U-386

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug 1940

Laid down

16 May 1941

Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel (werk 17)

Launched

19 Aug 1942

Commissioned

10 Oct 1942

Oblt. Hans-Albrecht Kandler

Commanders

10 Oct 1942	-	10 Jun 1943		Oblt. Hans-Albrecht Kandler
10 Jun 1943	-	19 Feb 1944		Oblt. Rolf Heinrich Fritz Albrecht

Career
4 patrols

10 Oct 1942	-	30 Apr 1943	5. Flottille (training)
1 May 1943	-	19 Feb 1944	6. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 ship sunk, total tonnage 1,997 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 19 February 1944 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 48.51N, 22.44W, by depth charges from the British frigate HMS Spey. 33 dead and 16 survivors.

Loss position

See the 1 ships hit by U-386 - View the 4 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-386 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Star (27 Apr 1943 - 30 Apr 1943)
   Leuthen (15 Sep 1943 - 21 Sep 1943)
   Stürmer (26 Jan 1944 - 3 Feb 1944)
   Igel 1 (3 Feb 1944 - 17 Feb 1944)
   Hai 1 (17 Feb 1944 - 19 Feb 1944)

Attacks on this boat and other events

28 Apr 1943
In attacking convoy ON(S) 5 the boat suffered severe damage from the escorts. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 293)

6 Sep 1943
Surprise attack from an unidentified aircraft in the Atlantic off Finisterre when the Wanze radar warning device failed to register the threat. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 420)

20 Sep 1943
The target of the attack on 20 Sept 1943 SW of Iceland in position 57.40N, 29.48W, in which a Fido homing torpedo from a British B-24 Liberator (Sqdn. 120/F) was believed to have sunk U-338, was actually U-386, which escaped unscathed. (Sources: 1992-10-01, FDS/NHB)

21 Sep 1943
U-386 had to break off an attack on convoy ON 202 in mid Atlantic after being heavily depth charged. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 423)

4 recorded attacks 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-386 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.