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German submarine U-665

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History
Nazi Germany
NameU-665
Ordered15 August 1940
BuilderDeutsche Werft, Hamburg
Yard number814
Laid down10 June 1941
Launched9 June 1942
Commissioned22 July 1942
FateMissing since 22 March 1943 in the Bay of Biscay west of La Pallice. No explanation for her loss.[1]
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 25 463
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans-Jürgen Haupt
  • 22 July 1942 – 22 March 1943
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 20 February – 22 March 1943
Victories: 1 merchant ship sunk
(7,134 GRT)

German submarine U-665 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 10 June 1941 by Deutsche Werft, Hamburg as yard number 814, launched on 9 June 1942 and commissioned on 22 July 1942 under Leutnant zur See Hans-Jürgen Haupt.

Design

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German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-665 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 Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38–8 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-665 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 two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. 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 5th U-boat Flotilla on 22 July 1942, followed by active service on 1 February 1943 as part of the 1st Flotilla for the remainder of her short service. In her sole patrol she sank one merchant ship, for a total of 7,134 gross register tons (GRT).

Wolfpacks

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U-665 took part in three wolfpacks, namely:

  • Neuland (4 – 6 March 1943)
  • Ostmark (6 – 11 March 1943)
  • Stürmer (11 – 20 March 1943)

Fate

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U-665 has been missing since 22 March 1943 in the Bay of Biscay, west of La Pallice.[1]

Previously recorded fate

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U-665 was thought to have been sunk on 22 March 1943 in the Bay of Biscay west of Nantes at 46°47′N 09°58′W / 46.783°N 9.967°W / 46.783; -9.967, by depth charges from Vickers Wellington aircraft of No. 172 Squadron RAF (call-sign G). This attack was actually against U-448, inflicting no damage.

U-665 was also thought to have been sunk on 22 March 1943 in the North Atlantic at 48°04′N 10°26′W / 48.067°N 10.433°W / 48.067; -10.433, by depth charges from an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley VII of No. 10 Operational Training Unit RAF (10 OTU) (call-sign Q), for the loss of all hands.[1]

Summary of raiding history

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Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate[3]
17 March 1943 Fort Cedar Lake  United Kingdom 7,134 Sunk

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-665". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-665". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 August 2014.

Bibliography

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