U-boat patrols

Patrol info for U-438


DepartureArrival / FateDuration
1 Aug 1942Kiel3 Sep 1942Brest34 days

Commander

Officers *


Kptlt. Rudolf Franzius

Daily positions, sinkings and allied attacks during the patrol of U-438


We have daily positions for all 34 days on this patrol.

Wolfpack operations during this patrol

U-438 operated with the following Wolfpacks during this patrol
   Lohs (11 Aug 1942 - 25 Aug 1942)

Ships hit by U-438 during this patrol

Date U-boat Commander Name of ship Tons Nat. ConvoyMap
10 Aug 1942U-438Rudolf Franzius Condylis4,439grSC-94A
10 Aug 1942U-438Rudolf Franzius Oregon6,008brSC-94B
25 Aug 1942U-438Rudolf Franzius Trolla1,598nwONS-122C
 12,045

3 ships sunk (12,045 tons).

Legend
We have a picture of this vessel.

General Events during this patrol

We have no events listed for this patrol.

Add more events! If you know of an interesting event either missing from this date or an upcoming event that you'd like to share please contact us. We continuously update these databases.

Attacks on U-438 during this patrol

25 Aug 1942
At 07.05 hrs HNoMS Eglantine obtained a radar contact between her and HNoMS Montbretia on the starboard quarter of convoy ONS 122 and opened fire with the 4in gun on sighting U-438 through fog five minutes later. After U-438 dived the corvette intended to attack with ten depth charges, but only dropped two because both traps jammed and six throwers misfired. They held contact and delivered a second attack, but with only one depth charge because the launchers were still out of action. At 07.26 hrs a third and final attack was made with five depth charges before the ship returned to the convoy. The U-boat had dived to 180m (590 ft), but the depth charges caused a leak in the bow compartment that could not be stopped, which forced U-438 to surface shortly afterwards. Despite being unable to dive, they escaped in the fog, and six hours later had managed to repair the damage, but were ordered to return to base because their fuel supplies were low. (Sources: ADM reports, KTB U-438)

About this data
If you believe we have missed an attack on a German U-boat in this listing please let us know.


See all patrols for U-438


* These are officers that later became commanders themselves.

Return to U-boat Patrols main page