Type | VIIC | |||||||||
| Ordered | 5 Jun 1941 | |||||||||
| Laid down | 30 May 1942 | F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (werk 1546) | ||||||||
| Launched | 11 Mar 1943 | |||||||||
| Commissioned | 15 May 1943 | Oblt. Helmut Kandzior | ||||||||
| Commanders |
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| Career 1 patrol |
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| Successes | No ships sunk or damaged | |||||||||
| Fate | On July 16, 2001 during Operation Deadlight Expedition just north of Ireland a diving team led by Innes McCartney discovered a wreck at depth of 69m in position 55.38N, 07.26W. This wreck is U-743, according to Dr. Alex Niestlé, and if so then she was lost in latter half of Sept or early Oct, 1944. 50 dead (all hands lost). (Axel Niestlé, January 1994). | |||||||||
The reasons for her loss are not clear, possibly due to collision with an unknown vessel. I've put her loss on 21 Sept for our databases to list her at least more correctly until we find out her actual date of loss (previous date used was Aug 21).
Previously recorded fate
- Sunk 9 Sept 1944 in the North Atlantic northwest of Ireland, in position 55.45N, 11.41W, by depth charges from the British corvette HMS Porchester Castle and the British frigate HMS Helmsdale. (Postwar assessment)
Notes. This attack resulted in the sinking of U-484.
Attacks on this boat
20 Jun 1944
During an aircraft attack by a British B-24 Liberator (RAF 86 Sqd/K) on the boat 1 man was killed and 2 more wounded. The boat aborted to Bergen, Norway after this attack. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 595)
1 recorded attack on this boat.
Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in July 1944. Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.
Men lost from the boat
21 Jun 1944
During an aircraft attack by a Liberator (RAF 86 Sqd/K) on the boat 1 man was killed and 2 more wounded.
Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -
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