German submarine U-979
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany
| |
| Name: | U-979 |
| Ordered: | 5 June 1941 |
| Builder: | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number: | 179 |
| Laid down: | 10 August 1942 |
| Launched: | 15 April 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 20 May 1943 |
| Fate: | Scuttled on 24 May 1945 at Amrum, Germany |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement: |
|
| Length: |
|
| Beam: |
|
| Draught: | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power: |
|
| Propulsion: |
|
| Speed: |
|
| Range: | |
| Test depth: |
|
| Complement: | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament: |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | 3 patrols |
| Victories: |
|
German submarine U-979 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 10 August 1942 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 179, launched on 15 April 1943 and commissioned on 20 May 1943 under Kapitänleutnant Johannes Meermeier.
Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-979 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 Brown, Boveri & Cie 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-979 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 Flotilla on 20 May 1943, followed by active service on 1 August 1944 as part of the 9th Flotilla.
Wolfpacks
U-979 took part in no wolfpacks.
Fate
U-979 was scuttled on 24 May 1945 at Amrum, Germany at 54°38′N 08°23′E / 54.633°N 8.383°ECoordinates: 54°38′N 08°23′E / 54.633°N 8.383°E after running aground.
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) |
Fate[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 September 1944 | USS Yukon |  United States Navy |
5,969 | Damaged |
| 2 May 1945 | HMS Ebor Wyke |  Royal Navy |
348 | Sunk |
| 5 May 1945 | Empire Unity |  United Kingdom |
6,386 | Damaged |
References
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Johannes Meermeier". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-979". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
Bibliography
- 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 U-boat U-979". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 7 April 2015.