U-569

Type

VIIC

Ordered

24 Oct, 1939

Laid down

21 May, 1940

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 545)

Launched

20 Mar, 1941

Commissioned

8 May, 1941

Oblt. Hans-Peter Hinsch

Commanders

8 May, 1941 - 6 Feb, 1943	Kptlt. Hans-Peter Hinsch
3 Feb, 1943 - 22 May, 1943	Oblt. Hans Johannsen

Career

9 patrols

8 May, 1941 - 1 Aug, 1941 3. Flottille (training)
1 Aug, 1941 - 22 May, 1943 3. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

1 ship sunk for a total of 984 GRT
1 ship damaged for a total of 4.458 GRT

Fate

Scuttled on 22 May, 1943 in the North Atlantic, in position 50.40N, 35.21W, after being badly damaged by depth charges from 2 Avenger aircraft of the US escort carrier USS Bogue. 21 dead and 25 survivors.

See the 2 ships hit by U-569 - View the 9 war patrols

The end of U 569

USS Bogue's first victim: Lt. Chamberlain's attack on U-569 as viewed from the rear of his aircraft. Note falling depth charges. Another Avenger aircraft finished the kill.

U-569 is sinking, as viewed from the HMCS St. Laurent.

Wolfpack operations

U-569 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Hecht (7 May, 1942 - 18 Jun, 1942)
   Lachs (15 Aug, 1942 - 27 Sep, 1942)
   Draufgänger (1 Dec, 1942 - 11 Dec, 1942)
   Ungestüm (14 Dec, 1942 - 23 Dec, 1942)
   Robbe (16 Feb, 1943 - 22 Feb, 1943)
   Neptun (20 Feb, 1943 - 3 Mar, 1943)
   Rhein (8 May, 1943 - 11 May, 1943)
   Elbe I (11 May, 1943 - 13 May, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

16 Dec, 1941
The boat was attacked by a Swordfish aircraft in the mid-Atlantic and was damaged so badly that she had to return to France for repairs instead of heading for the Mediterranean. (Sources: Blair, vol 1, page 402)

23 Feb, 1943
The boat was seriously damaged by depth charges from the escorts of convoy UC 1. The boat had to abort to France. Date is approximate. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 198)

2 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-569 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.