German submarineU-980
 U-570Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical toU-980.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-980 |
| Ordered | 5 June 1941 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss,Hamburg |
| Yard number | 180 |
| Laid down | 10 August 1942 |
| Launched | 15 April 1943 |
| Commissioned | 27 May 1943 |
| Fate | Sunk on 11 June 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIICsubmarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 4 officers, 44–52 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 52 816 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: |
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| Victories: | None |
German submarineU-980was aType VIICU-boatofNazi Germany'sKriegsmarineduringWorld War II.
She was ordered on 5 June 1941, and waslaid downon 10 August 1942 atBlohm & Voss,Hamburg,as yard number 180. She waslaunchedon 15 April 1943 andcommissionedunder the command ofOberleutnant zur SeeHermann Dahms on 27 May 1943.[2]
Design
[edit]German Type VIIC submarineswere preceded by the shorterType VIIB submarines.U-980had 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), apressure hulllength of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), abeamof 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and adraughtof 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by twoGermaniawerftF46 four-stroke, six-cylindersuperchargeddiesel enginesproducing 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, twoGarbe, Lahmeyer & Co.RP 137/cdouble-acting electric motorsproducing 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-980was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes(four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteentorpedoesor 26 TMAmines,one8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun,220 rounds, and one twin2 cm (0.79 in) C/30anti-aircraft gun.The boat had acomplementof between 44 — 52 men.[3]
Service history
[edit]On 11 June 1944, nine days out ofBergenon her first, and only war patrol,U-980was sunk bydepth chargesnorth of theShetland Islands,in theNorwegian Sea.U-980was attacked by aCanadianCansoof162 Squadron/B RCAF.All Fifty-two of her crew were lost.[2]
The wreck is located at63°07′N00°26′E/ 63.117°N 0.433°E.[2]
References
[edit]External links
[edit]Helgason, Guðmundur."Patrols by U-980".German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net.
Bibliography
[edit]- 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.ISBN1-55750-186-6.
- 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.ISBN3-8132-0514-2.
- 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.ISBN0-85177-593-4.
