German submarine U-868 facts for kids

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|} The German submarine U-868was a special type of U-boat(submarine) used by Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during the Second World War. It was ordered on 25 August 1941 and started being built on 11 March 1943. The submarine was officially launched into the water on 18 August 1943, in Bremen, Germany. U-868had two main commanders during its time in service. From 23 December 1943 to 21 July 1944, it was led by KapitänleutnantDietrich Rauch. After that, from 22 July 1944 until 9 May 1945, Oberleutnant zur SeeEduard Turre was in charge.

Contents

• Submarine Design and Features

• Size and Dimensions
• Power and Speed
• Travel Range
• Weapons and Crew

History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-868
Ordered	25 August 1941
Builder	DeSchiMAG AG Weser, Bremen
Yard number	1076
Laid down	11 March 1943
Launched	18 August 1943
Commissioned	23 December 1943
Fate	Surrendered on 9 May 1945 Sunk on 30 November 1945 during Operation Deadlight
General characteristics
Class and type	Type IXC/40 submarine
Displacement	1,144 t (1,126 long tons) surfaced 1,257 t (1,237 long tons) submerged
Length	76.76 m (251 ft 10 in) o/a 58.75 m (192 ft 9 in) pressure hull
Beam	6.86 m (22 ft 6 in) o/a 4.44 m (14 ft 7 in) pressure hull
Height	9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught	4.67 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	2 shafts 2 × diesel engines 2 × electric motors
Speed	19 knots (35 km/h; 22 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 depth	230 m (750 ft)
Complement	4 officers, 44 enlisted
Armament	6 × torpedo tubes (four bow, two stern) 22 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes 1 × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK C/32 deck gun (180 rounds) 1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 2 × twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns
Service record
Part of:	4th U-boat Flotilla 23 December 1943 – 31 July 1944 2nd U-boat Flotilla 1 August – 30 September 1944 33rd U-boat Flotilla 1 October 1944 – 5 May 1945
Commanders:	Kptlt. Dietrich Rauch 23 December 1943 – 21 July 1944 Oblt.z.S. Eduard Turre 22 July 1944 – 9 May 1945
Operations:	2 patrols: 1st patrol: 21 January – 18 February 1945 2nd patrol: a. 14 March – 10 April 1945 b. 14 – 17 April 1945
Victories:	1 warship sunk (672 tons)

• Service History and Fate

• Sinking a Warship
• End of Service

• Summary of Raiding History

Submarine Design and Features

U-868 belonged to a group of submarines called Type IXC/40. These were slightly bigger than earlier models. When U-868 was on the surface, it weighed about 1,144 tonnes (1,126 long tons). When it was underwater, it weighed more, around 1,257 tonnes (1,237 long tons).

Size and Dimensions

This U-boat was 76.76 m (251 ft 10 in) long from end to end. Its main strong body, called the pressure hull, was 58.75 m (192 ft 9 in) long. The submarine was 6.86 m (22 ft 6 in) wide and 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) tall. It sat 4.67 m (15 ft 4 in) deep in the water.

Power and Speed

To move on the surface, U-868 used two large diesel engines. These engines together produced a lot of power, about 4,400 metric horsepower (3,240 kW; 4,340 shp). When underwater, it switched to two electric motors that gave it 1,000 shaft horsepower (1,010 PS; 750 kW) of power. It had two propellers, each about 1.92 m (6.3 ft) wide.

The submarine could travel up to 18.3 knots (33.9 km/h; 21.1 mph) (knots) on the surface. Underwater, it was slower, reaching a maximum speed of 7.3 knots (13.5 km/h; 8.4 mph). It could dive to depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).

Travel Range

When surfaced, U-868 could travel a very long distance, about 13,850 nautical miles (25,650 km; 15,940 mi) (nautical miles) if it went at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). Underwater, its range was much shorter, about 63 nautical miles (117 km; 72 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph).

Weapons and Crew

U-868 was equipped with six torpedo tubes. Four of these were at the front (bow) and two were at the back (stern). It carried 22 torpedoes, which were 53.3 cm (21 in) wide.

For defense, it had one large deck gun, a 10.5 cm (4.13 in) SK C/32 naval gun, with 180 rounds of ammunition. It also had smaller guns for fighting aircraft: one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The submarine needed a crew of forty-eight people to operate it.

Service History and Fate

During its time in service, U-868 went on two patrols. Its first patrol was from 21 January to 18 February 1945. The second patrol was split into two parts in March and April 1945.

Sinking a Warship

On 17 March 1945, U-868 successfully sank one warship. This ship was the HMS Guysborough, a Canadian ship weighing 672 tons.

End of Service

U-868 was surrendered by its captain on 9 May 1945. This happened in Bergen, Norway, as World War II was ending. The submarine was then moved to Loch Ryan in Scotland on 30 May 1945.

It was part of an operation called Operation Deadlight. This was when many German U-boats were sunk on purpose by the Allied forces after the war. U-868 was sunk on 30 November 1945 during this operation.

Summary of Raiding History

Date	Ship Name	Nationality	Tonnage	Fate
17 March 1945	HMCS Guysborough	Royal Canadian Navy	672	Sunk