U-boat patrols

Patrol info for U-489


DepartureArrival / FateDuration
22 Jul 1943Kiel4 Aug 1943Lost14 days

Commander

Officers *


Oblt. (R) Adalbert Schmandt

Daily positions, sinkings and allied attacks during the patrol of U-489


We have daily positions for all 14 days on this patrol.

Ships hit by U-489 during this patrol

General Events during this patrol

1943

28 Jul 1943. U-489 rescued three airmen of a Blohm & Voss BV138C-1 WNr 0311047 (2./KüFlGr 406, K6+BK) in the Norwegian Sea about 100 miles west-north-west of Alesund, Norway. Earlier that day the flying boat was shot down in aerial combat by the Beaufighter Mk.XIC JM123 (404 Sqn RCAF/H, F/O E.J. Keefe), two crewmen being lost. The rescued airmen became prisoners of war when the U-boat was itself sunk on 4 August.

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Attacks on U-489 during this patrol

3 Aug 1943
0750hrs, SE of Iceland: British Catalina flying boat FP280 (190 Sqn RAF/U, pilot F/L B. Crosland) observed hits on a strafing run made to assist an unidentified Fortress aircraft, which dropped no depth charges and flew off. Flak hit the Catalina twice, damaging the radio compartment and forcing it to return to base 20 minutes after the attack. The aircrew jettisoned the depth charges and later found the rudder cables were almost severed. Just as the Catalina flew off, a Hudson Mk.III bomber (269 Sqn RAF, pilot F/S E.L.J. Brame) arrived and hit U-489 with A/S bombs, causing moderate damage, and forced her to dive with gunfire. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

4 Aug 1943
The sinking of U-489
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:
Canadian Sunderland flying boat DD859 (423 Sqdn RCAF/G, pilot F/O A.A. Bishop, RCAF)

After being damaged in an air attack the previous day the boat was again attacked by the Sunderland soon after 09.00 hrs. The aircraft was hit by flak during the attack run, dropped its depth charges and crashed into the sea, killing five of the 11 aircrew. U-489 suffered mortal damage and sank slowly shortly afterwards. HMS Castleton and HMS Orwell had observed the action from nearby and rescued the aircrew and U-boat survivors.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

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* These are officers that later became commanders themselves.

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