German submarine U-612

German submarine U-612 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 21 Apr 1941, launched on 9 Jan 1942 and commissioned in December 1941 or 9 Jan 1942 (sources vary). Oberleutnant Paul Siegmann was her first commanding officer.

She was sunk after a collision with U-444 on 6 August 1942 and scuttled on 2 May 1945.

Sinking
U-612, based in Danzig, was taking part in a comprehensive training programme that had commenced from the time of her commissioning. Her crew were impatient to be at sea and on patrol. On 6 August, U-612 was in her allotted 'square' in the Bay of Danzig and had dived to a depth of 25 m. At 1142 hours, she was struck in the stern by what transpired to be another U-boat - U-444. U-612 sank rapidly in 48 m of water; the crew were picked up by two other U-boats, one of which was the hapless U-444. Two men died in the incident.

Resurrection
U-612, under the supervision of some of her officers, was raised after seven days work using a diver and two cranes. She was slowly brought into Danzig harbour, where she was temporarily patched, checked over and the water pumped out. A more thorough inspection in dry-dock revealed that it would take eight to 12 months before she was ready for sea once more. As a result, she spent the rest of the war as a training vessel. She was scuttled on 2 May 1945.

Her original crew had been assigned to another boat.