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U-boats Bombed in Safe Waters

During the war the Allies sent thousands of bombers over the major German cities to, among other things, destroy the German war machine. Hamburg, being a major port and industrial center, was hit hard for example. There was a constant battle between the British Coastal Command and the more powerful Bomber Command over strategy. Coastal Command wanted to destroy the boats at sea but Bomber Command wanted to hit the bases and cities. The strategy of hitting the boats at sea proved to be greatly more effective. Until mid 1944 few U-boats were lost in friendly ports.

U-711, along the depot ship Black Watch, being sunk by British Avenger aircraft at Kilbotn, Norway. 4 May 1945.

This list can be sorted by U-boat or date.

U-237 was sunk twice by bombs, both times in Kiel, first in 1943 and then finally on 4 April 1945.

Hamburg, in northern Germany, was among the hardest hit cities in Germany during the Allied bombing. Over 70 serious raids took place during the war, including the infamous "Battle of Hamburg" from 24 Jul to 3 Aug 1943 with over 50,000 dead and a million homeless. During that raid only one U-boat, U-622, was lost (U-boats were not the target). On 30 Mar 1945 4 U-boats were destroyed in Hamburg; U-348, U-350, U-1167 and U-2340.

Toulon, in southern France, was bombed 12 times from Nov 1943 to August 1944 in preparation for Operation Dragoon, the Allied landings in Southern France. The base was the home of the 29th U-boat flotilla and lost the following boats; U-380, U-410, U-421, U-586, U-642, U-952, U-967, U-471 and U-969.

Unfinished U-boats destroyed in air raids

There were several uncompleted boats not in commission destroyed by air raids in the war.

This list can be sorted by U-boat or date.