German_submarine_U-990

German submarine <i>U-990</i>

German submarine U-990

German World War II submarine

German submarine U-990 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 17 October 1942 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 190, launched on 16 June 1943 and commissioned on 28 July 1943 under Kapitänleutnant Hubert Nordheimer.

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Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-990 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, and two Brown, Boveri & Cie 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-990 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 crew sized between forty-four and sixty.[2]

Service history

The boat's career began with training at 5th Flotilla on 28 July 1943, followed by active service on 1 January 1944 as part of the 11th Flotilla.

Wolfpacks

U-990 took part in four wolfpacks, namely:

  • Werwolf (28 January – 27 February 1944)
  • Orkan (5 – 10 March 1944)
  • Hammer (10 – 26 March 1944)
  • Blitz (2 – 4 April 1944)

Fate

U-990 was sunk on 25 May 1944 in the Norwegian Sea at 65°05′N 07°28′E after being depth charged by a RAF Liberator bomber of 59 Squadron.

Sqn Ldr B. Sisson sighted U-990 on the surface at 06:23 and attacked under cover of a rain squall, dropping six depth charges. Following the attack, the submarine could be seen sinking amid a large oil slick.[3]

There were 20 crew killed, and 33 survivors.

Summary of raiding history

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References

Notes

  1. [N 1]
    Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.

Citations

  1. [1]
    Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hubert Nordheimer". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  2. [2]
    Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. [3]
    Kemp, Paul (1997). U-Boats Destroyed – German Submarine Losses in the World Wars. Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 1-85409-321-5.
  4. [4]
    Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-990". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 7 April 2015.

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.
  • 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.
  • Sharpe, Peter (1998). U-Boat Fact File. Great Britain: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-072-9.
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