Type: IX-D2
Built by: AG Weser (Bremen)
Launched: 24 April 1942
Commissioned: 11 September 1942
Feldpost Nr.: M49455
Sunk: 30 November 1944
Sunk by: unknown
Location sunk: Sunda Strait
Position sunk: unknown (all hands lost, 65 men)

The first Skipper of U-196 was Korvettenkapitän Eitel-Friederich Kentrat (Knights Cross) from 11 September 1942 until September 1944; he also commanded U-8 & U-74. The second and last Skipper was Kapitänleutnant Werner Striegler who was killed when U-196 was lost, and he had previously commanded UIT-25 and UIT-23.

U-196 was attached to the 12th U-Bootflottille based at Bordeaux with the other larger boats, then to the 33rd.

The cause of the loss of U-196 is not known. During one patrol in the Indian Ocean off Capetown, in the months of May through August 1943, she attempted to locate and rescue survivors of U-197 over 20 through 24 August. This attempt was not successful.

SHIPS SUNK BY U-196 UNDER KENTRAT
5.11.43	NAILSEA MEADOW	Brit stmr	4962 GRT
02.08.43	CITY of ORAN	Brit stmr	7,323 GRT
02.08.43	unknown	Brit stmr	10,000 GRT
(U-196 claimed this large ship was sinking when she departed the battlefield. No confirmation.)
09.07.44	SHAHZADA	Brit stmr	5,454 GRT

In the late 1990’s, this wreck was reportedly found by divers off the SE coast of Australia near a spot named Point MacQuarie. According to our Member, who does not wish to be named, it appeared that the bow had been blown upwards at a 40º angle, consistent with hitting a mine. He also reports that it is a crime for anyone to enter any war grave such as this U-Boat, punishable by ten years in prison.

However, in light of the attack on the United States on 9 September 2001, a group of American “spooks” contacted us to learn if there was any fissionable material on board, since that was the time that various U-Boats were trying to reach Japan with cargoes of uranium for the Japanese bomb. They were concerned that this might fall into the wrong hands.

SHARKHUNTERS confirmed that U-196 was indeed, carrying uranium and in late 2002/early 2003, this group of American military personnel was planning to make certain that the uranium could not be used against the United States.

It is amazing that the cargo carried by a German U-Boat in 1944 to be used by the Japanese against the United States could conceivably be brought back by another organization, to be potentially used against the USA some sixty or so years later.