German submarine U-633
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany
| |
| Name: | U-633 |
| Ordered: | 15 August 1940 |
| Builder: | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number: | 609 |
| Laid down: | 22 September 1941 |
| Launched: | 10 June 1942 |
| Commissioned: | 30 July 1942 |
| Fate: | Sunk 10 March 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 58°51′N 19°55′W / 58.850°N 19.917°WCoordinates: 58°51′N 19°55′W / 58.850°N 19.917°W, after being rammed by British freighter SS Scorton. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | Type VIIC submarine |
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| Draught: | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power: |
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| Complement: | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
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- 5th U-boat Flotilla
- 30 July 1942 – 28 February 1943 - Training
- 9th U-boat Flotilla
- 1–10 March 1943
- Oblt.z.S. Bernhard Müller
- 30 July 1942 – 10 March 1943
German submarine U-633 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 22 September 1941 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 609, launched on 10 June 1942 and commissioned on 30 July 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Bernhard Müller.
Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-633 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 BBC 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-633 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 an 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 30 July 1942, followed by active service on 1 March 1943 as part of the 9th Flotilla for the remainder of her short service. In one patrol she sank one merchant ship, for a total of 3,921 gross register tons (GRT).[3]
Wolfpacks
U-633 took part in two wolfpacks, namely
- Neuland (4–6 March 1943)
- Ostmark (6–10 March 1943)
Fate
U-633 was sunk on 10 March 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 58°51′N 19°55′W / 58.850°N 19.917°W, after being rammed by British freighter SS Scorton. All 43 crew members died.[3]
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) |
Fate[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 March 1943 | Guido |  United Kingdom |
3,921 | Sunk |
See also
References
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-633". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
- 1 2 Busch & Röll 1999.
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-633". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
Bibliography
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German) IV (Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler). ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
- 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.
- Sharpe, Peter (1998). U-Boat Fact File. Great Britain: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-072-9.
External links
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-633". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 December 2014.