U-606

Type

VIIC

Ordered

22 May 1940

Laid down

12 Mar 1941

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 582)

Launched

27 Nov 1941

Commissioned

22 Jan 1942

Oblt. Hans Klatt

Commanders

22 Jan 1942	-	1 Oct 1942	Oblt. Hans Klatt
14 Sep 1942	-	26 Sep 1942	Kptlt. Dietrich von der Esch (German Cross in Gold)
2 Oct 1942	-	22 Feb 1943	Oblt. Hans-Heinrich Döhler

Career
3 patrols

22 Jan 1942	-	31 Aug 1942	5. Flottille (training)
1 Sep 1942	-	31 Oct 1942	11. Flottille (active service)
1 Nov 1942	-	22 Feb 1943	9. Flottille (active service)

Successes

3 ships sunk, total tonnage 20,527 GRT
2 ships damaged, total tonnage 21,925 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 22 February 1943 in the North Atlantic east of Newfoundland, in position 47.44N, 33.43W, by depth charges from the US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Campbell and the Polish destroyer Burza. 36 dead and 11 survivors.

Loss position

See the 5 ships hit by U-606 - View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-606 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Puma (26 Oct 1942 - 29 Oct 1942)
   Natter (30 Oct 1942 - 8 Nov 1942)
   Kreuzotter (8 Nov 1942 - 24 Nov 1942)
   Falke (8 Jan 1943 - 19 Jan 1943)
   Haudegen (19 Jan 1943 - 15 Feb 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

21 Sep 1942
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:Norwegian Catalina Mk.III FP525 (330 Sqdn RAF/Z, pilot Lt C.J.A. Stansberg)

11.14 hrs, NE of Jan Mayen Island: the boat was attacked by the Catalina astern of convoy QP 14. Accurate flak during the attack run caused four depth charges to fall wide, causing only minor damage to the boat. With two wounded and damage to one engine and the petrol tanks, the Catalina made a forced landing near the convoy. The crew were rescued by HMS Marne.

(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-606 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.