List of all U-boats
U-561
Type | VIIC | ||||||||||||||||
Ordered | 16 Oct 1939 | ||||||||||||||||
Laid down | 28 Feb 1940 | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 537) | |||||||||||||||
Launched | 23 Jan 1941 | ||||||||||||||||
Commissioned | 13 Mar 1941 | Kptlt. Robert Bartels | |||||||||||||||
Commanders |
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Career 15 patrols |
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Successes | 5 ships sunk, total tonnage 17,146 GRT 1 ship damaged, total tonnage 4,043 GRT 1 ship a total loss, total tonnage 5,062 GRT | ||||||||||||||||
Fate |
Sunk on 12 July 1943 in the Strait of Messina, in position 38.16N, 15.39E, by a torpedo from the British motor torpedo boat HMS MTB-81. 42 dead and 5 survivors. | ||||||||||||||||
Loss position |
Wolfpack operations
U-561 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Bosemüller (28 Aug 1941 - 2 Sep 1941)
Seewolf (2 Sep 1941 - 15 Sep 1941)
Attacks on this boat and other events
15 Jul 1942
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down: British B-24 Liberator Mk.II AL566 (159 Sqdn RAF, pilot W/O W.S. Pottie)
22.07 hrs, ENE of Port Said, Egypt: After firing at the aircraft (misidentified as a Sunderland) with the 20mm flak guns as it approached, the Germans observed hits on the aircraft, which passed over the boat without dropping bombs. U-561 then dived, but was again attacked on surfacing at 23.15 hrs. Again scoring further hits with the flak guns, the Germans watched as the aircraft caught fire, jettisoned its bomb load and crashed into the sea. All seven aircrew died. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)
1 recorded attack 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-561 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
U-boat Emblems
We have 3 emblem entries for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.
V |
Coat of Arms of Wuppertal |
Torpedo and Palm Tree |
Media links
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