U-355

Type

VIIC

Ordered

26 Oct 1939

Laid down

4 May 1940

Flensburger Schiffsbau-Ges, Flensburg (werk 474)

Launched

5 Jul 1941

Commissioned

29 Oct 1941

Kptlt. Günter La Baume

Commanders

29 Oct 1941

1 Apr 1944

KrvKpt. Günter La Baume

Career
9 patrols

29 Oct 1941	-	30 Jun 1942	5. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1942	-	1 Apr 1944	11. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 ship sunk, total tonnage 5,082 GRT

Fate

Missing since 1 April 1944 in the Norwegian Sea south-west of Bear Island. There is no explanation for its loss. 52 dead (all hands lost). (Axel Niestlé, January 1997).

Loss position

See the 1 ships hit by U-355 - View the 9 war patrols

U-355 reported for the last time on 1 April 1944 from approximate position 73.03N, 13.10E while in pursuit of convoy JW-58. It was posted missing on 4 April 1944 after it repeatedly failed to report its position.

Previously recorded fate

Sunk 1 April, 1944 in the Barents Sea southwest of Bear Island, Norway, in position 73.07N, 10.21E, by depth charges from an Avenger aircraft (Sqdn. 846/H) from the British escort carrier HMS Tracker and the British destroyer HMS Beagle. (Postwar assessment)
Notes. This attack was in fact against the U-673 inflicting medium damage.

Wolfpack operations

U-355 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Eisteufel (21 Jun 1942 - 9 Jul 1942)
   Nebelkönig (27 Jul 1942 - 14 Aug 1942)
   Eisbär (27 Mar 1943 - 15 Apr 1943)
   Monsun (19 Oct 1943 - 21 Oct 1943)
   Blitz (26 Mar 1944 - 4 Apr 1944)

Attacks on this boat and other events

1 Apr 1944
Rockets from an Avenger aircraft caused minor damage.

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-355 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.