U-198

Type

IXD2

Ordered

4 Nov 1940

Laid down

1 Aug 1941

AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1044)

Launched

15 Jun 1942

Commissioned

3 Nov 1942

Fregkpt. Werner Musenberg *

Commanders

3 Nov 1942	-	15 Jan 1944		Kpt. Werner Hartmann (Knights Cross)
21 Jan 1944	-	12 Aug 1944		Oblt. Burkhard Heusinger von Waldegg

Career
2 patrols

3 Nov 1942	-	31 Mar 1943	4. Flottille (training)
1 Apr 1943	-	12 Aug 1944	12. Flottille (active service)

Successes

11 ships sunk, total tonnage 59,690 GRT

Fate

Sunk 12 Aug 1944 near the Seychelles, in position 03.35S, 52.49E, by depth charges from the British frigate HMS Findhorn and the Indian sloop HMIS Godavari. 66 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 11 ships hit by U-198 - View the 2 war patrols

Attacks on this boat and other events

5 Apr 1943
18.10 hrs, NE of the Cape Verde Islands: a British Sunderland flying boat (RAF Sqn 204/H) dropped eight bombs on U-198, one of which hit the stern, but bounced off without detonating.At 20.40 hrs, the same Sunderland dropped four more bombs on the boat, again without causing damage. (Sources: Rohwer/Ritschel)

17 May 1943
The escorts of small convoy LMD 17), two ASW trawlers and one aircraft, dropped some 55 depth charges after U-198 sank a ship. No damage. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 297)

19 May 1943
20.58 hrs: a British Catalina flying boat (RAF Sqn 262/J) dropped five bombs on the boat. No damage. The aircraft was damaged by flak and had to return to base on one engine. (Sources: Rohwer/Ritschel)

31 May 1943
A corvette escorting a small but well escorted convoy in the Indian Ocean attacked the boat and drove it very deep. No serious damage. At 19.43 hrs the boat fired at an approaching British Catalina (RAF Sqn 262/C) flying boat and then escaped by crash-diving, but subsequently lost the convoy. (Sources: Rohwer/Ritschel)

6 Jul 1944
Two Ventura bombers based in South Africa were fought off with flak after attacking. The boat was only slightly damaged and was able to continue the patrol. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 540)

19 Jul 1944
The boat was depth charged by a corvette after launching torpedoes at a freighter. No damage to either vessel. (Sources: Ritschel)

6 recorded attacks on this boat.