1941USS Reuben James Sunk by German U-Boat

The destroyer USS Reuben James is torpedoed by Erich Topp's ...
Timelines Logo
Year
1939
1941

💥 HMS Courageous Sunk by German U-Boat

The British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous is torpedoed and sunk by U-29 on patrol off the coast of Ireland, causing the death of 514 aboard; it represented the first major warship to be sunk in the war.
HMS Courageous Sunk by German U-Boat (1939)
UKNavyU-boatAtlanticAircraft CarrierWar at SeaCasualties

🚢 USS Reuben James Sunk by German U-Boat

The destroyer USS Reuben James is torpedoed by Erich Topp's U-552 near Iceland, killing more than 100 United States Navy sailors. It is the first loss of an American "neutral warship".
USS Reuben James Sunk by German U-Boat (1941)
USS Reuben JamesU-BoatErich ToppAtlanticUnited States NavyNeutralityWarNaval Battle

🚢 USS Niblack Attacks German U-boat

The destroyer USS Niblack attacks a German U-boat that had just sunk a Dutch freighter. The Niblack was picking up survivors of the freighter when it detected the U-boat preparing to attack. The Niblack attacked with depth charges and drove off the U-boat.
USS Niblack Attacks German U-boat (1941)
US NavyU-boatAtlanticNaval WarfareNeutralityEscalationWWII

🚢 USS Kearny Torpedoed: First US Military Casualties

The destroyer USS Kearny (DD-432) is torpedoed and damaged by U-568 near Iceland, killing eleven sailors. They are the first American military casualties of the war.
USS Kearny Torpedoed: First US Military Casualties (1941)
US NavyAtlanticU-BoatTorpedoCasualtiesWarIcelandNeutralityEscort