U-398

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan 1941

Laid down

26 Aug 1942

Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel (werk 30)

Launched

6 Nov 1943

Commissioned

18 Dec 1943

Korvkpt. Johann Reckhoff

Commanders

18 Dec 1943	-	8 Nov 1944		KrvKpt. Johann Reckhoff
9 Nov 1944	-	17 Apr 1945		Oblt. (R) Wilhelm Cranz

Career
2 patrols

18 Dec 1943	-	31 Jul 1944	5. Flottille (training)
1 Aug 1944	-	31 Oct 1944	3. Flottille (active service)
1 Nov 1944	-	17 Apr 1945	33. Flottille (active service)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Missing since 17 April 1945 in the North Sea or North Atlantic. No explanation exists for its loss. 43 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

View the 2 war patrols

U-398 was ordered to operate west of the English Channel and was not seen or heard of after sailing from Kristiansand in the evening of 17 April 1945. It was posted as missing after failing to return to port or signal its position after the cessation of hostilities.

There is a chance that U-398 was sunk instead of U-1017 by a British Liberator aircraft (120 Sqn RAF) on 29 April 1945. Both boats disappeared without a trace en route to the same operational area.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat

This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in June 1944.

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

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-398 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.