U-455

Type

VIIC

Ordered

16 Jan 1940

Laid down

3 Sep 1940

Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel (werk 286)

Launched

21 Jun 1941

Commissioned

21 Aug 1941

Kptlt. Hans-Henrich Giessler

Commanders

21 Aug 1941 - 22 Nov 1942	Hans-Heinrich Giessler
22 Nov 1942 - 6 Apr 1944	Kptlt. Hans-Martin Scheibe

Career

10 patrols

21 Aug 1941 - 31 Dec 1941  5. Flottille (training)
1 Jan 1942 - 29 Feb 1944  7. Flottille (front boat)
1 Mar 1944 - 6 Apr 1944  29. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

3 ships sunk for a total of 17,685 GRT

Fate

Listed as missing in the Mediterranean after 6 April, 1944, probably in or around the Ligurian Sea.

No explanation exists for its loss. 51 dead (all hands lost).

See the 3 ships hit by U-455 - View the 10 war patrols

U-455 reported for the last time on 2 April while on its return from its patrol area off Algiers.

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by during April 2005. More on revised fates.

Sunk 6 April, 1944 near La Spezia, in position 44.04N, 09.51E, by a mine, possibly German.

Wolfpack operations

U-455 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Pfadfinder (23 May 1942 - 27 May 1942)
   Draufgänger (1 Dec 1942 - 11 Dec 1942)
   Ungestüm (14 Dec 1942 - 23 Dec 1942)

Attacks on this boat

4 Oct 1943
While being refueled by U-460 (along with U-264 and U-422) the boats were attacked by Avenger aircraft from the escort carrier Card. After putting up heavy flak the smaller VIIC boats dived leaving U-460 on the surface. She was destroyed when she also tried to dive. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 429)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Annoucements related to this boat

U-455 located off Genoa, Italy (23 Oct 2005)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-455 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2
Wynn, Kenneth