U-boat patrols

Patrol info for U-566


DepartureArrival / FateDuration
24 Apr 1943Brest28 Apr 1943Brest5 days

Commander

Officers *


Kptlt. Hans Hornkohl
1WO

Ltn. Kurt Ahlers

Daily positions, sinkings and allied attacks during the patrol of U-566


We have daily positions for all 5 days on this patrol.

Departure from Brest on 24 Apr 1943.
25 Apr 1943 - 26 Apr 1943 - 27 Apr 1943 -
Arrival at Brest on 28 Apr 1943.

Ships hit by U-566 during this patrol

General Events during this patrol

We have no events listed for this patrol.

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Attacks on U-566 during this patrol

26 Apr 1943
22.44 hrs, Bay of Biscay: after locating the outbound boat on radar, a Wellington Mk.XII (RAF Sqn 172/R, pilot Sgt Alex Coumbis) launched a Leigh Light attack from off the port bow. U-566 dived immediately, but an accurate salvo of six depth charges which straddled the bows caused severe damage, including a leak in the forends and a damaged diving tank. At 23.55 hrs, the damage forced the U-boat to surface, unable to dive. Approaches by another Wellington (RAF Sqn172/M) were held off with flak. After exchanging fire with U-566, the aircraft left to return to base at 00.27 hrs, having used up its depth charges on an unsuccessful attack on U-103 earlier. U-566 had to break off the patrol and later returned to port escorted by four Ju88 aircraft and a naval escort. (Sources: Franks, KTBs, ADM199/1784)

About this data
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* These are officers that later became commanders themselves.

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