German submarine U-393

German submarine U-393 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She did not carry out any patrols and did not sink or damage any ships.

She was scuttled on 5 May 1945 in Flensburger Förde.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-393 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 Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c 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-393 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), one 3.7 cm Flak M42 and two twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history
The submarine was laid down on 8 April 1942 at the Howaldtswerke (yard) at Flensburg as yard number 25, launched on 15 May 1943 and commissioned on 3 July under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Alfred Radermacher.

She served with the 5th U-boat Flotilla from 3 July 1943 and the 24th flotilla as a trials vessel from 1 November 1944. She then came under the 5th flotilla once more from 1 April 1945.

Fate
U-393 was bombed by US aircraft in Geltinger Bucht on 4 May 1945. Two men were killed; there were an unknown number of survivors. She was scuttled the following day in the Flensburger Förde near the Fyn Islands.