German submarine U-733

Summary

German submarine U-733 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 13 October 1941 at the Schichau-Werke yard at Danzig, launched on 5 September 1942, and commissioned on 14 November 1942 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Wilhelm von Trotha.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-733
Ordered21 November 1940
BuilderSchichau-Werke, Danzig
Yard number1524
Laid down13 October 1941
Launched5 September 1942
Commissioned14 November 1942
Decommissioned15 May 1943
Recommissioned15 December 1943
Fate
  • Sank in collision on 8 April 1943
  • Scuttled on 5 May 1945
General characteristics
Class and typeType VIIC submarine
Displacement
  • 769 t (757 long tons) surfaced
  • 871 t (857 long tons) submerged
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
Part of:
Identification codes: M 50 883
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Wilhelm von Trotha
  • 14 November 1942 – 11 May 1943
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans Hellmann
  • 15 December 1943 – 3 March 1945
  • Oblt.z.S. Ulrich Hammer
  • 1 April – 5 May 1945
Operations: None
Victories: None

Design edit

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-733 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[1] 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).[1]

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).[1] 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-733 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.[1]

Service history edit

On 8 April 1943, U-733 collided with Vorpostenboot V 313 outside Gotenhafen port and sank without fatalities. The next week, U-733 was raised and repaired in the Schichau yard. On 15 December 1943, U-733 was re-commissioned under the command of Oblt.z.S. Hans Hellmann. On 5 May 1945, U-733 transferred to Flensburg, were the U-boat was attacked by US aircraft and scuttled after receiving heavy damage.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  2. ^ Busch & Röll 1999b, pp. 85, 358, 365.

Bibliography edit

  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999a). 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 (1999b). 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. Danzig, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
  • Gröner, Erich; 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.

External links edit

  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-733". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 23 July 2015.

54°48′00″N 9°49′00″E / 54.8000°N 9.8167°E / 54.8000; 9.8167