German submarine U-540
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-540 |
| Ordered | 5 June 1941 |
| Builder | Deutsche Werft, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 361 |
| Laid down | 12 May 1942 |
| Launched | 18 December 1942 |
| Commissioned | 10 March 1943 |
| Fate | Sunk on 17 October 1943 east of Cape Farewell (Greenland) by two British aircraft[1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type IXC/40 submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
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| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.67 m (15 ft 4 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 | 4 officers, 44 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 50 445 |
| Commanders: |
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| Operations: |
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| Victories: | None |
German submarine U-540 was a Type IXC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
She was laid down at the Deutsche Werft (yard) in Hamburg as yard number 361 on 12 May 1942, launched on 18 December and commissioned on 10 March 1943 with Kapitänleutnant Lorenz Kasch in command.
U-540 began her service career with training as part of the 4th U-boat Flotilla from 10 March 1943. She was reassigned to the 10th flotilla for operations on 1 October.
She carried out one patrol and did not sink any ships. She was a member of one wolfpack.
She was sunk on 17 October 1943 east of Cape Farewell (Greenland) by British aircraft.
Design[edit]
German Type IXC/40 submarines were slightly larger than the original Type IXCs. U-540 had a displacement of 1,144 tonnes (1,126 long tons) when at the surface and 1,257 tonnes (1,237 long tons) while submerged.[2] The U-boat had a total length of 76.76 m (251 ft 10 in), a pressure hull length of 58.75 m (192 ft 9 in), a beam of 6.86 m (22 ft 6 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.67 m (15 ft 4 in). The submarine was powered by two MAN M 9 V 40/46 supercharged four-stroke, nine-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of 4,400 metric horsepower (3,240 kW; 4,340 shp) for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34 double-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 1.92 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 18.3 knots (33.9 km/h; 21.1 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 63 nautical miles (117 km; 72 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 13,850 nautical miles (25,650 km; 15,940 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-540 was fitted with six 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 22 torpedoes, one 10.5 cm (4.13 in) SK C/32 naval gun, 180 rounds, and a 3.7 cm (1.5 in) SK C/30 as well as a 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of forty-eight.[2]
Service history[edit]
Patrol and loss[edit]
The boat departed Kiel on 11 September 1943, moved through the North Sea, negotiated the gap between Iceland and the Faroe Islands and entered the Atlantic Ocean.
She was sunk on 17 October 1943 east of Cape Farewell (Greenland) by depth charges dropped from two British Liberators of No. 59 Squadron RAF and 120 Squadron.
Fifty-five men died; there were no survivors.[1]
Wolfpacks[edit]
U-540 took part in one wolfpack, namely:
- Schlieffen (16 – 17 October 1943)
References[edit]
Bibliography[edit]
- 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 (1997). U-Boats Destroyed - German Submarine Losses in the World Wars. Arms & Armour. ISBN 1-85409-515-3.
External links[edit]
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type IXC/40 boat U-540". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in October 1943 | |
|---|---|
| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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- German Type IX submarines
- U-boats commissioned in 1943
- U-boats sunk in 1943
- World War II submarines of Germany
- 1942 ships
- World War II shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean
- Ships built in Hamburg
- U-boats sunk by depth charges
- U-boats sunk by British aircraft
- Submarines lost with all hands
- Maritime incidents in October 1943