German submarine U-986

German submarine U-986 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 25 May 1941, and was laid down on 18 September 1942 at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, as yard number 186. She was launched on 20 May 1943 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Karl-Ernst Kaiser on 1 July 1943.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-986 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 Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c 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-986 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes or 26 TMA mines, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and one twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between 44 — 52 men.

Service history
On 8 February 1944, U-986 left Kiel on her first war patrol, sailing through the Iceland passage en route to the North Atlantic. U-986 reported on 10 April 1944 for the last time, stating that she would be commencing her return in two days, at that time U-986 was ordered to Lorient but when she failed to arrive in port she was posted missing on 20 April 1944, all hands, 50 crewmen, lost.

Last known location 51.5°N, -20°W.

Wolfpacks
U-986 took part in one wolfpack, namely:
 * Preussen (2 – 22 March 1944)