U-489

Type

XIV

Ordered

17 Jul 1941

Laid down

28 Jan 1942

F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 558)

Launched

24 Dec 1942

Commissioned

8 Mar 1943

Ltnt. Adalbert Schmandt

Commanders

8 Mar 1943

4 Aug 1943

Oblt. (R) Adalbert Schmandt

Career
1 patrol

8 Mar 1943	-	31 Jul 1943	4. Flottille (training)
1 Aug 1943	-	4 Aug 1943	12. Flottille (active service)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk on August 4 1943 by a Canadian Sunderland aircraft (RCAF Sqdn. 423) south-east of Iceland at 61.11N, 14.38W. 1 dead and 53 survivors.

Loss position

View the 1 war patrol

Attacks on this boat and other events

3 Aug 1943
0750hrs, SE of Iceland: British Catalina flying boat FP280 (190 Sqn RAF/U, pilot F/L B. Crosland) observed hits on a strafing run made to assist an unidentified Fortress aircraft, which dropped no depth charges and flew off. Flak hit the Catalina twice, damaging the radio compartment and forcing it to return to base 20 minutes after the attack. The aircrew jettisoned the depth charges and later found the rudder cables were almost severed. Just as the Catalina flew off, a Hudson Mk.III bomber (269 Sqn RAF, pilot F/S E.L.J. Brame) arrived and hit U-489 with A/S bombs, causing moderate damage, and forced her to dive with gunfire. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

4 Aug 1943
The sinking of U-489 Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:Canadian Sunderland flying boat DD859 (423 Sqdn RCAF/G, pilot F/O A.A. Bishop, RCAF)

After being damaged in an air attack the previous day the boat was again attacked by the Sunderland soon after 09.00 hrs. The aircraft was hit by flak during the attack run, dropped its depth charges and crashed into the sea, killing five of the 11 aircrew. U-489 suffered mortal damage and sank slowly shortly afterwards. HMS Castleton and HMS Orwell had observed the action from nearby and rescued the aircrew and U-boat survivors.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

28 Jul 1943. U-489 rescued three airmen of a Blohm & Voss BV138C-1 WNr 0311047 (2./KüFlGr 406, K6+BK) in the Norwegian Sea about 100 miles west-north-west of Alesund, Norway. Earlier that day the flying boat was shot down in aerial combat by the Beaufighter Mk.XIC JM123 (404 Sqn RCAF/H, F/O E.J. Keefe), two crewmen being lost. The rescued airmen became prisoners of war when the U-boat was itself sunk on 4 August.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-489 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.