U-56 Wilhelm Zahn

a g7e torpedo (middle) similar ones used u-56 against nelson.

he fired 3 torpedoes u-56 s 3 torpedo tubes toward flagship. 3 struck hull of nelson failed explode, although sound of impact nelson s hull picked sonar operators of u-56. third torpedo subsequently exploded @ sea without causing damage. incident has been described important non-sinking of conflict. after attack zahn became known man killed churchill amongst u-boat submariner corps.

after attack, zahn ordered u-boat descend deeper level avoid depth charges since destroyers had detected presence. in evening zahn ordered u-56 surface , subsequently sent radio report berlin listing targets in group including hms rodney. delay in transmission of information caused zahn s depression caused missing target. had delay in zahn s report not happened, german command have sent u-58, in area @ time, renew attack on british targets.

because of failure destroy nelson, zahn became depressed , karl dönitz had felt obliged relieve him of u-56 command , sent him germany become instructor. later, in memoirs, dönitz called failed attack u-56 exceptionally serious failure did not blame zahn daring, in presence of destroyers, praised, saying commander had delivered attack great daring when surrounded twelve escorting destroyers, depressed failure, in in no way blame, felt compelled withdraw him time being active operations , employ him instructor @ home . in addition dönitz had received reports men concerning problems defective g7e torpedoes using , knew failures caused faulty torpedoes. zahn recovered , later year given command of u-69.