Her commander during this period was veteran submariner Oberleutnant zur See Emmo Hummerjohann, who was experienced in combat operations and was still in charge when she departed Bergen, Norway in early October 1943 for her maiden combat patrol in the North Atlantic.
During this time, her commanding officer was Oberleutnant zur See Emmo Hummerjohann, a seasoned submarine commander with experience in combat operations who remained in command until she embarked on her first combat mission from Bergen, Norway in early October 1943, sailing into the North Atlantic.