U-989

Type

VIIC

Ordered

25 May 1941

Laid down

17 Oct 1942

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 189)

Launched

16 Jun 1943

Commissioned

22 Jul 1943

Oblt. Hardo Rodler von Roithberg

Commanders

22 Jul 1943

14 Feb 1945

Kptlt. Hardo Rodler von Roithberg

Career
5 patrols

22 Jul 1943	-	31 Jan 1944	5. Flottille (training)
1 Feb 1944	-	30 Sep 1944	9. Flottille (active service)
1 Oct 1944	-	14 Feb 1945	33. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 ship sunk, total tonnage 1,791 GRT
1 ship damaged, total tonnage 7,176 GRT

Fate

Sunk 14 Feb, 1945 in the Northern Sea at the Faeroe Islands, in position 61.36N, 01.35W by depth charges from the British frigates HMS Bayntun, HMS Bratwaite, HMS Loch Eck and HMS Loch Dunvegan. 47 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 2 ships hit by U-989 - View the 5 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-989 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Stürmer (26 Jan 1944 - 3 Feb 1944)
   Igel 1 (3 Feb 1944 - 17 Feb 1944)
   Hai 1 (17 Feb 1944 - 22 Feb 1944)

Attacks on this boat and other events

7 Jun 1944
An attack from a British Leigh-light equipped Wellington (Sqdn 179, pilot W. J. Hill) in the Bay of Biscay caused minor damage. A B-24 Liberator and a flight of Mosquitos also took part, wounding the U-boat commander and forcing U-989 to return to base. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 583)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

General notes on this boat

14 Feb 1945. After U-989 was sunk 2 men managed to escape, but both died before reaching the surface. One was the commander, Oblt Hardo von Roithberg. It was his 27th birthday.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in October 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-989 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.