German submarine U-973

German submarine U-973 was a German Type VIIC U-boat built 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), crewed by Sub-Lt(A) L. E. B. Bennett, Sub-Lt(A) E. W. Horsfield and PO C. A. 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.