Patrol info for U-561
| Departure | Arrival / Fate | Duration | ||
| 2 Jul 1942 | Messina | 24 Jul 1942 | La Spezia | 23 days |
Commander | Officers * |
 Kptlt. Robert Bartels |
1WO Oblt. Hans-Jürgen Reese |
Daily positions, sinkings and allied attacks during the patrol of U-561
Legend
indicates an Allied attack on the boat.
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We have 21 daily positions for the 23 days U-561 was at sea.
Departure from Messina on 2 Jul 1942.
3 Jul 1942 - 4 Jul 1942 - 5 Jul 1942 - 6 Jul 1942 - 7 Jul 1942 - 8 Jul 1942 - 9 Jul 1942 - 10 Jul 1942 - 11 Jul 1942 - 12 Jul 1942 - 13 Jul 1942 - 14 Jul 1942 - 15 Jul 1942 - 16 Jul 1942 - 17 Jul 1942 - 18 Jul 1942 - 19 Jul 1942 - 20 Jul 1942 - 21 Jul 1942 - 22 Jul 1942 - 23 Jul 1942 -
Arrival at La Spezia on 24 Jul 1942.
Ships hit by U-561 during this patrol
No entries found.
General Events during this patrol
We have no events listed for this patrol.
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Attacks on U-561 during this patrol
15 Jul 1942
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:
British Liberator Mk.II AL566 (159 Sqdn RAF, pilot W/O W.S. Pottie)
At 22.07 hours, the boat fired with its 20mm AA guns at the approaching Liberator (misidentified as Sunderland) east-northeast of Port Said. The Germans observed hits on the aircraft, which passed over the boat without dropping bombs. U-561 then crash-dived, but was again attacked when surfacing at 23.15 hours. Again scoring hits with the AA guns, the Germans observed how the aircraft caught fire, jettisoned the bombs and crashed into the sea. All 7 crewmen were lost. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)
About this data
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Mine-laying operations during this patrol
U-561 laid mines on the following dates during this patrol:
| Date | Start | End | Grid | Location | Mines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jul 1942 | 23h14 | 02h13 | CP 8167 | Port Said, Egypt | 12 TMB + 8 TMC |
See all patrols for U-561
* These are officers that later became commanders themselves.
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