German submarineU-387

History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-387
Ordered	21 November 1940
Builder	Howaldtswerke,Kiel
Yard number	18
Laid down	5 September 1941
Launched	1 October 1942
Commissioned	24 November 1942
Fate	Sunk byHMSBamborough Castlein theBarents Seaon 9 December 1944
General characteristics
Class and type	Type VIICsubmarine
Displacement	769tonnes(757long tons) surfaced; 871 t (857 long tons) submerged;
Length	67.10 m (220 ft 2 in)o/a; 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in)pressure hull;
Beam	6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a; 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull;
Height	9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught	4.74 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	2 shafts; 2 ×diesel engines; 2 ×electric motors.;
Speed	17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced; 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged;
Range	8,500nmi(15,700km;9,800mi) 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	230 m (750 ft); Crush depth:250–295 m (820–968 ft);
Complement	4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament	5 × 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes(four bow, one stern); 14 ×torpedoes; 1 ×8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun(220 rounds); 2 × twin2 cm (0.79 in) C/30anti-aircraft guns;
Service record
Part of:	5th U-boat Flotilla; 24 November 1942 – 30 June 1943; 7th U-boat Flotilla; 1 July – 31 October 1943; 13th U-boat Flotilla; 1 November – 9 December 1943;
Identification codes:	M 51 018
Commanders:	Kptlt.Rudolf Büchler; 24 November 1942 – 9 December 1944;
Operations:	10 patrols:; 1st patrol:; 3 July – 21 August 1943; 2nd patrol:; a. 18 September – 4 October 1943; b. 4 – 6 October 1943; 3rd patrol:; a. 22 October – 6 December 1943; b. 7 December 1943 – 5 January 1944; c. 7 – 9 January 1944; d. 12 – 16 January 1944; e. 13 – 18 April 1944; 4th patrol:; 20 April – 5 May 1944; 5th patrol:; 20 May – 8 June 1944; 6th patrol:; 23 – 24 June 1944; 7th patrol:; a. 11 – 21 July 1944; b. 25 – 27 July 1944; 8th patrol:; 28 September – 3 October 1944; 9th patrol:; 9 October – 10 November 1944; 10th patrol:; 21 November – 9 December 1944;
Victories:	None

TheGerman submarineU-387was aType VIIC U-boatofNazi Germany'sKriegsmarineduringWorld War II.She carried out ten patrols. She sank no ships. She was a member of elevenwolfpacks.She was sunk byHMSBamborough Castlein theBarents Seaon 9 December 1944.^[2]

Design

German Type VIIC submarineswere preceded by the shorterType VIIB submarines.U-387had 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-cylindersupercharged diesel 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-387was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes(four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteentorpedoes,one8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun,220 rounds, and two twin2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns.The boat had acomplementof between forty-four and sixty.^[3]

Service history

The submarine waslaid downon 5 September 1941 at theHowaldtswerkeyard atKielas yard number 18,launchedon 1 October 1942 andcommissionedon 24 November under the command ofKapitänleutnantRudolf Büchler.^[2]

She served with the5th U-boat Flotillafrom 24 November 1942 and the7th flotillafrom 1 July 1943. She was reassigned to the13th flotillafrom 1 November until her loss.

First patrol

U-387's first patrol was preceded by short trips fromKielto Marviken, then toBergenin June 1943. The boat's patrol proper commenced with her departure from Bergen on 3 July. She followed the Norwegian coast as far asBodøand then headed due north as far as a point a few miles short ofSvalbard.She then sailed south, passing to the west ofBear Island,docking inNarvikon 21 August. At 50 days, it was her longest patrol, but sighting the enemy did not happen.

Second and third patrols

The boat's second and third sorties were both divided into two parts. Her crew got to know the northernNorwegian,GreenlandandBarentsSeas particularly well.

Fourth, fifth and sixth patrols

The monotony of her fourth, fifth and sixth forays was not relieved by success.

Seventh patrol

By now based inNarvik,the submarine was carrying out her seventh patrol when she was attacked by a Norwegian-crewedSunderlandflying boat ofNo. 330 Squadron RAF.Enough damage was inflicted to oblige the U-boat to put intoTrondheimfor repairs.

Eight and ninth patrols

U-387's eighth patrol was uneventful as was her ninth, which took her to the waters around theNorth Cape.

Tenth patrol and loss

The boat left Narvik for the last time on 24 November 1944. On 9 December, she was sunk in the Barents Sea nearMurmanskby depth charges dropped by the Britishcorvette HMSBamborough Castle.

Fifty-one men died in the U-boat; there were no survivors.^[2]

Wolfpacks

U-387took part in elevenwolfpacks,namely:

Monsun(4 – 5 October 1943)
Eisenbart (23 October – 5 December 1943)
Eisenbart (7 December 1943 – 3 January 1944)
Donner & Keil (21 April – 3 May 1944)
Trutz (23 – 31 May 1944)
Grimm (31 May – 6 June 1944)
Feuer (17 September 1944)
Zorn (29 September – 1 October 1944)
Grimm (1 – 2 October 1944)
Panther (17 October – 7 November 1944)
Stier (25 November – 9 December 1944)

References

^Kemp 1999,p. 225.
^^a ^b ^c ^dHelgason, Guðmundur."The Type VIIC boat U-387".German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net.Retrieved8 September2012.
^^a ^b ^c ^dGröner 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.
Kemp, Paul (1999).U-Boats Destroyed – German Submarine Losses in the World Wars.London: Arms & Armour.ISBN 1-85409-515-3.

External links

Helgason, Guðmundur."The Type VIIC boat U-387".German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net.Retrieved26 December2014.

69°41′N33°12′E/ 69.683°N 33.200°E/69.683; 33.200

[FOOTNOTEKemp1999225-1] Kemp 1999,p. 225.

[uboatnet-2] Helgason, Guðmundur."The Type VIIC boat U-387".German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net.Retrieved8 September2012.

[FOOTNOTEGröner199143–46-3] Gröner 1991,pp. 43–46.

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e Type VII submarines
Type VIIA	U-27 U-28 U-29 U-30 U-31 U-32 U-33 U-34 U-35 U-36
Type VIIB	U-45 U-46 U-47 U-48 U-49 U-50 U-51 U-52 U-53 U-54 U-55 U-73 U-74 U-75 U-76 U-83 U-84 U-85 U-86 U-87 U-99 U-100 U-101 U-102
Type VIIC	U-69 U-70 U-71 U-72 U-77 U-78 U-79 U-80 U-81 U-82 U-88 U-89 U-90 U-91 U-92 U-93 U-94 U-95 U-96 U-97 U-98 U-132 U-133 U-134 U-135 U-136 U-201 U-202 U-203 U-204 U-205 U-206 U-207 U-208 U-209 U-210 U-211 U-212 U-221 U-222 U-223 U-224 U-225 U-226 U-227 U-228 U-229 U-230 U-231 U-232 U-235 U-236 U-237 U-238 U-239 U-240 U-241 U-242 U-243 U-244 U-245 U-246 U-247 U-248 U-249 U-250 U-251 U-252 U-253 U-254 U-255 U-256 U-257 U-258 U-259 U-260 U-261 U-262 U-263 U-264 U-265 U-266 U-267 U-268 U-269 U-270 U-271 U-272 U-273 U-274 U-275 U-276 U-277 U-278 U-279 U-280 U-281 U-282 U-283 U-284 U-285 U-286 U-287 U-288 U-289 U-290 U-291 U-301 U-302 U-303 U-304 U-305 U-306 U-307 U-308 U-309 U-310 U-311 U-312 U-313 U-314 U-315 U-316 U-331 U-332 U-333 U-334 U-335 U-336 U-337 U-338 U-339 U-340 U-341 U-342 U-343 U-344 U-345 U-346 U-347 U-348 U-349 U-350 U-351 U-352 U-353 U-354 U-355 U-356 U-357 U-358 U-359 U-360 U-361 U-362 U-363 U-364 U-365 U-366 U-367 U-368 U-369 U-370 U-371 U-372 U-373 U-374 U-375 U-376 U-377 U-378 U-379 U-380 U-381 U-382 U-383 U-384 U-385 U-386 U-387 U-388 U-389 U-390 U-391 U-392 U-393 U-394 U-396 U-397 U-398 U-399 U-400 U-401 U-402 U-403 U-404 U-405 U-406 U-407 U-408 U-409 U-410 U-411 U-412 U-413 U-414 U-415 U-416 U-417 U-418 U-419 U-420 U-421 U-422 U-423 U-424 U-425 U-426 U-427 U-428 U-429 U-430 U-431 U-432 U-433 U-434 U-435 U-436 U-437 U-438 U-439 U-440 U-441 U-442 U-443 U-444 U-445 U-446 U-447 U-448 U-449 U-450 U-451 U-452 U-453 U-454 U-455 U-456 U-457 U-458 U-465 U-466 U-467 U-468 U-469 U-470 U-471 U-472 U-473 U-475 U-476 U-477 U-478 U-479 U-480 U-481 U-482 U-483 U-484 U-485 U-486 U-551 U-552 U-553 U-554 U-555 U-556 U-557 U-558 U-559 U-560 U-561 U-562 U-563 U-564 U-565 U-566 U-567 U-568 U-569 U-570 U-571 U-572 U-573 U-574 U-575 U-576 U-577 U-578 U-579 U-580 U-581 U-582 U-583 U-584 U-585 U-586 U-587 U-588 U-589 U-590 U-591 U-592 U-593 U-594 U-595 U-596 U-597 U-598 U-599 U-600 U-601 U-602 U-603 U-604 U-605 U-606 U-607 U-608 U-609 U-610 U-611 U-612 U-613 U-614 U-615 U-616 U-617 U-618 U-619 U-620 U-621 U-622 U-623 U-624 U-625 U-626 U-627 U-628 U-629 U-630 U-631 U-632 U-633 U-634 U-635 U-636 U-637 U-638 U-639 U-640 U-641 U-642 U-643 U-644 U-645 U-646 U-647 U-648 U-649 U-650 U-651 U-652 U-653 U-654 U-655 U-656 U-657 U-658 U-659 U-660 U-661 U-662 U-663 U-664 U-665 U-666 U-667 U-668 U-669 U-670 U-671 U-672 U-673 U-674 U-675 U-676 U-677 U-678 U-679 U-680 U-681 U-682 U-683 U-701 U-702 U-703 U-704 U-705 U-706 U-707 U-708 U-709 U-710 U-711 U-712 U-713 U-714 U-715 U-716 U-717 U-718 U-719 U-720 U-721 U-722 U-731 U-732 U-733 U-734 U-735 U-736 U-737 U-738 U-739 U-740 U-741 U-742 U-743 U-744 U-745 U-746 U-747 U-748 U-749 U-750 U-751 U-752 U-753 U-754 U-755 U-756 U-757 U-758 U-759 U-760 U-761 U-762 U-763 U-764 U-765 U-766 U-767 U-768 U-771 U-772 U-773 U-774 U-775 U-776 U-777 U-778 U-779 U-821 U-822 U-825 U-826 U-901 U-903 U-904 U-905 U-907 U-921 U-922 U-923 U-924 U-925 U-926 U-927 U-928 U-951 U-952 U-953 U-954 U-955 U-956 U-957 U-958 U-959 U-960 U-961 U-962 U-963 U-964 U-965 U-966 U-967 U-968 U-969 U-970 U-971 U-972 U-973 U-974 U-975 U-976 U-977 U-978 U-979 U-980 U-981 U-982 U-983 U-984 U-985 U-986 U-987 U-988 U-989 U-990 U-991 U-992 U-993 U-994 U-1051 U-1052 U-1053 U-1054 U-1055 U-1056 U-1057 U-1058 U-1101 U-1102 U-1131 U-1132 U-1161 U-1162 U-1191 U-1192 U-1193 U-1194 U-1195 U-1196 U-1197 U-1198 U-1199 U-1200 U-1201 U-1202 U-1203 U-1204 U-1205 U-1206 U-1207 U-1208 U-1209 U-1210
Type VIIC/41	U-292 U-293 U-294 U-295 U-296 U-297 U-298 U-299 U-300 U-317 U-318 U-319 U-320 U-321 U-322 U-323 U-324 U-325 U-326 U-327 U-328 U-691 U-827 U-828 U-929 U-930 U-995 U-997 U-998 U-999 U-1000 U-1001 U-1002 U-1003 U-1004 U-1005 U-1006 U-1007 U-1008 U-1009 U-1010 U-1011 U-1013 U-1014 U-1015 U-1016 U-1017 U-1018 U-1019 U-1020 U-1021 U-1022 U-1023 U-1024 U-1025 U-1063 U-1064 U-1065 U-1103 U-1104 U-1105 U-1106 U-1107 U-1108 U-1109 U-1110 U-1163 U-1164 U-1165 U-1166 U-1167 U-1168 U-1169 U-1170 U-1171 U-1172 U-1271 U-1272 U-1273 U-1274 U-1275 U-1276 U-1277 U-1278 U-1279 U-1301 U-1302 U-1303 U-1304 U-1305 U-1306 U-1307 U-1308
Type VIID	U-213 U-214 U-215 U-216 U-217 U-218
Type VIIF	U-1059 U-1060 U-1061 U-1062
Preceded by:Type II Followed by:Type IX List of U-boats of Germany

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in December 1944
Shipwrecks	1 Dec:HMSEmpire Dace 2 Dec:Hawaii Maru 3 Dec:USSCooper,Revoljucija 4 Dec:Kishinami 5 Dec:Hozu,USSLSM-149 6 Dec:Antoine Saugrain,HMSBullen,U-297 7 Dec:USSMahan,USSWard 9 Dec:U-387 10 Dec:William S. Ladd 11 Dec:USSReid 12 Dec:Uzuki,U-416,Yūzuki,Z35,Z36 13 Dec:U-365 14 Dec:HMSAldenham 15 Dec:USSLST-472,USSLST-738 17 Dec:U-772 18 Dec:USSHull,USSMonaghan,Schleswig-Holstein,USSSpence,Theresia L M Russ,U-1209,Zähringen 19 Dec:U-737,Unryū 21 Dec:USSLST-460,USSLST-749 22 Dec:USSLST-563 24 Dec:Alan-A-Dale,HMCSClayoquot,Léopoldville 26 Dec:HMSCapel,Kiyoshimo,U-2342,Benjamin Ide Wheeler 27 Dec:U-877 28 Dec:Empire Javelin,John Burke,U-735 29 Dec:U-322 30 Dec:USSPorcupine,Hobart Baker 31 Dec:U-2530 Unknown date:Ha-83,U-196,U-400
Other incidents	5 Dec:Antoine Saugrain,Hira 8 Dec:USSHuron 9 Dec:Jun'yō 13 Dec:Myōkō,USSNashville 14 Dec:Schauenberg 25 Dec:HMSDakins 26 Dec:HMSAffleck 30 Dec:Juan de Fuca,USSOrestes Unknown date:HMSCharlestown,U-262
194319441945 November 1944January 1945