German submarine U-739 facts for kids
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|} The German submarine U-739was a special kind of submarinecalled a Type VIIC U-boat. It was built for Nazi Germany's navy, known as the Kriegsmarine, to be used during World War II. The U-739was started on April 17, 1942, at a shipyard called Schichau-Werke in Danzig. It was officially launched into the water on December 23, 1942. The submarine was ready for duty on March 6, 1943, under the command of Leutnant zur SeeErnst Mangold.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-739 |
| Ordered | 10 April 1941 |
| Builder | Schichau-Werke, Danzig |
| Yard number | 1536 |
| Laid down | 17 April 1942 |
| Launched | 23 December 1942 |
| Commissioned | 6 March 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 13 May 1945 at Emden. Sunk on 16 December 1945, in position 56°10′N 10°05′W / 56.167°N 10.083°W in Operation Deadlight. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement |
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| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Commanders: |
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| Operations: |
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| Victories: | 1 warship sunk (625 tons) |
Submarine Design and Features
U-739 was a Type VIIC submarine. These submarines were a common type used by Germany during the war. They were designed to be strong and effective.
Size and Weight
When U-739 was on the surface of the water, it weighed about 769 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed more, around 871 tons. The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long overall. Its main strong body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 meters (165 feet) long.
The submarine was 6.20 meters (20 feet) wide. It stood about 9.60 meters (31 feet) tall from its bottom to its top. The part of the submarine that was underwater, called the draught, was about 4.74 meters (15 feet).
Power and Speed
U-739 used two large diesel engines when it was on the surface. These engines were very powerful, giving it between 2800 and 3200 horsepower. When it went underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors provided about 750 horsepower.
The submarine had two propellers to help it move. It could travel quite fast on the surface, reaching speeds of up to 17.7 knots. Underwater, it was slower, moving at about 7.6 knots.
Travel Distance
U-739 could travel very far without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (about 15,742 kilometers) when moving at 10 knots. Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) at a slower speed of 4 knots.
Depth and Crew
This submarine was built to go deep underwater. It could safely operate at depths of up to 230 meters (755 feet). Its maximum crush depth, meaning the deepest it could go before its hull would likely break, was between 250 and 295 meters (820 to 968 feet).
The crew of U-739 usually included 4 officers and between 40 and 56 other sailors.
Weapons and Armament
U-739 was equipped with several weapons to defend itself and attack enemy ships.
- It had five torpedo tubes, which are tubes used to launch torpedoes. Four were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern).
- It carried 14 torpedoes in total.
- The submarine also had a large 8.8 cm deck gun on its top, with 220 rounds of ammunition.
- For protection against aircraft, it had two twin 2 cm anti-aircraft guns.
Service History
U-739's journey began with training. From March 6, 1943, it was part of the 8th U-boat Flotilla. This was a time for the crew to learn how to operate the submarine.
After training, on November 1, 1943, U-739 joined the 9th U-boat Flotilla for active service. Just two months later, on January 1, 1944, it moved to the 13th U-boat Flotilla. It stayed with this group for the rest of the war.
During its time in service, U-739 went on eight patrols. It successfully sank one enemy warship, which weighed 625 tons.
Wolfpack Operations
U-739 took part in eight "wolfpacks". A wolfpack was a group of U-boats that worked together to hunt down enemy ships, especially convoys (groups of merchant ships traveling together). This tactic was used to overwhelm enemy defenses.
The wolfpacks U-739 was part of included:
- Isegrim (January 16 – 27, 1944)
- Werwolf (January 27 – February 2, 1944)
- Boreas (February 28 – March 5, 1944)
- Keil (April 16 – 20, 1944)
- Donner & Keil (April 20 – May 3, 1944)
- Trutz (July 7 – 10, 1944)
- Greif (August 5 – September 26, 1944)
- Rasmus (February 6 – 13, 1945)
The End of U-739
At the end of World War II, U-739 surrendered on May 13, 1945, in Emden, Germany. It was later sunk on December 16, 1945, as part of an operation called Operation Deadlight. This operation involved sinking many captured German U-boats to prevent them from being used again. U-739 was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean at the coordinates 56°10′N 10°05′W.
Summary of Ships Sunk
During its patrols, U-739 sank one warship.
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 24, 1944 | T-120 |  Soviet Navy |
625 | Sunk |
