German submarine U-531

{|

German submarine U-531 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. She was laid down at Deutsche Werft in Hamburg as 'werk' 346 on 22 December 1941, launched on 12 August 1942 and commissioned on 28 October with Oberleutnant Herbert Neckel in command.

Her service began with training as part of the 4th U-boat Flotilla; she then joined the 2nd flotilla for operations on 1 April 1943.

Operational career
U-531's operational career commenced with her departure from Kiel on 13 April 1943. Heading for the Atlantic, her route took her between Iceland and the Faeroe Islands. On 22 April, in the afternoon, she was attacked southeast of Iceland by a Catalina flying boat of 120 Squadron RAF. That evening, she was attacked again, this time by a British Flying Fortress of 206 Squadron.

On 6 May, the boat was attacked northeast of Newfoundland by depth charges from HMS Vidette (D48) and sunk with all hands (54).

Previously recorded fate
The destruction of U-531 had been attributed to the destroyer HMS Oribi and the corvette HMS Snowflake.