U-457

Type

VIIC

Ordered

16 Jan 1940

Laid down

26 Oct 1940

Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel (werk 288)

Launched

4 Oct 1941

Commissioned

5 Nov 1941

Korvkpt. Karl Brandenburg

Commanders

5 Nov 1941

16 Sep 1942

KrvKpt. Karl Brandenburg

Career
3 patrols

5 Nov 1941	-	30 Jun 1942	6. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1942	-	16 Sep 1942	11. Flottille (active service)

Successes

2 ships sunk, total tonnage 15,593 GRT
1 ship damaged, total tonnage 8,939 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 16 September 1942 in the Barents Sea west of Novaya Zemlya, in position 75.05N, 43.15E, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Impulsive. 45 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 3 ships hit by U-457 - View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-457 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Eisteufel (30 Jun 1942 - 12 Jul 1942)
Trägertod (12 Sep 1942 - 16 Sep 1942)

Attacks on this boat and other events

4 Jul 1942
At 2022hrs the boat was attacked with a depth charge by a floatplane after crash diving while shadowing convoy PQ-17 in approx. 75°57N, 27°50E. The explosion only caused minor damage, but destroyed the UZO optic. The aircraft was a SOC Seagull (VCS-7 USN, pilot Ens. Barclay) from USS Tuscaloosa on anti-submarine patrol around the First Cruiser Squadron (CS1) acting as distant cover for the convoy. (Sources: KTB U-457, War diary USS Tuscaloosa)

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-457 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.