List of all U-boats
U-860
Type | IXD2 | |||||||||
Ordered | 5 Jun 1941 | |||||||||
Laid down | 15 Jun 1942 | AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1066) | ||||||||
Launched | 23 Mar 1943 | |||||||||
Commissioned | 12 Aug 1943 | Korvkpt. Paul Büchel | ||||||||
Commanders |
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Career 1 patrol |
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Successes | No ships sunk or damaged | |||||||||
Fate |
Sunk 15 June 1944 in the South Atlantic south of St. Helena in position 25.27S, 05.30W, by depth charges and rockets from seven Avenger and Wildcat aircraft (Task Group 22.10) from the US escort carrier USS Solomons. 42 dead and 20 survivors. | |||||||||
Loss position |
Attacks on this boat and other events
21 Apr 1944
Two men died when they were stranded topside during an emergency dive to avoid an incoming aircraft. [Matrosengefreiter Alfons Robalewsky, Bootsmaat Rudolf Versic]
15 Jun 1944
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down: American Avenger (VC-9 USN, pilot Ens G.E. Edwards, Jr.)
12.21 hrs, South Atlantic approx. 575 miles (925km) S of St. Helena: attack by a Grumman Avenger from USS Solomons. The aircraft made four attack runs and was shot down on the last, crashing into the sea and killing the crew of three. Its contact report resulted in more air attacks from the carrier, which sank U-860.
(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)15 Jun 1944
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:American Avenger (VC-9 USN, pilot Lt (jg) W.F. Chamberlain)
The sinking of U-860At 19.22 hrs the boat was located by an Avenger from USS Solomons, which immedately sent reinforcements. Three attacks commenced at 19.46 hrs and sank U-860 seven minutes later. The first was a co-ordinated strafing and rocket attack by two Avengers (Lt Cdr H.M. Avery and Ens M.J. Spear) and two Wildcats (Ens T.J. Wadsworth and Ens R.E. McMahon). Wadsworth had to return to the carrier due to flak damage to a drop tank. A similar attack by McMahon and another Avenger (Lt (jg) D.E. Weigle) then followed. Rocket hits were scored in both attacks, and another Avenger (Lt (jg) W.F. Chamberlain) then dropped two depth charges, covered by a strafing run from Lt Cdr Avery. Flak damage and the explosions of the depth charges directly forward of the conning tower set the Avenger on fire, and it ditched in the sea ahead of the boat. U-860 then sank, leaving 30-40 survivors in the water. USS Straub and USS Herzog arrived during the night and rescued 20 German survivors, including the commander, but no trace of the Avenger crew was found.
(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)3 recorded attacks on this boat.
General notes on this boat
24 Oct 1943. On 24th Oct 1943 Reichsminister Albert Speer was aboard this U-boat during her dive tests.
Men lost from the boat
21 Apr 1944
Two men died when they were stranded topside during an emergency dive to avoid an incoming aircraft. [Matrosengefreiter Alfons Robalewsky, Bootsmaat Rudolf Versic]
Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -
U-boat Emblems
We have 1 emblem entry for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.
Armored Hand with Spear |
Media links
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