German submarine U-971
German submarine U971 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 15 June 1942 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 171, launched on 22 February 1943 and commissioned on 1 April 1943 under Oberleutnant zur See Walter Zeplien.[1]
History | |
---|---|
Name: | U-971 |
Ordered: | 5 June 1941 |
Builder: | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
Yard number: | 171 |
Laid down: | 15 June 1942 |
Launched: | 22 February 1943 |
Commissioned: | 1 April 1943 |
Fate: | Sunk on 24 June 1944 in position 49°01′N 05°53′W |
General characteristics | |
Class and type: | Type VIIC submarine |
Displacement: |
|
Length: |
|
Beam: |
|
Draught: | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
Installed power: |
|
Propulsion: |
|
Speed: |
|
Range: | |
Test depth: |
|
Complement: | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
Armament: |
|
Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-971 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-971 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 one twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The vessel had a complement of between 44 and 60.[2]
Service history
U-971 did not succeed in sinking or damaging any Allied ships.[1]
On 24 June 1944 she was just west of the English Channel on her first patrol when she was depth charged by Liberator C Mk VI heavy bomber FL961/O of the Czechoslovak-manned No. 311 Squadron RAF and two Tribal-class destroyers: the Royal Navy's HMS Eskimo and Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS Haida.[3][4]
U-971 was sunk with the loss of one member of her crew. 51 men survived and were rescued.[1]
References
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-971". uboat.net. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
- Gough & Wood 2001
- Vančata 2013, p. 68.
Bibliography
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II: a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). 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). IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Gough, Barry M; Wood, James A (2001). ""One More for Luck". The Destruction of U971 by HMCS Haida and HMS Eskimo 24 June 1944". Canadian Military History. 10 (3).CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
- Vančata, Pavel (2013). 311 Squadron. Sandomierz: Stratus, for Mushroom Model Publications. p. 63. ISBN 978-83-61421-43-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)