U-516

Type

IXC

Ordered

14 Feb 1940

Laid down

12 May 1941

Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg (werk 312)

Launched

16 Dec 1941

Commissioned

21 Feb 1942

Korvkpt. Gerhard Wiebe

Commanders

10 Mar 1942 - 23 Jun 1943	Gerhard Wiebe
11 May 1942 - 27 May 1942	Hans Pauckstadt
24 Jun 1943 - 30 Jun 1943	Kptlt. Herbert Kuppisch (Knights Cross)
1 Jul 1943 - Dec, 1944	Kptlt. Hans-Rutger Tillessen
Dec, 1944 - 14 May 1945	Oblt. Friedrich Petran

Career

6 patrols

10 Mar 1942 - 31 Aug 1942  4. Flottille (training)
1 Sep 1942 - 30 Sep 1944  10. Flottille (front boat)
1 Oct 1944 - 8 May 1945  33. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

16 ships sunk for a total of 89,385 GRT
1 ship damaged for a total of 9,687 GRT

Fate

Surrendered at Loch Eriboll, Scotland. Later transferred to Lisahally for Operation Deadlight.

Operation Deadlight (post-war Allied operation, info)
Sunk on 2 Jan, 1946 in position 56.06N, 09.00W.

See the 17 ships hit by U-516 - View the 6 war patrols

Attacks on this boat

19 Dec 1943
Near Trinidad in the Caribbean an unknown aircraft attacked and damaged the boat, causing it to abort its patrol and seek fuel and assistance from other boats in the area. The boat safely reached port on 26 Feb, 1944. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 462)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in April 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-516 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.