U-311

Type

VIIC

Ordered

5 Jun, 1941

Laid down

21 Mar, 1942

Flender-Werke, Lübeck (werk 311)

Launched

20 Jan, 1943

Commissioned

23 Mar, 1943

Oblt. Joachim Zander

Commanders

23 Mar, 1943 - 22 Apr, 1944

Kptlt. Joachim Zander

Career

2 patrols

23 Mar, 1943 - 30 Nov, 1943 8. Flottille (training)
1 Dec, 1943 - 22 Apr, 1944 1. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

1 ship sunk for a total of 10.342 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 22 April, 1944 in the North Atlantic south west of Iceland in position 52.09N, 19.07W, by depth charges from the Canadian frigates HMCS Matane and HMCS Swansea. 51 dead (all hands lost).

See the 1 ships hit by U-311 - View the 2 war patrols

Previously recorded fate (Last revised by FDS/NHB during April 1986). More on revised fates

Sunk 24 April, 1944 southwest of Ireland, in position 50.36N, 18.36W, by depth charges from a Canadian Sunderland aircraft (Sqdn. 423/A).

This attack was in fact against U-672 inflicting severe damages.

Attacks on this boat

12 May, 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:British B-17 Fortress (Sqdn 206)

12 Mar, 1944
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:British Halifax (Sqdn 58/L)

This aircraft was probably shot down by this boat.

16 Mar, 1944
While attacking big tanker convoy CU 17 the boat was hunted for hours by its surface escorts but managed to penetrate its defences and destroy the large tanker Seakay. The boat managed to elude the escorts and get away. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 506)

3 recorded attacks on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-311 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.