German submarine U-658

Summary

German submarine U-658 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 15 November 1940 by Howaldtswerke, Hamburg as yard number 807, launched on 11 September 1941 and commissioned on 5 November 1941 under Kapitänleutnant Hans Senkel.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-658
Ordered9 October 1939
BuilderHowaldtswerke, Hamburg
Yard number807
Laid down15 November 1940
Launched11 September 1941
Commissioned5 November 1941
FateSunk on 30 October 1942 in the North Atlantic E of Newfoundland in position 50°32′N 46°32′W / 50.533°N 46.533°W / 50.533; -46.533, by depth charges from RCAF Hudson bomber.
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 43 405
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Hans Senkel
  • 5 November 1941 – 30 October 1942
Operations:
  • 2 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 7 July – 12 September 1942
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 6 – 30 October 1942
Victories:
  • 3 merchant ships sunk
    (12,146 GRT)
  • 1 merchant ship damaged
    (6,466 GRT)

Design edit

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-658 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 Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38-8 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-658 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 5 November 1941, followed by active service on 1 August 1942 as part of the 6th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.

In two patrols she sank three merchant ships, for a total of 12,146 gross register tons (GRT) and damaged one other.

Wolfpacks edit

U-658 took part in two wolfpacks, namely:

  • Panther (13 – 20 October 1942)
  • Veilchen (20 – 30 October 1942)

Fate edit

U-658 was sunk on 30 October 1942 in the North Atlantic east of Newfoundland, in position 50°32′N 46°32′W / 50.533°N 46.533°W / 50.533; -46.533, by depth charges from RCAF Hudson bomber from 145 Squadron. There were no survivors.

Summary of raiding history edit

Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate[3]
13 August 1942 Medea   Netherlands 1,311 Sunk
17 August 1942 Fort la Reine   United Kingdom 7,133 Sunk
17 August 1942 Laguna   United Kingdom 6,466 Damaged
17 August 1942 Samir   Egypt 3,702 Sunk

References edit

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-658". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-658". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 13 September 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.
  • 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-658". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 December 2014.