U-566
Type | VIIC | |||||||||||||
| Ordered | 24 Oct 1939 | |||||||||||||
| Laid down | 30 Mar 1940 | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 542) | ||||||||||||
| Launched | 20 Feb 1941 | |||||||||||||
| Commissioned | 17 Apr 1941 | Kptlt. Dietrich Borchert | ||||||||||||
| Commanders |
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| Career 11 patrols |
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| Successes | 6 ships sunk for a total of 38,092 GRT 1 warship sunk for a total of 2,265 tons | |||||||||||||
| Fate | Scuttled on 24 Oct, 1943 in the North Atlantic west of Leixoes, in position 41.12N, 09.31W, after being damaged by 6 depth charges from a British Wellington aircraft (Sqdn. 179/A). 49 survivors (no casualties). | |||||||||||||
Wolfpack operations
U-566 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Pfadfinder (21 May 1942 - 27 May 1942)
Blücher (14 Aug 1942 - 28 Aug 1942)
Natter (2 Nov 1942 - 8 Nov 1942)
Westwall (8 Nov 1942 - 22 Nov 1942)
Neptun (18 Feb 1943 - 3 Mar 1943)
Westmark (6 Mar 1943 - 11 Mar 1943)
Attacks on this boat
17 Nov 1942
The boat, was attacked and severely damaged by a British Hudson bomber (Sqdn, 233, pilot Eric Smith). The boat was forced to abort to France for repairs. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 113)
26 Apr 1943
While outbound from France the boat was attacked on her fifth day out by a British Leigh-light Wellington bomber (Sqdn 172, pilot Alex Coumbis) and damaged so severly she was unable to dive and had to be escorted to base by German aircraft and surface ships. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 276)
7 Aug 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:American Ventura (Sqdn VB-128)
Aircraft PV-1. The second shot down during this hunt.
7 Aug 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:American Ventura (Sqdn VB-128)
Aircraft PV-1
13 Aug 1943
The boat was attacked by 3 aircraft and claimed shot down one "Mitchell" aircraft. (Sources: BdU KTB)
5 recorded attacks on this boat.
Men lost from U-boats
Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-566 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
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