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U-473

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered20 Jan, 1941
Laid down 1 Dec, 1941 Deutsche Werke, Kiel (werk 304)
Launched17 Apr, 1943
Commissioned16 Jun, 1943Kptlt. Heinz Sternberg
Commanders
16 Jun, 1943 - 6 May, 1944  Kptlt. Heinz Sternberg
Career2 patrols 16 Jun, 1943 - 31 Dec, 1943  5. Flottille (training)
1 Jan, 1944 - 6 May, 1944  9. Flottille (front boat)
Successes1 warship a total loss for a total of 1.400 tons
Fate

Sunk 6 May, 1944 at 0200 hrs in the North Atlantic west south-west of Ireland, in position 49.29N, 21.22W, by depth charges from the British sloops HMS Starling, HMS Wren and HMS Wild Goose. 23 dead and 30 survivors.

See the 1 ships hit by U-473 - View the 2 war patrols

Attacks on this boat

28 Apr, 1944
The outbound boat was attacked by a Leigh-light equipped Halifax aircraft (Sqdn 58). The aircraft dropped 7 depth charges but was driven away by flak and the boat was not damaged. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 510)

29 Apr, 1944
In the second attack in two days a British Wellington aircraft (Sqdn 304) attacked the boat with depth charges. The boat was not damaged and continued its patrol. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 510)

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-473 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.



German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel

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Books dealing with this subject include:

German U-Boat Losses During World War II, Niestle, Axel, 1998
U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998
U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998