U-253
Type | VIIC | |||
| Ordered | 23 Sep 1939 | |||
| Laid down | 15 Nov 1940 | Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 18) | ||
| Launched | 30 Aug 1941 | |||
| Commissioned | 21 Oct 1941 | Oblt. Adolf Friedrichs | ||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 1 patrol | 21 Oct 1941 - 31 Aug 1942 8. Flottille (training) 1 Sep 1942 - 25 Sep 1942 6. Flottille (front boat) | ||
| Successes | No ships sunk or damaged | |||
| Fate | Sunk 25 Sept, 1942 north-west of Iceland, in approximate position 67.00N, 23.00W, by a British mine. 45 dead (all hands lost). | |||
U-253 reported for the last time on 24 Sept, 1942 from the approximate position 67.30N, 21.00W while operating against convoy OP.14. She was then the next day ordered into the Atlantic.
There is a strong possibility that the boat was lost to a mine in the submarine minefields SN 11 or SN 71A off the Icelandic coast on Sept 25. These fields were laid on 1 June and 21 August 1942 and crossed U-253's route to the Atlantic.
Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by FDS/NHB during December 1979. More on revised fates.
An attack by Catalina (Sqdn 210/U) is often claimed to be responsible for U-253's loss, but that aircraft in fact attacked U-255 which escaped relatively unharmed.
Men lost from U-boats
Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-253 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
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