German submarine U-975 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
 U-570 Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical to U-975.
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-975 |
| Ordered | 5 June 1941 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 175 |
| Laid down | 10 July 1942 |
| Launched | 24 March 1943 |
| Commissioned | 29 April 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 9 May 1945; sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 10 February 1946 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 4 officers, 44–52 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 43 633 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: |
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| Victories: | None |
She was ordered on 5 June 1941, and was laid down on 10 July 1942 at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, as yard number 175. She was launched on 24 March 1943 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Joachim Ebersbach on 29 April 1943.[6]
Design
editGerman Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-975 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[7] 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 Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c 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).[7]
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).[7] 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-975 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes or 26 TMA mines, 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 44 — 52 men.[7]
Service history
editOn 9 May 1945, U-975 surrendered at Horten, Norway. She was later transferred to Lisahally, Northern Ireland on 27 May 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-975 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-975 was towed out on 10 February 1946, and sunk by the British frigate HMS Loch Arkaig.[6]
The wreck is located at 55°42′N 09°01′W / 55.700°N 9.017°W.[6]
References
edit- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans-Joachim Ebersbach". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Paul Frerks". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hubert Jeschke". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Walter-Ernst Koch". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Wilhelm Brauel". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ a b c Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-975". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
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.
External links
edit- Helgason, Guðmundur. "Patrols by U-975". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net.