German submarine U-774

U-570 Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical to U-774.
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-774
Ordered21 November 1940
BuilderKriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven
Yard number157
Laid down17 December 1942
Launched23 December 1943
Commissioned17 February 1944
FateSunk on 8 April 1945
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 50 064
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Johann Buttjer[1]
  • 17 February – 8 October 1944
  • Kptlt. Werner Sausmikat[2]
  • 9 October 1944 – 8 April 1945
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 14 March – 8 April 1945
Victories: None

German submarine U-774 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 21 November 1940, and was laid down on 17 December 1942, at Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven, as yard number 157. She was launched on 23 December 1943, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Johann Buttjer on 17 February 1944.[3]

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-774 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-774 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), one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between 44 — 52 men.[4]

Service history

U-774 participated in one war patrol that yielded no ships sunk or damaged.[3]

On 8 April 1945, U-774 was sunk by depth charges, 26 days into her first, and only, patrol, after being attacked by British frigates HMS Calder and HMS Bentinck. Kapitänleutnant Werner Sausmikat and all 43 crewmen were lost.[3]

The wreck now lies at 49°58′N 11°51′W / 49.967°N 11.850°W / 49.967; -11.850.[3]

References

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Johann Buttjer". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Werner Sausmikat". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-774". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.

Bibliography