U-338

Type

VIIC

Ordered

21 Nov 1940

Laid down

4 Apr 1941

Nordseewerke, Emden (werk 210)

Launched

20 Apr 1942

Commissioned

25 Jun 1942

Oblt. Manfred Kinzel

Commanders

25 Jun 1942 - 20 Sep 1943

Kptlt. Manfred Kinzel

Career

3 patrols

25 Jun 1942 - 28 Feb 1943 8. Flottille (training)
1 Mar 1943 - 20 Sep 1943 7. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

4 ships sunk for a total of 21,927 GRT
1 ship damaged for a total of 7,134 GRT

Fate

Listed as missing in the North Atlantic on 20 Sept, 1943 in approximate position 57N, 30W.

No explanation exists for its loss. 51 dead (all hands lost).

See the 5 ships hit by U-338 - View the 3 war patrols

The loss of U-338
U-338 reported for the last time on 20 Sept, 1943 from position 57.20N, 30.00W during operations against convoys ON.202/ONS.18.

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by FDS/NHB during October 1992. More on revised fates.

Sunk 20 Sept, 1943 south-west of Iceland, in position 57.40N, 29.48W, a homing torpedo from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqdn. 120/F).

This attack was actually against U-386 inflicting no damage.

Wolfpack operations

U-338 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Sturmer (14 Mar 1943 - 20 Mar 1943)
Leuthen (25 Aug 1943 - 20 Sep 1943)

Attacks on this boat

22 Mar 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:British Halifax (502 Sqdn RAF/B, pilot P/O L.J. McCulloch)

At 09.58 hours, the inbound boat was surprised by the Halifax in the outer Bay of Biscay. AA fire hit the aircraft during the attack run, so the stick of bombs fell wide and only one detonating near the bow caused some light damages. Hit in the outer starboard engine and the fuselage, the Halifax was seen to crash into the sea in some distance. The Australian Sgt H.C. Taylor was the sole survivor of the eight-men crew, picked up by U-338 and taken prisoner.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

17 Jun 1943
A B-17 Fortress (Sqdn 206/F) killed the Obersteuermann and wounded 3 men during an attack that damaged the boat. [Obersteuermann Paul Trefflich]

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

The U-338 was nicknamed the Wild Onager in reference to an incident that occurred when it was first launched. Apparently, the U-boat broke its moorings on the day of launch and sank a small tug boat. The boat then displayed this emblem seen on the left that was later also utilized for the 29th Flotilla located in the Mediterranean.

Men lost from the boat

17 Jun 1943
A B-17 Fortress (Sqdn 206/F) killed the Obersteuermann and wounded 3 men during an attack that damaged the boat. [Obersteuermann Paul Trefflich]

Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -