Unterseeboot 533

Unterseeboot 533 or "U-533" was a Nazi German U-Boat (Type IXC/40) that operated during World War II between April 15 1943 and October 16 1943. It was first launched on September 11 1942 with a crew of 53, under the command of Helmut Hennig. [http://ubootwaffe.net/ops/boat.cgi?boat=533]

Combat actions

On its first active patrol, "U-533" was picked up by the allied forces just out of Lorient, and came under repeated attacks from allied aircraft, giving it very little opportunity to cause any damage to allied shipping.

On April 24 1943 "U-533" came under attack from an aircraft of RAF 269 Squadron. "U-533" was moderately damaged by the attack, defending itself with its deck guns. On April 25 1943 "U-533" came under attack from an aircraft from the United States Navy VP-84 Squadron but was not severely damaged in the attack. The boat defended itself with flak without destroying the aircraft. On May 20 1943 "U-533" came under attack from an aircraft of RAF 502 Squadron, without suffering any serious damage.

It set out on two later active patrols, with no result, being sank on its third active patrol by allied forces in the Gulf of Oman. Of the crew of 53, 1 survived. That survivor, mechanic Gunther Schmidt, swam and stayed afloat for 28 hours until he reached the coast, where he was captured and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war.