List of all U-boats

U-457

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered16 Jan 1940
Laid down26 Oct 1940 Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel (werk 288)
Launched4 Oct 1941
Commissioned5 Nov 1941Korvkpt. Karl Brandenburg
Commanders
5 Nov 1941 - 16 Sep 1942  KrvKpt. Karl Brandenburg
Career
3 patrols
5 Nov 1941-30 Jun 1942  6. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1942-16 Sep 1942  11. Flottille (active service)
Successes2 ships sunk, total tonnage 15,593 GRT
1 ship damaged, total tonnage 8,939 GRT
Fate

Sunk on 16 September 1942 in the Barents Sea west of Novaya Zemlya, in position 75.05N, 43.15E, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Impulsive. 45 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 3 ships hit by U-457 - View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-457 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Eisteufel (30 Jun 1942 - 12 Jul 1942)
   Trägertod (12 Sep 1942 - 16 Sep 1942)

Attacks on this boat and other events

4 Jul 1942
At 2022hrs the boat was attacked with a depth charge by a floatplane after crash diving while shadowing convoy PQ-17 in approx. 75°57N, 27°50E. The explosion only caused minor damage, but destroyed the UZO optic. The aircraft was a SOC Seagull (VCS-7 USN, pilot Ens. Barclay) from USS Tuscaloosa on anti-submarine patrol around the First Cruiser Squadron (CS1) acting as distant cover for the convoy. (Sources: KTB U-457, War diary USS Tuscaloosa)

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-457 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-boat Emblems

We have 2 emblem entries for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


Black Eagle

Eagle with Sword

Media links


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


Hitler's U-boat War

Blair, Clay




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