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German submarine U-959

Coordinates: 69°20′N 00°20′W / 69.333°N 0.333°W / 69.333; -0.333
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U-570 Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical to U-959.
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-959
Ordered5 June 1941
BuilderBlohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number159
Laid down21 March 1942
Launched3 December 1942
Commissioned21 January 1943
FateSunk on 2 May 1944
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
  • 220 m (720 ft)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 44–52 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 50 076
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Martin Duppel[1]
  • 21 January – 25 July 1943
  • Oblt.z.S. Friedrich Weitz[2]
  • 26 July 1943 – 2 May 1944
Operations:
  • 2 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • a. 25 February – 16 March 1944
  • b. 17 – 20 March 1944
  • c. 19 – 21 April 1944
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 22 April – 2 May 1944
Victories: None

German submarine U-959 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 5 June 1941, and was laid down on 21 March 1942 at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, as yard number 159. She was launched on 3 December 1942 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Martin Duppel on 21 January 1943.[3]

Design

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German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-959 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[4] 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).[4]

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).[4] 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-959 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.[4]

Service history

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On 2 May 1944, U-959 was sunk by depth charges, south-east of Jan Mayen Island, in the Norwegian Sea, from a British Swordfish of 842 Squadron/K RNFAA from the escort carrier HMS Fencer. Her crew of 53 were all lost.[3]

The wreck is located at 69°20′N 00°20′W / 69.333°N 0.333°W / 69.333; -0.333.[3]

Wolfpacks

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U-959 took part in two wolfpacks, namely:[3]

  • Boreas (29 February – 10 March 1944)
  • Thor (10 – 15 March 1944)

References

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  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Martin Duppel". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Friedrich Weitz". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-959". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.

Bibliography

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