| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-65 |
| Ordered | 16 July 1937 |
| Builder | AG Weser,Bremen |
| Yard number | 953 |
| Laid down | 6 December 1938 |
| Launched | 6 November 1939 |
| Commissioned | 15 February 1940 |
| Fate | Sunk 28 April 1941.[1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Type IXB submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) |
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Identification codes: | M 26 817 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: |
|
| Victories: | |
German submarineU-65 was aType IXBU-boat ofNazi Germany'sKriegsmarine duringWorld War II. Over the course of six war patrols between 9 April 1940 and 28 April 1941, she sank twelve ships and damaged three others for a total loss of 88,664 gross register tons (GRT).
U-65 was ordered by theKriegsmarine on 16 July 1937. Her keel waslaid down on 6 December 1938 byAG Weser,Bremen as yard number 953. She waslaunched on 6 November 1939 andcommissioned on 15 February 1940 under the command ofKapitänleutnantHans-Gerrit von Stockhausen.[1]
Type IXB submarines were slightly larger than the originalType IX submarines, later designated IXA.U-65 had a displacement of 1,051 tonnes (1,034 long tons) when at the surface and 1,178 tonnes (1,159 long tons) while submerged.[2] The U-boat had a total length of 76.50 m (251 ft), apressure hull length of 58.75 m (192 ft 9 in), abeam of 6.76 m (22 ft 2 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and adraught of 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in). The submarine was powered by twoMAN M 9 V 40/46supercharged four-stroke, nine-cylinderdiesel engines producing a total of 4,400 metric horsepower (3,240 kW; 4,340 shp) for use while surfaced, twoSiemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34double-acting electric motors producing a total of 1,000 metric horsepower (740 kW; 990 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.92 m (6 ft)propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[2]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 18.2 knots (33.7 km/h; 20.9 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.3 knots (13.5 km/h; 8.4 mph).[2] When submerged, the boat could operate for 64 nautical miles (119 km; 74 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 12,000 nautical miles (22,000 km; 14,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).U-65 was fitted with six 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 22torpedoes, one10.5 cm (4.13 in) SK C/32 naval gun, 180 rounds, and a3.7 cm (1.5 in) SK C/30 as well as a2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had acomplement of forty-eight.[2]
U-65's first war patrol began on 9 April 1940 when she left her home port of Wilhelmshaven. For 36 days she patrolled theNorth Sea and the waters off the coast of Norway, participating in theinvasion of that country. During this time, she sank no enemy vessels. On 13 April, the U-boat attacked a group of British destroyers north ofBergen, Norway; but her torpedoes failed to detonate, the destroyers counter-attacked, causing some minor damage to the submarine.U-65 was able to escape the attack, she returned safely to Wilhelmshaven on 14 May.[3]
U-65's second war patrol began on 8 June 1940. Over 30 days the boat crossed the North Sea, rounded the British Isles to the north and proceeded through the Celtic Sea to the Bay of Biscay. At 08:17 on 21 June, she encountered her first victim, the 1,177 GRT Dutch steam merchant shipBerenice, outbound fromBordeaux, carrying 1,000 tons of manganese ore and 22 passengers. A single torpedo hit her amidships and she sank in three minutes. Out of 47 souls aboard, only nine survivors were pulled from the water by a coastal vessel. One of these men, the ship's master, died of his wounds before the remaining complement was landed atFalmouth in Cornwall.[4]
The following day, at 18:04,U-65 sank an unescorted tanker in theBay of Biscay. This is believed to have been the 7,011 GRT French steam tankerMonique, although there were no survivors to confirm her identity.[5] The only trace ever found ofMonique was the body of one of her sailors, which washed ashore nearA Coruña, Spain.[6]
Near midday on 30 June,U-65 located and attacked convoySL-36 and reported hits on two ships. In fact only one, the 5,802 GRT British steam merchantmanClan Ogilvy was hit. There were no casualties; the damaged ship was assisted byHMS Vesper andGladiolus and arrived at Falmouth on 4 July.[7]
One day later (1 July), the U-Boat attacked convoy OA-175. At 13:51 she fired her sole remaining torpedo at the Dutch steam merchant vesselAmstelland about 380 nmi (700 km; 440 mi) southwest ofLands End. The torpedo struck her on the starboard side; one crew member was blown overboard and drowned.Kptlt. Stockhausen claimed to have sunk his target, but despite being disabledAmstelland remained afloat for two days with a flooded Number 5 hold before being taken in tow by the rescue tugHMS Marauder. TheFlower-class corvetteCalendula escorted the tug and her charge to Falmouth, where they arrived on 5 July.[8]
The last of her torpedoes expended,U-65 headed for home. This successful patrol was terminated at Wilhelmshaven on 7 July.[9]
Departing Wilhelmshaven on 8 August 1940,U-65 proceeded into the North Sea and around the British Isles on her way to her new base at the recently capturedLorient, in France. The journey took twelve days. This patrol was unfruitful however, the submarine arrived at Lorient on 19 August without scoring any kills.U-65 carried on this patrolIRA Chief of StaffSeán Russell andFrank Ryan an IRA man who had fought on the Republican side in theSpanish Civil War and was captured byFranco forces and handed over to theAbwehr. The aim of this Abwehr-sanctioned mission, titledOperation Dove ("Unternehmen Taube" in German), was sabotage following transport to Ireland. Russell became ill during the journey and complained of stomach pains.U-65 was not equipped with a doctor and he died on 14 August, 100 miles short of Galway. He was buried at sea and the mission aborted. Following the return of the submarine to Germany an inquiry was set up into Russell's death by the Abwehr. This inquiry included the interrogation ofU-65's crew and Frank Ryan. The conclusion drawn was that Russell had suffered a burst gastric ulcer and without medical attention he had died.
U-65 stood out of Lorient on 21 August 1940 for her fourth patrol. After a stop of about six days atBrest, the North Atlantic patrol began in earnest. No targets were sighted until 20:00 on 14 September, when convoyHX 70 was located about 180 nmi (330 km; 210 mi) offBarra Head (in Scotland).
At 21:18, a torpedo was fired but missed ahead of the Norwegian MVHird's bow. Reacting to the attack, the merchantman began zigzagging at full speed, trying to escape. Due to the evasive course, it took nine hours to reach a new firing position, but at 06:05 a single torpedo fired fromU-65's stern tube struck the merchant vessel on the starboard side between the bridge and the foremast. As the ship developed a heavy list, the crew abandoned their vessel in one lifeboat and agig, signalling a nearby trawler to pick them up. The Germans observed the crew being rescued and theHird sinking at 20:30. The trawler, the IcelandicÞórólfur (English:Thorolf), landed the survivors atFleetwood on England's west coast on 17 September.[10][11]
A second successful attack occurred on 17 September 1940, when the boat torpedoed the British steam merchant shipTreganna which had been travelling with convoyHX 71. A single torpedo hit sent her to the bottom 78 nmi (144 km; 90 mi) northwest ofRockall in a matter of seconds; of her 37 crew, only four survived. They were picked up by the British merchantmanFilleigh from the same convoy, and landed atAvonmouth.[12][13]
Another twelve days at sea provided no additional targets;U-65 returned to Lorient on 25 September.
Several weeks later, on 15 October,U-65 sortied from Lorient, bound for the west coast of Africa and the South Atlantic. This would become both her longest and most successful patrol. A full month at sea passed before the submarine spotted her first target, the 5,168 GRT British steam merchant vesselKohinur; recently separated from convoyOB 235. At 15:11,U-65 attacked and sank her about 250 nmi (460 km; 290 mi) north of theEquator. Initially, 68 of 85 men aboard survived, however many of them were killed a few hours later whenU-65 sank her second victim of the patrol, the 7,614 GRT Norwegian motor tankerHavbør.[14]
British sailors on a raft fromKohinur had warnedHavbør that a submarine was in the area, but boats were lowered to assist the 31 survivors anyhow. While this operation was in progress,Havbør was hit on the port side by a single torpedo fromU-65 and immediately caught fire, burning oil spread over the surface of the water and engulfed many of the boats involved in the rescue operation. 28 members ofHavbør's crew (including the ship's master) and all 31 men fromKohinur perished in the flames. The tanker sank seven hours later. Of the five survivors, one died of his wounds before rescue finally arrived on 24 November. The four remaining men were landed atFreetown inSierra Leone.[15][16]
On 16 November, the submarine found her next mark in the 3,059 GRT British steam merchant shipFabian about 350 nmi (650 km; 400 mi) west of Freetown. A single torpedo at 14:29 hit her in the foreship. The U-Boat surfaced and finished off the stricken freighter with five hits out of eight rounds from the deck gun and she sank with the loss of six men. The 33 survivors were questioned by the Germans, who treated two injured men and provided food and water before departing the scene.[17]
At 18:02 on 18 November,U-65 sighted the unescorted British motor tankerCongonian. The first torpedo hit the tanker's engine compartment. Acoup de grâce followed at 18:12, hitting her near the stern. One man was lost, the remaining 35 crew members were picked up by the British cruiserHMS Devonshire and landed at Freetown a few days later (29 November).[18]
U-65 became the first U-Boat to cross theEquator on 11 December 1940.[19]
After the sinking ofCongonian, more than a month passed beforeU-65 encountered her next victim. At 16:05 on 21 December, the unescorted (neutral) Panamanian steam tankerCharles Pratt was hit amidships by a single torpedo. Although Stockhausen noted that the neutral flags painted on her sides were clearly visible, he decided to attack without warning as it was clear (based on her position and heading) that she was bound for an enemy port. The tanker's fire suppression system was damaged in the attack, the crew abandoned their vessel in two portside lifeboats. A second torpedo hit on the starboard side just forward of the midship house about 20 minutes later, showering the surrounding water with debris, some of which barely missed the lifeboats. Although this second attack extinguished the fire, the flooding was too much and the ship sank with a heavy list. The survivors were picked up a few days later by the British merchantmenGascony andLangleegorse and landed at Freetown.[20]
On Christmas EveU-65 encountered the steam tankerBritish Premier, a straggler from convoy SLS-60. Two torpedoes sealed her fate at 16:41; she was sunk about 200 nmi (370 km; 230 mi) southwest of Freetown. The ship's master, thirty crew and a gunner were lost in the sinking. Of the thirteen survivors, nine were picked up on 3 January 1941 byHMS Hawkins and landed at Freetown. The other four drifted in an open boat for 41 days (25 of those without food) before being rescued byHMS Faulknor.[21]
Three days later, the unescorted Norwegian steam merchant vesselRisanger (5,455 GRT) was sighted. At 11:31 a single torpedo fired fromU-65's stern hit her amidships.U-65 surfaced and fired 70 rounds from the deck gun to finish off the merchant ship, which sank with her screw still turning. All 29 men aboard abandoned ship and were picked up a few days later by the Norwegian motor tankerBelinda. They were landed atCape Town,South Africa on 10 January 1941.[22]
On 31 December,U-65 sighted the 8,532 GRT motor tankerBritish Zeal traveling on a non-evasive course at 10.5 knots east of theCape Verde Islands. The submarine fired two torpedoes at 17:52, one of which became hot in the tube and had to be launched manually; both of these shots missed. At 23:00 a lookout spotted another torpedo track and the helm was thrown hard to starboard, but the torpedo struck the tanker squarely on the starboard side under the bridge, rupturing Number 2 tank. Despite rough seas, the crew took to the lifeboats immediately. A firstcoup de grâce missed, due to a malfunction, but a second struck the starboard side at the bulkhead between Numbers 3 and 4 tanks about 30 minutes after the first hit. The darkness and adverse weather prevented use of the deck gun, but having observed the crew abandoning ship the submarine departed the area, assuming the tanker would sink.
At first light, the tanker's crew spotted their still floating ship and re-boarded her. Despite three flooded tanks, two large holes in the starboard side, and a deck torn open by the explosions the engine room was found to be intact. The crew raised steam and tested the engines and steering, but then abandoned the ship again, fearing the submarine was still nearby. At dawn the next day, the crew re-boarded the vessel a second time, raised steam and headed towardBathurst at five knots. A few hours later the British destroyerHMS Encounter arrived, offered assistance, and then left to search for the long-departed attacker. The damaged tanker continued alone until joined by the rescue tugHMS Hudson on 4 January. Despite heavy damage and inclement weather,British Zeal made harbour at Freetown on 8 January. She left the port after temporary repairs for more permanent restoration in Baltimore. The ship returned to service in February 1942.[23]
A final kill was added to the submarine's tally on 2 January 1941. At 22:07 a single torpedo fromU-65 struck the British steam merchant shipNalgora (6,579 GRT) about 350 nmi (650 km; 400 mi) north of the Cape Verde Islands. About 20 minutes later, the U-Boat surfaced and finished off the stricken vessel with the deck gun. All 105 souls aboard the merchantman survived. 86 were picked up by the British merchant shipsNolisement andUmgeni after eight days adrift. The remaining 19 reached land in the Cape Verde Islands.[24]
After months at sea,U-65 returned to theU-Boat pens at Lorient on 10 January 1941. In honor of this highly successful patrol, Stockhausen was promoted toKorvettenkapitän and awarded theKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He left the boat at this time and assumed command of the newly formed26th U-boat Flotilla.[25]
After a much needed break from life at sea,U-65 sortied again from Lorient on 12 April 1941. Under the command ofKptlt. Joachim Hoppe, she made for the North Atlantic where, on 28 April she was attacked and sunk bydepth charges from the British destroyerHMS Douglas.
50 men died with the U-boat; there were no survivors.
| Date | Ship | Nationality | Tonnage | Fate[26] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 June 1940 | Berenice |  Netherlands | 1,177 | Sunk |
| 22 June 1940 | Monique |  France | 7,011 | Sunk |
| 30 June 1940 | Clan Ogilvy |  United Kingdom | 5,802 | Damaged |
| 1 July 1940 | Amstelland | Netherlands | 8,156 | Damaged |
| 15 September 1940 | Hird |  Norway | 4,950 | Sunk |
| 17 September 1940 | Tregenna | United Kingdom | 5,242 | Sunk |
| 15 November 1940 | Havbør | Norway | 7,614 | Sunk |
| 15 November 1940 | Kohinur | United Kingdom | 5,168 | Sunk |
| 16 November 1940 | Fabian | United Kingdom | 3,059 | Sunk |
| 18 November 1940 | Congonian | United Kingdom | 5,065 | Sunk |
| 21 December 1940 | Charles Pratt |  Panama | 8,982 | Sunk |
| 24 December 1940 | British Premier | United Kingdom | 5,872 | Sunk |
| 27 December 1940 | Risanger | Norway | 5,455 | Sunk |
| 31 December 1940 | British Zeal | United Kingdom | 8,532 | Damaged |
| 2 January 1941 | Nalgora | United Kingdom | 6,579 | Sunk |
60°4′N15°45′W / 60.067°N 15.750°W /60.067; -15.750
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in April 1941 | |
|---|---|
| Shipwrecks |
|
| Other incidents |
|
