U-650

Type

VIIC

Ordered

10 Apr, 1941

Laid down

9 Jan, 1942

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 626)

Launched

1 Oct, 1942

Commissioned

26 Nov, 1942

Oblt. Ernst von Witzendorff

Commanders

26 Nov, 1942 - 13 Jul, 1943	Ernst von Witzendorff
14 Jul, 1943 - 26 Nov, 1943	Kptlt. Otto Tinschert
27 Nov, 1943 - 30 Jun, 1944	Ernst von Witzendorff
30 Jun, 1944 - 20 Jul, 1944	Oblt. Ernst-August Gerke (in deputize) -- acting
20 Jul, 1944 - 9 Dec, 1944	Rudolf Zorn

Career

7 patrols

26 Nov, 1942 - 30 Apr, 1943  5. Flottille (training)
1 May, 1943 - 30 Sep, 1944  7. Flottille (front boat)
1 Oct, 1944 - 9 Dec, 1944  11. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Missing since 9 Dec, 1944 in the North Atlantic or the Arctic Ocean, position unknown.

There is no explanation for its loss. 47 dead (all hands lost).

View the 7 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-650 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Star (28 Apr, 1943 - 4 May, 1943)
   Fink (4 May, 1943 - 6 May, 1943)
   Elbe I (11 May, 1943 - 13 May, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

23 Jun, 1943
A British B-24 Liberator bomber (Sqdn 86, pilot John Wright) attacked the boat with a single 600 pound bomb causing severe damages. The boat managed to reach port in France. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 340)

5 Jan, 1944
The outbound boat from St. Nazaire was attacked and damaged by aircraft. The boat made repairs at sea and continued the patrol. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 486)

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in August 1944 but it was of course installed prior to that date. 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-650 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.