U-673

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan, 1941

Laid down

20 Jan, 1942

Howaldtswerke, Hamburg (werk 822)

Launched

27 Feb, 1943

Commissioned

8 May, 1943

Oblt. Gerhard Haelbich

Commanders

8 May, 1943 - 14 Aug, 1943	Kptlt. Gerhard Haelbich
15 Aug, 1943 - 31 Jul, 1944	Oblt. Heinz-Gerd Sauer
1 Aug, 1944 - 24 Oct, 1944	Oblt. Ernst-August Gerke

Career

5 patrols

8 May, 1943 - 31 May, 1944  5. Flottille (training)
1 Jun, 1944 - 20 Jun, 1944  6. Flottille (front boat)
21 Jun, 1944 - 31 Jul, 1944  13. Flottille (front boat)
1 Aug, 1944 - 24 Oct, 1944  6. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sank at 0115hrs on 24 Oct, 1944 in the North Sea, north of Stavanger, Norway, in position 59.20N, 05.53E, after running aground near Smaaskjär following a collision with U-382.

Raised on 9 Nov, 1944 and moved to Stavanger. Surrendered to Norway. Broken up.

View the 5 war patrols

Attacks on this boat

1 Apr, 1944
The boat was attacked and damaged by a convoy escort, forcing it to return to base.

1 recorded attacks on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in August 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-673 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.