Patrol info for U-561
| Departure | Arrival / Fate | Duration | ||
| 2 Jul 1942 | Messina | 24 Jul 1942 | La Spezia | 23 days |
Commander | Officers * |
 Kptlt. Robert Bartels |
1WO Oblt. Hans-Jürgen Reese |
Daily positions, sinkings and allied attacks during the patrol of U-561
We have 21 daily positions for the 23 days U-561 was at sea.
Departure from Messina on 2 Jul 1942.
3 Jul 1942 - 4 Jul 1942 - 5 Jul 1942 - 6 Jul 1942 - 7 Jul 1942 - 8 Jul 1942 - 9 Jul 1942 - 10 Jul 1942 - 11 Jul 1942 - 12 Jul 1942 - 13 Jul 1942 - 14 Jul 1942 - 15 Jul 1942 - 16 Jul 1942 - 17 Jul 1942 - 18 Jul 1942 - 19 Jul 1942 - 20 Jul 1942 - 21 Jul 1942 - 22 Jul 1942 - 23 Jul 1942 -
Arrival at La Spezia on 24 Jul 1942.
Ships hit by U-561 during this patrol
General Events during this patrol
We have no events listed for this patrol.
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Attacks on U-561 during this patrol
15 Jul 1942
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:
British B-24 Liberator Mk.II AL566 (159 Sqdn RAF, pilot W/O W.S. Pottie)
22.07 hrs, ENE of Port Said, Egypt: After firing at the aircraft (misidentified as a Sunderland) with the 20mm flak guns as it approached, the Germans observed hits on the aircraft, which passed over the boat without dropping bombs. U-561 then dived, but was again attacked on surfacing at 23.15 hrs. Again scoring further hits with the flak guns, the Germans watched as the aircraft caught fire, jettisoned its bomb load and crashed into the sea. All seven aircrew died. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)
About this data
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Mine-laying operations during this patrol
U-561 laid mines on the following dates during this patrol:
| Date | Start | End | Grid | Location | Mines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jul 1942 | 23h14 | 02h13 | CP 8167 | Port Said, Egypt | 12 TMB + 8 TMC |
See all patrols for U-561
* These are officers that later became commanders themselves.