U-743

Type

VIIC

Ordered

5 Jun 1941

Laid down

30 May 1942

F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (werk 1546)

Launched

11 Mar 1943

Commissioned

15 May 1943

Oblt. Helmut Kandzior

Commanders

15 May 1943 - 21 Sep 1944

Oblt. Helmut Kandzior

Career

1 patrol

15 May 1943 - 30 Jun 1944 8. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1944 - 21 Sep 1944 1. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

On July 16, 2001 during Operation Deadlight Expedition just north of Ireland a diving team led by Innes McCartney discovered a wreck at depth of 69m in position 55.38N, 07.26W. This wreck is U-743, according to Dr. Alex Niestlé, and if so then she was lost in latter half of Sept or early Oct, 1944. 50 dead (all hands lost).

View the 1 war patrol

The reasons for her loss are not clear, possibly due to collision with an unknown vessel. I've put her loss on 21 Sept for our databases to list her at least more correctly until we find out her actual date of loss (previous date used was Aug 21).

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by Axel Niestlé during January 1994. More on revised fates.

Sunk 9 Sept 1944 in the North Atlantic northwest of Ireland, in position 55.45N, 11.41W, by depth charges from the British corvette HMS Porchester Castle and British the frigate HMS Helmsdale.

This attack resulted in the sinking of U-484.

She had been listed as missing after 21 Aug, 1944 in the Arctic Ocean or the North Atlantic.

Attacks on this boat

20 Jun 1944
During an aircraft attack by a British B-24 Liberator (RAF 86 Sqd/K) on the boat 1 man was killed and 2 more wounded. The boat aborted to Bergen, Norway after this attack. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 595)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in July 1944. Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.