German submarine U-764 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-764 |
| Ordered | 15 August 1940 |
| Builder | Kriegsmarinewerft Wilhelmshaven |
| Yard number | 147 |
| Laid down | 1 February 1941 |
| Launched | 13 March 1943 |
| Commissioned | 6 May 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 14 May 1945 at Loch Eriboll, Scotland. She was later sunk, as part of Operation Deadlight in position 56°06′N 09°00′W / 56.100°N 9.000°W, on 2 February 1946. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
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| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
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| Complement | 4officers, 40–56 enlisted |
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| Service record | |
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The German submarine U-764 was a special kind of submarine called 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 building of U-764 started on 1 February 1941. It was built by the Kriegsmarinewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven. The submarine was officially launched into the water on 13 March 1943. It was then ready for service on 6 May 1943, under the command of a naval officer named Hanskurt von Bremen.
Contents
Submarine Design and Features
U-764 was a Type VIIC submarine, which was a common design for German U-boats. When it was on the surface of the water, it weighed about 769 tonnes. When it was fully underwater, it weighed more, around 871 tonnes.
The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long from end to end. Its main strong outer shell, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 meters (165 feet) long. The widest part of the submarine was 6.20 meters (20 feet) across. It sat 4.74 meters (15 feet) deep in the water.
Power and Speed
U-764 used two large diesel engines when it was on the surface. These engines gave it enough power to travel at a top speed of 17.7 knots (about 32.8 kilometers per hour or 20.4 miles per hour). When it was underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors allowed it to move at a maximum speed of 7.6 knots (about 14.1 kilometers per hour or 8.7 miles per hour).
The submarine could travel a very long distance on the surface, about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 kilometers or 9,782 miles) at a slower speed of 10 knots. Underwater, its range was much shorter, about 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers or 92 miles) at 4 knots.
Depth and Weapons
U-764 was designed to go as deep as 230 meters (750 feet) safely. Its maximum "crush depth," meaning the depth at which the water pressure would likely crush it, was between 250 and 295 meters (820 to 968 feet).
For fighting, the submarine had five torpedo tubes, which are like underwater cannons that fire torpedoes. Four of these tubes were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It carried 14 torpedoes in total. It also had one 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) deck gun with 220 rounds of ammunition. For defense against airplanes, it had two twin 2 cm (0.79 inch) anti-aircraft guns. The crew of the submarine usually had between 44 and 60 people.
Service History
U-764's journey began with training. From May to October 1943, it was part of the 8th U-boat Flotilla. After training, it became an active combat submarine on 1 November 1943, joining the 9th U-boat Flotilla based in Brest, France.
As World War II continued and the situation in France became difficult, U-764 moved. On 1 October 1944, it transferred to the 11th U-boat Flotilla in Bergen, Norway. It stayed with this group until the war ended.
During its time in service, U-764 went on eight patrols. It successfully sank one merchant ship, which was a cargo ship, weighing 638 tons. It also sank two warships, totaling 1,696 tons.
Wolfpack Operations
U-764 was part of several "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 allowed them to attack from different directions and overwhelm defenses.
U-764 participated in these wolfpacks:
- Eisenhart 3 (9 – 15 November 1943)
- Schill 3 (18 – 22 November 1943)
- Weddigen (22 – 29 November 1943)
- Hinein (26 January – 3 February 1944)
- Igel 1 (3 – 17 February 1944)
- Hai 1 (17 – 22 February 1944)
- Preussen (22 February – 13 March 1944)
- Dragoner (21 – 28 May 1944)
Final Fate
At the end of World War II, U-764 surrendered to Allied forces. This happened on 14 May 1945, in Loch Eriboll, Scotland.
Like many other German U-boats that surrendered, U-764 was later sunk on purpose. This was part of an operation called Operation Deadlight. The goal was to prevent these submarines from ever being used again. U-764 was sunk as a target on 2 February 1946, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Summary of Ships Sunk
Here is a list of the ships U-764 sank during its patrols:
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 June 1944 | HMS Blackwood |  Royal Navy |
1,085 | Sunk |
| 20 August 1944 | Coral |  United Kingdom |
638 | Sunk |
| 25 August 1944 | HMS LCT-1074 | Royal Navy |
611 | Sunk |
See also
