U-403

Type

VIIC

Ordered

23 Sep 1939

Laid down

20 May 1940

Danziger Werft AG, Danzig (werk 104)

Launched

26 Feb 1941

Commissioned

25 Jun 1941

Oblt. Heinz-Ehlert Clausen

Commanders

25 Jun 1941	-	15 Jun 1943		Kptlt. Heinz-Ehlert Clausen
16 Jun 1943	-	18 Aug 1943		Kptlt. Karl-Franz Heine

Career
8 patrols

25 Jun 1941	-	31 Aug 1941	5. Flottille (training)
1 Sep 1941	-	30 Jun 1942	7. Flottille (active service)
1 Jul 1942	-	28 Feb 1943	11. Flottille (active service)
1 Mar 1943	-	18 Aug 1943	9. Flottille (active service)

Successes

2 ships sunk, total tonnage 12,946 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 18 August 1943 in the North Atlantic south of Dakar, in position 13.42N, 17.36W, by depth charges from a French Wellington aircraft (344 Sqn RAF/HZ697). 49 dead (all hands lost). (FDS/NHB, June 1993).

Loss position

See the 2 ships hit by U-403 - View the 8 war patrols

Previously recorded fate

Sunk 18 Aug, 1943 in the mid-Atlantic near Dakar, in position 14.11N, 17.40W, by depth charges from a British Hudson aircraft (Sqdn. 200/O). (Postwar assessment)
Notes. This attack was also against the U-403 without inflicting heavy damages.

Wolfpack operations

U-403 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Aufnahme (7 Mar 1942 - 11 Mar 1942)
   Blücher (11 Mar 1942 - 18 Mar 1942)
   Bums (6 Apr 1942 - 14 Apr 1942)
   Blutrausch (15 Apr 1942 - 18 Apr 1942)
   Nebelkönig (7 Aug 1942 - 14 Aug 1942)
   Trägertod (12 Sep 1942 - 19 Sep 1942)
   Falke (15 Jan 1943 - 19 Jan 1943)
   Haudegen (19 Jan 1943 - 15 Feb 1943)
   Taifun (15 Feb 1943 - 20 Feb 1943)
   Amsel (26 Apr 1943 - 3 May 1943)
   Amsel 4 (3 May 1943 - 6 May 1943)
   Rhein (7 May 1943 - 10 May 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

6 Feb 1943
A Canadian Canso flying boat (RCAF Sqdn 5) strafed and dropped three bombs on the boat off Newfoundland, causing moderate damage. (Sources: Rohwer)

10 May 1943
18.41 hrs, mid Atlantic: a British Swordfish aircraft (FAA Sqdn 811/M) from HMS Biter (D 97), escorting convoy HX 237 strafed U-403 and dropped two bombs. No damage. (Sources: Rohwer)

30 Jul 1943
The boat was proceeding on the surface with U-43 when Avenger and Wildcat aircraft from the US escort carrier USS Santee. Both boats dived: two depth charges were dropped on U-403, and a Fido homing torpedo was launched at U-43. U-403 escaped, but U-43 was lost with her crew of 55. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 397)

18 Aug 1943
An attack on U-403 on 18 Aug. 1943 in the Atlantic off Dakar in position 14.11N, 17.40W, in which a British Hudson bomber (Sqdn. 200/O) dropped depth charges, was believed to have sunk her, but in fact caused only minor damage.

The boat was sunk later the same day in another attack.

(Sources: 1993-06-01, FDS/NHB)

4 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

10 May 1943. The boat had a gunnery duel with the Dutch merchant ship Dexterous.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-403 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.