German submarine U-668 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-668
Ordered	15 August 1940
Builder	Howaldtswerke, Hamburg
Yard number	817
Laid down	11 October 1941
Launched	5 October 1942
Commissioned	16 November 1942
Fate	Surrendered on 9 May 1945 Sunk on 31 December 1945 as part of Operation Deadlight
General characteristics
Class and type	Type VIIC submarine
Displacement	769 t (757 long tons) surfaced 871 t (857 long tons) submerged
Length	67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) (o/a) 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) (pressure hull)
Beam	6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) (o/a) 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) (pressure hull)
Height	9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught	4.74 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	2 shafts 2 × diesel engines 2 × electric motors
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)
Complement	4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament	5 × torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern) 14 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes or 26 TMA mines 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun (220 rounds) 2 × twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns
Service record
Part of:	5th U-boat Flotilla 16 November 1942 – 31 March 1944 6th U-boat Flotilla 1 April – 31 May 1944 13th U-boat Flotilla 1 June 1944 – 8 May 1945
Identification codes:	M 49 834
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. / Kptlt. Wolfgang von Eickstedt 16 November 1942 – April 1945 Kptlt. Fritz Henning April – 9 May 1945
Operations:	6 patrols: 1st patrol: a. 22 May – 25 June 1944 b. 6 – 7 July 1944 2nd patrol: 19 July – 27 August 1944 3rd patrol: a. 14 September – 3 October 1944 b. 14 October 1944 4th patrol: 15 October – 11 November 1944 5th patrol: 22 November – 19 December 1944 6th patrol: a. 1 March – 17 April 1945 b. 12 May 1945 c. 15 – 19 May 1945
Victories:	None

The German submarine U-668 was a Type VIIC U-boat. It was part of Nazi Germany's navy, called the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. This submarine was built at the Howaldtswerke shipyard in Hamburg. Its construction began on 11 October 1941. It was launched into the water on 5 October 1942. The U-668 officially joined the navy on 16 November 1942. Its first commander was Wolfgang von Eickstedt.

The U-668 was first assigned to the 5th U-boat Flotilla in Kiel. It finished its training on 31 March 1944. After that, it was ready for active duty in the war.

What Was the U-668?

The U-668 was a Type VIIC submarine. These submarines were a common type used by Germany. They were designed to be smaller than earlier models.

Size and Weight

When the U-668 was on the surface, it weighed about 769 tonnes (757 long tons). When it was underwater, it weighed more, about 871 tonnes (857 long tons). The submarine was about 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) long. That's about the length of seven school buses! Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) long. The submarine was 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) tall. It sat 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) deep in the water.

How It Moved

The U-668 used two different types of engines. On the surface, it used two diesel engines. These engines were very powerful. They helped the submarine move quickly. Underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors were quieter and did not need air. The submarine had two propellers to push it through the water.

Speed and Travel Distance

The U-668 could travel at different speeds. On the surface, its top speed was about 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph). That's around 20 miles per hour. When it was underwater, it moved slower, at about 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).

It could travel a long way without refueling. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at a slower speed. Underwater, it could travel about 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) before needing to surface.

How Deep Could It Go?

The U-668 was designed to dive deep. It could safely operate at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft). This helped it hide from enemy ships. Its maximum safe depth, called Crush depth, was between 250–295 m (820–968 ft).

What Weapons Did It Have?

The U-668 was armed for battle. It had five torpedo tubes. Four of these were at the front, and one was at the back. It carried fourteen torpedoes. These were like underwater missiles. It could also carry mines instead of torpedoes.

For fighting on the surface, it had a large deck gun. This gun fired 8.8 cm (3.46 in) shells. It also had two anti-aircraft guns. These were used to shoot down enemy planes.

Who Was On Board?

A U-boat like the U-668 needed a crew to operate it. It usually had about 4 officers. The rest of the crew, between 40 and 56 sailors, were enlisted men.

U-668's War Journeys

The U-668 went on six war patrols. These were missions to find and attack enemy ships. However, during all its patrols, the U-668 did not sink any ships.

What Happened to the U-668?

The U-668 survived the war. It surrendered in Narvik, Norway, on 9 May 1945. This was near the end of World War II.

Later that year, on 31 December 1945, the U-668 was sunk. It was destroyed by gunfire from a British ship, Onslaught|G04|6. This happened as part of Operation Deadlight. Operation Deadlight was when many German U-boats were sunk by the Allies after the war. This was done to prevent them from being used again.