German submarine U-596 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the Nazi German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 4 January 1941 by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg as 'werk' 572, launched on 17 September 1941 and commissioned on 13 November under Kapitänleutnant Gunter Jahn. He was replaced on 28 July 1943 by Oberleutnant Victor-Whilhelm Noon who was superseded by Oblt. Hans Kolbus in July 1944.