U-753

Type

VIIC

Ordered

9 Oct 1939

Laid down

3 Jan 1940

Kriegsmarinewerft (KMW), Wilhelmshaven (werk 136)

Launched

26 Apr 1941

Commissioned

18 Jun 1941

Korvkpt. Alfred Manhardt von Mannstein

Commanders

18 Jun 1941

13 May 1943

FrgKpt. Alfred Manhardt von Mannstein

Career
7 patrols

18 Jun 1941	-	30 Nov 1941	3. Flottille (training)
1 Dec 1941	-	13 May 1943	3. Flottille (active service)

Successes

3 ships sunk, total tonnage 23,117 GRT
2 ships damaged, total tonnage 6,908 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 13 May 1943 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 48.37N, 22.39W, by depth charges from the Canadian corvette HMCS Drumheller, the British frigate HMS Lagan and a Canadian Sunderland aircraft (423 Sqn RCAF/G). 47 dead (all hands lost). (Axel Niestlé, June 1984).

Loss position

See the 5 ships hit by U-753 - View the 7 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-753 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Schlei (19 Jan 1942 - 24 Jan 1942)
   Westwall (2 Mar 1942 - 12 Mar 1942)
   Luchs (27 Sep 1942 - 6 Oct 1942)
   Panther (6 Oct 1942 - 16 Oct 1942)
   Puma (16 Oct 1942 - 22 Oct 1942)
   Natter (2 Nov 1942 - 8 Nov 1942)
   Kreuzotter (8 Nov 1942 - 24 Nov 1942)
   Hartherz (3 Feb 1943 - 7 Feb 1943)
   Ritter (11 Feb 1943 - 26 Feb 1943)
   Drossel (11 May 1943 - 13 May 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

26 Jan 1942
The boat escaped with only minor damage after being rammed by a British escort in the Atlantic west of Ireland.

2 Jun 1942
11.03 hrs, off Nuevitas, Cuba: the boat attempted to shell the American steam merchantman Domino (3,170 GRT) with the AA gun, but it jammed on firing the first round. The freighter immediately returned fire with her 4in stern gun, and U-753 was lucky to escape without damage by diving. Domino fired three rounds, and claimed one hit. (Sources: KTB U-753/ONO OP-414)

13 May 1943
The sinking of U-753 0830hrs, North Atlantic: the boat was sighted by a Canadian Sunderland flying boat (423 Sqn RCAF/G, pilot F/L J. Musgrave) ten miles from convoy HX-237. Flak from U-753 prevented a depth charge attack, so the Sunderland shadowed the boat for the next 20 minutes, firing approx. 2,000 rounds and being hit by once by flak. HMCS Drumheller then forced the boat to dive with gunfire and the Sunderland immediately dropped two depth charges ahead of the diving point. A Swordfish aircraft from the British escort carrier HMS Biter arrived and marked the spot with smoke markers. The corvette was soon joined by HMS Lagan, and together they sank U-753 with depth charges. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

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-753 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.