German submarine U-986

U-570 Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical to U-986.
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-986
Ordered25 May 1941
BuilderBlohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number186
Laid down18 September 1942
Launched20 May 1943
Commissioned1 July 1943
FateMissing since 10 April 1944
General characteristics
Class and typeType VIIC submarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 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)
Draught4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
  • 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range
  • 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 depth
  • 220 m (720 ft)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 44–52 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 53 856
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Karl-Ernst Kaiser[1]
  • 1 July 1943 – 10 April 1944
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 8 February – 10 April 1944
Victories: None

German submarine U-986 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 25 May 1941, and was laid down on 18 September 1942 at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, as yard number 186. She was launched on 20 May 1943 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Karl-Ernst Kaiser on 1 July 1943.[2]

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-986 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[3] 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 Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c 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).[3]

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).[3] 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-986 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes or 26 TMA mines, 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 44 — 52 men.[3]

Service history

On 8 February 1944, U-986 left Kiel on her first war patrol, sailing through the Iceland passage en route to the North Atlantic. U-986 reported on 10 April 1944 for the last time, stating that she would be commencing her return in two days, at that time U-986 was ordered to Lorient but when she failed to arrive in port she was posted missing on 20 April 1944, all hands, 50 crewmen, lost.[2]

Last known location 51°30′N 20°00′W / 51.500°N 20.000°W / 51.500; -20.000.[2]

Wolfpacks

U-986 took part in one wolfpack, namely:[2]

  • Preussen (2 – 22 March 1944)

References

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Karl-Ernst Kaiser". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-986". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.

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.
  • 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.