Sinking of German submarineU-761.U-761’s crew abandons ship after she was crippled by British destroyer and US Navy (VP 63) aircraft attacks in the Strait of Gibraltar. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | U-761 |
| Ordered | 9 October 1939 |
| Builder | Kriegsmarinewerft,Wilhelmshaven |
| Yard number | 144 |
| Laid down | 16 December 1940 |
| Launched | 26 September 1942 |
| Commissioned | 3 December 1942 |
| Fate | Scuttled on 24 February 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Type VIICsubmarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
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| Beam |
|
| 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 51 100 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: |
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| Victories: | None |
German submarineU-761 was aType VIICU-boat ofNazi Germany'sKriegsmarine duringWorld War II.
She was ordered on 9 October 1939, and waslaid down on 16 December 1940, atKriegsmarinewerft,Wilhelmshaven, as yard number 144. She waslaunched on 26 September 1942, andcommissioned under the command ofOberleutnant zur See Horst Geider on 3 December 1942.[2]
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorterType VIIB submarines.U-761 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), apressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), abeam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and adraught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by twoGermaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylindersuperchargeddiesel 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, twoGarbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/cdouble-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-761 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteentorpedoes or 26 TMAmines, one8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and two twin2 cm (0.79 in) C/30anti-aircraft guns. The boat had acomplement of between 44 — 52 men.[3]
U-761 participated in two war patrols that yielded no ships sunk or damaged.[2]
On 24 February 1944,U-761 was badly damaged bydepth charges andscuttled after being attacked byBritishdestroyersAnthony andWishart, anRAFCatalina of202 Sqn RAF/G, aUSNVentura ofVB-127 USN/B-46 and two USN Catalina's ofVP-63 USN/P-14 & 15.Oblt.z.S. Horst Geider and 47 other crewmen, of a crew of 57, survived the attack.[2]
The wreck now lies at35°55′N05°45′W / 35.917°N 5.750°W /35.917; -5.750.[2]
U-761 took part in threewolfpacks, namely:[2]