German submarine U-488

Unterseeboot 488 (U-488) was a Type XIV U-boat ("Milchkuh") of the Kriegsmarine.

Her keel was laid down January 3, 1942 by Germaniawerft of Kiel. She was commissioned February 1, 1943, with "Leutnant zur See" Erwin Bartke in command. Bartke was promoted to "Oberleutnant zur See" by February 1944 when he was relieved by Oblt. Bruno Studt.

U-488 conducted three patrols. As a supply boat, she avoided combat.

On October 15, 1943, "Maschinenmaat" Karl Bergmann died of anillness. On November 25, 1943, "Matrosenobergefreiter" Heinz Heinlein fell overboard. He was rescued, but died of heart failure shortly afterwards.

On April 26, 1944, U-488 was sunk with all hands (64 dead) in the mid-Atlantic west of Cape Verde by depth charges from the US escort vessels USS "Frost", "Huse", "Barber", and "Snowden".

"See Also: List of U-boats"