German submarine U-973

U-Boat Infobox
type=VIIC
fieldpost number=
yard number=
order date=
keel=June 26, 1942
launch=
commission=April 15, 1943
yard=Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
U-Boat Patrol
startdate=Start Date
enddate=End Date
assigned unit=Assigned Unit
U-Boat Patrol
startdate=
enddate=
assigned unit=5th FlotillaU_Boat Command
startdate=April, 1943
enddate=March, 1944
name=Oblt. Klaus Paepenmöller
U_Boat Sink
type=Type of Ship Sunk
total=Number of Ships Sunk
tonnage=Gross Registered Tonnage
U_Boat Sink
type=Commercial Vessels
total=None
tonnage=0
U_Boat Sink
type=Military Vessels
total=None
tonnage=0

"U-973" was a German Type VIIC submarine created for service in the Second World War. The submarine did not sink or damage any craft.

On the 6 March 1944 "U-973" was sighted by Fairey Swordfish 816/'X' operating from the British escort carrier HMS|Chaser|D32|6, crewed by Sub-Lt(A) L. E. B. Bennett, Sub-Lt(A) E. W. Horsfield and PO C. A. Vines. HMS|Chaser was escorting convoys through Arctic waters. As they approached the submarine began firing with four 20 mm guns. Bennett fired three pairs of rockets, one of which struck the submarine just below the conning tower. The attack left 51 dead and 15 survivors.

External links

* [http://uboat.net/boats/u973.htm Uboat.net webpage for "U-973"]
* [http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Aircraft/Swordfish.htm Fleet Air Arm website, includes a summary of the sinking of U-973]