German submarine U-381: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship country= {{nowrap|[[Nazi Germany]]}}
|Ship country={{nowrap|[[Nazi Germany]]}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Nazi Germany|naval}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Nazi Germany|naval}}
|Ship name= ''U-381''
|Ship name=''U-381''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship namesake=
|Ship ordered=16 October 1939
|Ship ordered=16 October 1939
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|Ship height={{convert|9.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship height={{convert|9.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|4.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|4.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=2&nbsp;×&nbsp;[[supercharged]] [[Germaniawerft]] 6-cylinder 4-stroke F46 [[diesel engine]]s, totalling {{convert|2800|–|3200|PS|kW bhp|abbr=on}}. Max [[rpm]]: 470–490<br />2&nbsp;×&nbsp;[[Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co.|GL]] RP 137/c [[Motor-generator|double-acting electric motors]], totalling {{convert|750|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}} and max rpm: 296
|Ship propulsion=2&nbsp;×&nbsp;[[supercharged]] [[diesel engine]]s, totalling {{convert|2800|–|3200|PS|kW bhp|abbr=on}}. Max [[rpm]]: 470–490<br />2&nbsp;×&nbsp;[[Motor-generator|double-acting electric motors]], totalling {{convert|750|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}} and max rpm: 296.
|Ship speed={{convert|17.7|kn}} surfaced<br />{{convert|7.6|kn}} submerged
|Ship speed={{convert|17.7|kn}} surfaced<br />{{convert|7.6|kn}} submerged
|Ship range={{convert|8,500|nmi|abbr=on|lk=on}} at {{convert|10|kn}} surfaced<br />{{convert|80|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4|kn}} submerged
|Ship range={{convert|8,500|nmi|abbr=on|lk=on}} at {{convert|10|kn}} surfaced<br />{{convert|80|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4|kn}} submerged
|Ship test depth={{convert|230|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />[[Submarine depth ratings|Crush depth]]: {{convert|250|–|295|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship test depth={{convert|230|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />[[Submarine depth ratings|Crush depth]]: {{convert|250|–|295|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=44–52 officers and ratings
|Ship complement=4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
|Ship sensors=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship EW=
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'''German submarine ''U-381''''' was a [[German Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC]] [[U-boat]] built for [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' for service during [[World War II]]. She failed to return in May 1943 and was declared missing in unknown circumstances.
'''German submarine ''U-381''''' was a [[German Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC]] [[U-boat]] built for [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' for service during [[World War II]]. She failed to return in May 1943 and was declared missing in unknown circumstances.


The boat was laid down on 26 April 1941 at the ''[[Howaldtswerke]]'' in [[Kiel]] as yard number 12, launched on 14 January 1942 and commissioned on 25 February; ''[[Kapitänleutnant]]'' Graf Wilhelm-Heinrich Pückler und Limburg was her CO throughout her career.
The boat was laid down on 26 April 1941 at the ''[[Howaldtswerke]]'' in [[Kiel]] as yard number 12, launched on 14 January 1942 and commissioned on 25 February; ''[[Kapitänleutnant]]'' Wilhelm-Heinrich Graf von Pückler und Limburg was her CO throughout her career.


She did not sink any ships.
She did not sink any ships.


==Design==
[[German Type VII submarine#Type VIIC|German Type VIIC submarines]] were preceded by the shorter [[German Type VII submarine#Type VIIB|Type VIIB submarines]]. ''U-381'' had a displacement of {{convert|769|t|LT}} when at the surface and {{convert|871|t|LT}} while submerged.{{sfn|Gröner|1985|pp=72-74}} It had a total length of {{convert|67.10|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a [[pressure hull]] length of {{convert|50.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|6.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a height of {{convert|9.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, and a [[draught (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|4.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The submarine was powered by two [[Germaniawerft]] F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder [[supercharged]] [[diesel engine]]s producing a total of {{convert|2800 to 3200|PS|kW shp|-1}} for use while surfaced, two [[Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co.]] RP 137/c [[Motor–generator|double-acting electric motors]] producing a total of {{convert|750|shp|PS kW}} for use while submerged. It had two shafts and two {{convert|1.23|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} [[propeller]]s. It was capable of operating at depths of up to {{convert|230|m}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1985|pp=72-74}}

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of {{convert|17.7|kn}} and a maximum submerged speed of {{convert|7.6|kn}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1985|pp=72-74}} When submerged, it could operate for {{convert|80|nmi}} at {{convert|4|kn}}; when surfaced, it could travel {{convert|8500|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}}. ''U-381'' was fitted with five {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s (four fitted at its bow and one at its stern), fourteen [[torpedo]]es, one [[8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun|{{convert|8.8|cm|in|2|abbr=on}} SK C/35 naval gun]], 220 rounds, and an anti-aircraft gun. It had a [[Ship's company|complement]] of between forty-four and sixty.{{sfn|Gröner|1985|pp=72-74}}

==Service history==
She began her service life in the [[5th U-boat Flotilla]], a training organization, between 25 February 1942 and 30 September of the same year, before moving on to the [[7th U-boat Flotilla|7th flotilla]] for operations.
She began her service life in the [[5th U-boat Flotilla]], a training organization, between 25 February 1942 and 30 September of the same year, before moving on to the [[7th U-boat Flotilla|7th flotilla]] for operations.


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===3rd patrol and loss===
===3rd patrol and loss===
U-371{{'}}s third patrol ended abruptly after 52 days when she was sunk with the loss of all hands on 21 May 1943 (probably). She was lost in mid-Atlantic (south of [[Greenland]]) through unknown circumstances.<ref>{{Cite web
U-371{{'}}s third patrol ended abruptly after 52 days when she was sunk with the loss of all hands on 21 May 1943 (probably). She was lost in mid-Atlantic (south of [[Greenland]]) through unknown circumstances.<ref>{{Cite web
|url= http://www.uboat.net/boats/u381.html
|url=http://www.uboat.net/boats/u381.html
|title= The Type VIIC boat U-381
|title=The Type VIIC boat U-381
|last=Helgason
|last=Helgason
|first=Guðmundur
|first=Guðmundur
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|accessdate= 26 December 2014
|accessdate=26 December 2014
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


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}}
}}
* {{cite book
* {{cite book
| last = Edwards
| last=Edwards
| first = Bernard
| first=Bernard
| title = Dönitz and the Wolf Packs - The U-boats at War
| title=Dönitz and the Wolf Packs - The U-boats at War
| year = 1996
| year=1996
| isbn = 0-304-35203-9
| isbn=0-304-35203-9
| pages = 212
| pages=212
| publisher = Cassell Military Classics
| publisher=Cassell Military Classics
| ref = {{sfnRef|Edwards}}
| ref={{sfnRef|Edwards}}
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
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}}
}}


== External links ==
==External links ==
*{{Cite web
*{{Cite web
|url= http://www.uboat.net/boats/u381.html
|url=http://www.uboat.net/boats/u381.html
|title= The Type VIIC boat U-381
|title=The Type VIIC boat U-381
|last=Helgason
|last=Helgason
|first=Guðmundur
|first=Guðmundur
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|accessdate= 26 December 2014
|accessdate=26 December 2014
}}
}}


Revision as of 11:02, 7 September 2015

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-381
Ordered16 October 1939
BuilderHowaldtswerke AG, Kiel
Laid down26 April 1941
Launched14 January 1942
Commissioned25 February 1942
FatePosted missing south of Greenland in May 1943. The cause of her disappearance has never been determined.
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeType VIIC submarine
Displacementlist error: <br /> list (help)
769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced
871 t (857 long tons) submerged
Lengthlist error: <br /> list (help)
67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) o/a
50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) pressure hull
Beamlist error: <br /> list (help)
6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draft4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Propulsionlist error: <br /> list (help)
2 × supercharged diesel engines, totalling 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp). Max rpm: 470–490
2 × double-acting electric motors, totalling 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) and max rpm: 296.
Speedlist error: <br /> list (help)
17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Rangelist error: <br /> list (help)
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 depthlist error: <br /> list (help)
230 m (750 ft)
Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armamentlist error: mixed text and list (help)

German submarine U-381 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She failed to return in May 1943 and was declared missing in unknown circumstances.

The boat was laid down on 26 April 1941 at the Howaldtswerke in Kiel as yard number 12, launched on 14 January 1942 and commissioned on 25 February; Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm-Heinrich Graf von Pückler und Limburg was her CO throughout her career.

She did not sink any ships.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-381 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[1] It 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 Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 shaft horsepower (760 PS; 560 kW) for use while submerged. It had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. It was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[1]

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).[1] When submerged, it could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, it could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-381 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at its bow and one at its stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and an anti-aircraft gun. It had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[1]

Service history

She began her service life in the 5th U-boat Flotilla, a training organization, between 25 February 1942 and 30 September of the same year, before moving on to the 7th flotilla for operations.

Operational history

1st patrol

U381's first sortie took her from Kiel to a point three-quarters of the way across the Atlantic before steaming empty-handed to St. Nazaire in France.

2nd patrol

Her next patrol was no better, starting and finishing in St. Nazaire between 19 December 1942 and 19 February 1943, (a total of 63 days at sea). She was unsuccessfully attacked on the return leg west of Portugal by a Catalina flying boat of No. 202 Squadron RAF.

3rd patrol and loss

U-371's third patrol ended abruptly after 52 days when she was sunk with the loss of all hands on 21 May 1943 (probably). She was lost in mid-Atlantic (south of Greenland) through unknown circumstances.[2]

Wolfpacks

U-381 took part in nine wolfpacks, namely.

  • Panther (11–20 October 1942)
  • Veilchen (20 October – 5 November 1942)
  • Delphin (26 December 1942 – 14 February 1943)
  • Adler (11–13 April 1943)
  • Meise (13–27 April 1943)
  • Star (27 April – 4 May 1943)
  • Fink (4–6 May 1943)
  • Inn (11–15 May 1943)
  • Donau 1 (15–21 May 1943)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Gröner 1985, pp. 72–74.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-381". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 December 2014.

Bibliography

  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Edwards, Bernard (1996). Dönitz and the Wolf Packs - The U-boats at War. Cassell Military Classics. p. 212. ISBN 0-304-35203-9.
  • Gröner, Erich (1985). U-Boote, Hilfskreuzer, Minenschiffe, Netzleger, Sperrbrecher (in German). Vol. III. Koblenz: Bernard & Graefe. ISBN 3-7637-4802-4. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help)

External links

Warning: Display title "German submarine<i> U-381</i>" overrides earlier display title "German submarine <i>U-381</i>" (help).

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=German_submarine_U-381&oldid=679881539"