U-198

Type

IXD2

Ordered

4 Nov, 1940

Laid down

1 Aug, 1941

AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1044)

Launched

15 Jun, 1942

Commissioned

3 Nov, 1942

Fregkpt. Werner Musenberg *

Commanders

3 Nov, 1942 - 15 Jan, 1944	Kpt. Werner Hartmann (Knights Cross)
21 Jan, 1944 - 12 Aug, 1944	Oblt. Burkhard Heusinger von Waldegg

Career

2 patrols

3 Nov, 1942 - 31 Mar, 1943 4. Flottille (training)
1 Apr, 1943 - 12 Aug, 1944 12. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

11 ships sunk for a total of 59.690 GRT

Fate

Sunk 12 Aug, 1944 near the Seychelles, in position 03.35S, 52.49E, by depth charges from the British frigate HMS Findhorn and the Indian sloop HMIS Godavari. 66 dead (all hands lost).

See the 11 ships hit by U-198 - View the 2 war patrols

Attacks on this boat

5 Apr, 1943
At 18.10 hours, the boat was attacked by British Sunderland aircraft (RAF Sqdn 204 / H) with 8 bombs northeast of the Cape Verde Islands. One of them hit the stern and bounced off without detonating.At 20.40 hours, the same Sunderland aircraft dropped 4 bombs on the boat, causing no damages. (Sources: Rohwer/Ritschel)

17 May, 1943
Attacking a small convoy (LMD 17) the boat was depth charged by its escorts, two ASW trawlers and one aircraft, about 55 charges in all. No damages. One ship sunk. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 297)

19 May, 1943
At 20.58 hours, the boat was attacked by British Catalina aircraft (RAF Sqdn 262 / J) with 5 bombs. No damages. The aircraft was damaged by AA fire and had to return to base on one engine. (Sources: Rohwer/Ritschel)

31 May, 1943
A corvette escorting a small but well escorted convoy in the Indian Ocean attacked the boat and drove it very deep but without serious damages. At 19.43 hours, the boat fired at an approaching British Catalina aircraft (RAF Sqdn 262 / C) and escaped by crash-diving, but then lost the convoy. (Sources: Rohwer/Ritschel)

6 Jul, 1944
Two Ventura aircraft based in South Africa attacked the boat, which opened fire with the AA guns and fought off the attack. The boat was only damaged slightly and continued its patrol. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 540)

19 Jul, 1944
After the boat unsuccessfully fired torpedoes at a freighter, a corvette attacked U-198 with depth charges. No damages. (Sources: Ritschel)

6 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

* Fregkpt. Werner Musenberg only commissioned U-198 in deputise for Fregkpt. Werner Hartmann.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-198 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.