German submarine U-988
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany
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| Name: | U-988 |
| Ordered: | 25 May 1941 |
| Builder: | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number: | 188 |
| Laid down: | 2 October 1942 |
| Launched: | 3 June 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 15 July 1943 |
| Fate: | Sunk on 29 June 1944 in the English Channel at 49°37′N 03°41′W / 49.617°N 3.683°WCoordinates: 49°37′N 03°41′W / 49.617°N 3.683°W by RN frigates HMS Essington, HMS Cooke, HMS Duckworth and HMS Domett, and RAF Liberator |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | Type VIIC submarine |
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| Draught: | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
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| Complement: | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
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| Operations: | 1 patrol |
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German submarine U-988 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 2 October 1942 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 188, launched on 3 June 1943 and commissioned on 15 July 1943 under Oberleutnant zur See Erich Dobberstein.
Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-988 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-988 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 an anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[2]
Service history
The boat's career began with training at 5th Flotilla on 15 July 1943, followed by active service on 1 June 1944 as part of the 7th Flotilla.
Wolfpacks
U-988 took part in no wolfpacks.
Fate
U-988 was sunk on 29 June 1944 in the English Channel at 49°37′N 03°41′W / 49.617°N 3.683°W by RN frigates HMS Essington, HMS Cooke, HMS Duckworth and HMS Domett, and RAF Liberator of 244 Squadron.
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) |
Fate[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 June 1944 | HMS Pink |  Royal Navy |
925 | Total loss |
| 28 June 1944 | HMS Maid of Orleans | Royal Navy |
2,385 | Sunk |
| 29 June 1944 | Empire Portia |  United Kingdom |
7,058 | Total loss |
References
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Erich Dobberstein". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-988". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
Bibliography
- Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel (London: Conway Maritime Press). ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
- Kemp, Paul (1997). Ships hit by U-Boats Destroyed – German Submarine Losses in the World Wars. Arms and Armour Press. p. 200. ISBN 1-85409-321-5.
- Sharpe, Peter (1998). Ships hit by U-Boat Fact File. Great Britain: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-072-9.
External links
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC U-boat U-988". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2015.