U-575

Type

VIIC

Ordered

8 Jan 1940

Laid down

1 Aug 1940

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 551)

Launched

30 Apr 1941

Commissioned

19 Jun 1941

Kptlt. Günther Heydemann (Oak Leaves)

Commanders

19 Jun 1941 - 29 Jul 1943	Kptlt. Günther Heydemann (Knights Cross)
12 Sep 1943 - 13 Mar 1944	Oblt. Wolfgang Boehmer

Career

10 patrols

19 Jun 1941 - 31 Aug 1941 7. Flottille (training)
1 Sep 1941 - 13 Mar 1944 7. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

8 ships sunk for a total of 36,010 GRT
1 warship sunk for a total of 1,015 tons
1 ship damaged for a total of 12,910 GRT

Fate

Sunk 13 March, 1944 in the north Atlantic north of the Azores, in position 46.18N, 27.34W, by depth charges from the Canadian frigate HMCS Prince Rupert, the US destroyer USS Hobson, the US destroyer escort USS Haverfield, and by depth charges from a British Wellington and Fortress aircraft (Sqdn. 172/B and 206/R and 220/J) and Avenger aircraft of the US escort carrier USS Bogue. 18 dead and 37 survivors.

See the 10 ships hit by U-575 - View the 10 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-575 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Endrass (12 Jun 1942 - 21 Jun 1942)
   Luchs (1 Oct 1942 - 7 Oct 1942)
   Panther (8 Oct 1942 - 14 Oct 1942)
   Puma (16 Oct 1942 - 30 Oct 1942)
   Amsel I (4 May 1943 - 6 May 1943)
   Elbe I (11 May 1943 - 13 May 1943)

Attacks on this boat

7 Oct 1941
The boat was attacked in the North Atlantic by an aircraft and suffered slight damage from two bombs.

9 Dec 1941
While inbound to refuel in Vigo, Spain the boat was located and depth charged. Two days later at Vigo the damages were found to be so severe that the boat aborted to France instead of sailing for the Mediterranean. (Sources: Blair, vol 1, page 402)

21 Nov 1943
At 07.40 hours the boat was approached by a Leigh Light equipped Liberator and opened fire with the AA guns. The aircraft turned away without dropping bombs and U-575 crash-dived. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

10 Mar 1944
After sinking HMS Asphodel (K 56) the boat was hunted by surface escorts of the combined convoy MKS-41/SL-150 for 18 hours but managed to escape. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 504)

4 recorded attacks on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus but the date of fitting or sailing date with the equipment is unknown. Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.