German submarine U-722

Summary

German submarine U-722 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 21 December 1942 by H. C. Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg as yard number 788, launched on 21 September 1943 and commissioned on 15 December 1943 under Leutnant zur See Hans-Heinrich Reimers.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-722
Ordered25 August 1941
BuilderH. C. Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg
Yard number788
Laid down21 December 1942
Launched21 September 1943
Commissioned15 December 1943
FateSunk on 27 March 1945 in the North Atlantic in position 57°09′N 06°55′W / 57.150°N 6.917°W / 57.150; -6.917, by British frigates HMS Fitzroy, HMS Redmill and HMS Byron.
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 54 762
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans-Heinrich Reimers
  • 15 December 1943 – 27 March 1945
Operations:
  • 3 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 16 October – 20 November 1944
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 7 – 29 December 1944
  • 3rd patrol:
  • 21 February – 27 March 1945
Victories: 1 merchant ship sunk
(2,190 GRT)

Design edit

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-722 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 AEG GU 460/8–27 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-722 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 two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[2]

Service history edit

The boat's career began with training at 31st U-boat Flotilla on 15 December 1943, followed by active service on 1 August 1944 as part of the 1st Flotilla. When the situation deteriorated for the Germans in France, following the invasion, she transferred to 11th Flotilla in Norway for the remainder of her service.

In three patrols she sank one merchant ship, for a total of 2,190 gross register tons (GRT).

Wolfpacks edit

U-722 took part in no wolfpacks.

Fate edit

U-722 was sunk on 27 March 1945 in the North Atlantic near the Hebrides, Scotland in position 57°09′N 06°55′W / 57.150°N 6.917°W / 57.150; -6.917, by depth charges from British frigates HMS Fitzroy, HMS Redmill and HMS Byron. All hands were lost.

Summary of raiding history edit

Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate[3]
16 March 1945 Inger Toft   United Kingdom 2,190 Sunk

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-722". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-722". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 15 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-722". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 December 2014.