German submarine U-779 facts for kids
U-570 Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical to U-779.
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-779 |
| Ordered | 20 January 1941 |
| Builder | Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven |
| Yard number | 162 |
| Laid down | 21 July 1943 |
| Launched | 17 June 1944 |
| Commissioned | 24 August 1944 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 5 May 1945; sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 17 December 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement |
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| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 4 officers, 44–52 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Commanders: |
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| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
The German submarine U-779 was a Type VIIC U-boat (a type of submarine) used by Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II.
This submarine was ordered on January 20, 1941. Its construction started on July 21, 1943, at the Kriegsmarinewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. It was officially launched on June 17, 1944. The U-779 was then put into service on August 24, 1944, under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Johann Stegmann.
About the U-779 Design
The U-779 was a Type VIIC submarine, a very common type of U-boat during World War II. These submarines were designed to be strong and effective.
When on the surface, U-779 weighed about 769 tonnes (about 847 short tons). When it was underwater, it weighed more, around 871 tonnes (about 960 short tons). The submarine was approximately 67.1 meters (220 feet) long. It was about 6.2 meters (20 feet) wide and 9.6 meters (31 feet) tall.
The U-779 used two diesel engines when on the surface, which gave it a top speed of 17.7 knots (about 32.8 km/h or 20.4 mph). When underwater, it switched to two electric motors, allowing it to travel at 7.6 knots (about 14.1 km/h or 8.7 mph). It could travel about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 km or 9,782 miles) on the surface at a slower speed. Underwater, it could go about 80 nautical miles (148 km or 92 miles).
This submarine could dive to depths of up to 220 meters (720 feet). Its crew usually included 4 officers and between 44 to 52 other sailors.
Weapons and Armament
The U-779 was equipped with several weapons for combat.
- It had five torpedo tubes, which are special tubes for launching torpedoes. Four were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern).
- It could carry 14 torpedoes or 26 naval mines. Mines are explosives placed in the water to damage enemy ships.
- For fighting on the surface, it had one 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) deck gun.
- To defend against airplanes, it was armed with one 3.7 cm (1.5 inch) anti-aircraft gun and two twin 2 cm (0.79 inch) anti-aircraft guns.
U-779 Service History
The U-779 did not take part in any war patrols or battles during World War II. It was part of the 31st U-boat Flotilla from August 24, 1944, until May 5, 1945.
As World War II was ending, U-779 surrendered to the Allied forces on May 5, 1945, in Cuxhaven, Germany. It was later moved to Loch Ryan, Scotland, on June 24, 1945.
U-779 was one of 116 U-boats chosen to be sunk as part of an operation called Operation Deadlight. This operation aimed to prevent Germany from using its submarines again. On December 17, 1945, U-779 was towed out to sea. It was then sunk by gunfire from two British warships: the British destroyer HMS Onslow and the frigate HMS Cubitt.
Today, the wreck of U-779 rests at the coordinates 55°50′N 10°05′W.
