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German submarine U-620

Coordinates: 39°18′N 11°17′W / 39.300°N 11.283°W / 39.300; -11.283
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History
Nazi Germany
NameU-620
Ordered15 August 1940
BuilderBlohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number596
Laid down19 June 1941
Launched9 March 1942
Commissioned30 April 1942
FateSunk on 13 February 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 39°18′N 11°17′W / 39.300°N 11.283°W / 39.300; -11.283, by depth charges from a RAF Catalina.
General characteristics
Class and typeType VIIC submarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Draught4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
  • 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range
  • 8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth
  • 230 m (750 ft)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record[1]
Part of:
Identification codes: M 00 459
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Heinz Stein
  • 30 April 1942 – 13 February 1943
Operations:
  • 2 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 12 September – 12 November 1942
  • 2nd patrol:
  • a. 13 – 14 December 1942
  • b. 19 December 1942 – 13 February 1943
Victories: 1 merchant ship sunk
(6,983 GRT)

German submarine U-620 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 19 June 1941 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 596, launched on 9 March 1942 and commissioned on 30 April 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Heinz Stein.

Design

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German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-620 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[2] 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 Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 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).[2]

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).[2] 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-620 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[2]

Service history

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The boat's career began with training at 8th U-boat Flotilla on 30 April 1942, followed by active service on 1 October 1942 as part of the 3rd Flotilla for the remainder of her service.

In 2 patrols she sank 1 merchant ships, for a total of 6,983 gross register tons (GRT).

Wolfpacks

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U-620 took part in five wolfpacks, namely:

  • Luchs (27 September – 6 October 1942)
  • Panther (6 – 11 October 1942)
  • Leopard (12 – 19 October 1942)
  • Südwärts (24 – 26 October 1942)
  • Delphin (26 December 1942 – 13 February 1943)

Fate

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U-620 was sunk on 13 February 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 39°18′N 11°17′W / 39.300°N 11.283°W / 39.300; -11.283, by depth charges from a Royal Air Force (RAF) Consolidated Catalina of No. 202 Squadron RAF, for the loss of all hands.[1]

Summary of raiding history

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Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate[3]
11 January 1943 British Dominion  United Kingdom 6,983 Sunk

References

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  1. ^ a b Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-620". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-620". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 1 September 2014.

Bibliography

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