U-480

Type

VIIC

Ordered

10 Apr, 1941

Laid down

8 Dec, 1942

Deutsche Werke, Kiel (werk 311)

Launched

14 Aug, 1943

Commissioned

6 Oct, 1943

Oblt. Hans-Joachim Förster

Commanders

6 Oct, 1943 - 24 Feb, 1945

Oblt. Hans-Joachim Förster (Knights Cross)

Career

3 patrols

6 Oct, 1943 - 31 May, 1944  5. Flottille (training)
1 Jun, 1944 - 14 Oct, 1944  9. Flottille (front boat)
15 Oct, 1944 - 24 Feb, 1945  11. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

2 ships sunk for a total of 12.846 GRT
2 warships sunk for a total of 1.775 tons

Fate

Sunk between 29 January and about 20 February 1945 in minefield Brazier D2 in position 50°22'04"N/001°44'10"W. 48 dead (all hands lost).

See the 4 ships hit by U-480 - View the 3 war patrols

Previously recorded fate (Last revised by Axel Niestlé during December 2001). More on revised fates

Sunk 24 Feb, 1945 in the English Channel south-east of Isles of Scilly, in position 49.51.783N, 06.06.750W, by depth charges from the British frigates HMS Duckworth and HMS Rowley.

That attack sank an unknown U-boat (wreck confirmed).

Attacks on this boat

13 Jun, 1944
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:Canadian Catalina (Sqdn 162/B, pilot Laurance Sherman). The crew of this aircraft had sunk the U-980 only 2 days earlier. 3 of the 8 man crew of the aircraft died when ditched and 4 more on life rafts, leaving only 1 survivor, J. E. Roberts. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 591)

1 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

The boat apparently sank 10 miles to the south-east of the Isles of Scilly.

This boat has possibly been located by a diver but I have yet to confirm it. According to Lloyds Register of Shipping its position is 49.51.47N, 06.06.45W.

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-480 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.