U-Boat Operations

U-181	Type IXD2
Feldpost Number	M 45 435
Construction Yard	Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG, (AG Weser) Bremen
Yard Number	1021
Ordered	15th Aug 1940
Keel laid	15th Mar 1941
Launched	30th Dec 1941
Commissioned	9th May 1942
Baubelehrung	Kriegsschiffbaulehrabteilung für Unterseeboote Nordsee, Bremen / 6.KLA, Bremen
Training, Flotillas and Duties
05.42 - 09.42	4.U-Flottille, Stettin Ausbildungsboot (under training)
09.42 - 10.42	10.U-Flottille, Lorient Frontboot (operational)
11.42 - 09.44	12.U-Flottille, Bordeaux Frontboot (operational)
10.44 - 05.45	33.U-Flottille, Penang & Batavia Frontboot (operational)
Commanders
05.42 - 10.43	KK Wolfgang Lüth see also: U-13 U-9 U-138 U-43
11.43 - 05.45	FK Kurt Freiwald see also: U-7 U-21 U-33

Operations information for U-181
12.09.1942 - 18.01.1943 First Sailing - active patrol U-181 left Kiel under the command of Wolfgang Lüth on 12th Sep 1942 and arrived at return on 18th Jan 1943 after over eighteen weeks. Wolfgang Lüth hit twelve ships on this patrol. On 3rd Nov 1942 he sank the American 8,159 ton East Indian. On 8th Nov 1942 he sank the Panamanian 5,060 ton Plaudit. On 10th Nov 1942 he sank the Norwegian 3,799 ton KG Meldahl. On 13th Nov 1942 he sank the American 4,969 ton Excello. On 19th Nov 1942 he sank the Norwegian 2,241 ton Gunda. On 20th Nov 1942 he sank the Greek 3,562 ton Corinthiakos. On 22nd Nov 1942 he sank the American 6,797 ton Alcoa Pathfinder. On 24th Nov 1942 he sank the British 5,281 ton Dorington Court. On 24th Nov 1942 he sank the Greek 6,481 ton Mount Helmos. On 28th Nov 1942 he sank the Greek 3,551 ton Evanthia. On 30th Nov 1942 he sank the Greek 4,153 ton Cleanthis. On 2nd Dec 1942 he sank the Panamanian 4,328 ton Amarylis. You can read more about the Norwegian ship listed for this patrol at www.warsailors.com. Click the link for more information on Gunda.
23.03.1943 - 14.10.1943 Second Sailing - active patrol On the 23rd Mar 1943, U-181 left Bordeaux under the command of Wolfgang Lüth and after over twentynine weeks arrived at return on 14th Oct 1943. Wolfgang Lüth hit ten ships on this patrol, one was from convoy DN-55. On 11th Apr 1943 he sank the British 5,983 ton Empire Whimbrel. On 11th May 1943 he sank the British 5,232 ton Tinhow. On 27th May 1943 he sank the Swedish 1,633 ton Sicilia. On 7th Jun 1943 he sank the 193 ton Harrier. On 2nd Jul 1943 he sank the British 2,798 ton Hoihow. On 15th Jul 1943 he sank the British 2,852 ton Empire Lake. On 16th Jul 1943 he sank the British 7,135 ton Fort Franklin. On 4th Aug 1943 he sank the British 4,558 ton Dalfram. On 7th Aug 1943 he sank the British 4,419 ton Umvuma. On 12th Aug 1943 he sank the British 10,528 ton Clan Macarthur, sailing with convoy DN-55.
16.03.1944 - 08.08.1944 Third Sailing - active patrol U-181 departed under Kurt Freiwald from Bordeaux on 16th Mar 1944 and arrived at return on 8th Aug 1944 after more than twenty weeks. Kurt Freiwald hit four ships on this patrol. On 1st May 1944 he sank the British 5,312 ton Janeta. On 19th Jun 1944 he sank the Dutch 7,118 ton Garoet. On 15th Jul 1944 he sank the British 7,174 ton Tanda. On 19th Jul 1944 he sank the British 5,265 ton King Frederick.
30.08.1944 - 31.08.1944 Fourth Sailing U-181 left Penang under the command of Kurt Freiwald on 30th Aug 1944 and after one day arrived at return on 31st Aug 1944.
23.09.1944 - 25.09.1944 Fifth Sailing On the 23rd Sep 1944, U-181 left Singapore under the command of Kurt Freiwald and arrived at return on 25th Sep 1944 after two days.
19.10.1944 - 05.01.1945 Sixth Sailing - active patrol U-181 departed under Kurt Freiwald from Batavia on 19th Oct 1944 and after just over eleven weeks arrived at return on 5th Jan 1945. Kurt Freiwald hit one ship on this patrol. On 2nd Nov 1944 he sank the American 10,198 ton Fort Lee.
14.01.1945 - 16.01.1945 Seventh Sailing U-181 left Batavia under the command of Kurt Freiwald on 14th Jan 1945 and arrived at return on 16th Jan 1945 after two days.

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