German submarine U-65 (1939)
History | |
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Nazi Germany | |
Name | U-65 |
Ordered | 16 July 1937 |
Builder | AG Weser, Bremen |
Yard number | 953 |
Laid down | 6 December 1938 |
Launched | 6 November 1939 |
Commissioned | 15 February 1940 |
Fate | Sunk 28 April 1941 in the North Atlantic south-east of Iceland in position 59.51N, 15.30W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Douglas. 50 dead (all hands lost).[1] |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | German Type IXB submarine |
Displacement | |
Length |
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Beam |
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Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
Draught | 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) |
Speed |
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Range |
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Armament |
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Service record | |
Part of: |
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Identification codes: | M 26 817 |
Commanders: |
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Operations: |
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Victories: |
German submarine U-65 was a Type IXB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. Over the course of six war patrols between 9 April 1940 and 28 April 1941, she sank twelve ships and damaged three others for a total loss of 88,664 gross register tons (GRT).
Construction and design
Construction
U-65 was ordered by the
Design
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 18.2 knots (33.7 km/h; 20.9 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.3 knots (13.5 km/h; 8.4 mph).
Service history
First patrol
U-65's first war patrol began on 9 April 1940 when she left her home port of Wilhelmshaven. For 36 days she patrolled the North Sea and the waters off the coast of Norway, participating in the invasion of that country. During this time, she sank no enemy vessels. On 13 April, the U-boat attacked a group of British destroyers north of Bergen, Norway; but her torpedoes failed to detonate, the destroyers counter-attacked, causing some minor damage to the submarine. U-65 was able to escape the attack, she returned safely to Wilhelmshaven on 14 May.[3]
Second patrol
U-65's second war patrol began on 8 June 1940. Over 30 days the boat crossed the North Sea, rounded the British Isles to the north and proceeded through the Celtic Sea to the Bay of Biscay. At 08:17 on 21 June, she encountered her first victim, the 1,177 GRT Dutch steam merchant ship Berenice, outbound from Bordeaux, carrying 1,000 tons of manganese ore and 22 passengers. A single torpedo hit her amidships and she sank in three minutes. Out of 47 souls aboard, only nine survivors were pulled from the water by a coastal vessel. One of these men, the ship's master, died of his wounds before the remaining complement was landed at Falmouth in Cornwall.[4]
The following day, at 18:04, U-65 sank an unescorted tanker in the Bay of Biscay. This is believed to have been the 7,011 GRT French steam tanker Monique, although there were no survivors to confirm her identity.[5] The only trace ever found of Monique was the body of one of her sailors, which washed ashore near A Coruña, Spain.[6]
Near midday on 30 June, U-65 located and attacked convoy
One day later (1 July), the U-Boat attacked convoy OA-175. At 13:51 she fired her sole remaining torpedo at the Dutch steam merchant vessel Amstelland about 380 nmi (700 km; 440 mi) southwest of
The last of her torpedoes expended, U-65 headed for home. This successful patrol was terminated at Wilhelmshaven on 7 July.[9]
Third patrol
Departing Wilhelmshaven on 8 August 1940, U-65 proceeded into the North Sea and around the British Isles on her way to her new base at the recently captured
Fourth patrol
U-65 stood out of Lorient on 21 August 1940 for her fourth patrol. After a stop of about six days at
At 21:18, a torpedo was fired but missed ahead of the Norwegian MV Hird's bow. Reacting to the attack, the merchantman began zigzagging at full speed, trying to escape. Due to the evasive course, it took nine hours to reach a new firing position, but at 06:05 a single torpedo fired from U-65's stern tube struck the merchant vessel on the starboard side between the bridge and the foremast. As the ship developed a heavy list, the crew abandoned their vessel in one lifeboat and a
A second successful attack occurred on 17 September 1940, when the boat torpedoed the British steam merchant ship Treganna which had been travelling with convoy
Another twelve days at sea provided no additional targets; U-65 returned to Lorient on 25 September.
Fifth patrol
Several weeks later, on 15 October, U-65 sortied from Lorient, bound for the west coast of Africa and the South Atlantic. This would become both her longest and most successful patrol. A full month at sea passed before the submarine spotted her first target, the 5,168 GRT British steam merchant vessel Kohinur; recently separated from convoy
British sailors on a raft from Kohinur had warned Havbør that a submarine was in the area, but boats were lowered to assist the 31 survivors anyhow. While this operation was in progress, Havbør was hit on the port side by a single torpedo from U-65 and immediately caught fire, burning oil spread over the surface of the water and engulfed many of the boats involved in the rescue operation. 28 members of Havbør's crew (including the ship's master) and all 31 men from Kohinur perished in the flames. The tanker sank seven hours later. Of the five survivors, one died of his wounds before rescue finally arrived on 24 November. The four remaining men were landed at Freetown in Sierra Leone.[15][16]
On 16 November, the submarine found her next mark in the 3,059 GRT British steam merchant ship Fabian about 350 nmi (650 km; 400 mi) west of Freetown. A single torpedo at 14:29 hit her in the foreship. The U-Boat surfaced and finished off the stricken freighter with five hits out of eight rounds from the deck gun and she sank with the loss of six men. The 33 survivors were questioned by the Germans, who treated two injured men and provided food and water before departing the scene.[17]
At 18:02 on 18 November, U-65 sighted the unescorted British motor tanker Congonian. The first torpedo hit the tanker's engine compartment. A coup de grâce followed at 18:12, hitting her near the stern. One man was lost, the remaining 35 crew members were picked up by the British cruiser HMS Devonshire and landed at Freetown a few days later (29 November).[18]
U-65 became the first U-Boat to cross the Equator on 11 December 1940.[19]
After the sinking of Congonian, more than a month passed before U-65 encountered her next victim. At 16:05 on 21 December, the unescorted (neutral) Panamanian steam tanker Charles Pratt was hit amidships by a single torpedo. Although Stockhausen noted that the neutral flags painted on her sides were clearly visible, he decided to attack without warning as it was clear (based on her position and heading) that she was bound for an enemy port. The tanker's fire suppression system was damaged in the attack, the crew abandoned their vessel in two portside lifeboats. A second torpedo hit on the starboard side just forward of the midship house about 20 minutes later, showering the surrounding water with debris, some of which barely missed the lifeboats. Although this second attack extinguished the fire, the flooding was too much and the ship sank with a heavy list. The survivors were picked up a few days later by the British merchantmen Gascony and Langleegorse and landed at Freetown.[20]
On Christmas Eve U-65 encountered the steam tanker British Premier, a straggler from convoy SLS-60. Two torpedoes sealed her fate at 16:41; she was sunk about 200 nmi (370 km; 230 mi) southwest of Freetown. The ship's master, thirty crew and a gunner were lost in the sinking. Of the thirteen survivors, nine were picked up on 3 January 1941 by HMS Hawkins and landed at Freetown. The other four drifted in an open boat for 41 days (25 of those without food) before being rescued by HMS Faulknor.[21]
Three days later, the unescorted Norwegian steam merchant vessel Risanger (5,455 GRT) was sighted. At 11:31 a single torpedo fired from U-65's stern hit her amidships. U-65 surfaced and fired 70 rounds from the deck gun to finish off the merchant ship, which sank with her screw still turning. All 29 men aboard abandoned ship and were picked up a few days later by the Norwegian motor tanker Belinda. They were landed at Cape Town, South Africa on 10 January 1941.[22]
On 31 December, U-65 sighted the 8,532 GRT motor tanker British Zeal traveling on a non-evasive course at 10.5 knots east of the
At first light, the tanker's crew spotted their still floating ship and re-boarded her. Despite three flooded tanks, two large holes in the starboard side, and a deck torn open by the explosions the engine room was found to be intact. The crew raised steam and tested the engines and steering, but then abandoned the ship again, fearing the submarine was still nearby. At dawn the next day, the crew re-boarded the vessel a second time, raised steam and headed toward Bathurst at five knots. A few hours later the British destroyer HMS Encounter arrived, offered assistance, and then left to search for the long-departed attacker. The damaged tanker continued alone until joined by the rescue tug HMS Hudson on 4 January. Despite heavy damage and inclement weather, British Zeal made harbour at Freetown on 8 January. She left the port after temporary repairs for more permanent restoration in Baltimore. The ship returned to service in February 1942. [23]
A final kill was added to the submarine's tally on 2 January 1941. At 22:07 a single torpedo from U-65 struck the British steam merchant ship Nalgora (6,579 GRT) about 350 nmi (650 km; 400 mi) north of the Cape Verde Islands. About 20 minutes later, the U-Boat surfaced and finished off the stricken vessel with the deck gun. All 105 souls aboard the merchantman survived. 86 were picked up by the British merchant ships Nolisement and Umgeni after eight days adrift. The remaining 19 reached land in the Cape Verde Islands.[24]
After months at sea, U-65 returned to the U-Boat pens at Lorient on 10 January 1941. In honor of this highly successful patrol, Stockhausen was promoted to Korvettenkapitän and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He left the boat at this time and assumed command of the newly formed 26th U-boat Flotilla.[25]
Sixth patrol and loss
After a much needed break from life at sea, U-65 sortied again from Lorient on 12 April 1941. Under the command of Kptlt. Joachim Hoppe, she made for the North Atlantic where, on 28 April she was attacked and sunk by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Douglas.
50 men died with the U-boat; there were no survivors.
Summary of raiding history
Date | Ship | Nationality | Tonnage | Fate[26] |
---|---|---|---|---|
21 June 1940 | Berenice | Netherlands | 1,177 | Sunk |
22 June 1940 | Monique | France | 7,011 | Sunk |
30 June 1940 | Clan Ogilvy | United Kingdom | 5,802 | Damaged |
1 July 1940 | Amstelland | Netherlands | 8,156 | Damaged |
15 September 1940 | Hird | Norway | 4,950 | Sunk |
17 September 1940 | Tregenna | United Kingdom | 5,242 | Sunk |
15 November 1940 | Havbør | Norway | 7,614 | Sunk |
15 November 1940 | Kohinur | United Kingdom | 5,168 | Sunk |
16 November 1940 | Fabian | United Kingdom | 3,059 | Sunk |
18 November 1940 | Congonian | United Kingdom | 5,065 | Sunk |
21 December 1940 | Charles Pratt | Panama | 8,982 | Sunk |
24 December 1940 | British Premier | United Kingdom | 5,872 | Sunk |
27 December 1940 | Risanger | Norway | 5,455 | Sunk |
31 December 1940 | British Zeal | United Kingdom | 8,532 | Damaged |
2 January 1941 | Nalgora | United Kingdom | 6,579 | Sunk |
References
- ^ a b Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type IXB boat U-65". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, p. 68.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Patrol info for U-65 (First patrol)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Berenice (Steam Merchant)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Patrol info for U-65 (Second patrol)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Monique (Steam Tanker)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Clan Ogilvy (Steam Merchant)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Amstelland (Steam Merchant)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Second Patrol for U-65". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hird (Motor Merchant)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ISBN 0 7230 0809 4, p. 6
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Treganna (Steam Merchant)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ The Times Atlas of the World, p. 7
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Kohinur (Steam Merchant)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Havbør (Motor Tanker)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ The Times Atlas of the World, p. 48
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Fabian (Steam Merchant)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Congonian (Motor Tanker)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Fifth Patrol for U-65". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Charles Pratt (Steam tanker)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "British Premier (Steam tanker)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Risanger (Steam Merchant)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "British Zeal (Motor Tanker)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Nalgora (Steam Merchant)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans-Gerrit von Stockhausen". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-65". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
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). Der U-Boot-Krieg, 1939-1945: Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945] (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. 22, 27, 29. ISBN 0-304-35203-9.
- Gröner, Eric; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815-1945: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
External links
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type IXB boat U-65". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- Hofmann, Markus. "U 65". Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de (in German). Retrieved 7 December 2014.