U-865

Type

IXC/40

Ordered

25 Aug 1941

Laid down

5 Jan 1943

AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1073)

Launched

12 Jul 1943

Commissioned

25 Oct 1943

Oblt. Dietrich Stellmacher

Commanders

25 Oct 1943

Sep, 1944

Oblt. (R) Dietrich Stellmacher

Career
1 patrol

25 Oct 1943	-	30 Jun 1944	4. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1944	-	19 Sep 1944	10. Flottille (active service)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Missing since 9 September 1944 in the Norwegian Sea. There is no explanation for its loss. 59 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

View the 1 war patrol

U-865 left Trondheim on 8 September 1944 for a patrol in Canadian waters, but no signals were received from this boat after sailing and it was posted as missing on 1 October 1944. It is possible that U-865 was lost in an accident because three previous attempts to reach the North Atlantic had been made that all failed owing to problems with the Schnorchel.

Previously recorded fate

Probably sunk 19 Sept, 1944 north-west of Bergen, in position 62.20N, 02.30E, by depth charges from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqdn. 206/S).
Notes. This attack was actually against the U-858 inflicting minor damages.

Attacks on this boat and other events

27 Jul 1944
U-865 was returning to Trondheim due to difficulties with its snorkel when it was slightly damaged by six depth charges from a British Liberator aircraft (86 Sqn RAF/R, pilot G.G. Gates) about 80 nautical miles north-northwest of Trondheim at 19.58 hours. The Germans put up a powerful flak barrage, hitting engines #1 and #2 during the approach and the sudden loss of power on the port side caused the depth charges to miss and explode off the starboard bow. The Liberator circled the U-boat twice and then left with two smoking engines, but managed to reach base safely. (Sources: KTB U-865 & ADM 199/1786)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat

This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in July 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-865 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.