List of all U-boats

U-821

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered20 Jan 1941
Laid down2 Oct 1941 Oderwerke AG, Stettin (werk 821)
Launched26 Jun 1943
Commissioned11 Oct 1943Ltnt. Ludwig Fabricius
Commanders
11 Oct 1943 - 1 Dec 1943  Ltn. Ludwig Fabricius
2 Dec 1943 - 31 Dec 1943  Oblt. Ernst Fischer
1 Jan 1944 - 10 Jun 1944  Oblt. Ulrich Knackfuß
Career
2 patrols
11 Oct 1943-1 Nov 1943  4. Flottille (training)
1 Nov 1943-31 Dec 1943  24. Flottille (training)
1 Jan 1944-29 Feb 1944  4. Flottille (training)
1 Mar 1944-10 Jun 1944  1. Flottille (active service)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk at 1145hrs on 10 June 1944 in the Bay of Biscay west of Brest, in position 48.31N, 05.11W, by depth charges and strafing from a British Liberator (206 Sqn RAF/K) and four British Mosquito aircraft (248 Sqn RAF/S, T, V & W). 50 dead and 1 survivor.

Loss position

View the 2 war patrols

Attacks on this boat and other events

10 Apr 1944
0304hrs, Bay of Biscay, inbound: Liberator Mk.V BZ781 (53 Sqn RAF/A, pilot F/O W.J. Irving, RCAF) made a Leigh Light attack after following a radar trace. The depth charges failed to release on the first run, and on a further two passes, possibly due to flak hits to the bomb bay on the second approach. The undamaged U-821 escaped further strafing attacks by diving after 20 minutes. The Liberator was left with an inoperable tail gun turret and damage to the hydraulics and nose wheel. The damage was noticed, and F/O Irving managed to reach base and land without flaps or brakes at first light - for which he later received the DFC. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat

This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in May 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-821 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-boat Emblems

We have 2 emblem entries for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


Commander stepping on Ship

Eagle with Crown

Media links


Battle Beneath the Waves

Stern, Robert C.


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay




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