German submarine U-737
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany
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| Name: | U-737 |
| Ordered: | 10 April 1941 |
| Builder: | Schichau-Werke, Danzig |
| Laid down: | 14 February 1942 |
| Launched: | 21 November 1942 |
| Commissioned: | 30 January 1943 |
| Fate: | Sunk, 19 December 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | Type VIIC submarine |
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| Height: | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
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| Complement: | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
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| Service record[1] | |
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| Victories: | None |
German submarine U-737 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 14 February 1942 by Schichau-Werke of Danzig. She was commissioned on 30 January 1943 with Leutnant zur See Wolfgang Poeschel in command.
Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-737 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-737 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 U-Boat conducted nine patrols
- 30 January to 30 June 1943 - 8th U-boat Flotilla (as part of training)
- 1 July 1943 to 19 December 1944 - 13th U-boat Flotilla (active service)
The boat was attacked twice by aircraft while on active service. Once early in 1944, by a RAF British Liberator aircraft. She managed to damage the plane with anti-aircraft fire, which had to abort the attack and was forced to make a belly landing because of damage sustained. In later 1944, the U-boat was attacked by a Soviet plane, three crew were injured, before she dived.
Fate
While on active duty under the command of Oblt.z.S. Friedrich-August Greus, U-737 sank at 00:50 on 19 December 1944 in the Vestfjorden, in position 68°09′N 15°39′E / 68.150°N 15.650°ECoordinates: 68°09′N 15°39′E / 68.150°N 15.650°E. She had collided with German depot ship, MRS 25. 31 crew died, with 20 survivors.
Wolfpacks
U-737 took part in eight wolfpacks, namely.
- Monsun (4–22 October 1943)
- Isegrim (16–27 January 1944)
- Werwolf (27 January – 9 February 1944)
- Taifun (5–7 March 1944)
- Trutz (2–6 June 1944)
- Feuer (17–19 September 1944)
- Grimm (24 September – 2 October 1944)
- Panther (16–23 October 1944)
References
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-737". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
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
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-737". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "Gunther Pfeffer". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 December 2014.