U-487

Type

XIV

Ordered

17 Jul, 1941

Laid down

31 Dec, 1941

Germaniawerft, Kiel (werk 556)

Launched

17 Oct, 1942

Commissioned

21 Dec, 1942

Oblt. Helmut Metz

Commanders

21 Dec, 1942 - 13 Jul, 1943

Oblt. Helmut Metz

Career

2 patrols

21 Dec, 1942 - 31 Mar, 1943 4. Flottille (training)
1 Apr, 1943 - 13 Jul, 1943 12. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk on July 13, 1943 in central Atlantic by five Avenger and Wildcat aircraft of the American escort carrier USS Core in position 27.15N, 38.05W. 31 dead and 33 survivors.

View the 2 war patrols

Attacks on this boat

13 Jul, 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:American Wildcat (VC-13 USN, pilot Lt(jg) Earl H. Steiger)

The sinking of U-487 At 19.21 hours, the milk cow was attacked by carrier aircraft (VC-13 USN) from USS Core southwest of the Azores after a planned refuelling was reported by ULTRA. An Avenger/Wildcat team, piloted by Lt R.P. Williams and Lt(jg) E.H. Steiger, completely surprised U-487 as some crewmen were seen sun-bathing on deck and no AA fire was experienced during the first attack run. Four depth charges straddled the boat, which stopped in a large oil patch. The Wildcat attempted a second strafing run, but was hit by AA fire and crashed off the port bow, killing the pilot. Two other Wildcats, piloted by LtCdr C.W. Brewer and Lt J.R. Brownstein, arrived at the scene and their strafing attacks made it possible for a second Avenger (Lt(jg) J.F. Schoby) to place four depth charges direct on target. Its explosions lifted U-487 out of the water, broke her back and caused it to sink within a few seconds. 33 survivors were later rescued by USS Barker.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

1 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-487 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.