U-305

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan 1941

Laid down

30 Aug 1941

Flender Werke AG, Lübeck (werk 305)

Launched

25 Jul 1942

Commissioned

17 Sep 1942

Oblt. Rudolf Bahr

Commanders

17 Sep 1942

16 Jan 1944

Kptlt. Rudolf Bahr (German Cross in Gold)

Career
4 patrols

17 Sep 1942	-	28 Feb 1943	8. Flottille (training)
1 Mar 1943	-	16 Jan 1944	1. Flottille (active service)

Successes

2 ships sunk, total tonnage 13,045 GRT
2 warships sunk, total tonnage 2,560 tons

Fate

Sunk on 16 January 1944 in the North Atlantic north-east of the Azores, in approx. position 49N/18W, probably by one of its own torpedoes. 51 dead (all hands lost). (Axel Niestlé, September 2003).

Loss position

See the 4 ships hit by U-305 - View the 4 war patrols

U-305 stated its intention to return to port in five days in its last radio message on 15 January 1944 and was reported missing after it failed to arrive in France. German and Allied radio stations picked up an emergency signal from an unknown U-boat that it was sinking quickly after a torpedo hit at 0539hrs on 16 January 1944, this signal must have come from U-305.

Previously recorded fate

Sunk 17 Jan, 1944 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 49.39N, 20.10W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Wanderer and the British frigate HMS Glenarm. (Dr. Axel Niestlé, 1998)
Notes. This attack was responsible for the sinking of U-377.

Wolfpack operations

U-305 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Stürmer (11 Mar 1943 - 20 Mar 1943)
   Seewolf (21 Mar 1943 - 30 Mar 1943)
   Mosel (19 May 1943 - 23 May 1943)
   Leuthen (15 Sep 1943 - 24 Sep 1943)
   Rossbach (25 Sep 1943 - 5 Oct 1943)
   Borkum (18 Dec 1943 - 3 Jan 1944)
   Borkum 1 (3 Jan 1944 - 13 Jan 1944)
   Rügen (13 Jan 1944 - 16 Jan 1944)

Attacks on this boat and other events

22 May 1943
Mid Atlantic, a.m.: An Avenger aircraft from USS Bogue (pilot Stewart E. Doty) attacked U-305, forcing her to dive and repair damage.

When the boat surfaced again at noon, a second Avenger from USS Bogue (pilot Robert L. Stearns) was waiting, and dropped four depth charges, causing further damage. The boat managed to escape and return to base at Brest.

(Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 336)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-305 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.