German submarine U-997
 U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-997. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany
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| Name: | U-997 |
| Ordered: | 14 October 1941 |
| Builder: | Blohm & Voss AG, Hamburg |
| Yard number: | 197 |
| Laid down: | 7 December 1942 |
| Launched: | 18 August 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 23 September 1943 |
| Fate: | Surrendered on 9 May 1945 at Narvik, Norway |
| General characteristics (VIIC/41)[1] | |
| Class & type: | Type VIIC/41 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: | 44-52 officers & ratings |
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| Operations: | 7 patrols |
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German submarine U-997 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 7 December 1942 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 197, launched on 18 August 1943 and commissioned on 23 September 1943 under Oberleutnant zur See Hans Lehmann.
Design
Like all Type VIIC/41 U-boats, U-977 had a displacement of 759 tonnes (747 long tons) when at the surface and 860 tonnes (850 long tons) while submerged. 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 length of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), and a draught length of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in).[3] The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 supercharged six-cylinder four-stroke 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) and 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. The boat was capable of operating at a depth of 250 metres (820 ft).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph). 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).[3] U-977 was fitted with an 8.8 centimetres (3.5 in) SK C/35 naval gun and 220 rounds, an anti-aircraft gun, five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four on the bow and one on the stern) and fourteen torpedoes. Its complement was between forty-four and sixty.[3]
Service history
The boat's service career began on 23 September 1943 with the 5th Training Flotilla, followed by 12 months active service, with a succession of three flotillas, namely 9th Flotilla on 1 May 1944, then 13th Flotilla on 1 June 1944, and finally with 14th Flotilla on 1 March 1945.
Wolfpacks
U-997 took part in seven wolfpacks, namely
- Grimm (31 May – 6 June 1944)
- Trutz (17 August – 1 September 1944)
- Grimm (13 September – 1 October 1944)
- Regenschirm (14–16 October 1944)
- Panther (16 October – 8 November 1944)
- Stier (21 November – 25 December 1944)
- Hagen (15–21 March 1945)
Fate
U-997 was sunk by aircraft on 13 December 1945 in the North Atlantic, in position 55°50′N 10°05′W / 55.833°N 10.083°WCoordinates: 55°50′N 10°05′W / 55.833°N 10.083°W, as part of Operation Deadlight.
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Ship | Nationality | Tonnage | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 December 1944 | BO-229 |  Soviet Navy |
105 | Sunk |
| 22 April 1945 | Idefjord |  Norway |
4,287 | Damaged |
| 22 April 1945 | Onega |  Soviet Union |
1,603 | Sunk |
See also
References
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Type VIIC/41". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans Lehmann (Knight’s Cross)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
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.