U-305

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan 1941

Laid down

30 Aug 1941

Flender Werke AG, Lübeck (werk 305)

Launched

25 Jul 1942

Commissioned

17 Sep 1942

Oblt. Rudolf Bahr

Commanders

17 Sep 1942 - 16 Jan 1944

Kptlt. Rudolf Bahr

Career

4 patrols

17 Sep 1942 - 28 Feb 1943 8. Flottille (training)
1 Mar 1943 - 16 Jan 1944 1. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

2 ships sunk for a total of 13,045 GRT
2 warships sunk for a total of 2,560 tons

Fate

Lost on 16 January 1944 probably to one of its own torpedoes in the approximate position 49N/18W. 51 dead (all hands lost).

See the 4 ships hit by U-305 - View the 4 war patrols

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by Axel Niestlé during September 2003. More on revised fates.

Sunk 17 Jan, 1944 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 49.39N, 20.10W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Wanderer and the British frigate HMS Glenarm.

This attack was responsible for the sinking of U-377.

Wolfpack operations

U-305 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Sturmer (14 Mar 1943 - 20 Mar 1943)
   Seewolf (25 Mar 1943 - 30 Mar 1943)
   Leuthen (23 Aug 1943 - 24 Sep 1943)

Attacks on this boat

22 May 1943
An Avenger aircraft from USS Bogue (pilot Stewart E. Doty) attacked the boat in the morning causing damages and forcing the boat to dive and undergo repairs.

When the boat surfaced again at noon another Avenger, also from USS Bogue, (pilot Robert L. Stearns) was waiting for him and dropped four depth charges on the boat causing even more damages. The boat managed to escape and return to port.

(Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 336)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

General notes on this boat

22 May 1943. On 22 May,1943 U-305 was attacked two times [1302hrs and 1521hrs] by American Avenger aircraft from USS Bogue. Due to some damages the boat had to return to base.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-305 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.