U-490

Type

XIV

 
Ordered17 Jul 1941
Laid down21 Feb 1942 F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 559)
Launched24 Dec 1942
Commissioned27 Mar 1943Oblt. Wilhelm Gerlach
Commanders
27 Mar 1943 - 12 Jun 1944  Oblt. Wilhelm Gerlach
Career
1 patrol
27 Mar 1943-31 Mar 1944  4. Flottille (training)
1 Apr 1944-12 Jun 1944  12. Flottille (front boat)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk on June 12, 1944 north-west of the Azores in position 42.47N, 40.08W by depth charges from the US escort carrier USS Croatan, and depth charges from the destroyer escorts USS Frost, USS Huse and USS Inch. 60 survivors (no casualties).

View the 1 war patrol

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in April 1944. Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-490 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.
USS Frost. Kerrigan, Warren J., 2001.