U-473

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan 1941

Laid down

1 Dec 1941

Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel (werk 304)

Launched

17 Apr 1943

Commissioned

16 Jun 1943

Kptlt. Heinz Sternberg

Commanders

16 Jun 1943

6 May 1944

Kptlt. Heinz Sternberg

Career
2 patrols

16 Jun 1943	-	31 Dec 1943	5. Flottille (training)
1 Jan 1944	-	6 May 1944	9. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 warship a total loss, total tonnage 1,400 tons

Fate

Sunk at 0033hrs on 6 May 1944 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 49.29N, 21.22W, by depth charges from the British sloops HMS Starling, HMS Wren and HMS Wild Goose. 23 dead and 30 survivors.

Loss position

See the 1 ships hit by U-473 - View the 2 war patrols

Attacks on this boat and other events

28 Apr 1944
03.27 hrs, Bay of Biscay, outbound: the boat was attacked using the Leigh Light by Halifax Mk.II aircraft HX152 (RAF Sqdn 58/M, pilot F/L W.D.C. Erskine-Crum) after being located on radar. The aircraft dropped seven depth charges following an exchange of gunfire, which damaged the port wing. The pilot barely regained control, but brought the Halifax to St. Eval, where four cannon hits to the wing and one to the port mainplane were discovered. Despite being straddled by depth charges U-473 was not damaged. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

29 Apr 1944
02.15 hrs, Bay of Biscay, outbound: Polish Wellington bomber HF386 (RAF Sqdn 304/2W, pilot F&L Leslaw Miedzybrodzki) dropped six depth charges on U-473 after located her on radar. U-473 repulsed the attack with flak and then held the shadowing aircraft at a distance for an hour. No damage. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

3 May 1944
While attacking convoy CU 22, the boat torpedoed the escorting USS Donnell and dived to 180m (590 ft) to escape the counter-attack from the other escorts. Despite 34 depth charges being dropped, U-473 suffered only minor damage.

3 recorded attacks 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-473 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.