Type: IX-D2
Built by: AG Weser (Bremen)
Launched: 11 July 1942
Commissioned: 28 November 1942
Feldpost Nr.: M50247
Sunk: 31 July 1943
Sunk by: US and Brazilian aircraft
Location sunk: Of Rio de Janeiro
Position sunk: 23º 54’S x 42º 54’E (50 men lost)

The only Skipper of U-199 was Kapitänleutnant Hans Werner Kraus, who survived the sinking and was taken prisoner with a dozen survivors.

U-199 was attached to the 12th U-Bootflottille based at Bordeaux, as were most of the larger boats such as the Types IX-D2, X-B and the large Italian submarines.

During her sea trials in the Baltic, much of the training was for convoy attacks, although these big boats were slow and ungainly on submerging. She made only one patrol, departing her homeport 13 May 1943 and arriving the Brazilian coast somewhere between Santos and Rio de Janeiro. She did not return from this patrol.

SHIPS ATTACKED by U-199 UNDER KRAUS
06.28.43	CHARLES WILSON PEALE	Amer stmr	7,176 GRT
(Kraus reported two hits on a Liberty Ship named SS LIBERTY SCHJAL but in fact, his target was the PEALE – but both torpedoes missed.)
07.06.43	unknown	unknown	unknown
(U-199 reported sinking an unnamed sailing freight vessel by gunfire off Rio de Janeiro.)
07.24.43	HENZADA	Braz stmr	4,161 GRT
(Kraus reported this as a ship of 10,000 tons)

In 1988, the Brazilian Naval reported that no efforts had been made to find the wreck of U-199 except that a television broadcast system was given permission to try to locate the wreck. There are no follow-on reports to whether they were successful or not.

Here, thanks to BERNARD CAVALCANTE (239-1987), is the official report from US Navy Squadron 74-P-7 by the pilot, Lt. (jg.) W. F. Smith USN. The boring details of the report state that he took off at 0630 in hazy weather with an unlimited ceiling and 15 mile visibility. His mission was A/S barrier sweep outboard (East) of the convoy track. His aircraft was a PBM-3C painted standard camouflage blue-gray. The sea had moderate swells, he covered Convoy JT-3 and did not use cloud cover. The bombs carried were Mk 47 with Mark 24 mod. 1 25’ fuses.

U-199 was spotted at 0714 on a bearing of 355º relative and the plane’s course was 234º true at 4,000 feet and a speed of 120 knots. The U-Boat was spotted at a distance of 15 miles on a course of 70º to 90º and a speed of 5 to 8 knots, fully surfaced.

During the approach the plane was not darkened, used no flares or searchlight and the submarine gave no recognition signals. The aircraft speed was 180 knots and the bombs were released at 50 to 75 feet altitude. Six bombs were released on the first pass and two more on the second pass.

The tail gunner saw first four charges explode close aboard port beam indicating straddle for spray observed to engulf U/B on both sides. On second attack detonation seen by second pilot and others close aboard port bow again obscuring U/B in spray.

During the attack, the nose gunner used 1,100 rounds, the waists used 200 rounds and the tail gunner used 500 rounds.

Now the pilot’s narrative:

Radar reported indication at 19 miles. Pilot held speed and altitude at 120 knots and 4,000’ until from 15 miles sighted first faint wake with black object at left edge. Immediately pushed plane over into power glide. At 10 miles identified object as U/B and pushed over into steeper glide at 185 to 190 knots. Bomber had opened doors before entering this dive and when about one mile from U/B leveled off at 150’ and 180 knots gradually decreasing altitude to 75’ at time of release. Seeing beam attack probable, pilot ordered bomb spacing changed to 65’ and final approach was made with a series of skids to avoid A/A fire from U/B which was heavy, though inaccurate. Crossed U/B from port side just forward C/T, target angle 270º, and released six charges. Continued at same altitude making four needle turn to left and returned to deliver second attack down sub’s axis (target angle 350º) from bow on releasing last two charges from about 40’ at 160 knots indicated. Detonations of both sticks enveloped U/B in spray.

Following this attack plane began series of strafing runs on the U/B which were continued until it sank. At first, U/B, which had started smoking heavily and leaking oil, made series of tight circles while attempting to return fire. Pilot and crew believe rudder was out of control and that sub was slightly down by the stern. All guns were manned and fire was steady.

Approximately 15 minutes later U/B straightened out on northerly course – average 340ºT – altering as plane came in for strafing runs to use guns to most advantage and present beam target. At 0804 made unsuccessful attempt to submerge, clearing decks of personnel in preparation. But in the effort it appeared to almost lose control and sink, submerging completely without diving, then resurfacing in the same spot with difficulty, stern completely awash.

Partially resumed trim, it resumed gun battle, stern becoming progressively awash as it got under way along its former course.

At 0840 a Brazilian HUDSON was seen coming to scene from northeast. 74-P-7 drew sub’s fire while he made approach to attack. Cutting it short, he crossed sub’s bow from stbd, releasing two Mk 17 DC’s in salvo from an altitude of 300’ speed approximately 220. Drop was short, explosions observed 150’ (angle 45º) off stbd bow of U/B. The spray reached U/B bow which had turned to stbd in a maneuver just prior to HUDSON’s attack, apparently sighting plane only as it started run and opened fire. This attack caused sub to describe half-circle to stbd before returning to straight course of 340ºT. The HUDSON departed immediately, but at 0840 a Brazilian PBY was sighted 30 miles away (both Brazilian planes had been assigned coverage of sortie JT-3, then in progress from Rio harbor.) Again sub’s fire was engaged, and PBY closing in, and firing guns attacked from the port quarter (target angle 210º) releasing 3 Mk 44 DC’s spaced at 50’ at 160 knots. The sub had attempted to alter course between 340º and 60º before this attack. Detonation as observed by 74-P-7’s crew are as follows: nearest D/C swirl was tangent to port quarter of U/B. First two D/C’s short.

The PBY then circled sharply to port and returned for the kill up-stern, dropping the one (1) remaining charge on submerged stern on U/B. (Bow was all that remained above surface.) The U/B sank immediately (23-47 S, 42 56W). Many of the crew abandoned ship and were in the water at time of second PBY drop. Both planes dropped life rafts and remained in the area until relieved by 74-P-2 which assisted USS BARNEGAT in the recovery of 12 men, including the U/B Commander.

The operational report of USS BARNEGAT states:

0-4 Moored starboard side to Pier #1, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with 6” manila lines and two wire preventions out to the dock. Operating under operational control of NOB, Rio providing services as requested to units of VP 74.

4-8 Moored as before. At 0620 USS WINSLOW got underway and stood out. At 0750 made all preparations to shift berths.

5-12 Moored as before. At 0805 commenced shifting berth, moving forward up dock. At 0815 received word from NOB that a plane of VP 74 had attacked and damaged submarine in Lat 24º 10’S, Long 43º 15’W. Made immediate preparations to get underway to proceed to scene. At 0829 underway, proceeding to sea on various courses and at various speeds to clear harbor. Captain conning, Pilot and navigator on the bridge. At 0845 stopped and at 0847 Pilot left the ship. At 0850 passed through A/S net gate and set course 165º T proceeding at flank speed (240 rpm). Set condition III watches on gun battery, depth charges radar and sound gear. At 0958 changed course to 155º T on radar contact with plane and passed the word that submarine had sunk and that survivors were in the water. At 1012 changed course to 175º T and at 1027 changed course to 172º T. At 1102 went to General Quarters. At 1138 sighted three life rafts bearing 171º T distance about 3 miles. Commenced maneuvering to pick up survivors. At 1154 alongside rafts and taking survivors on board.

Here is a report from the Brazilian point of view, from RICARDO BONALUME NETO (4239-1998).

This is compiled from interviews he did with Brazilians involved in this action.

The battle against U-Boats along the Brazilian coast had some parallels with the much greater fight in the North Atlantic. German and Italian submarine attacks made Brazil join the Allies. Subs at first had a ‘Happy Time’ here, exemplified by the exploits of U-507, whose sinking of no less than six Brazilian ships in one patrol in August 1942 – BAEPENDY, ARARAQUARA, ANNIBAL, BENÉVOLO, ITAGIBA, ARARA and JACIRA PROMPTED Brazil to declare war on the European Axis powers. The name of one of those ships, ARARA, was later to be painted on fuselage of a Brazilian Air Force PBY-5 CATALINA.

In July 1943 there was a blitz of submarine activity in the South Atlantic, with several U-Boats operating near Brazil. American and Brazilian forces hit back. One of the U-Boats that was sunk in July was U-199, a big Type IX-D2 class sub. U-199 was sunk south of Rio de Janeiro in the morning of 31 July by that Brazilian Air Force PBY-5 CATALINA named ARARA, after being unsuccessfully attacked first by an American PBM MARINER from VP-74 and a Brazilian A-28 HUDSON. The MARINER did some damage to the submarine and stayed near, forcing it to remain on the surface. Then the Brazilian HUDSON attacked. Its bombs also failed to hit the target but it machine gunned the sub (the HUDSON had two MGs in the nose), probably helping decrease the effectively of its antiaircraft crews. Then the CATALINA came and sank it with three bombs at the first pass. A fourth bomb was then dropped to finish it. The MARINER and the CATALINA dropped life rafts. The MARINER, piloted by Lt. (jg) Walter Smith USN, took pictures of this action.

One curious detail of the action was told me recently by the pilot of the CATALINA, Alberto Martins Torres, who later went to Italy to fly P-47 THUNDERBOLTS with the 1st Brazilian Fighter Squadron (1st Grupo de Aviacào de Caca). Being the son of a diplomat (he was born in Norfolk, VA at the US Naval Base), he knew German besides other languages. He said he used the Aldis light to tell the survivors of the submarine “Do not row. Ship coming” when he saw them paddling furiously. After the second attempt, says Torres, the sailors apparently understood and stopped moving, perhaps surprised at being talked to in German. The twelve survivors were quickly rescued by the American seaplane tender USS BARNEGAT (AVP 10). The sinking happened just 60 miles south of Rio.

I also interviewed the officer who commanded the plane and released the bombs, José Carlos de Miranda Corrês (who also went to Italy with the 1st BFS). He said that sighting the sub was quite a surprise after spending months in patrol work just seeing water.

“It was enormous. If the bombs had not hit, we felt like ramming it with the aircraft.” Says Corrês. “It was dark gray and camouflaged, a beautiful sight, sleek.” He adds.

IWO Kraus Remembers

Hans-Werner Kraus was I.W.O. on U-47 under Günther Prien just after the Scapa Flow success. He then got command of U-83 and in 1942, was decorated with the Knights Cross in laSpezia, Italy. Here is how he remembered this action in a letter of 25 July 1989.

“My photo in uniform was made in Kiel after having gotten the Ritterkreuz in laSpezia in the Mediterranean for having sunk my 20th ship, all with my boat U-83. At almost the same time I received the Italian ‘Medal for Bravery’ by H.M. the King of Italy. In August 1942 I sunk a rather big troop carrier off Port Said, Egypt, transporting British troops to fight Rommel in El Alamein, North Africa. The night after that event I was bombed by British aircraft. The boat was smashed and I was unable to move or even submerge. Lucky enough the plane was certain to have destroyed and sunk U-83. So no further attacks followed.

After two days, one engine did work again and the German Admiral at Athens, Greece sent the destroyer HERMES to help me and accompany me round the Isle of Kreta (Crete) to Piraeus Harbor, where the boat was superficially repaired and brought to Italy by Italian destroyers. At laSpezia dockyards, I left U-83 and went to Bremen where I took over at the Weser A.G., the newest and at this time, the biggest German U-Boat, U-199. In May 1943 I went again out for mission in South America, where I destroyed one attacking four engined America aircraft and sunk one merchant ship, one freight sailer and torpedoed one Liberty ship that did not sink, but managed to escape to Rio de Janeiro, certainly heavily damaged.

At July 31 in the morning, I was attacked by 7 U.S. aircraft before I was able to submerge. They hit me hard and after 2 hours of shooting and bombing they had sunk me. Only 12 of my crew of 62 survived and were saved by an American Escort again after two hours in the South Atlantic. The planes got some hits by my A.A. fire, but none deadly that I heard later during the interrogation at Washington, D.C.

Until 1946 I was an American P.W. in camps at Crossville, Tennessee and Phoenix, Arizona. In Phoenix Camp Papago Park under my supervision 24 prisoners built a tunnel of 65 m length and escaped into the desert at Christmas Eve 1944. Sorry enough all 24 escapees were caught again by end of January 1945 – two weeks at water and bread.”

There was a ‘dark side’ for one of the survivors of U-199 as reported by CHARLES WENDT (1227-1989). He writes:

“A couple of years ago while reading the KTB, I came across a question from a fellow Sharkhunter. Were there German U-Boat men buried at Ft. Leavenworth? Why were they there? I didn’t know the answer, so I set out to find out.

On an early fog covered morning I drove to Leavenworth. Upon inquiring, found directions and proceeded to investigate a small cemetery. Along the back fence I found the answer to one of the questions. Yes, there are German U-Boaters buried in Kansas along with seven other P.O.W.’s who were all executed after the war was over.

Walter Beyer, Berthold Seidel, Hans Schomer, Willi Scholz and Hans Demme were members of the Afrika Korps. Erich Gauss and Rudolf Straub were soldiers from a camp in Aiken, S.C. They were executed in July 1945.

Helmut Fischer was at Ravensburg and served on U-615, Fritz Franke was from Frankfurt an der Oder and served on U-615. Günther Külsen was from Düsseldorf and also was from U-615. Heinrich Ludwig from Essen served aboard U-199. Bernhard Reyak was from Neuss and served aboard U-615. Otto Stengel was from München and served on U-352; and Rolf Wizuy of Berlin served on board U-615.

These members of the U-Bootwaffe were all executed in August 1945. The war ended May 8, 1945. The seven were accused of murdering a fellow prisoner at Papago Park, Arizona. There is evidence that the prisoner in question had worked for U.S. Naval Intelligence and was never to be put in with other German sailors, or his life would be in jeopardy. The seven in question, all of whom claimed innocence, were taken to secret locations and interrogated extensively until they confessed. There is evidence that the interpreter for the trial was also the interrogator. After the trial and the death sentence, there was the recommendation that the sentence be commuted to life. But with the high tension of anti-German feelings after the war, the seven were denied commuted sentences and were executed.”

EDITOR NOTE – Evidence indicates that they were not even executed on a normal gallows but were instead just dropped down an elevator shaft with a rope around their neck. They were buried face down in their coffins and the burial was deliberately meant to be non-Christian.

There was an extensive article in a previous issue of our KTB on this, which most civilized people would consider an atrocity, and there was talk of having them either buried properly here in America or returned to their native Germany to be buried with the dignity they deserved. To the best of our knowledge, this idea has quieted down and no more has been done in that direction.

Damn shame they were treated so brutally – and even more so, after the war ended.