German submarine U-660

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-660
Ordered9 October 1939
BuilderHowaldtswerke, Hamburg
Yard number809
Laid down15 February 1941
Launched17 November 1941
Commissioned8 January 1942
FateSunk on 12 November 1942 in the Mediterranean in position 36°07′N 01°00′W / 36.117°N 1.000°W / 36.117; -1.000, by depth charges from HMS Lotus and HMS Starwort.
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
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 31 117
Commanders:
Operations:
  • 3 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 25 July - 6 September 1942
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 3 – 15 October 1942
  • 3rd patrol:
  • 24 October – 12 November 1942
Victories:
  • 2 merchant ships sunk
    (10,066 GRT)
  • 2 merchant ships damaged
    (10,447 GRT)
German Submarine U-660 under way in the Mediterranean Sea in 12 November 1942

German submarine U-660 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 15 February 1941 by Howaldtswerke, Hamburg as yard number 809, launched on 17 November 1941 and commissioned on 8 January 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Götz Baur.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-660 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 Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38–8 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-660 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

The boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 8 January 1942, followed by active service on 1 August 1942 as part of the 9th Flotilla. Later, on 1 November 1942, she transferred to operations in the Mediterranean with 29th Flotilla where she served for the remainder of her service.

In 3 patrols she sank 2 merchant ships, for a total of 10,066 gross register tons (GRT), and damaged 2 others.

Wolfpacks

U-660 took part in four wolfpacks, namely:

  • Steinbrinck (6 – 11 August 1942)
  • Lohs (11 – 28 August 1942)
  • Tümmler (3 – 11 October 1942)
  • Wal (10 – 12 November 1942)

Fate

U-660 was sunk on 12 November 1942 in the Mediterranean in position 36°07′N 01°00′W / 36.117°N 1.000°W / 36.117; -1.000, after sustaining damage by depth charges from HMS Lotus and HMS Starwort.

Summary of raiding history

Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT) 		Fate[3]
10 August 1942 Condylis  Greece 4,439 Damaged
10 August 1942 Cape Race  United Kingdom 3,807 Sunk
10 August 1942 Empire Reindeer  United Kingdom 6,259 Sunk
10 August 1942 Oregon  United Kingdom 6,008 Damaged

See also

References

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-660". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-660". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 23 August 2014.

Bibliography