U-857

Type

IXC/40

Ordered

5 Jun 1941

Laid down

16 Nov 1942

AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1063)

Launched

25 May 1943

Commissioned

16 Sep 1943

Kptlt. Rudolf Premauer

Commanders

16 Sep 1943 - 15 Apr 1945

Kptlt. Rudolf Premauer

Career

3 patrols

16 Sep 1943 - 31 May 1944  4. Flottille (training)
1 Jun 1944 - 30 Sep 1944  10. Flottille (front boat)
1 Oct 1944 - 15 Apr 1945  33. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

2 ships sunk for a total of 15,259 GRT
1 ship damaged for a total of 6,825 GRT

Fate

Missing since April, 1945 in the North Atlantic off the US East Coast.

No explanation exists for its loss. 59 dead (all hands lost).

See the 3 ships hit by U-857 - View the 3 war patrols

There is a chance that this boat was sunk by the escort vessels currently being credited for U-879 as both boats might have been in the area at the same time.

Another chance is that she was sunk by an American Blimp (airship) that made a claim of dropping a homing torpedo on a submarine on 18 April, 1945.

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by FDS/NHB during April 1994. More on revised fates.

Sunk 7 April, 1945 in the North Atlantic east of Boston, USA, in position 42.22N, 69.46W, by depth charges from the US destroyer escort USS Gustafson.

This attack was actually against a nonsub target.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in September 1944. 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-857 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.