| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-863 |
| Ordered | 5 June 1941 |
| Builder | DeSchiMAGAG Weser,Bremen |
| Yard number | 1069 |
| Laid down | 15 September 1942 |
| Launched | 29 June 1943 |
| Commissioned | 3 November 1943 |
| Fate | Sunk on 29 September 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Type IXD2submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
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| Beam |
|
| Height | 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 5.35 m (17 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range |
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| Test depth | 230 m (750 ft) |
| Complement | 66 |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 53 881 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: |
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| Victories: | None |
German submarineU-863 was a long-rangeType IXD2U-boat built forNazi Germany'sKriegsmarine duringWorld War II.
She was ordered on 5 June 1941, and waslaid down on 15 September 1942 atDeSchiMAGAG Weser,Bremen, as yard number 1069. She waslaunched on 29 June 1943 andcommissioned under the command ofKapitänleutnant Dietrich von der Esch on 3 November 1943.[3]
German Type IXD2 submarines were considerably larger than the originalType IXs.U-863 had a displacement of 1,610 tonnes (1,580 long tons) when at the surface and 1,799 tonnes (1,771 long tons) while submerged.[4] The U-boat had a total length of 87.58 m (287 ft 4 in), apressure hull length of 68.50 m (224 ft 9 in), abeam of 7.50 m (24 ft 7 in), a height of 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in), and adraught of 5.35 m (17 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by twoMAN M 9 V 40/46supercharged four-stroke, nine-cylinderdiesel engines plus twoMWM RS34.5S six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines for cruising, producing a total of 9,000 metric horsepower (6,620 kW; 8,880 shp) for use while surfaced, twoSiemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34double-acting electric motors producing a total of 1,000 shaft horsepower (1,010 PS; 750 kW) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.85 m (6 ft)propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 200 metres (660 ft).[4]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 20.8 knots (38.5 km/h; 23.9 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 6.9 knots (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph).[4] When submerged, the boat could operate for 121 nautical miles (224 km; 139 mi) at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 12,750 nautical miles (23,610 km; 14,670 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).U-863 was fitted with six 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 24torpedoes, one10.5 cm (4.13 in) SK C/32 naval gun, 150 rounds, and a3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 with 2575 rounds as well as two2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns with 8100 rounds. The boat had acomplement of fifty-five.[4]
On 20 July 1944,U-863 was attacked with6pdr (57mm) cannon fire anddepth charges from aTseTse flown byNorwegian pilot Rolf Leithe, flying forRAF333 Squadron.U-863 was forced back to base to repair the minor damage suffered in the attack.[3]
On 29 September;U-863 was sunk by depth charges east southeast ofRecife, by twoUS NavyPB4Y-1 Liberator bomber fromVB-107. All 69 of her crew were lost.[3]
The wreck lies at10°45′S25°30′W / 10.750°S 25.500°W /-10.750; -25.500.[3]
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in September 1944 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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