Wolfgang Heyda

Wolfgang Heyda (14 November 1913 – 21 August 1947) was a German U-boat commander during World War II.

War service

After U-boat commander training aboard U-120, Lieutenant Commander Heyda took command of U-434 on 21 June 1941, and began his first war patrol on 11 November 1941. Near Gibraltar Heyda's U-boat was involved in attacking convoy HG 76 which was heading to Liverpool. At dawn on the 18th December 1941 U-434 was sighted by the convoy's destroyers north of Madeira, Portugal, in position 36°15′N 15°48′W / 36.250°N 15.800°W / 36.250; -15.800Coordinates: 36°15′N 15°48′W / 36.250°N 15.800°W / 36.250; -15.800 and was attacked with depth charges. U-434 was forced to surface and when then rammed by HMS Blankney and sunk. Two members of U-434's crew were killed and 42 were taken prisoner.

Commander Frederic John Walker, C.B. D.S.O., commander of the 36th Escort Group sank four U-boats on his first war patrol, including U-434. Heyda was eventually sent to the Bowmanville POW camp in Ontario, near Toronto, Canada.