U-344

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan 1941

Laid down

7 May 1942

Nordseewerke, Emden (werk 216)

Launched

29 Jan 1943

Commissioned

26 Mar 1943

Oblt. Ulrich Pietsch

Commanders

26 Mar 1943

22 Aug 1944

Kptlt. Ulrich Pietsch (German Cross in Gold)

Career
3 patrols

26 Mar 1943	-	31 Mar 1944	8. Flottille (training)
1 Apr 1944	-	31 May 1944	3. Flottille (active service)
1 Jun 1944	-	22 Aug 1944	11. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 warship sunk, total tonnage 1,350 tons

Fate

Sunk on 22 August 1944 in the Norwegian Sea north-west of Bear Island, in position 74.54N, 15.26E, by depth charges from a British Swordfish aircraft (825 Sqn FAA/X) of the British escort carrier HMS Vindex. 50 dead (all hands lost). (FDS/NHB, September 1980).

Loss position

See the 1 ships hit by U-344 - View the 3 war patrols

Previously recorded fate

Sunk 24 Aug, 1944 in the Barents Sea northeast of North Cape, in position 72.49N, 30.41E, by depth charges from the British sloops HMS Mermaid and Peacock, the frigate Loch Dunvegan and the destroyer Keppel. (Postwar assessment)
Notes. This attack was in fact sank the U-354.

Wolfpack operations

U-344 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Trutz (2 Jun 1944 - 6 Jul 1944)
Trutz (17 Aug 1944 - 22 Aug 1944)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-344 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.