German submarine U-626

German submarine U-626 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The ship was built by Blohm & Voss of Hamburg, and commissioned on 11 June 1942. After six months of basic training she was assigned to the 6th U-boat Flotilla. U-626 sailed from Bergen on 8 December 1942 on her first operational voyage. She was reported missing on 16 December after failing to report her position.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-626 had a displacement of 769 t when at the surface and 871 t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 50.50 m, a beam of 6.20 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.74 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2800 to 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 8500 nmi at 10 kn. U-626 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between 44 and 60.

Service history
U-626 was assigned to the 5th U-boat Flotilla for basic training, and upon completion was permanently assigned to the 5th U-boat Flotilla. On 8 December 1942, U-626, under the direction of Leutnant zur See (acting sub-lieutenant/ensign) Hans-Botho Bade left Bergen, Norway for her maiden patrol. On 14 December 1942, U-626 sent her final radio message at position 58.66667°N, -20°W and was never heard from again. 47 men were lost with her.

Previously recorded fate
U-626 was previously thought to have been sunk in the North Atlantic on 15 December 1942 by depth charges from US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Ingham. This attack was actually 200 nmi from U-626's position and there is no evidence that the target was a U-boat.