U-461

Type

XIV

Ordered

14 May 1940

Laid down

9 Dec 1940

Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel (werk 292)

Launched

8 Nov 1941

Commissioned

30 Jan 1942

Oblnt. Hinrich-Oscar Bernbeck

Commanders

30 Jan 1942	-	21 Apr 1942		Kptlt. Hinrich-Oscar Bernbeck
22 Apr 1942	-	30 Jul 1943		KrvKpt. Wolf-Harro Stiebler

Career
6 patrols

30 Jan 1942	-	30 Jun 1942	4. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1942	-	31 Oct 1942	10. Flottille (active service)
1 Nov 1942	-	30 Jul 1943	12. Flottille (active service)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk on July 30 1943 in the Bay of Biscay north-west of Cape Ortegal, Spain in position 45.33N, 10.48W, by Australian Sunderland aircraft (U/461 Sqn.). 53 dead and 15 survivors.

Loss position

View the 6 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-461 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Wolf (26 Jul 1942 - 1 Aug 1942)
   Vorwärts (16 Sep 1942 - 20 Sep 1942)
   Rochen (26 Feb 1943 - 1 Mar 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

23 Apr 1943
The milch cow U-461 was damaged in a Leigh Light attack by a Canadian Wellington bomber (Sqdn 172/M) while traversing the Bay of Biscay. Three bombs dropped caused only minor damage, but left the boat trailing oil.

30 Jul 1943
The sinking of U-461 A group of three outbound boats (U-461, U-462 and U-504) was sighted by British B-24 Liberator BZ730 (RAF Sqdn 53/O, pilot F/O W.J. Irving) in the Bay of Biscay. Its sighting report brought in six other aircraft and the 2nd Escort Group was sent to the area. The aircraft were from six different squadrons and had no radio contact with each other, so a coordinated attack was difficult. Liberator O for Oboe from 53 Squadron led the way, but its depth charges undershot and heavy flak put two engines out of action, forcing the aircraft to land in Portugal, where the crew was interned for a short time. Australian Sunderland W6077 (RAAF Sqdn 461/U, pilot F/L D. Marrows, RAAF) quickly followed up the initial attack and succeeded in sinking U-461. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

2 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-461 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.