# German submarine U-356

German submarine U-356 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down in May 1940 at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft yard at Flensburg, launched on 16 September 1941, and commissioned on 20 December 1941.

## Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-356 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8-276 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-356 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

## Service history

U-356 was ordered by the Kriegsmarine on 26 October 1939. She was laid down about six months later at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft yard at Flensburg, on 4 May 1940. The next year, U-356 was launched on 16 September 1941. She was formally commissioned on 20 December 1941.

## Loss

U-356 was attacked by HMCS St. Laurent. Commander at this date was LCdr Guy Stanley Windeyer, DSC RCN - 14 Nov 1942 – 19 Jan 1943, HMCS Chilliwack, HMCS Battleford and HMCS Napanee north of the Azores at 45°30′N 25°40′W﻿ / ﻿45.500°N 25.667°W﻿ / 45.500; -25.667 on 27 December 1942 and sunk by depth charges. All 46 crew members died in the event. Source: For Posterity's Sake, a Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

## Wolfpacks

U-356 took part in six wolfpacks, namely:
* Pfeil (12 – 22 September 1942)
* Blitz (22 – 26 September 1942)
* Tiger (26 – 30 September 1942)
* Wotan (5 – 19 October 1942)
* Raufbold (11 – 22 December 1942)
* Spitz (22 – 27 December 1942)

## Summary of Raiding History

| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) | Convoy | Fate |
| 27 December 1942 | Empire Union | United Kingdom | 5,952 | ONS 154 | Sunk |
| 27 December 1942 | Melrose Abbey | United Kingdom | 2,473 | ONS 154 | Sunk |
| 27 December 1942 | Soekaboemi | Netherlands | 7,051 | ONS 154 | Damaged |
| 27 December 1942 | King Edward | United Kingdom | 5,224 | ONS 154 | Sunk |
| Total: | Total: | Total: | 20,700 | | |