U-552
U-552
Type VIIC
Laid down Dec. 1, 1939 Blohm and Voss, Hamburg
Commissioned Dec. 4, 1940
Oblt. Erich Topp (Oak Leaves with Swords)
Commanders
Dec. 4, 1940 - Sept. 8, 1942
KrvKpt. Erich Topp (Knights Cross)
Sept. 9, 1942 - July 10, 1944
Kptlt. Klaus Popp
July 11, 1944 - May 2, 1945
Oblt. Gunther Lube
Career 15 patrols
Dec. 4, 1940 - Feb. 1, 1941 7th Flottille (traning)
Feb. 1, 1941 - Apr. 30, 1944 7th Flottille (front boat)
May 1, 1944 - May 2, 1945 22nd Flottille (school boat)
Successes 29 ships sunk for a total of 163,529 GRT
2 auxiliary warships sunk for a total of 747 GRT
1 warship sunk for a total of 1,190 tons
3 ships damaged for a total of 26, 910 GRT
Fate Scuttled on May 2, 1945 at Wilhelmshaven in position
53.51 North 08.10 East
On October 31, 1941, U-552 was attacking the eastbound convoy HX-156 and at roughly 0525 hours torpedoed one of its escorts. The USS Reuben James magazine exploded and the ship sank quickly. 44 crew of 144 survived. The destroyer was the first ship lost in action during WWII.
U-552 did not suffer any casualties during her career.
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