German submarine U-973

German submarine U-973 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for service in Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during Second World War. The submarine did not sink or damage any craft.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-973 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 Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 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-973 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.

Wolfpacks
U-973 took part in three wolfpacks, namely:
 * Werwolf (4 – 11 February 1944)
 * Boreas (2 – 5 March 1944)
 * Taifun (5 – 6 March 1944)

Fate
On 6 March 1944 U-973 was sighted by Fairey Swordfish 816/'X' operating from the British escort carrier HMS Chaser (D32), crewed by Sub-Lt(A) Bennett, Sub-Lt(A) Horsfield and PO Vines. 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.