U-396

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan 1941

Laid down

6 Jun 1942

Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel (werk 28)

Launched

27 Aug 1943

Commissioned

16 Oct 1943

Oblt. Ernst-Günther Unterhorst

Commanders

16 Oct 1943 - Mar, 1945	Kptlt. Ernst-Günther Unterhorst
Mar, 1945 - 23 Apr 1945	Kptlt. Hilmar Siemon

Career

5 patrols

16 Oct 1943 - 31 May 1944  5. Flottille (training)
1 Jun 1944 - 30 Sep 1944  1. Flottille (front boat)
1 Oct 1944 - 23 Apr 1945  11. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

The boat went missing in middle or late April 1945 on its return from weather-reporting duties. No explanation exists for its loss. 45 dead (all hands lost).

View the 5 war patrols

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by Axel Niestlé during June 1993. More on revised fates.

Sunk 23 April, 1945, in the North Atlantic southwest of the Shetlands, in position 59.29N, 05.22W, by depth charges from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqdn. 86/U).

This was probably against a nonsub target.

Attacks on this boat

28 Jun 1944
At 20.08 hours, the boat was attacked by a British Catalina aircraft (RAF Sqdn 210/Q, pilot F/O J.C. Campbell) with depth charges. The aircraft was not hit by the AA fire and U-396 submerged after a strafing run. The boat had to abort its patrol due to carbon-monoxide leak as a result. (Sources: Franks)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in May 1944. 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-396 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