German submarine U-1024

Summary

German submarine U-1024 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 20 May 1943 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 224, launched on 3 May 1944 and commissioned on 28 June 1944 under Kapitänleutnant Hans-Joachim Gutteck.

U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1024.
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-1024
Ordered13 June 1942
BuilderBlohm & Voss AG, Hamburg
Yard number224
Laid down20 May 1943
Launched3 May 1944
Commissioned28 June 1944
FateCaptured on 12 April 1945 in the Irish Sea by RN frigates HMS Loch Glendhu and HMS Loch More at 53°39′N 05°03′W / 53.650°N 5.050°W / 53.650; -5.050, but sunk the following day when being towed
General characteristics (VIIC/41)[1]
Class and typeType VIIC/41 submarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
  • 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range
  • 8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth
  • 230 m (750 ft)
  • Calculated crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement44-52 officers & ratings
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 39 246
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Hans-Joachim Gutteck[2]
  • 28 June 1944 – 12 April 1945
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 3 March – 12 April 1945
Victories:
  • 1 merchant ship total loss
    (7,176 GRT)
  • 1 merchant ship damaged
    (7,200 GRT)

Design edit

Like all Type VIIC/41 U-boats, U-1024 had a displacement of 759 tonnes (747 long tons) when at the surface and 860 tonnes (850 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.23 m (220 ft 7 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in).[3] The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 supercharged six-cylinder four-stroke 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) and 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. The boat was capable of operating at a depth of 250 metres (820 ft).[3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph). 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).[3] U-1024 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes or 26 TMA or TMB Naval mines, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. Its complement was between forty-four and sixty.[3]

Service history edit

The boat's service career began on 28 June 1944 with the 31st Training Flotilla, followed by active service with 11th Flotilla on 1 February 1945. U-1024 took part in no wolfpacks. U-1024 was captured on 12 April 1945 in the Irish Sea by British frigates HMS Loch Glendhu and HMS Loch More, at 53°39′N 05°03′W / 53.650°N 5.050°W / 53.650; -5.050, with the loss of nine lives. There were 37 survivors. U-1024 sank the following day while being towed.[4][5][6]

Summary of raiding history edit

Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate[7]
7 April 1945 James W. Nesmith   United States 7,176 Total loss
12 April 1945 Will Rogers   United States 7,200 Damaged

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Type VIIC/41". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans-Joachim Gutteck". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  4. ^ Kemp p.248
  5. ^ Niestle p.106
  6. ^ U-1024 at uboat.net
  7. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-1024". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 24 March 2015.

Bibliography edit

  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815–1945, U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
  • Paul Kemp ( 1997) U-Boats Destroyed. Arms & Armour ISBN 1 85409 515 3
  • Axel Niestle (1998) German U-Boat Losses during World War II. Greenhill Books ISBN 1 85367 352 8