German submarine U-379

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History
Nazi Germany
NameU-379
Ordered16 October 1939
Builder
Howaldtswerke, Kiel
Yard number10
Laid down27 May 1940
Launched15 October 1941
Commissioned29 November 1941
FateSunk on 8 August 1942 in the
North Atlantic in position 57°11′N 30°57′W / 57.183°N 30.950°W / 57.183; -30.950, by depth charges from HMS Dianthus
.
General characteristics
Class and type
Type VIIC submarine
Displacement
Length
  • 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in)
    o/a
  • 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in)
    pressure hull
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Draught4.74 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)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record[1]
Part of:
Identification codes: M 42 090
Commanders:
  • K.Kapt.
    Paul-Hugo Kettner
  • 29 November 1941 – 8 August 1942
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 25 June – 8 August 1942
Victories: 2 merchant ships sunk
(8,904 GRT)

German submarine U-379 was a

Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II
. She was
Howaldtswerke, Kiel as yard number 10, launched on 15 October 1941 and commissioned on 29 November 1941 under Kapitänleutnant
Paul-Hugo Kettner.

Design

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 Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c 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 cm (0.79 in) C/30 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 8th U-boat Flotilla on 29 November 1941, followed by active service on 1 July 1942 as part of the 1st Flotilla for the remainder of her short career.

In one patrol she sank two merchant ships, for a total of 8,904 gross register tons (GRT).

Convoy SC 94

On the calm and sunny afternoon of 8 August 1942, U-379 attacked and sunk two merchant ships of Convoy SC 94, which was Eastbound from Nova Scotia to Liverpool, first US freighter Kaimoku, swiftly followed by the British freighter Anneberg.

However, later the same day, U-379 was spotted on the surface together with

ASDIC
sweep but found nothing, so HMCS Chilliwack rejoined the convoy.

HMS Dianthus remained in the area and tried one last sweep and spotted U-379 again on the surface in the darkness attempting to slink away. She fired off a spread of depth charges forcing the now submerged U-boat to the surface. Dianthus opened up with all her guns and prepared to ram, catching the U-boat a glancing blow forward of the conning tower. U-379 finally sank after being rammed four times.

Wolfpacks

U-379 took part in two wolfpacks, namely:

Fate

U-379 was sunk on 8 August 1942 in the

North Atlantic southeast of Cape Farewell, Greenland, in position 57°11′N 30°57′W / 57.183°N 30.950°W / 57.183; -30.950, by ramming and depth charges from the Royal Navy corvette Dianthus
. There were 40 dead and 5 survivors.

Summary of raiding history

Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate[3]
8 August 1942 Anneberg  United Kingdom 2,537 Sunk
8 August 1942 Kaimoku  United States 6,367 Sunk

References

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-379". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-379". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 2 September 2014.

Bibliography

External links