Type: VII-C
Built by: Bremer Vulkan (Vegesack)
Launched: 10 April, 1941
Commissioned: 29 May, 1941
Feldpost Nr.: M41294
Sunk: 5 November, 1942
Sunk by: RAF aircraft
Location sunk: So. of Cape Farewell
Position sunk: 58.08N x 33.13W (All hands, 47 men, were lost)

The only Skipper of U-132 was Kapitänleutnant Ernst Vogelsang.

U-132 was assigned to the 3rd U-BootFlotille stationed at La Rochelle (La Pallice) in France. She first began operations against Soviet shipping in the Arctic over September and October of 1941, then undertook three patrols in the North Atlantic, operations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River in July 1942. Reports differ as to the reason for the loss of U-132. Most generally accepted is that she was attacked and sunk by RAF aircraft of the 120 Squadron, but one official US Government reports lists her loss as probably caused by the explosion of a munitions ship U-132 torpedoed.

JOHN WOOLIN (637-1988) did some additional research on the possible end of U-132 and he writes: “According to most sources, she was lost to British 120 Squadron. However after some research and reading the book ‘SEARCH, FIND & KILL’ and ‘AXIS SUBMARINE SUCCESSES’ I think U-132 was lost after torpedoing three ships on the night 3/4 November 1942, one being the HOBBEMA.

“This ship blew up within 30 minutes after being torpedoed in what has been described as the biggest pre-nuclear explosion of the war. The attack by 120 Squadron now seems to have been on U-89 as logs match position and time. Therefore since nothing was heard of U-132 after the HOBBEMA blew up and no other aircraft report attacking U-Boats, I suggest U-132 was lost in that explosion becoming a victim of her own victim.

“Thanks for keeping the KTB such an informative journal and keep up the good work.”

HARRY’S NOTE - many thanks for the details JOHN, and for the kind words. It is really through the input of Members such as yourself that our KTB Magazine continues to grow and tell the honest history of the U-BootWaffe and other submarine services.

SHIPS SUNK BY U-132
18.10.41	ARGUN	Sov stmr	3,487 GRT
18.10.41	unknown	Sov stmr	1,500 GRT
(This ship was hit after only 16 seconds running time of the torpedo. It sank in 32 seconds.)
29.01.42	USCGC ALEXANDER HAMILTON	US Coast Guard Cutter	2,216 GRT
06.07.42	DINARIC	Brit stmr	2,555 GRT
06.07.42	ANASTASSIOS PATERAS	Grk stmr	3,382 GRT
06.07.42	HAINAUT	Belg stmr	4,312 GRT
(During this attack, U-132 claimed a hit amidships with a large column of fire on another steamer of estimated 7,000 GRT after run time of 1 minute 35 seconds. There was no confirmation)
20.07.42	FREDERIKA LENSEN	Brit stmr	4,367 GRT
(This ship was heavily damaged and beached in an effort to save her. She was declared a total loss)
30.07.42	PACIFIC PIONEER	Brit mtrshp	6,734 GRT
04.11.42	HOBBEMA	Neth tnkr	5,507 GRT
04.11.42	EMPIRE LYNX	Brit stmr	6,379 GRT
SHIPS DAMAGED BY U-132
04.11.42	HARTIMURA	Brit stmr	6,690 GRT