German submarine U-461
U-461 in 1942 – 1943
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History | |
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Nazi Germany | |
Name | U-461 |
Ordered | 14 May 1940 |
Builder | Deutsche Werke, Kiel |
Yard number | 292 |
Laid down | 9 December 1940 |
Launched | 8 November 1941 |
Commissioned | 30 January 1942 |
Fate | Sunk on 30 July 1943[1] |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Type XIV ocean-going submarine tanker |
Displacement | |
Length |
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Beam |
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Height | 11.70 m (38 ft 5 in) |
Draught | 6.51 m (21 ft 4 in) |
Installed power |
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Propulsion |
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Speed |
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Range |
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Test depth | 240 m (790 ft) |
Complement | 6 officers and 47 enlisted |
Armament |
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Service record[2][3] | |
Part of: |
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Identification codes: | M 26 683 |
Commanders: |
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Operations: |
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Victories: | None |
German submarine U-461 was a
Her keel was laid down on 9 December 1940, by Deutsche Werke in Kiel as yard number 292. She was launched on 8 November 1941 and commissioned on 30 January 1942 with Oberleutnant zur See Hinrich-Oscar Bernbeck in command. Bernbeck was promoted to Kapitänleutnant by 21 April 1942, when he was relieved by Korvettenkapitän Wolf-Harro Stiebler.[2]
Design
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 14.4–14.9 knots (26.7–27.6 km/h; 16.6–17.1 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 6.2 knots (11.5 km/h; 7.1 mph).
Operational career
U-461 conducted six patrols. As a supply boat, she avoided combat.
First and second patrols
U-461's first patrol took her from Kiel to
Her second patrol was much like her first; the most westerly point in the Atlantic was reached on 30 September 1942.
Third and fourth patrols
U-461's third sortie commenced with her departure from St. Nazaire on 19 November 1942. Travelling south, she reached the furthest spot in the patrol which was roughly between South America and Africa. There, she spent two days (according to her position reports), before moving a short distance west on 11 December 1942. She returned to her French base on 3 January 1943.
She steamed to a point west of the Canary Islands, which she reached on 2 March 1943. Having departed St. Nazaire on 13 February, she returned there for the last time on 22 March.
Fifth patrol
She left St.Nazaire on 20 April 1943, but was attacked on the return leg on 23 April by a Canadian Wellington of 172 squadron RAF, equipped with a Leigh Light. Three bombs were dropped, resulting in slight damage and, more seriously, a trail of oil. She returned to France, but this time to Bordeaux.
Sixth patrol and loss
She had left Bordeaux on 27 July 1943, but was hardly out of the
Wolfpacks
U-461 took part in three wolfpacks, namely:
- Wolf (26 July – 1 August 1942)
- Vorwärts (16 – 20 September 1942)
- Rochen (26 February – 1 March 1943)
References
- ^ Kemp 1999, pp. 136–7.
- ^ a b c Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XIV boat U-461". German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "War Patrols by German U-boat U-461". German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, p. 79.
Bibliography
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
- Edwards, Bernard (1996). Dönitz and the Wolf Packs – The U-boats at War. Cassell Military Classics. pp. 83, 154. ISBN 0-304-35203-9.
- Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
- Kemp, Paul (1999). U-Boats Destroyed – German Submarine Losses in the World Wars. London: Arms & Armour. ISBN 1-85409-515-3.
External links
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XIV boat U-461". German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
45°33′N 10°48′W / 45.550°N 10.800°W