German submarine U-397

German submarine U-397 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She carried out one patrol. She did not sink or damage any ships.

She was scuttled in northern Germany in May 1945.

Service history
The submarine was laid down on 29 August 1942 at the Howaldtswerke (yard) at Kiel as 'werk' 29, launched on 6 October 1943 and commissioned on 20 November under the command of Oberleutnant Fritz Kallipke.

She served with the 5th U-boat Flotilla from 20 November 1943 and the 7th flotilla from 1 June of the same year. She was reassigned to the 23rd flotilla on 1 July 1944, then the 31st flotilla on 20 February 1945.

The boat's first patrol was preceded by the short journey from Kiel in Germany to Stavanger, arriving at the Norwegian port on 2 June 1944.

Patrol
U-397 departed Stavanger on 8 June 1944 and arrived back there on the 26th.

The boat moved back to Kiel on 4 July 1944.

Fate
The submarine was scuttled on 5 May 1945 in Gelting Bay (east of Flensburg).