List of all U-boats

U-285

Type

VIIC

Ordered

5 Jun 1941

Laid down

7 Jul 1942

Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 50)

Launched

3 Apr 1943

Commissioned

15 May 1943

Oblt. Walter Otto

Commanders

15 May 1943	-	16 Apr 1944		Oblt. Walter Otto
17 Apr 1944	-	15 Apr 1945		Kptlt. Konrad Bornhaupt

Career
3 patrols

15 May 1943	-	31 Jul 1944	8. Flottille (training)
1 Aug 1944	-	30 Sep 1944	7. Flottille (active service)
1 Oct 1944	-	15 Apr 1945	11. Flottille (active service)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk on 15 April 1945 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 50.13N, 12.48W, by depth charges from the British frigates HMS Grindall and HMS Keats. 44 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

View the 3 war patrols

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-285 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.