U-443

Type

VIIC

Ordered

13 Apr 1940

Laid down

10 Feb 1941

F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (werk 1498)

Launched

31 Jan 1942

Commissioned

18 Apr 1942

Oblt. Konstantin von Puttkamer

Commanders

18 Apr 1942

23 Feb 1943

Kptlt. Konstantin von Puttkamer

Career
3 patrols

18 Apr 1942	-	30 Sep 1942	8. Flottille (training)
1 Oct 1942	-	31 Dec 1942	9. Flottille (active service)
1 Jan 1943	-	23 Feb 1943	29. Flottille (active service)

Successes

3 ships sunk, total tonnage 19,435 GRT
1 warship sunk, total tonnage 1,087 tons

Fate

Sunk 23 Feb, 1943 in the Mediterranean near Algiers, in position 36.55N, 02.25E, by depth charges from the British escort destroyers HMS Bicester, HMS Lamerton and HMS Wheatland. 48 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 4 ships hit by U-443 - View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-443 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Panther (11 Oct 1942 - 16 Oct 1942)
Puma (16 Oct 1942 - 29 Oct 1942)

Attacks on this boat

22 Oct 1942
After locating convoy ON 139 the boat attacked and sank 2 large ships (17.843 tons total) but was then counter-attacked by its escorts and held down until the convoy escaped. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 43. )

1 recorded attack 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-443 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.