U-448

Type

VIIC

Ordered

6 Aug 1940

Laid down

1 Jul 1941

F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (werk 1508)

Launched

23 May 1942

Commissioned

1 Aug 1942

Oblt. Helmut Dauter

Commanders

1 Aug 1942 - 14 Apr 1944

Oblt. Helmut Dauter

Career

4 patrols

1 Aug 1942 - 31 Jan 1943 8. Flottille (training)
1 Feb 1943 - 14 Apr 1944 7. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk 14 April, 1944 in the North Atlantic north-east of the Azores, in position 46.22N, 19.35W, by depth charges from the Canadian frigate HMCS Swansea and the British sloop HMS Pelican. 9 dead and 42 survivors.

View the 4 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-448 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Neptun (18 Feb 1943 - 3 Mar 1943)
   Westmark (6 Mar 1943 - 11 Mar 1943)
   Neuland (8 Mar 1943 - 12 Mar 1943)
   Amsel (25 Apr 1943 - 4 May 1943)
   Rhein (8 May 1943 - 11 May 1943)
   Elbe 2 (11 May 1943 - 13 May 1943)

Attacks on this boat

22 Mar 1943
The attack on 22 March, 1943 in the Bay of Biscay west of Nantes, France, in position 46.47N, 09.58W, by depth charges from British Wellington aircraft (Sqdn. 172/G) formerly credited with sinking the U-665 was in fact directed against U-448 inflicting no damage. (Sources: 1992-05-01, FDS/NHB)

17 Oct 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down: Canadian Sunderland JM712 (422 Sqdn RCAF/S, pilot F/L P.T. Sargent)

At 12.48 hours, the Sunderland attacked U-448 after obtaining a radar contact near convoy ONS-20. U-281 was nearby and assisted by firing at the aircraft with its AA guns during the first attack run. The four depth charges fell short, so the aircraft turned around for a second attack, exchanging gunfire with both boats. The Sunderland dropped two depth charges on U-448 but was itself badly hit by AA fire from the boat, killing the gunner in the front turret and mortally wounding the navigator. The pilot had to ditch the flying boat in heavy seas near the convoy, but he and two men of his crew were killed in the crash. Seven survivors were picked up by HMS Drury. U-448 was heavily damaged by the last two depth charges and was forced to abort her patrol. Strafing killed one crewman and wounded two. [Oberbootsmaat Fritz Döhler] (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

2 recorded attacks on this boat.