U-757

Type

VIIC

Ordered

9 Oct 1939

Laid down

18 May 1940

Kriegsmarinewerft (KMW), Wilhelmshaven (werk 140)

Launched

14 Dec 1941

Commissioned

28 Feb 1942

Oblt. Friedrich Deetz

Commanders

28 Feb 1942

8 Jan 1944

KrvKpt. Friedrich Deetz

Career
5 patrols

28 Feb 1942	-	1 Sep 1942	6. Flottille (training)
1 Sep 1942	-	8 Jan 1944	6. Flottille (active service)

Successes

2 ships sunk, total tonnage 11,313 GRT
1 warship sunk, total tonnage 291 tons (lost aboard transport ships)

Fate

Sunk on 8 January 1944 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 50.33N, 18.03W, by depth charges from the British frigate HMS Bayntun and the Canadian corvette HMCS Camrose. 49 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 3 ships hit by U-757 - View the 5 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-757 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Panther (6 Oct 1942 - 10 Oct 1942)
   Neuland (4 Mar 1943 - 12 Mar 1943)
   Without name (11 Jul 1943 - 29 Jul 1943)
   Rügen 5 (6 Jan 1944 - 7 Jan 1944)
   Rügen (7 Jan 1944 - 8 Jan 1944)

Attacks on this boat and other events

16 Mar 1943
While U-757 was returning to base with injured crew in company with U-359 they were attacked by an unidentified Liberator bomber west of the Bay of Biscay. Despite U-757 being seriously damaged from the battle around convoy HX-228, the boats drove the attacker off. U-757 did not sail again for months. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 255)

14 Jul 1943
At 1115hrs the U-boat was attacked by an American Liberator (2nd A/S Sqdn USAAF, pilot 1Lt J.M. Pennoyer) west-northwest of Lisbon. The aircraft was hit by flak during the first attack run and only dropped one depth charge, which failed to detonate. After diving, U-757 was slightly damaged by six more depth charges that the Liberator dropped in the boats wash. The Liberator was hit in the fuselage and one engine and lost hydraulic power, which meant the undercarriage had to be lowered manually before landing at base at Agadir, French Morocco. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

11 Aug 1943
At 1232hrs the U-boat was attacked by a New Zealand Catalina flying boat (490 Sqn RNZAF/A, pilot F/O N.A. Ward) about 230 miles south-southwest of Dakar. The U-boat was not damaged by the depth charges that fell 50 meters astern and then escaped by crash diving after keeping the aircraft on distance with the AA guns for 20 minutes. A fifth depth charge failed to release during the attack and fortunately for the crew of the aircraft it also held fast during landing.

3 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-757 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.