German submarine U-356

German submarine U-356 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the Nazi German 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.

U-356 was attacked by HMCS St. Laurent, HMCS Chilliwack (K131), HMCS Battleford (K165) and HMCS Napanee (K118) north of the Azores at 45.5°N, -25.66667°W on 27 December 1942 and sunk by depth charges. All 46 crew members died in the event.

Construction and Design
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 carried 5 × 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four located in the bow, one in the stern) and had one 8.8 cm L45 deck gun with 220 rounds. She could also carry 14 G7e torpedoes or 26 TMA mines and had a crew of 44-52 men.