The German submarine U-552, famously known as the "Red Devil," returns to its base at Saint-Nazaire, France, after completing its first combat patrol on 16 March 1941.
The famous "Red Devil":
U-552 earned the nickname "Red Devil" from the grinning devil emblem painted on her conning tower. The distinctive insignia soon became one of the most recognizable symbols among German U-boats operating in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Commissioned in late 1940, the Type VIIC submarine quickly established a formidable combat record under the command of Erich Topp.
Commander Erich Topp:
Erich Topp ranks as the third most successful U-boat commander of the Second World War by total merchant tonnage sunk.
During his wartime career he commanded U-552 on numerous Atlantic patrols, sinking dozens of Allied merchant ships and several warships. His leadership and aggressive tactics made him one of the Kriegsmarine's best-known submarine commanders.
In April 1945, Topp took command of the advanced Type XXI submarine U-2513. Germany surrendered before the boat could see combat, and he capitulated with his crew in Oslo.
The fate of U-552:
Like many German submarines at the end of the war, U-552 never fell into Allied hands.
On 2 May 1945, only days before Germany's unconditional surrender, her crew deliberately scuttled the submarine at Wilhelmshaven to prevent its capture.
Today, photographs such as this remain valuable reminders of the Battle of the Atlantic and the men who fought one of the longest naval campaigns of the Second World War.
📍 Location: Saint-Nazaire, Loire-Atlantique, France
📅 Date: March 16, 1941
📷 Photographer: Unknown
🔗 Photo source: www.filme.de
ℹ️ Photo information source: www.naval-military-press.com
Recommended reading:
- Erich Topp: Germany's Third Highest-Scoring U-Boat Ace
- Type VIIC U-Boats
- The Battle of the Atlantic
- Saint-Nazaire U-Boat Base
- German Type XXI Submarines