U-297

Type

VIIC/41

Ordered

14 Oct 1941

Laid down

27 Jan 1943

Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 62)

Launched

9 Oct 1943

Commissioned

17 Nov 1943

Oblt. Wolfgang Aldegarmann

Commanders

17 Nov 1943

6 Dec 1944

Oblt. Wolfgang Aldegarmann

Career
1 patrol

17 Nov 1943	-	31 Oct 1944	8. Flottille (training)
1 Nov 1944	-	6 Dec 1944	11. Flottille (active service)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk on or after 6 December 1944 in the North Atlantic, 16 miles west of Yesnaby, Orkney Islands, in position 59.00N, 03.54W, by unknown cause. 50 dead (all hands lost). (FDS/NHB, April 1997).

Loss position

View the 1 war patrol

The wreck was discovered and identified in May 2000 by Ian Trumpness and Kevin Heath of Stromness. It had been listed on fishing charts but believed to be an unknown fishing vessel in a depth of 285 feet. There is currently no plausible explanation for the loss of U-297 in this position.

Previously recorded fate

Listed as missing on 3 Jan, 1945 in the North Atlantic, probably near the Pentland Firth. (FDS/NHB, April 1997)
Sunk 6 Dec, 1944 in Pentland Firth, in position 58.44N, 04.29W, by depth charges from the British frigates HMS Loch Inch and HMS Goodall. (Postwar assessment)
Notes. This attack was actually against U-775 inflicting no damage.

This boat is a dive site

British newspapers have been reporting the find of U-297 some 16 miles west of Orkney Islands.

The boat was discovered in 285 feet of water in May 2000 by divers Ian Trumpness and Kevin Heath of Stromness.

The boat had been believed to have been lost in the Pentland Firth.

Depth: 285 feet (87 meters)
Position (lat, long): 58.44, -4.29

See more U-boat dive sites.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat

This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in November 1944 but it was of course installed prior to that date.

Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.

Annoucements related to this boat

The wreck of U-297 located (12 Mar 2001)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-297 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.