U-531

Type

IXC/40

Ordered

15 Aug, 1940

Laid down

22 Dec, 1941

Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg (werk 346)

Launched

12 Aug, 1942

Commissioned

28 Oct, 1942

Oblt. Herbert Neckel

Commanders

28 Oct, 1942 - 6 May, 1943

Kptlt. Herbert Neckel

Career

1 patrol

28 Oct, 1942 - 31 Mar, 1943 4. Flottille (training)
1 Apr, 1943 - 6 May, 1943 2. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk 6 May, 1943 in the North Atlantic north-east of Newfoundland, in position 52.48N, 45.18W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Vidette. 54 dead (all hands lost).

View the 1 war patrol

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

The attack by the destroyer HMS Oribi and the corvette HMS Snowflake on 6 May, 1943 in position 52.13N, 44.50W formerly credited with sinking U-531 in fact caused the loss of U-125.

Wolfpack operations

U-531 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Star (28 Apr, 1943 - 4 May, 1943)
Fink (4 May, 1943 - 6 May, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

22 Apr, 1943
While racing from Kiel to join wolfpack Fink the boat was attacked twice by aircraft from Iceland, causing minor damages. The first attack was made by a British Catalina (Sqdn 190/S) at 15.29 hours and the second by a British Fortress (Sqdn 206/D) at 22.00 hours.

1 recorded attacks 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-531 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.