German_submarine_U-609

German submarine <i>U-609</i>

German submarine U-609

German World War II submarine

German submarine U-609 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 7 April 1941 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 585, launched on 23 December 1941 and commissioned on 12 February 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Klaus Rudloff.

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Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-609 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[2] She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two BBC GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[2]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).[2] When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-609 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[2]

Service history

The boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 12 February 1942, followed by active service on 1 August 1942 as part of the 6th U-boat Flotilla for the remainder of her service. In four patrols she sank two merchant ships, for a total of 10,288 gross register tons (GRT).[3]

Wolfpacks

U-609 took part in six wolfpacks, namely:

  • Vorwärts (25 August – 1 September 1942)
  • Panther (13 – 16 October 1942)
  • Draufgänger (6 – 11 December 1942)
  • Raufbold (11 – 18 December 1942)
  • Landsknecht (19 – 28 January 1943)
  • Pfeil (1 – 7 February 1943)

Fate

U-609 was sunk on 6 February 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 54°56′N 28°11′W, by depth charges from the Free French corvette FFNF Lobelia. All hands were lost.[1]

Previously recorded fate

U-609 was sunk on 7 February 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 55°17′N 26°38′W, by depth charges from the Free French corvette FFNF Lobelia. All hands were lost.[3]

Summary of raiding history

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References

  1. [1]
    Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-609". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  2. [2]
    Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. [3]
    Busch & Röll 1999.
  4. [4]
    Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-609". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 23 August 2014.

Bibliography
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