18 March 1944
From : BdU
To : All U boats at sea
U - 126 has failed to report in. Large convoy in her sector (AM 73) Presumed lost.
Kapitan Lt. Otto Mannek and U-126 were lost at sea on 18 March 1944 during a convoy attack at grid AM 73
The convoy was made of a troop ship , a VIctory cargo , a modern tanker a coastal freighter and 6 escorts. It was travelling ESE with a speed of 5kts.
U -126 used her snorkel to get into a favourable attack position. The night , the rain and strong winds kept her safe. Things were good : Lower the snorkel , switch to electric engines , open tubes 1 - 4 and 4 eels were fired. One at the troop ship , one at the tanker and two at the victory cargo. Immediatelly Kaleun Otto Mannek ordered silent running and dive down to 160m.
The torpedoes did what they were supposed to to do: the cargo went down , but the other two missed.
U - 126 was at 110m when hell broke loose. A hedgehog salvo landed on the forward deck. Flooding was severe but under control for a while. But she was seriously wounded(85% damage to hull), U - 126 couldn't maintain her depth. She was going deeper and deeper: 150m - 160m - 200m and kept going.
Otto deciced to save his crew. He ordered to blow ballast but ...........
U -126 imploded at about 190m.
Otto Mannek was a holder of the Knights cross with golden oak leaves swords and diamonds. Two of his officers were holders of the Knights cross. His total score was 1,600,000 grt (approximently).
A great loss to BdU.
I can only imagine what rewards were due to the commander of that escort ship that sunk U -126 when they found out who they had sunk!
A cross of Victoria and a DSO may be.
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