U-206

Type

VIIC

Ordered

16 Oct 1939

Laid down

17 Jun 1940

F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 635)

Launched

4 Apr 1941

Commissioned

17 May 1941

Oblt. Herbert Opitz

Commanders

17 May 1941 - 30 Nov 1941

Kptlt. Herbert Opitz

Career

3 patrols

17 May 1941 - 1 Jun 1941 3. Flottille (training)
1 Jun 1941 - 30 Nov 1941 3. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

2 ships sunk for a total of 3,283 GRT
1 warship sunk for a total of 925 tons

Fate

Missing in the Bay of Biscay, west of St. Nazaire, on about 30 Nov, 1941 in approximate position 47.05N, 02.40W. Possibly sunk in the British minefield "Beech" laid by RAF aircraft. 46 dead (all hands lost).

See the 3 ships hit by U-206 - View the 3 war patrols

The mine-field "Beech" was laid by RAF aircraft in the Bay of Biscay west of St. Nazaire after August 1940.

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by FDS/NHB during August 1991. More on revised fates.

Sunk 30 Nov, 1941 in the Bay of Biscay west of Nantes, France, in position 46.55N, 07.16W, by depth charges from a British Whitley aircraft (Sqdn 502/B).

This attack was in fact against U-71 which escaped undamaged.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-206 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2
Wynn, Kenneth