German_submarine_U-638

German submarine <i>U-638</i>

German submarine U-638

German World War II submarine

German submarine U-638 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 16 October 1941 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 614, launched on 8 July 1942 and commissioned on 3 September 1942 under Kapitänleutnant Oskar Staudinger.

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Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-638 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 BBC 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-638 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 one twin 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 5th U-boat Flotilla on 3 September 1942, followed by active service on 1 February 1943 as part of the 9th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.

In two patrols she sank one merchant ship, for a total of 5,507 gross register tons (GRT) and one ship damaged.

Wolfpacks

U-638 took part in four wolfpacks, namely:

  • Burggraf (26 – 28 February 1943)
  • Wildfang (28 February – 5 March 1943)
  • Raubgraf (7 – 15 March 1943)
  • Amsel 1 (3 – 5 May 1943)

Fate

U-638 was sunk on 5 May 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 54°12′N 44°05′W, by depth charges from HMS Sunflower. She managed to send a final signal about the attack and the fact she was sinking. All hands were lost.

Summary of raiding history

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References

  1. [1]
    Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-638". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  2. [2]
    Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. [3]
    Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-638". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 1 September 2014.

Bibliography
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