German submarine U-577

German submarine U-577 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 1 August 1940 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 553, launched on 15 May 1941 and commissioned on 3 July 1941 under Kapitänleutnant Herbert Schauenburg.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-577
Ordered8 January 1940
BuilderBlohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number553
Laid down1 August 1940
Launched15 May 1941
Commissioned3 July 1941
FateSunk on 15 January 1942 in the Mediterranean in position 32°40′N 25°48′E / 32.667°N 25.800°E / 32.667; 25.800, by depth charges from RN Swordfish.
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 44 228
Commanders:
  • K.Kapt. Herbert Schauenburg
  • 3 July 1941 – 15 January 1942
Operations:
  • 3 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 20 October – 26 November 1941
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 16 – 27 December 1941
  • 3rd patrol:
  • 7 – 15 January 1942
Victories: None

Design

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German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-577 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-577 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 7th U-boat Flotilla on 3 July 1941, followed by active service on 1 October 1941 as part of the 1st Flotilla. On 1 January 1942, she transferred to operations in the Mediterranean with 29th Flotilla, and was sunk just two weeks later.

In 3 patrols she sank no ships.

Wolfpacks

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U-577 took part in three wolfpacks, namely:

  • Stosstrupp (30 October – 1 November 1941)
  • Raubritter (1 – 8 November 1941)
  • Störtebecker (17 – 22 November 1941)

Fate

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U-577 was sunk on 15 January 1942 in the Mediterranean NW of Mersa Matruh, in position 32°40′N 25°48′E / 32.667°N 25.800°E / 32.667; 25.800, by depth charges from RN Swordfish from 815 Squadron. All hands were lost.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-577". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.

Bibliography

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