German submarine U-74 (1940)

U-74 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 26 August 1939 by Bremer Vulkan in Bremen-Vegesack as yard number 8, and she was launched on 13 April 1940. U-74 was commissioned on 8 June 1940 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat.

U-74 conducted six war patrols. During these patrols, she sank four ships for a total of 15,645 gross register tons (GRT) and damaged one ship of 6,003 GRT.

Service History:

Following commissioning, U-74 was assigned to the 7th U-boat Flotilla. Her first patrol began on 6 August 1940 from Kiel. She operated in the North Atlantic and was initially tasked with observing British naval movements.

Her most successful patrol was her third, which commenced on 15 November 1940 from Lorient. During this patrol she sank three ships: Stureholm, Lotos, and Ashworth.

Fate:

U-74 was sunk on 2 May 1942 in the North Atlantic, southeast of Ireland, in position 49°51′N 19°58′W, by depth charges from the British corvette HMS St. Laurent. All 46 crew members perished.

Summary of Successes:

• Stureholm: Sunk on 22 November 1940 (1,648 GRT)
• Lotos: Sunk on 24 November 1940 (2,190 GRT)
• Ashworth: Sunk on 1 December 1940 (4,671 GRT)
• Empire Springbuck: Sunk on 12 January 1942 (7,136 GRT)
• Bradford City: Damaged on 12 January 1942 (6,003 GRT)