Deathcard of U-Boot Crewmember – U-Boot “U-384” (Sunk by British Fortress!)

Original WWII death card (Sterbebild) for Karl Huf, a crew member of the German submarine U-384.

Service & Fate:
Karl Huf served aboard U-384, a Type VIIC U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. On 19 March 1943, at 1745 hrs, the submarine was sunk in the North Atlantic west of Ireland, at position 54.18N, 26.15W. The sinking was caused by depth charges dropped by a British Fortress aircraft (206 Sqn RAF/B). All 47 crew members were lost — no survivors.

Item Details:

• Original wartime Sterbebild commemorating Karl Huf.

• A poignant relic tied to the Battle of the Atlantic.

• Condition: As seen, with natural age-related wear.

Historical Context – U-384:

• Type: Type VIIC, the workhorse of the German U-Bootwaffe.

• Patrols: Conducted only two patrols.

• Loss: Destroyed during the height of the 1943 “air gap” battles, when Allied aircraft extended their coverage deep into the Atlantic.

• Legacy: The destruction of U-384 illustrates the increasing vulnerability of German U-boats during the critical turning point of the Battle of the Atlantic.

Collector’s Note:
This death card serves as both a personal memorial and a tangible link to the brutal campaign waged beneath the Atlantic waves. Pieces connected to U-boat crews lost with all hands are particularly valued, reflecting the tragic sacrifices of the U-Bootwaffe.