U-297

Type

VIIC/41

 
Ordered14 Oct 1941
Laid down 27 Jan 1943 Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 62)
Launched9 Oct 1943
Commissioned17 Nov 1943Oblt. Wolfgang Aldegarmann
Commanders
17 Nov 1943 - 6 Dec 1944  Oblt. Wolfgang Aldegarmann
Career1 patrol 17 Nov 1943 - 31 Oct 1944  8. Flottille (training)
1 Nov 1944 - 6 Dec 1944  11. Flottille (front boat)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk on 6 Dec, 1944 in the North Atlantic, 16 miles west of Yesnaby in the Orkney Islands, by 6 depth charges from a British Sunderland aircraft (Sqdn. 201). 50 dead (all hands lost).

View the 1 war patrol

The wreck was discovered and identified in May 2000 by Ian Trumpness and Kevin Heath of Stromness. It had been listed on fishing charts but believed to be an unknown fishing vessel. It lies in 285 feet of water.

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by FDS/NHB during April 1997. More on revised fates.

Listed as missing on 3 Jan, 1945 in the North Atlantic, probably near the Pentland Firth.

Other previous fate
Sunk 6 Dec, 1944 in Pentland Firth, in position 58.44N, 04.29W, by depth charges from the British frigates HMS Loch Inch and HMS Goodall.

This attack was actually against U-775 inflicting no damage.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in November 1944 but it was of course installed prior to that date. Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.

Annoucements related to this boat

The wreck of U-297 located (12 Mar 2001)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-297 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.



U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2

Wynn, Kenneth


Buy this title at


amazon.com
See more sellers

Books dealing with this subject include:

German U-Boat Losses During World War II. Niestle, Axel, 1998.
Hitler's U-boat War. Blair, Clay, 1996.
Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II. Blair, Clay, 1998.
U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1. Wynn, Kenneth, 1998.
U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2. Wynn, Kenneth, 1998.