German submarine U-722
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany
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| Name: | U-722 |
| Ordered: | 25 August 1941 |
| Builder: | H. C. Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg |
| Yard number: | 788 |
| Laid down: | 21 December 1942 |
| Launched: | 21 September 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 15 December 1943 |
| Fate: | Sunk on 27 March 1945 in the North Atlantic in position 57°09′N 06°55′W / 57.150°N 6.917°WCoordinates: 57°09′N 06°55′W / 57.150°N 6.917°W, by British frigates HMS Fitzroy, HMS Redmill and HMS Byron. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Type VIIC submarine |
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| Draught: | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
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| Complement: | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
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| Victories: | 1 merchant ship sunk (2,190 GRT) |
German submarine U-722 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 21 December 1942 by H. C. Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg as yard number 788, launched on 21 September 1943 and commissioned on 15 December 1943 under Leutnant zur See Hans-Heinrich Reimers.
Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-722 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-722 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 31st U-boat Flotilla on 15 December 1943, followed by active service on 1 August 1944 as part of the 1st Flotilla. When the situation deteriorated for the Germans in France, following the invasion, she transferred to 11th Flotilla in Norway for the remainder of her service.
In three patrols she sunk one merchant ship, for a total of 2,190 gross register tons (GRT).
Wolfpacks
U-722 took part in no wolfpacks.
Fate
U-722 was sunk on 27 March 1945 in the North Atlantic near the Hebrides, Scotland in position 57°09′N 06°55′W / 57.150°N 6.917°W, by depth charges from British frigates HMS Fitzroy, HMS Redmill and HMS Byron. All hands were lost.
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) |
Fate[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 March 1945 | Inger Toft |  United Kingdom |
2,190 | Sunk |
See also
- Lt/Cdr Orme G. Stuart DSC RCNVR
References
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-722". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-722". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 15 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-722". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 December 2014.