U-381

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered16 Oct 1939
Laid down26 Apr 1941 Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel (werk 12)
Launched14 Jan 1942
Commissioned25 Feb 1942Oblt. Wilhelm-Heinrich Graf von Pückler und Limburg
Commanders
25 Feb 1942 - 21 May 1943  Kptlt. Graf Wilhelm-Heinrich Pückler und Limpurg
Career
3 patrols
25 Feb 1942-30 Sep 1942  5. Flottille (training)
1 Oct 1942-21 May 1943  7. Flottille (front boat)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Listed as missing south of Greenland on 21 May, 1943.

There is no explanation for its loss. 47 dead (all hands lost).

View the 3 war patrols

U-381 reported for the last time on 9 May from approximate position 51.30N, 36.00W.

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by FDS/NHB during June 1992. More on revised fates.)

Sunk 19 May, 1943 in the North Atlantic southeast of Cape Farewell, Greenland, in position 54.41N, 34.45W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Duncan and the British corvette HMS Snowflake.

This attack was actually aimed against U-304 and U-636 inflicting minor damage.

Wolfpack operations

U-381 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Panther (11 Oct 1942 - 20 Oct 1942)
   Veilchen (20 Oct 1942 - 5 Nov 1942)
   Delphin (26 Dec 1942 - 14 Feb 1943)
   Adler (11 Apr 1943 - 13 Apr 1943)
   Meise (13 Apr 1943 - 27 Apr 1943)
   Star (27 Apr 1943 - 4 May 1943)
   Fink (4 May 1943 - 6 May 1943)
   Inn (11 May 1943 - 15 May 1943)
   Donau 1 (15 May 1943 - 21 May 1943)

Attacks on this boat

14 Feb 1943
The attack by the British Catalina aircraft (RAF 202/J) on 14 Feb, 1943 in position 39.27N, 11.34W, formerly credited with the loss U-620 was instead against the U-381 causing no damages to that boat. (Sources: 1988-09-01, FDS/NHB)

1 recorded attack 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-381 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.



U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2

Wynn, Kenneth


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Books dealing with this subject include:

German U-Boat Losses During World War II. Niestle, Axel, 1998.
Hitler's U-boat War. Blair, Clay, 1996.
Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II. Blair, Clay, 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.



Related page:
U-boats Missing in Action.