U-656
Type | VIIC | |||
| Ordered | 9 Oct, 1939 | |||
| Laid down | 4 Sep, 1940 | Howaldtswerke, Hamburg (werk 805) | ||
| Launched | 8 Jul, 1941 | |||
| Commissioned | 17 Sep, 1941 | Kptlt. Ernst Kröning | ||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 2 patrols | 17 Sep, 1941 - 31 Dec, 1941 5. Flottille (training) 1 Jan, 1942 - 1 Mar, 1942 1. Flottille (front boat) | ||
| Successes | No ships sunk or damaged | |||
| Fate | Sunk 1 March, 1942 in the North Atlantic south of Cape Race, in position 46.15N, 53.15W, by depth charges from an American Hudson aircraft (VP 82). 45 dead (all hands lost). | |||
The Hudson PBO-1 aircraft was from a US Navy patrol squadron (VP-82) that was flying support for convoy ON.72. The Hudson PBO-1 was one of 20 Lend-Lease Hudson IIIA's used by the USN to equip one squadron.
These aircraft sank the first 2 U-boats sunk by the USN, U-656 on 1 March, 1942 and U-503 on 15 March.
Men lost from U-boats
Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-656 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
 German U-Boat Losses During World War II Niestle, Axel Buy this title at amazon.co.uk See more sellers |
Books dealing with this subject include: German U-Boat Losses During World War II, Niestle, Axel, 1998 U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998 U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998 |