U-253
Type | VIIC | |||
| Ordered | 23 Sep, 1939 | |||
| Laid down | 15 Nov, 1940 | Bremer Vulkan, 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.
 German U-Boat Losses During World War II Niestle, Axel Buy this title at amazon.co.uk See more sellers |
Books dealing with this subject include: German U-Boat Losses During World War II, Niestle, Axel, 1998 U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998 U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998 |