German submarine U-761
German World War II submarine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
German World War II submarine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
German submarine U-761 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
Sinking of German submarine U-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 | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| 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 and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | |
| Test depth |
|
| Complement | 4 officers, 44–52 enlisted |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 51 100 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: |
|
| Victories: | None |
She was ordered on 9 October 1939, and was laid down on 16 December 1940, at Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven, as yard number 144. She was launched on 26 September 1942, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Horst Geider on 3 December 1942.[2]
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type 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), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel 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, two Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c double-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), fourteen torpedoes or 26 TMA mines, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement 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 by depth charges and scuttled after being attacked by British destroyers Anthony and Wishart, an RAF Catalina of 202 Sqn RAF/G, a USN Ventura of VB-127 USN/B-46 and two USN Catalina's of VP-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 at 35°55′N 05°45′W.[2]
U-761 took part in three wolfpacks, namely:[2]
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