U-383

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug 1940

Laid down

29 Mar 1941

Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel (werk 14)

Launched

22 Apr 1942

Commissioned

6 Jun 1942

Oblt. Horst Kremser

Commanders

6 Jun 1942

1 Aug 1943

Kptlt. Horst Kremser

Career
4 patrols

6 Jun 1942	-	30 Sep 1942	8. Flottille (training)
1 Oct 1942	-	1 Aug 1943	9. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 ship sunk, total tonnage 423 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 1 August 1943 in the North Atlantic west of Brest, in position 47.24N, 12.10W, by depth charges from a British Sunderland aircraft (228 Sqn RAF/V). 52 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 1 ships hit by U-383 - View the 4 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-383 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Puma (26 Oct 1942 - 29 Oct 1942)
   Natter (30 Oct 1942 - 8 Nov 1942)
   Kreuzotter (8 Nov 1942 - 18 Nov 1942)
   Habicht (10 Jan 1943 - 19 Jan 1943)
   Haudegen (19 Jan 1943 - 15 Feb 1943)
   Sturmbock (23 Feb 1943 - 26 Feb 1943)
   Amsel (22 Apr 1943 - 3 May 1943)
   Amsel 2 (3 May 1943 - 6 May 1943)
   Elbe (7 May 1943 - 10 May 1943)
   Elbe 2 (10 May 1943 - 14 May 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

1 Aug 1943
The sinking of U-383 20.02 hrs, Bay of Biscay, outbound: British Sunderland flying boat JM678 (228 Sqdn RAF/V, pilot F/L S. White), despite being hit by flak during an initial attack run, returned to drop seven depth charges, straddling the U-boat from the starboard quarter. The Sunderland then left to return to base, since flak hits had holed the hull and shot away the starboard float and aileron.

U-383 was last seen by the aircraft with a heavy list to port and men jumping overboard. Kremser reported to BdU that they were unable to dive and the boat was out of control. U-218, U-454 and U-706 were ordered to give assistance, with air cover and an escort of three torpedo boats promised the following day. However, U-454 had been lost earlier that day, and U-218, despite hearing the attack from nearby, was unable to locate U-383 in the darkness. The search continued the next day, but both U-boats were attacked by aircraft, and the torpedo boats searched the area without sighting anything. U-383 had apparently foundered during the night.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-383 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.