U-443
Type | VIIC | |||
| Ordered | 13 Apr, 1940 | |||
| Laid down | 10 Feb, 1941 | F. Schichau, Danzig (werk 1498) | ||
| Launched | 31 Jan, 1942 | |||
| Commissioned | 18 Apr, 1942 | Oblt. Konstantin von Puttkamer | ||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 3 patrols | 18 Apr, 1942 - 30 Sep, 1942 8. Flottille (training) 1 Oct, 1942 - 31 Dec, 1942 9. Flottille (front boat) 1 Jan, 1943 - 23 Feb, 1943 29. Flottille (front boat) | ||
| Successes | 3 ships sunk for a total of 19.435 GRT 1 warship sunk for a total of 1.087 tons | |||
| Fate | Sunk 23 Feb, 1943 in the Mediterranean near Algiers, in position 36.55N, 02.25E, by depth charges from the British escort destroyers HMS Bicester, HMS Lamerton and HMS Wheatland. 48 dead (all hands lost). | |||
See the 4 ships hit by U-443 - View the 3 war patrols
Wolfpack operations
U-443 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Panther (10 Oct, 1942 - 14 Oct, 1942)
Puma (16 Oct, 1942 - 30 Oct, 1942)
Attacks on this boat
9 Oct, 1942
During very bad weather in the North Atlantic a lookout on broke his arm.
22 Oct, 1942
After locating convoy ON 139 the boat attacked and sank 2 large ships (17.843 tons total) but was then counter-attacked by its escorts and held down until the convoy escaped. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 43. )
2 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-443 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 |