U-753

Type

VIIC

Ordered

9 Oct, 1939

Laid down

3 Jan, 1940

Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven (werk 136)

Launched

26 Apr, 1941

Commissioned

18 Jun, 1941

Korvkpt. Alfred Manhardt von Mannstein

Commanders

18 Jun, 1941 - 13 May, 1943

FrgKpt. Alfred Manhardt von Mannstein

Career

7 patrols

18 Jun, 1941 - 30 Nov, 1941 3. Flottille (training)
1 Dec, 1941 - 13 May, 1943 3. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

3 ships sunk for a total of 23.117 GRT
2 ships damaged for a total of 6.908 GRT

Fate

Sunk 13 May, 1943 in the North Atlantic, in position 48.37N, 22.39W, by depth charges from the Canadian corvette HMCS Drumheller, the British frigate HMS Lagan and depth charges from a Canadian Sunderland aircraft (RCAF Sqdn. 423/G). 47 dead (all hands lost).

See the 5 ships hit by U-753 - View the 7 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-753 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Luchs (1 Oct, 1942 - 7 Oct, 1942)
   Panther (8 Oct, 1942 - 14 Oct, 1942)
   Kreuzotter (8 Oct, 1942 - 19 Oct, 1942)
   Puma (16 Oct, 1942 - 30 Oct, 1942)
   Hartherz (4 Feb, 1943 - 7 Feb, 1943)
   Ritter (14 Feb, 1943 - 26 Feb, 1943)
   Wildfang (25 Feb, 1943 - 7 Mar, 1943)
   Drossel (8 May, 1943 - 13 May, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

26 Jan, 1942
The boat was lightly rammed and damaged in an attack by a British escort in the North Atlantic.

13 May, 1943
The sinking of U-753At 08.30 hours, the boat was spotted by a Canadian Sunderland aircraft (423 Sqdn RCAF/G, pilot F/L J. Musgrave) ten miles from convoy HX-237. AA fire from U-753 prevented an attack, so the Sunderland shadowed the boat for the next 20 minutes, only exchanging gunfire - they fired around 2000 rounds and were hit by one shell. HMCS Drumheller then forced the boat to dive by gunfire and the Sunderland immediately dropped two depth charges ahead of the swirl. A Swordfish aircraft from the British escort carrier HMS Biter arrived and marked the diving spot with smoke floats. The corvette was soon joined by HMS Lagan and together they sank U-753 with depth charges. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

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-753 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.