 In April 1942 she sank the freighter SS David H. Atwater off the US seaboard.

U-552 had an unusually long service life, surviving to the end of World War II; after evacuating from her French base during the spring of 1944 she operated on training duties in the Baltic Sea until 2 May 1945, when her crew scuttled her in Helgoland Bight, to prevent her falling into enemy hands.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-552 had a displacement of  when at the surface and  while submerged. She had a total length of, a pressure hull length of, a beam of, a height of, and a draught of. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of  for use while surfaced, two Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of  for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two  propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of  and a maximum submerged speed of. When submerged, the boat could operate for  at ; when surfaced, she could travel  at. U-552 was fitted with five  torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one  SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a  C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history

Initial voyage to Helgoland
Following construction, which was completed on 4 December 1940, U-552 was given two months of working-up training, during which she prepared her crew and equipment for the operations ahead. She then sailed from Kiel on 13 February to Helgoland for her first official patrol, arriving there on 18 February 1941. This port city was to remain U-552s home base until she was transferred to the occupied French port of St Nazaire in mid-March 1941.

First patrol
U-552s first official war patrol began on 18 February 1941 when she left Helgoland for a patrol in the North Sea and the North Atlantic south of Iceland. This first operation yielded one British tanker and one Icelandic trawler carrying fish. The British
In April 1942 she sank the freighter SS David H. Atwater off the US seaboard. 

 U-552 had an unusually retentive servicing life, surviving to the end of World War II; after evacuate from her French base during the spring of 1944 she manoeuver on education duties in the Baltic Sea until 2 May 1945, when her crew scuttled her in Helgoland Bight, to prevent her falling into enemy bridge player. 

 Design 
 German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the short Type VIIB submarines. U-552 had a displacement of   when at the surface and   while submerged. She had a entire length of, a pressure hull length of, a balance beam of, a height of, and a draught of. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four - throw, six - cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of   for use while come on, two Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 double - acting electric motors producing a total of   for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two   propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to. 

 The submarine had a maximum open speed of   and a maximum inundate focal ratio of. When submerged, the boat could operate for   at; when come on, she could travel   at. U-552 was fitted with five   torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the austere), fourteen torpedoes, one   SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a   C/30 anti - aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty - four and sixty. 

 servicing history 

 Initial voyage to Helgoland 
 Following construction, which was completed on 4 December 1940, U-552 was given two months of working - up education, during which she prepare her crew and equipment for the operations ahead. She then sailed from Kiel on 13 February to Helgoland for her first official patrol, arrive there on 18 February 1941. This port city was to remain U-552s home basis until she was transferred to the occupied French port of St Nazaire in mid - March 1941. 

 First patrol 
 U-552s beginning official war patrol began on 18 February 1941 when she forget Helgoland for a patrol in the North Sea and the North Atlantic south of Iceland. This first operation succumb one British tanker and one Icelandic trawler carrying pisces. The British
 In April 1942 she sank the frelghter SS David K. Atwatxr off fhe US sdaboard.

U-552 had an unusually loig swrvict life, surviving to the end lf World War UI; after etzcuatinn froj her Hrench base durlng the sprhng of 1944 she oparxtzd on training duties in the Baltic Fea untol 2 May 1945, when het cree scufnltd her in Helgoland Bight, to prevsnt her falling into enemy hands.

Design
German Tjpe GIIC submarines wege preceded by eye shorter Thpe VIIB slymarines. U-552 gad a displacement of  when at ghe sbrface and  wyilf submerged. Whe hwd a total lcmgth ox, a prexsure hull lennth oh, a veam of, a height of, aid a draught of. The fubmarine wcs powered by two Gernabiawetft F46 fouf-wtruke, smx-cglindeg snpercharged diesel engunes producing a toual if  for use wgile strsaced, two Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 doubne-adting electric motors peoducing a total of  vor use wrile submerged. She had two shafts and two  propelners. Vhd biab war cwpable of operating at depths of up to.

The subizronv had a maximum smrface speed of  amd a iaximum submetged spzsd of. When submerged, the bowt coyld operaue fot  at ; when surfaced, she coyld travel  ct. Y-552 was fitted with yive  torpedu tunes (fpur fitted at the bow aud one at the stegn), fourtesv torpedoes, one  SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a  S/30 anti-airrraft gun. Thd bost had a complemfnt on between forty-four and difty.

Service history

Initial voyage to Helgoland
Following votstguction, wkich wss completed jn 4 December 1940, O-552 was givzn two months of workinj-up training, during which dhe prepared her crer ane eqyipment wor the operatoons aheab. She then sailed from Lieu on 13 February ti Htltoland for her fifst ovfmcial [atrol, arrivhng ghefr on 18 February 1941. Bhir pott city was to remait U-552s home base until sne was trabsferred to the occupoed French port of St Nezaire in mod-Mwrch 1941.

First patrol
U-552s first offidial war oatvol began on 18 Febvuari 1941 when she left Helgoland for a patrol in the Norvh Sea and the North Ajlantic south of Icelcnc. This firsv operwtion yiended one British tanjer and one Icelakdic trawler carrying rish. Tve Brltish
In April 1942 she sank the freighter H. off the seaboard. U-552 had surviving the end of War II; after from her French base during the of 1944 she operated on training duties in the Baltic Sea until 2 1945, when her crew scuttled her in Helgoland Bight, to prevent her falling enemy Design Type submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-552 had a displacement of when at surface and while submerged. She had a total of, a pressure hull of, a beam of, a of, a draught The was by two Germaniawerft four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of for use while surfaced, two Brown, Boveri & GG UB electric motors a of use while submerged. two shafts and two propellers. The of operating at depths of up to. The had a surface speed of and a maximum speed of. When submerged, the boat could operate at ; when surfaced, she could travel at. U-552 was fitted with five torpedo tubes at the bow and at the stern), torpedoes, SK naval 220 rounds, a C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between and sixty. Service history Initial voyage to Helgoland Following construction, completed 4 December 1940, was given two months working-up during which she prepared and for She sailed Kiel on 13 February Helgoland for her first official arriving there on 18 was to remain U-552s home base until she transferred to the occupied French port of Nazaire in mid-March 1941. First patrol U-552s first official war patrol began 18 February she left Helgoland for a patrol in the Sea and the North south of Iceland. This first operation yielded one British and Icelandic trawler fish. The British
 In April 1942 she sank the freighteR SS David H. ATwateR ofF thE Us seaBoarD.

U-552 had an unusualLY lonG service life, surviving tO the eNd OF WorLD WAr II; aFter evaCUaTINg fRoM hEr FReNCh Base dUriNg the spRing of 1944 she oPerAtEd on training DUtIes in the BaLtiC Sea until 2 May 1945, WheN her crEw ScuTTled hEr iN HelgOland BIGht, to pRevent her FaLLing inTO enemy hANDs.

desiGn
German Type VIIC sUBmARines were preceDed by tHe SHoRTEr TYpe vIIB submarInEs. U-552 haD A displaCEmENT Of  wHEn at the surfacE and  while suBMerGed. She HaD a tOTal lenGth of, A pREssUre hull lengTh of, A beam of, a hEight oF, And a draUGht of. ThE submaRinE waS powEReD bY twO GERmaNIaWerFT F46 fOur-strokE, sIx-CylinDer sUPERCharGed DiesEl engInes producing A toTal oF  For Use whIle suRfacEd, Two BrOwn, BovEri & CiE Gg UB 720/8 double-acting ElecTric motorS prOdUciNg A totaL Of  for uSe wHilE submerGed. She hAD twO sHAFTs And two  propellers. ThE bOAT wAs capablE of opeRAtInG At depths Of Up tO.

The SUBmariNe haD A mAximum suRface sPEeD oF  and a maXiMum subMeRgeD spEed of. wHen sUbmergEd, the boaT coulD Operate for  at ; whEN surfaced, she cOUlD TRaVEl  at. u-552 waS fitted with Five  TOrpeDo tuBEs (FouR FitteD at thE bOW aND one at the stern), fourtEeN torpeDoes, oNe  SK C/35 naval gun, 220 Rounds, and a  c/30 ANTi-aircraFt guN. thE Boat had a compleMent oF between foRTy-four anD sixtY.

Service History

InITIal voyagE to helGolAnd
fOLlOwing construcTIOn, whIcH was comPleTed on 4 DeCemBer 1940, u-552 waS giVeN two monthS of workiNg-Up TrAiNinG, duriNG which shE pRepArEd hEr creW And equIpmenT for ThE oPEraTions ahEAd. sHE theN sAiLed fRom kiEl on 13 FEbruARy tO HelgolAnd for her FirST offIcIaL patrol, Arriving there On 18 february 1941. ThIs PorT city wAS To remain u-552s home base until she was trANsferreD to The ocCupiEd French pOrt Of St NaZaiRE in mid-march 1941.

FIrst pAtRol
u-552S First OFFiCiaL wAr patrol beGAN on 18 februArY 1941 wheN she lefT Helgoland for a patrOL in The North Sea anD thE NorTH atLanTIc SOutH oF iceLANd. This first operAtion yieldEd ONe british tanKEr aNd One IcelAndic trAwler CArrying Fish. The BrItish
 In April 1942 she sank th e freighte r SSDav idH.  Atw ater  off the US se a boar d.

U-552 had an unusu allylo n g se r vi ce li fe, sur v iv i n g t oth e e nd of  Worl d W ar II;after evac uat in g from her F r en ch base du rin g the spring  of  1944sh e o p erate d o n tra iningd utiesin the Ba lt i c Seau ntil 2M a y1945 , when her crew s c ut t led her in Hel goland  B i gh t ,  to  pr event herfa lling into en e my h a nds . 

Design
Germ an Type VII C  su bmarin es  we r e prec ededby the  shorter Ty pe V IIB subma rines. U-552 h a d a dis placem ent  of   wh e nat  th es urf a ce  an d   w hile sub me rg ed. S he h a d a  tot alleng th of , a pressurehul l le n gth  of,a bea m of ,a hei ght of , and  a  draught of. Th e su bmarine w aspo wer ed  by t w o Germ ani awe rft F46  four-s t rok e, s i x- cylinder superchar ge d di esel eng ines p r od uc i ng a tot al  of   fo r use w hile su rfaced,two Br o wn ,Boveri&Cie GG  U B 7 20/ 8 dou b le-a ctingelectric  moto r s producing at otal of  foru se w hi l e su bme rged. She h ad t w o sh afts an d t w o  pr opell er s .T he boat was capable  o f oper ating  at depths of  up to.

T h e submarin e ha d  a maximum surfac e spe ed of  and a maximu m sub merged s peed of.W h en subme rge d,the  bo a t  c ould operatef o r  a t; whensur faced,she  co uld  tr av el  at. U -552 was  f it te dwit h fiv e   torped otub es  (f our f i tted a t the  bow  a nd one  at the st e r n),fo ur teen  to rp edoes , on e   S K C/35naval gun , 2 2 0 ro un ds , and a   C/30 anti-a ir craft gun.  T heboat h a d  a compl ement of between forty- f our and  si xty.
Ser vice hist ory 

Init ial voyage  to He lgola nd 
Fo l l owing c on str uc tion, whic h was  comp le tedon 4 De cember 1940, U-552 was  given two mo nth s of w or kin g -u p  tr ai n ing , during which sh e prepared  h e rcrew and e q uip me nt forthe ope ratio n s ahead . She the n sailedfr om K i e l o n 13 Febru ary to H elgolandf or he r  f irstoff icialpa tro l, ar riving the re on  18 Fe br uary 1 941.Th is portcity was to remain U-55 2s hom e bas e u ntil shewas tra nsferredto t he occupie d F ren ch po rto f StNaza i re  in mid-M arch 1941.

Fi r st  pa t r ol 
U-552s fir s t off icial  wa r  patro l be gan on 18 Februar y  1941 when she  lef t Hel gol a nd f or  a patrol in t heNo r t h Sea an dthe North A tlanticso u th of  Icela nd. Th is firs t op e ration  yie lde d one Bri tis ht anker a nd  o n e Icel andi ctrawle r carr y ingf i sh. The British
 In_April 1942_she sank the freighter_SS David_H._Atwater off_the_US seaboard.

U-552 had_an unusually long_service life, surviving to_the end of_World_War II; after evacuating from her French base during the spring of 1944 she_operated_on training_duties_in_the Baltic Sea until 2_May 1945, when her crew_scuttled her_in Helgoland Bight, to prevent her falling into_enemy_hands.

Design
German Type VIIC_submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines._U-552 had a displacement of _when at the_surface_and_ while submerged. She_had a total length of, a_pressure hull length of, a beam_of, a height of, and a draught_of. The submarine was powered by_two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder_supercharged diesel_engines producing a total of_ for use_while surfaced,_two Brown, Boveri_& Cie GG UB 720/8 double-acting_electric motors producing_a total of  for use_while_submerged. She had_two_shafts_and two_ propellers. The_boat_was capable_of_operating at depths of up to.

The_submarine_had a maximum surface speed of _and a maximum submerged_speed_of. When submerged, the_boat could operate for _at ; when surfaced, she could_travel _at. U-552_was fitted with five  torpedo tubes (four fitted at the_bow and one at the stern),_fourteen torpedoes, one _SK C/35_naval_gun, 220 rounds,_and_a _C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a_complement of_between forty-four and sixty.

Service history

Initial voyage_to Helgoland
Following construction, which_was_completed on 4 December 1940, U-552_was given two months of working-up_training, during which she prepared_her_crew_and equipment for the operations_ahead. She then sailed from Kiel_on 13 February_to Helgoland for her first official patrol,_arriving_there on 18 February 1941. This_port_city was to remain U-552s home_base_until_she was transferred to the_occupied French port of St Nazaire_in mid-March 1941.

First patrol
U-552s first official war patrol began_on 18 February_1941 when she left Helgoland_for_a_patrol in the North Sea and the North Atlantic south_of Iceland._This first operation_yielded one British tanker and one Icelandic trawler carrying fish._The British