List of all U-boats

U-397

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered20 Jan 1941
Laid down29 Aug 1942 Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel (werk 29)
Launched6 Oct 1943
Commissioned20 Nov 1943Oblt. Fritz Kallipke
Commanders
20 Nov 1943 - 16 Jul 1944  Oblt. Fritz Kallipke
17 Jul 1944 - 25 Apr 1945  Oblt. Friedrich Stege
26 Apr 1945 - 5 May 1945  Kptlt. Gerhard Groth
Career
1 patrol
20 Nov 1943-31 May 1944  5. Flottille (training)
1 Jun 1944-30 Jun 1944  7. Flottille (active service)
1 Jul 1944-19 Feb 1945  23. Flottille (school boat)
20 Feb 1945-5 May 1945  31. Flottille (training)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Scuttled on 5 May, 1945 in the Gelting Bay.

Final location

View the 1 war patrol

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-397 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.


Media links


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1
Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II
Blair, Clay


German U-Boat Losses During World War II
Niestle, Axel