U-306

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan, 1941

Laid down

16 Sep, 1941

Flender-Werke, Lübeck (werk 306)

Launched

29 Aug, 1942

Commissioned

21 Oct, 1942

Oblt. Claus von Trotha

Commanders

21 Oct, 1942 - 31 Oct, 1943

Kptlt. Claus von Trotha

Career

5 patrols

21 Oct, 1942 - 28 Feb, 1943 8. Flottille (training)
1 Mar, 1943 - 31 Oct, 1943 1. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

1 ship sunk for a total of 10.218 GRT
2 ships damaged for a total of 11.195 GRT

Fate

Sunk 31 Oct, 1943 in the North Atlantic north-east of the Azores, in position 46.19N, 20.44W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Whitehall and the British corvette HMS Geranium. 51 dead (all hands lost).

See the 3 ships hit by U-306 - View the 5 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-306 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Seeteufel (21 Mar, 1943 - 30 Mar, 1943)
Meise (20 Apr, 1943 - 27 Apr, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

5 Apr, 1943
The attack on 6 April, 1943 in the North Atlantic southwest of Iceland, in position 58.25N, 29.22W, by depth charges from the British frigate HMS Tay was formerly credited with sinking the U-635.

This attack was actually against U-306 inflicting no damage.

(Sources: 1985-03-01, FDS/NHB)

7 May, 1943
At 06.55 hours, the inbound boat was attacked by the British Halifax aircraft HR745 (58 Sqdn RAF/S, pilot W/C W.E. Oulton, DFC). Six depth charges were dropped about 15 seconds after U-306 crash-dived without damaging the boat. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

2 recorded attacks 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-306 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.