List of all U-boats

U-288

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered5 Jun 1941
Laid down7 Sep 1942 Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 53)
Launched15 May 1943
Commissioned26 Jun 1943Oblt. Willy Meyer
Commanders
26 Jun 1943 - 3 Apr 1944  Oblt. (R) Willy Meyer
Career
2 patrols
26 Jun 1943-31 Jan 1944  8. Flottille (training)
1 Feb 1944-3 Apr 1944  13. Flottille (active service)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk on 3 April 1944 in the Barents Sea east of Bear Island, in position 73.44N, 27.12E, by depth charges, rockets and strafing from a British Swordfish aircraft (819 Sqn FAA/C) of the British escort carrier HMS Activity and the British Avenger & Wildcat aircraft (846 Sqn FAA/G & Y) of the British escort carrier HMS Tracker. 49 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

View the 2 war patrols

For the following sequence of photographs that show U-288 being attacked shortly before sinking we would like to thank David Tolley who's father Raymond Tolley was an Air Artificer aboard HMS Tracker during that time.

Wolfpack operations

U-288 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Boreas (2 Mar 1944 - 5 Mar 1944)
   Orkan (5 Mar 1944 - 10 Mar 1944)
   Blitz (24 Mar 1944 - 30 Mar 1944)
   Hammer (30 Mar 1944 - 3 Apr 1944)

Attacks on this boat and other events

3 Apr 1944
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:British Swordfish (Sqdn )

The boat was lost in this attack.

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-288 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.


Media links


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


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

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay




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