U-855

Type

IXC/40

Ordered

5 Jun 1941

Laid down

21 Oct 1942

AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1061)

Launched

17 Apr 1943

Commissioned

2 Aug 1943

Kptlt. Albert Sürenhagen

Commanders

2 Aug 1943 - 2 Apr 1944	Kptlt. Albert Sürenhagen
3 Apr 1944 - 11 Sep 1944	Oblt. Prosper Ohlsen

Career

1 patrol

2 Aug 1943 - 31 Mar 1944 4. Flottille (training)
1 Apr 1944 - 11 Sep 1944 10. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Missing since 11 September, 1944 in the area west of Bergen, Norway. 56 dead (all hands lost).

View the 1 war patrol

The boat was returning from a weather reporting patrol when she possibly hit a mine on or about the 17 September in the Iceland-Faroes mine barrage.

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by FDS/NHB during September 1987. More on revised fates.

The attack by a British Liberator (RAF 224/A) on 24 Sept, 1944 in position 61.00N, 04.07E formerly credited with sinking this boat was instead against the U-763 inflicting medium damage.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in July 1944 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-855 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2
Wynn, Kenneth