -80.05 (5 of 28 crewmen perish)[23]
  • 6 May - United States freighter Alcoa Puritan sunk by U-507 at 28°40′N 88°22′W / 28.67°N 88.37°W / 28.67; -88.37[23]
  • 8 May - United States freighter Ohioan sunk by U-564 at 26°31′N 79°58′W / 26.52°N 79.97°W / 26.52; -79.97 (15 of 37 crewmen perish)[24]
  • 10 May - United States tanker Aurora damaged by U-506 at 28°35′N 90°00′W / 28.58°N 90.0°W / 28.58; -90.0 (1 of 50 crewmen perishes)[25]
  • 12 May - United States tanker Virginia sunk by U-507 at 28°53′N 89°29′W / 28.88°N 89.48°W / 28.88; -89.48 (27 of 41 crewmen perish)[25]
  • 13 May - United States tanker Gulfprince damaged by U-507 at 28°32′N 91°00′W / 28.53°N 91.0°W / 28.53; -91.0[25]
  • 13 May - United States tanker Gulfpenn sunk by U-506 at 28°29′N 89°12′W / 28.48°N 89.2°W / 28.48; -89.2 (13 of 38 crewmen perish)[25]
  • 13 May - United States freighter David McKelvy sunk by U-506 at 28°30′N 89°55′W / 28.5°N 89.92°W / 28.5; -89.92 (17 of 36 crewmen perish)[25]
  • 15 May - United States freighter Nicarao sunk by U-751 at 25°20′N 74°19′W / 25.33°N 74.32°W / 25.33; -74.32 (8 of 39 crewmen perish)[26]
  • 16 May - United States tanker Sun damaged by U-506 at 28°41′N 90°19′W / 28.68°N 90.32°W / 28.68; -90.32[26]
  • 16 May - United States tanker William C. McTarnahan damaged by U-506 at 28°52′N 90°20′W / 28.87°N 90.33°W / 28.87; -90.33 (18 of 38 crewmen perish)[26]
  • 16 May - United States tanker Gulfoil sunk by U-506 at 28°41′N 90°19′W / 28.68°N 90.32°W / 28.68; -90.32 (21 of 40 crewmen perish)[26]
  • 19 May - United States freighter Heredia sunk by U-506 at 27°32′N 91°00′W / 27.53°N 91.0°W / 27.53; -91.0 (36 of 62 crewmen perish)[27]
  • 19 May - United States freighter Ogontz sunk by U-103 at 23°30′N 86°37′W / 23.5°N 86.62°W / 23.5; -86.62 (19 of 41 crewmen perish)[27]
  • 20 May - United States tanker Halo sunk by U-506 at 28°42′N 90°08′W / 28.7°N 90.13°W / 28.7; -90.13 (21 of 42 crewmen perish)[27]
  • 20 May - United States freighter George Calvert sunk by U-752 at 22°55′N 84°26′W / 22.92°N 84.43°W / 22.92; -84.43 (3 of 61 crewmen perish)[27]
  • 21 May - United States freighter Plow City sunk by U-588 at 39°08′N 69°57′W / 39.13°N 69.95°W / 39.13; -69.95 (1 of 30 crewmen perishes)[28]
  • 26 May - United States tanker Carrabulle sunk by U-106 at 26°09′N 89°21′W / 26.15°N 89.35°W / 26.15; -89.35 (22 of 40 crewmen perish)[29]
  • 26 May - United States freighter Atenas damaged by U-106 at 25°50′N 89°05′W / 25.84°N 89.08°W / 25.84; -89.08[29]
  • 30 May - United States freighter Alcoa Shipper sunk by U-404 at 37°49′N 65°15′W / 37.82°N 65.25°W / 37.82; -65.25 (7 of 32 crewmen perish)[30]
  • 1 June - United States freighter West Notus sunk by U-404 at 34°10′N 68°20′W / 34.16°N 68.33°W / 34.16; -68.33 (4 of 40 crewmen perish)[30]
  • 1 June - United States freighter Hampton Roads sunk by U-106 at 23°00′N 85°42′W / 23.0°N 85.7°W / 23.0; -85.7 (5 of 28 crewmen perish)[31]
  • 3 June - United States freighter M.F. Elliott sunk by U-502 off the Florida Keys (13 of 45 crewmen perish)[31]
  • 10 June - United States tanker Hagan sunk by U-157 at 22°00′N 77°30′W / 22.0°N 77.5°W / 22.0; -77.5 (6 of 44 crewmen perish)[32]
  • 12 June - United States tanker Cities Service Toledo sunk by U-158 at 29°02′N 91°59′W / 29.03°N 91.98°W / 29.03; -91.98 (15 of 45 crewmen perish)

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    3 comments:

    Mark Choate said...

    WOW!!! Thank you for this very informative article. All of the detail and all of the information is incredible! Thank you!

    8:34 PM
    falmanac said...

    It's a mostly forgotten story.

    3:21 AM
    Mark Choate said...

    It is but it one that should be studied.

    3:28 PM

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