German submarine U-356 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down in May 1940 at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft yard at Flensburg, launched on 16 September 1941, and commissioned on 20 December 1941.
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-356 had a displacement of 769t when at the surface and 871t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.1m (220.1feet), a pressure hull length of 50.5m (165.7feet), a beam of 6.2m (20.3feet), a height of 9.6m (31.5feet), and a draught of 4.74m (15.55feet). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of NaNPS for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8-276 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23abbr=onNaNabbr=on 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-356 was fitted with five 53.30NaN0 torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.82NaN2 SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a 2sp=usNaNsp=us C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
U-356 was ordered by the Kriegsmarine on 26 October 1939. She was laid down about six months later at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft yard at Flensburg, on 4 May 1940. The next year, U-356 was launched on 16 September 1941. She was formally commissioned on 20 December 1941.
U-356 was attacked by . Commander at this date was LCdr Guy Stanley Windeyer, DSC RCN - 14 Nov 1942 – 19 Jan 1943,, and north of the Azores at 45.5°N -65°W on 27 December 1942 and sunk by depth charges. All 46 crew members died in the event.Source: For Posterity's Sake, a Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
U-356 took part in six wolfpacks, namely:
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) | Convoy | Fate[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 December 1942 | Empire Union |  United Kingdom | 5,952 | ONS 154 | Sunk |
| 27 December 1942 | Melrose Abbey | United Kingdom | 2,473 | ONS 154 | Sunk |
| 27 December 1942 | Soekaboemi |  Netherlands | 7,051 | ONS 154 | Damaged |
| 27 December 1942 | King Edward | United Kingdom | 5,224 | ONS 154 | Sunk |
| Total: | 20,700 | ||||