List of all U-boats

U-296

Type

VIIC/41

 
Ordered14 Oct 1941
Laid down23 Jan 1943 Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 61)
Launched5 Sep 1943
Commissioned3 Nov 1943Oblt. Karl-Heinz Rasch
Commanders
3 Nov 1943 - 12 Mar 1945  Kptlt. Karl-Heinz Rasch
Career
3 patrols
3 Nov 1943-31 Jul 1944  8. Flottille (training)
1 Aug 1944-30 Sep 1944  9. Flottille (active service)
1 Oct 1944-12 Mar 1945  11. Flottille (active service)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk on or about 12 March 1945 in the western entrance of the Northern Channel, in approx. position 55.30N, 07.00W, by a mine in the British minefields T1 or T2. 42 dead (all hands lost). (FDS/NHB, April 1985).

Loss position

View the 3 war patrols

U-296 sent no messages after leaving Bergen to operate in the Firth of Clyde and was posted as missing after it failed to return from patrol. The boat was possibly lost in the British deep anti-submarine minefields T1 and T2 laid on its route to the operational area.

Previously recorded fate

  • Sunk 22 March 1945 in the Northern Channel, in position 55.23N, 06.40W, by aerial torpedoes from a British Liberator (Sqdn. 120/B). (Postwar assessment)
    Notes. This attack was actually against a nonsub target.

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 U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-296 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-boat Emblems

We have 1 emblem entry for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


Polar Bear and U-boat

Media links


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel




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