German submarine U-858

German submarine U-858 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 5 June 1941, laid down on 11 December 1942 and launched on 17 June 1943. She had one commander for her two patrols, Kapitänleutnant Thilo Bode.[1]

U-858 after her surrender in May 1945
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-858
Ordered5 June 1941
BuilderDeSchiMAG AG Weser, Bremen
Yard number1064
Laid down11 December 1942
Launched17 June 1943
Commissioned30 September 1943
Fate
  • Surrendered on 14 May 1945
  • Scuttled on 21 November 1947
General characteristics
Class and typeType IXC/40 submarine
Displacement
  • 1,144 t (1,126 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,257 t (1,237 long tons) submerged
Length
Beam
  • 6.86 m (22 ft 6 in) o/a
  • 4.44 m (14 ft 7 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.67 m (15 ft 4 in)
Installed power
  • 4,400 PS (3,200 kW; 4,300 bhp) (diesels)
  • 1,000 PS (740 kW; 990 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 18.3 knots (33.9 km/h; 21.1 mph) surfaced
  • 7.3 knots (13.5 km/h; 8.4 mph) submerged
Range
  • 13,850 nmi (25,650 km; 15,940 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 63 nmi (117 km; 72 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth230 m (750 ft)
Complement4 officers, 44 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 52 646
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Thilo Bode
  • 30 September 1943 – 14 May 1945
Operations:
  • 2 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • a. 12 June – 27 September 1944
  • b. 28 – 29 September 1944
  • c. 1 – 4 October 1944
  • d. 2 – 9 March 1945
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 11 March – 14 May 1945
Victories: None

Design

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German Type IXC/40 submarines were slightly larger than the original Type IXCs. U-858 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-858 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) Flak M42 as well as two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of forty-eight.[2]

Service history

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She was sent by Germany at the end of the war to cause havoc along the East Coast of the US, in an attempt to repeat the success of Operation Drumbeat. However, she saw no combat in that mission and did not sink or damage any allied ships during the war. Her captain surrendered her on 14 May 1945 at Fort Miles, Lewes, Delaware. U-858 was the first enemy ship to surrender to the United States forces following the defeat of Germany in World War II.[3] After surrendering, she was used for publicity in War bond drives.[4]

After being used for torpedo practice near the New England area, she was scuttled by the US Navy on 21 November 1947.

References

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  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type IXC/40 boat U-858". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, p. 68.
  3. ^ Wray, Gary (2005). "4: The Surrender of U-858 at Fort Miles". Images of America: Fort Miles. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 91–109. ISBN 0-7385-4195-8.
  4. ^ Wray, Gary Dr. Fort Miles Historical Association, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow "FORT MILES & TWO GERMAN SUBMARINES: THE STORY OF U-853 AND U-858" http://www.fortmilesha.org/newsletter/pdf/nl_win_04.pdf Archived 8 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine p4

Bibliography

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