List of all U-boats

U-683

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered25 Aug 1941
Laid down23 Dec 1942 Howaldtswerke Hamburg AG, Hamburg (werk 832)
Launched7 Mar 1944
Commissioned30 May 1944Oblt. Günter Keller
Commanders
30 May 1944 - 20 Feb 1945  Kptlt. Günter Keller
Career
1 patrol
30 May 1944-31 Dec 1944  31. Flottille (training)
1 Jan 1945-20 Feb 1945  11. Flottille (active service)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Missing since 20 February 1945 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland or in the English Channel. 49 dead (all hands lost). (FDS/NHB, December 1989).

Loss position

View the 1 war patrol

U-683 sent its last radio message on 20 February 1945 from approx. position 55.00N, 12.30W while en route to its operational area off Cherbourg. The boat was posted as missing on 3 April 1945 after it failed to return to Stavanger. It is possible that U-683 was mined on or after 28 February 1945 in the British minefield HW A1 in position 50.31,4N, 05.22,8W.

Previously recorded fate

  • Missing since 12 March, 1945. Probably sunk 12 March, 1945 in the English Channel near Land's End, in position 49.52N, 05.52W, by depth charges from the British frigate HMS Loch Ruthven and the British sloop HMS Wild Goose. (Postwar assessment)
    Notes. This attack was probably against the wreck of U-247.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat

This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in February 1945 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-683 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.


Media links


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


Related page:
U-boats Missing in Action.



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