U-857
Type | IXC/40 | |||
| Ordered | 5 Jun, 1941 | |||
| Laid down | 16 Nov, 1942 | AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1063) | ||
| Launched | 25 May, 1943 | |||
| Commissioned | 16 Sep, 1943 | Kptlt. Rudolf Premauer | ||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 3 patrols | 16 Sep, 1943 - 31 May, 1944 4. Flottille (training) 1 Jun, 1944 - 30 Sep, 1944 10. Flottille (front boat) 1 Oct, 1944 - 15 Apr, 1945 33. Flottille (front boat) | ||
| Successes | 2 ships sunk for a total of 15.259 GRT 1 ship damaged for a total of 6.825 GRT | |||
| Fate | Missing since April, 1945 in the North Atlantic off the US East Coast. No explanation exists for its loss. 59 dead (all hands lost). | |||
See the 3 ships hit by U-857 - View the 3 war patrols
There is a chance that this boat was sunk by the escort vessels currently being credited for U-879 as both boats might have been in the area at the same time.
Another chance is that she was sunk by an American Blimp (airship) that made a claim of dropping a homing torpedo on a submarine on 18 April, 1945.
Previously recorded fate (Last revised by FDS/NHB during April 1994). More on revised fates
Sunk 7 April, 1945 in the North Atlantic east of Boston, USA, in position 42.22N, 69.46W, by depth charges from the US destroyer escort USS Gustafson.
This attack was actually against a nonsub target.
Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in September 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-857 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
![]() | We have an emblem for this boat! You can view it here. (The emblem on the left is not the emblem for this boat). |
![]() German U-Boat Losses During World War II Niestle, Axel Buy this title at amazon.co.uk See more sellers |
Books dealing with this subject include: |
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Related page: U-boats Missing in Action. |


