German submarine U-618

German submarine U-618 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 29 May 1941 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 594, launched on 20 February 1942 and commissioned on 16 April 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Kurt Baberg.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-618
Ordered15 August 1940
BuilderBlohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number594
Laid down29 May 1941
Launched20 February 1942
Commissioned16 April 1942
FateSunk on 14 August 1944 in the North Atlantic in position 47°22′N 04°39′W / 47.367°N 4.650°W / 47.367; -4.650, by depth charges from HMS Duckworth, HMS Essington and RAF Liberator.
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 46 602
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. / Kptlt. Kurt Baberg
  • 16 April 1942 – 15 April 1944
  • Oblt.z.S. Erich Faust
  • 16 April – 14 August 1944
Operations:
  • 10 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 1 September – 28 October 1942
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 25 November 1942 – 18 January 1943
  • 3rd patrol:
  • 21 February – 7 May 1943
  • 4th patrol:
  • 8 June – 5 September 1943
  • 5th patrol:
  • 11 November 1943 – 4 January 1944
  • 6th patrol:
  • 23 February – 8 April 1944
  • 7th patrol:
  • 25 May 1944
  • 8th patrol:
  • 26 – 30 July 1944
  • 9th patrol:
  • 2 – 4 August 1944
  • 10th patrol:
  • 11 – 14 August 1944
Victories: 3 merchant ships sunk
(15,788 GRT)

Design

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German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-618 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-618 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

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The boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 16 April 1942, followed by active service on 1 September 1942 as part of the 7th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.

In ten patrols she sank three merchant ships, for a total of 15,788 gross register tons (GRT).

1943

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On 20 November 1943, U-618 shot down a RAF Liberator bomber of 53 Squadron near to Convoy SL 139.

On 30 December 1943, U-618 rescued 21 survivors from German destroyer Z27.[3] and its escort. Earlier U-505 had rescued 34,[4] and MV Kerlogue (Ireland) had rescued 164.

1944

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On 19 March 1944, U-618, while trying to enter the Mediterranean Sea, sustained a week long sustained Allied attack from both aircraft and surface ships before being forced to return to France with heavy battle damage.

On 6 April 1944, U-618 was attacked by a RCAF Liberator bomber. She was able to return fire and damage the aircraft sufficiently that the air attack was broken off.

On 30 July 1944, U-618 shot down a RAF Wellington bomber in the Bay of Biscay. All six of the aircrew were killed when the bomber crashed into the sea.

Fate

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U-618 was sunk on 14 August 1944 in the North Atlantic in position 47°22′N 04°39′W / 47.367°N 4.650°W / 47.367; -4.650, by depth charges from HMS Duckworth, HMS Essington and RAF Liberator. All hands were lost.

Wolfpacks

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U-618 took part in 18 wolfpacks, namely:

  • Pfeil (12 – 22 September 1942)
  • Blitz (22 – 26 September 1942)
  • Tiger (26 – 30 September 1942)
  • Wotan (5 – 19 October 1942)
  • Neuland (4 – 6 March 1943)
  • Ostmark (6 – 11 March 1943)
  • Stürmer (11 – 20 March 1943)
  • Seewolf (21 – 30 March 1943)
  • Adler (11 – 13 April 1943)
  • Meise (13 – 20 April 1943)
  • Specht (21 – 25 April 1943)
  • Schill 3 (18 – 22 November 1943)
  • Weddigen (22 November – 7 December 1943)
  • Coronel (7 – 8 December 1943)
  • Coronel 2 (8 – 14 December 1943)
  • Coronel 3 (14 – 17 December 1943)
  • Borkum (18 – 26 December 1943)
  • Hela (28 December 1943 – 1 January 1944)

Summary of raiding history

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Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate[5]
14 October 1942 Empire Mersey   United Kingdom 5,791 Sunk
18 October 1942 Angelina   United States 4,772 Sunk
2 July 1943 Empire Kohinoor   United Kingdom 5,225 Sunk

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-618". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "General notes on this boat". U-618. Uboat.net. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  4. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Patrol info for U-505 (Eleventh patrol)". U-Boat Patrols. Uboat.net. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  5. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-618". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 11 July 2014.

Bibliography

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