U-556
Sunk
| Type | Submarine |
|---|---|
| Class | Type VIIC |
| War | Second World War |
| Main guns | 5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern) |
Under Herbert Wohlfarth she attacked convoy OB 318 in May 1941, and saw Ark Royal pass by with no torpedoes left as she hunted Bismarck. Sunk south-west of Iceland on 27 June 1941 by three corvettes; most of her crew were captured.
Armament and specifications
Armament
- 5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern)
- 14 × G7e torpedoes or 26 TMA mines
- 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun (220 rounds)
- 1 x 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 AA gun
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
|---|---|
| Laid down | 2 January 1940 |
| Launched | 7 December 1940 |
| Commissioned | 6 February 1941 |
| Displacement | 769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced 871 t (857 long tons) submerged |
| Length | 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) o/a 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) pressure hull |
| Speed | 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged |
| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
As built, from the ship's Wikipedia article. Figures there may cover later refits too.
Career
Launched
7 December 1940
7–10 May 1941
Herbert Wohlfarth
Fate
Sunk
Sunk on 27 June 1941