German submarine U-283

German submarine U-283 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

The submarine was laid down on 10 June 1942 at the Bremer Vulkan yard at Bremen-Vegesack as yard number 48. She was launched on 17 February 1943 and commissioned on 31 March under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Heinz-Günther Scholz.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-283 had a displacement of 769 t when at the surface and 871 t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 50.50 m, a beam of 6.20 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.74 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2800 to 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 8500 nmi at 10 kn. U-283 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and two twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history
U-283 served with the 8th U-boat Flotilla for training from March 1943 to January 1944 and operationally with the 9th flotilla from 1 February. She carried out one patrol, sinking no ships. She was a member of two wolfpacks.

Patrol
The boat's only patrol began with her departure from Kiel on 13 January 1944.

Fate
She was sunk 11 February 1944 southwest of the Faroe Islands by a Canadian Leigh Light equipped Wellington of No. 407 Squadron RCAF.

Forty-nine men died; there were no survivors.

Wolfpacks
U-283 took part in two wolfpacks, namely:
 * Stürmer (27 January – 3 February 1944)
 * Igel 1 (3 – 11 February 1944)