German submarine U-716

History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-716
Ordered: 10 April 1941[1]
Builder: HC Stülcken & Sohn, Hamburg
Laid down: 16 April 1942[1]
Launched: 15 January 1943[1]
Commissioned: 15 April 1943[1]
Status: Captured by Allied forces[1]
General characteristics
Class & type: Type VIIC submarine
Displacement:
  • 769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced
  • 871 t (857 long tons) submerged
Length:
Beam:
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height: 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught: 4.74 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)
Complement: 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament:
Service record
Commanders
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans Dunkelberg
  • 31 January 1941 – 17 July 1942
  • Oblt.z.S. Friedrich-August Greus (acting)
  • 21 January – 12 February 1945
  • Oblt.z.S. Jürgen Thimme
  • 13 February – 8 May 1945
Operations 10 patrols[1]
Victories 2 ships sunk for a total of 7,254 GRT[1]

German submarine U-716 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-716 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 AEG GU 460/8–27 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-716 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

U-716 took part in ten patrols between 15 April 1943 and 8 May 1945. She had her only success sinking the US freighter Andrew G. Curtin when she attacked convoy JW 56A on 26 January 1944. She also took credit for the sinking of US patrol torpedo boat USS PTC-39 being transported by the freighter at the time. While in the Arctic sea on 23 April 1945, U-716 was hit by depth charges by a hunter-killer group. The damage was serious enough to require retreating to Narvik before schedule, but not enough to cause any further problems.

Fate

While in port awaiting repairs, VE Day occurred and the European theatre of the Second World War ended. Upon orders, Jürgen Thimme surrendered his vessel to the Allies and took her to Loch Eriboll in Scotland, where she was destroyed as part of Operation Deadlight.

Summary of raiding history

Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage (GRT) Fate[3]
26 January 1944 Andrew G. Curtin  United States 7,200 Sunk
26 January 1944 USS PTC-39  United States Navy 54 Sunk

Patrol History

Place of Departure

  • Bergen
  • Hammerfest
  • Hammerfest
  • Hammerfest
  • Skjomenfjord
  • Harstad
  • Narvik
  • Harstad
  • Bogenbucht
  • Narvik

Date

  • 15 December 1943
  • 25 January 1944
  • 1 March 1944
  • 30 March 1944
  • 20 June 1944
  • 7 January 1945
  • 6 February 1945
  • 18 February 1945
  • 12 March 1945
  • 21 April 1945

Place of Arrival

  • Hammerfest
  • Hammerfest
  • Hammerfest
  • Skjomenfjord
  • Harstad
  • Narvik
  • Harstad
  • Bogenbucht
  • Narvik
  • Skjomenfjord

Date

  • 16 January 1944
  • 29 February 1944
  • 11 March 1944
  • 17 June 1944
  • 7 December 1944
  • 4 February 1945
  • 12 February 1945
  • 26 February 1945
  • 9 April 1945
  • 12 May 1945

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Helgason, Guðmundur. "List of all U-boats". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
  3. ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-716". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 10 February 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. 

External links

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