List of all U-boats

U-973

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered5 Jun 1941
Laid down26 Jun 1942 Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 173)
Launched10 Mar 1943
Commissioned15 Apr 1943Oblt. Klaus Paepenmöller
Commanders
15 Apr 1943 - 6 Mar 1944  Oblt. Klaus Paepenmöller
Career
2 patrols
15 Apr 1943-6 Mar 1944  5. Flottille (training)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk on 6 March 1944 in the Norwegian Sea north-west of Narvik, Norway, in position 70.04N, 05.48E, by rockets from a Swordfish aircraft (816 Sqn FAA/X) of the British escort carrier HMS Chaser. 51 dead and 2 survivors.

Loss position

View the 2 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-973 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Werwolf (4 Feb 1944 - 11 Feb 1944)
   Boreas (2 Mar 1944 - 5 Mar 1944)
   Taifun (5 Mar 1944 - 6 Mar 1944)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-973 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.


Media links


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay




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