List of all U-boats

U-55

Type

VIIB

 
Ordered16 Jul 1937
Laid down2 Nov 1938 F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 590)
Launched19 Oct 1939
Commissioned21 Nov 1939Kptlt. Werner Heidel
Commanders
21 Nov 1939 - 30 Jan 1940  Kptlt. Werner Heidel
Career
1 patrol
21 Nov 1939-31 Dec 1939  7. Flottille (training)
1 Jan 1940-30 Jan 1940  7. Flottille (active service)
Successes6 ships sunk, total tonnage 15,853 GRT
Fate

Sunk on 30 January 1940 in the Celtic Sea south-west of Isles of Scilly, in position 48.37N, 07.48W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Whitshed, the British sloop HMS Fowey and a British Sunderland aircraft (228 Sqn RAF/Y). 1 dead and 41 survivors.

Loss position

See the 6 ships hit by U-55 - View the 1 war patrol

The wreck of U-55 lies about 90 miles south-west of Isles of Scilly.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-55 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.


Media links


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War

Blair, Clay

There was another U-55 in World War One
That boat was launched from its shipyard on 18 Mar 1916 and commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 8 Jun 1916. The Naval war in WWI was brought to an end with the Armistice signed on 11 Nov, 1918. Read about SM U 55 during WWI.




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