German submarine U-411

Summary

German submarine U-411 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 28 January 1941 by Danziger Werft, Danzig as yard number 112, launched on 15 November 1941 and commissioned on 18 March 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Gerhard Litterscheid.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-411
Ordered30 October 1939
BuilderDanziger Werft, Danzig
Yard number112
Laid down28 January 1941
Launched15 November 1941
Commissioned18 March 1942
FateSunk on 13 November 1942 in the North Atlantic in position 36°00′N 09°53′W / 36.000°N 9.883°W / 36.000; -9.883, by depth charges from a RAF Hudson.
General characteristics
Class and typeType VIIC submarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
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)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record[1]
Part of:
Identification codes: M 44 599
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Gerhard Litterscheid
  • 18 March – 19 October 1942
  • Kptlt. Johann Spindlegger
  • 20 October – 13 November 1942
Operations:
  • 2 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 18 August – 30 September 1942
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 7 – 13 November 1942
Victories: None

Design edit

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-411 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 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 Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38-8double-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-411 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 edit

The boat's career began with training at 8th U-boat Flotilla on 18 March 1942, followed by active service on 1 September 1942 as part of the 6th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.[citation needed]

In two patrols she sank no ships.[1]

Wolfpacks edit

U-411 took part in three wolfpacks, namely:

  • Vorwärts (25 August – 18 September 1942)
  • Westwall (8 – 9 November 1942)
  • Schlagetot (9 – 13 November 1942)

Fate edit

U-411 was sunk on 13 November 1942 in the North Atlantic, west of Gibraltar, in position 36°00′N 09°53′W / 36.000°N 9.883°W / 36.000; -9.883, by depth charges from a RAF Hudson bomber. All hands were lost.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-411". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.

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.
  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
  • Sharpe, Peter (1998). U-Boat Fact File. Great Britain: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-072-9.

External links edit

  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-411". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 December 2014.