German submarine U-293

German submarine U-293 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was laid down on 17 November 1942 by the Bremer Vulkan Werft (yard) at Bremen-Vegesack as 'werk' 58, launched on 30 July 1943, and commissioned on 8 September with Kapitänleutnant Leonhard Klingspor in command.

In six patrols, she damaged one warship.

She surrendered at Loch Eriboll in Scotland in May 1945 and was sunk as part of Operation Deadlight in December 1945.

Service history
The boat's service life began with training with the 8th U-boat Flotilla in September 1943. She was then transferred to the 9th flotilla for operations on 1 April 1944. She was reassigned to the 11th flotilla on 1 August and moved again to the 13th flotilla on 5 September.

There followed a series of short voyages between Kiel in Germany and Arendal, Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger in Norway from April to September 1944.

1st and 2nd patrols
U-293's first patrol was along the Norwegian coast.

Her second foray was between Narvik and Hammerfest in the far north.

3rd and 4th patrols
The submarine's third sortie took her into the Barents Sea off Murmansk. She returned to Narvik on 6 November 1944.

Her fourth patrol also started and finished in Narvik.

5th patrol
Her fifth effort was her longest, 46 days. It was also when she scored her only success - damaging the Soviet destroyer Razjarenyj on 20 January 1945.

6th patrol and fate
The boat departed Narvik for the last time on 1 April 1945. She arrived at Loch Eriboll in northern Scotland on 11 May. She was transferred to Loch Ryan for Operation Deadlight. She was damaged by the RAF and sunk by the guns of HMS Orwell on 13 December.