U-638

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan, 1941

Laid down

16 Oct, 1941

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 614)

Launched

8 Jul, 1942

Commissioned

3 Sep, 1942

Kptlt. Oskar Staudinger

Commanders

3 Sep, 1942 - 8 Dec, 1942	Oskar Staudinger
9 Dec, 1942 - 31 Mar, 1943	Kptlt. Hinrich-Oscar Bernbeck
1 Apr, 1943 - 5 May, 1943	Kptlt. Oskar Staudinger

Career

2 patrols

3 Sep, 1942 - 31 Jan, 1943 5. Flottille (training)
1 Feb, 1943 - 5 May, 1943 9. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

1 ship sunk for a total of 5.507 GRT
1 ship damaged for a total of 6.537 GRT

Fate

Sunk 5 May, 1943 in the North Atlantic north-east of Newfoundland, in position 54.12N, 44.05W, by depth charges from the British corvette HMS Sunflower. 44 dead (all hands lost).

See the 2 ships hit by U-638 - View the 2 war patrols

Previously recorded fate (Last revised by FDS/NHB during October 1991). More on revised fates

Sunk 5 May, 1943 in the North Atlantic northeast of Newfoundland, in position 53.06N, 45.02W, by depth charges from the British corvette HMS Loosestrife.

This attack resulted in the loss of U-192.

Wolfpack operations

U-638 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Raubgraf (7 Mar, 1943 - 14 Mar, 1943)
Amsel I (4 May, 1943 - 5 May, 1943)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-638 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.