German U-29 Sinks HMS Courageous
September 17th, 1939
September 17th, 1939

How Long Ago?
85 years, 5 months, 26 days ago
Location
Off the coast of Ireland
Category
Military & Warfare
War/Conflict
World War II
People
- Kapitänleutnant Otto Hersing
Links & References
Tags
German U-29 Sinks HMS Courageous
On September 17, 1939, the German U-boat U-29 sank the British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous off the coast of Ireland. The submarine fired torpedoes at the carrier, striking it and causing significant damage. Within minutes, the Courageous capsized, leading to the loss of many crew members. This attack marked one of the first significant naval engagements of World War II involving submarines and aircraft carriers, showcasing the effectiveness of submarine warfare in the early stages of the conflict.
U-29 was part of Germany's early submarine campaign.
HMS Courageous was converted from a battlecruiser.
Over 500 crew members were lost in the sinking.
This attack demonstrated the threat of U-boats.
What Happened?
The British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous, launched in 1917, was converted from a battlecruiser to serve as an aircraft carrier in the Royal Navy. By 1939, it played a vital role in the protection of the Atlantic sea lanes and air support for the Allies. On September 17, the ship was conducting operations in the North Atlantic off the west coast of Ireland when it encountered the German U-boat U-29, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Hersing. U-29 was on a reconnaissance mission targeting British naval forces. After detecting the carriers, U-29 fired torpedoes at Courageous. The first torpedo struck the carrier on the starboard side, leading to catastrophic damage and flooding.
Following the initial explosion, the crew of HMS Courageous attempted to regain control and save the ship, but the damage was too severe. The carrier rolled over and capsized within minutes, resulting in the loss of approximately 519 officers and crew members. Although some crew managed to abandon ship and were rescued by nearby ships, the scale of casualties was shocking for the British Navy. The sinking of HMS Courageous not only impacted morale but also underscored the vulnerability of naval vessels to submarine attacks at the outset of World War II.
The sinking of Courageous highlighted the effectiveness of Germany’s U-boat strategy, which would become a key aspect of naval engagement throughout the war. This marked the beginning of a new era of warfare, demonstrating how submarines could effectively target larger naval vessels. The attack prompted the British Royal Navy to reevaluate its naval tactics and enhance its defenses against submarine warfare, foreshadowing the severe submarine conflicts that would dominate the Atlantic throughout the war.
Why Does it Matter?
The sinking of HMS Courageous is noteworthy as it represented a shift in naval warfare strategies, emphasizing the deadly effectiveness of submarine operations against surface ships. This incident served as a wake-up call for the Allies, highlighting the threats they faced from German U-boats, thereby shaping naval tactics for the remainder of the war. The significance of air and naval coordination was also underlined, influencing future engagements.
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