List of all U-boats

U-338

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered21 Nov 1940
Laid down4 Apr 1941 Nordseewerke, Emden (werk 210)
Launched20 Apr 1942
Commissioned25 Jun 1942Oblt. Manfred Kinzel
Commanders
25 Jun 1942 - 20 Sep 1943  Kptlt. Manfred Kinzel
Career
3 patrols
25 Jun 1942-28 Feb 1943  8. Flottille (training)
1 Mar 1943-20 Sep 1943  7. Flottille (active service)
Successes4 ships sunk, total tonnage 21,927 GRT
1 ship damaged, total tonnage 7,134 GRT
Fate

Missing since 20 September 1943 in the North Atlantic. There is no explanation for its loss. 51 dead (all hands lost). (FDS/NHB, October 1992).

Loss position

See the 5 ships hit by U-338 - View the 3 war patrols

U-338 reported for the last time at 1707hrs on 20 September 1943 from approx. position 57.20N, 30.00W while operating against the convoys ON-202 & ONS-18.

Previously recorded fate

  • Sunk 20 Sept, 1943 south-west of Iceland, in position 57.40N, 29.48W, a homing torpedo from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqdn. 120/F). (Postwar assessment)
    Notes. This attack was actually against U-386 inflicting no damage.

Wolfpack operations

U-338 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Stürmer (11 Mar 1943 - 19 Mar 1943)
   Leuthen (15 Sep 1943 - 20 Sep 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

22 Mar 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down: British Halifax Mk.II BB314 (502 Sqn RAF/B, pilot P/O L.J. McCulloch)

0958hrs, outer Bay of Biscay, inbound: although the boat was surprised by the Halifax, accurate AA fire during the attack run meant the stick of bombs fell wide, and only one detonating near the bow caused some light damage. The Halifax was hit in the outer starboard engine and fuselage and was seen to crash into the sea some distance away. Flight engineer Sgt H.C. Taylor, RAAF was rescued by U-338 and taken prisoner, the sole survivor of the crew of eight airmen.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

17 Jun 1943
The Obersteuermann died and three men were wounded in an attack by a British Fortress aircraft (206 Sqn RAF/F) that also damaged the boat. [Obersteuermann Paul Trefflich]

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

The U-338 was nicknamed the Wild Onager in reference to an incident that occurred when it was first launched. Apparently, the U-boat broke its moorings on the day of launch and sank a small tug boat. The boat then displayed this emblem seen on the left that was later also utilized for the 29th Flotilla located in the Mediterranean.

Men lost from the boat

17 Jun 1943
The Obersteuermann died and three men were wounded in an attack by a British Fortress aircraft (206 Sqn RAF/F) that also damaged the boat. [Obersteuermann Paul Trefflich]

  Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -

U-boat Emblems

We have 1 emblem entry for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


The Wild Onager - U-338

Media links


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth




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