German submarine U-645

Summary

German submarine U-645 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 17 December 1941 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 621, launched on 3 September 1942 and commissioned on 22 October 1942 under Leutnant zur See Otto Ferro.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-645
Ordered20 January 1941
BuilderBlohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number621
Laid down17 December 1941
Launched3 September 1942
Commissioned22 October 1942
FateMissing in the North Atlantic northwest of Spain since 12 December 1943. No explanation for her loss.
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
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)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record[1]
Part of:
Identification codes: M 49 700
Commanders:
Operations:
  • 3 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 24 April – 22 June 1943
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 23 August – 21 October 1943
  • 3rd patrol:
  • 2 – 12 December 1943
Victories: 2 merchant ships sunk
(12,788 GRT)

Design edit

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-645 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-645 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 one twin 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

This boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 22 October 1942, followed by active service on 1 May 1943 as part of the 3rd Flotilla for the remainder of her service. In three patrols she sank two merchant ships, for a total of 12,788 gross register tons (GRT).

Wolfpacks edit

U-645 took part in eight wolfpacks, namely:

  • Without name (5–10 May 1943)
  • Isar (10 – 15 May 1943)
  • Donau 1 (15 – 26 May 1943)
  • Leuthen (15 – 24 September 1943)
  • Rossbach (24 September – 9 October 1943)
  • Coronel 2 (13 – 14 December 1943)
  • Coronel 3 (14 – 17 December 1943)
  • Borkum (18 – 24 December 1943)

Fate edit

U-645 has been missing since 12 December 1943 in the North Atlantic northwest of Spain.[1]

Previously recorded fate edit

U-645 was sunk on 24 December 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 45°20′N 21°40′W / 45.333°N 21.667°W / 45.333; -21.667, by depth charges from USS Schenck. All hands were lost.[1]

Summary of raiding history edit

Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate[3]
20 September 1943 Frederick Douglass   United States 7,176 Sunk
9 October 1943 Yorkmarr   United States 5,612 Sunk

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-645". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-645". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 16 August 2014.

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. Cassell. p. 212. 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-645". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 December 2014.