U-300

Type

VIIC/41

Ordered

23 Mar 1942

Laid down

9 Apr 1943

Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 65)

Launched

23 Nov 1943

Commissioned

29 Dec 1943

Oblt. Fritz Hein

Commanders

29 Dec 1943

22 Feb 1945

Oblt. Fritz Hein

Career
3 patrols

29 Dec 1943	-	31 Jul 1944	8. Flottille (training)
1 Aug 1944	-	30 Sep 1944	7. Flottille (active service)
1 Oct 1944	-	22 Feb 1945	11. Flottille (active service)

Successes

2 ships sunk, total tonnage 7,559 GRT
1 ship damaged, total tonnage 7,176 GRT
1 ship a total loss, total tonnage 9,551 GRT

Fate

Sunk 22 Feb, 1945 in the North Atlantic west of Cadiz, in position 36.29N, 08.20W, by gunfire from the British minesweepers HMS Recuit and HMS Pincher and the yacht Evadne. 9 dead and 41 survivors.

Loss position

See the 4 ships hit by U-300 - View the 3 war patrols

Traditional description of the loss of U-300 mentions only depth charges but allied witnesses insist only gunfire was used to sink the boat.

Attacks on this boat and other events

4 Aug 1944
Three depth charges from a Canadian Catalina flying boat (Sqdn 162, pilot W. O. Marshall) caused extensive damage which included both periscopes and a ballast tank. The boat drove off the aircraft with flak and escaped, but was forced to retreat to Bergen, Norway for repairs. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 630)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in July 1944 but it was of course installed prior to that date. 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-300 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.