German submarine U-595

Summary

German submarine U-595 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 4 January 1941 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 571, launched on 17 September 1941 and commissioned on 6 November 1941 under Oberleutnant zur See Jürgen Quaet-Faslem.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-595
Ordered16 January 1940
BuilderBlohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number571
Laid down4 January 1941
Launched17 September 1941
Commissioned6 November 1941
FateSunk on 14 November 1942 in the Mediterranean in position 36°38′N 00°30′E / 36.633°N 0.500°E / 36.633; 0.500, by depth charges from RAF Hudson bombers.
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 38 801
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Jürgen Quaet-Faslem
  • 6 November 1941 – 14 November 1942
Operations:
  • 3 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 23 July – 17 August 1942
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 9 September – 6 October 1942
  • 3rd patrol:
  • 31 October – 14 November 1942
Victories: None

Design edit

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-595 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 Brown, Boveri & Cie 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-595 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 6 November 1941, followed by active service on 1 August 1942 as part of the 9th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.

In three patrols she sank no ships.

Fate edit

U-595 was sunk on 14 November 1942 in the Mediterranean in position 36°38′N 00°30′E / 36.633°N 0.500°E / 36.633; 0.500, by depth charges from two RAF Hudson bombers from 608 Squadron. The depth charges damaged her so badly that she had to surface, and the commander took the decision to beach her on the Algerian coast near Ténès. During the air attack the crew were able to damage some aircraft with machine-gun fire. There were 45 survivors and no casualties.

Wolfpacks edit

U-595 took part in five wolfpacks, namely:

  • Steinbrinck (6 – 9 August 1942)
  • Pfeil (12 – 22 September 1942)
  • Blitz (22 – 26 September 1942)
  • Tiger (26 – 30 September 1942)
  • Delphin (4 – 14 November 1942)

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-595". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 13 September 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). Der U-Boot-Krieg, 1939-1945: Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945] (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
  • Edwards, Bernard (1996). Dönitz and the Wolf Packs - The U-boats at War. p. 91. ISBN 0-304-35203-9.
  • Gröner, Eric; 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.
  • 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-595". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 December 2014.