List of all U-boats
U-338
Type | VIIC | |||||||||
| Ordered | 21 Nov 1940 | |||||||||
| Laid down | 4 Apr 1941 | Nordseewerke, Emden (werk 210) | ||||||||
| Launched | 20 Apr 1942 | |||||||||
| Commissioned | 25 Jun 1942 | Oblt. Manfred Kinzel | ||||||||
| Commanders |
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| Career 3 patrols |
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| Successes | 4 ships sunk, total tonnage 21,927 GRT 1 ship damaged, total tonnage 7,134 GRT | |||||||||
| Fate |
Missing since 20 September 1943 in the North Atlantic. There is no explanation for its loss. 51 dead (all hands lost). (FDS/NHB, October 1992). | |||||||||
| Loss position | ||||||||||
U-338 reported for the last time at 1707hrs on 20 September 1943 from approx. position 57.20N, 30.00W while operating against the convoys ON-202 & ONS-18.
Previously recorded fate
- Sunk 20 Sept, 1943 south-west of Iceland, in position 57.40N, 29.48W, a homing torpedo from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqdn. 120/F). (Postwar assessment)
Notes. This attack was actually against U-386 inflicting no damage.
Wolfpack operations
U-338 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Stürmer (11 Mar 1943 - 19 Mar 1943)
Leuthen (15 Sep 1943 - 20 Sep 1943)
Attacks on this boat and other events
22 Mar 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down: British Halifax Mk.II BB314 (502 Sqn RAF/B, pilot P/O L.J. McCulloch)
0958hrs, outer Bay of Biscay, inbound: although the boat was surprised by the Halifax, accurate AA fire during the attack run meant the stick of bombs fell wide, and only one detonating near the bow caused some light damage. The Halifax was hit in the outer starboard engine and fuselage and was seen to crash into the sea some distance away. Flight engineer Sgt H.C. Taylor, RAAF was rescued by U-338 and taken prisoner, the sole survivor of the crew of eight airmen.
(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)17 Jun 1943
The Obersteuermann died and three men were wounded in an attack by a British Fortress aircraft (206 Sqn RAF/F) that also damaged the boat. [Obersteuermann Paul Trefflich]
2 recorded attacks on this boat.
General notes on this boat
The U-338 was nicknamed the Wild Onager in reference to an incident that occurred when it was first launched. Apparently, the U-boat broke its moorings on the day of launch and sank a small tug boat. The boat then displayed this emblem seen on the left that was later also utilized for the 29th Flotilla located in the Mediterranean.
Men lost from the boat
17 Jun 1943
The Obersteuermann died and three men were wounded in an attack by a British Fortress aircraft (206 Sqn RAF/F) that also damaged the boat. [Obersteuermann Paul Trefflich]
Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -
U-boat Emblems
We have 1 emblem entry for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.
 The Wild Onager - U-338 |
Media links
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