German submarine U-381


German submarine U-381 was a [German German Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC] U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She failed to return in May 1943 and was declared missing in unknown circumstances.
The boat was laid down on 26 April 1941 at the Howaldtswerke in Kiel as yard number 12, launched on 14 January 1942 and commissioned on 25 February; Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm-Heinrich Graf von Pückler und Limpurg was her CO throughout her career.
She did not sink any ships.
The submarine was previously thought to have been sunk by HMS Duncan commanded by Captain Peter Gretton and HMS Snowflake.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-381 had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. She had a total length of, a pressure hull length of, a beam of, a height of, and a draught of. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of for use while surfaced, two Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c double-acting electric motors producing a total of for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to.
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of. When submerged, the boat could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at. U-381 was fitted with five torpedo tubes, fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history

She began her service life in the 5th U-boat Flotilla, a training organization, between 25 February 1942 and 30 September of the same year, before moving on to the 7th flotilla for operations.

First patrol

U381s first sortie took her from Kiel to a point three-quarters of the way across the Atlantic before steaming empty-handed to St. Nazaire in France.

Second patrol

Her next patrol was no better, starting and finishing in St. Nazaire between 19 December 1942 and 19 February 1943, a total of 63 days at sea. She was unsuccessfully attacked on the return leg west of Portugal by a Catalina flying boat of No. 202 Squadron RAF.

Third patrol and loss

U-381s third patrol ended abruptly after 52 days when she was sunk with the loss of all hands, probably on or around 21 May 1943. She was lost in mid-Atlantic through unknown circumstances.

Previously recorded fate

A postwar assessment stated that U-381 was sunk on May 19, 1943 in the North Atlantic southeast of Cape Farewell, Greenland at position by depth charges from and. This attack was actually against and, both of which escaped with no damage.

Wolfpacks

U-381 took part in nine wolfpacks, namely:
  • Panther
  • Veilchen
  • Delphin
  • Adler
  • Meise
  • Star
  • Fink
  • Inn
  • Donau 1