U-956

Type

VIIC

Ordered

10 Apr 1941

Laid down

20 Feb 1942

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 156)

Launched

14 Nov 1942

Commissioned

6 Jan 1943

Obtlt. Hans-Dieter Mohs

Commanders

6 Jan 1943

13 May 1945

Kptlt. Hans-Dieter Mohs (German Cross in Gold)

Career
13 patrols

6 Jan 1943	-	30 Jun 1943	5. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1943	-	31 Dec 1943	1. Flottille (active service)
1 Jan 1944	-	30 Sep 1944	11. Flottille (active service)
1 Oct 1944	-	8 May 1945	13. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 warship sunk, total tonnage 1,190 tons
1 ship a total loss, total tonnage 7,176 GRT

Fate

Surrendered on 13 May 1945 at Loch Eriboll, Scotland.

Transferred to Lisahally, Northern Ireland on 29 May 1945 and later to Loch Ryan.

Operation Deadlight (post-war Allied operation, info)
Sunk by naval gunfire on 17 Dec, 1945 in position 55.50N, 10.05W.

Final location

See the 2 ships hit by U-956 - View the 13 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-956 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Monsun (3 Oct 1943 - 3 Nov 1943)
   Isegrim (8 Jan 1944 - 17 Jan 1944)
   Werwolf (27 Jan 1944 - 1 Feb 1944)
   Blitz (24 Mar 1944 - 5 Apr 1944)
   Trutz (28 Jun 1944 - 10 Jul 1944)
   Dachs (1 Sep 1944 - 4 Sep 1944)
   Grimm (14 Sep 1944 - 2 Oct 1944)
   Panther (16 Oct 1944 - 10 Nov 1944)
   Stier (30 Dec 1944 - 8 Jan 1945)

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat

This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in March 1945 but it was of course installed prior to that date.

Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-956 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.