U-361

Type

Sunk in 17 July 1944 in the Norwegian Sea west of Narvik, Norway, in position 68.35N, 06.00E, by depth charges from a British Catalina aircraft (210 Sqn RAF/Y). 52 dead (all hands lost). (Eric Zimmerman, January 1997).

Loss position

View the 3 war patrols

The pilot of the Catalina that sank the boat, Flying Officer J.A. Cruickshank, pressed on the attack even though the plane had been hit, one of his crew killed and 4 more wounded. He himself had suffered serious wounds in the action and during the 5 and half hours of flight home he passed out several times but insisted to assist on the landing. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

Previously recorded fate

Sunk 17 July, 1944 west of Narvik, Norway, in position 68.36N, 08.33E, by depth charges from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqdn 86/U).
(Postwar assessment)
Notes. This attack in fact sank the U-347.

Wolfpack operations

U-361 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Boreas (29 Feb 1944 - 10 Mar 1944)
   Thor (10 Mar 1944 - 26 Mar 1944)
   Blitz (2 Apr 1944 - 5 Apr 1944)
   Keil (5 Apr 1944 - 20 Apr 1944)
   Donner & Keil (20 Apr 1944 - 23 Apr 1944)
   Trutz (28 Jun 1944 - 10 Jul 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-361 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.