German submarine U-978 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-978
Ordered	5 June 1941
Builder	Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number	178
Laid down	24 July 1942
Launched	1 April 1943
Commissioned	12 May 1943
Fate	Surrendered on 9 May 1945; sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 11 December 1945
General characteristics
Class and type	Type VIIC submarine
Displacement	769 tonnes (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 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern) 14 × torpedoes or 26 TMA mines 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun (220 rounds) 1 × twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun
Service record
Part of:	5th U-boat Flotilla 12 May 1943 – 31 July 1944 3rd U-boat Flotilla 1 August – 4 September 1944 11th U-boat Flotilla 5 September 1944 – 8 May 1945
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. / Kptlt. Günther Pulst 12 May 1943 – 9 May 1945
Operations:	2 patrols: 1st patrol: 9 October – 16 December 1944 2nd patrol: 25 February – 20 April 1945
Victories:	1 merchant ship total loss (7,176 GRT)

The German submarine U-978 was a special type of U-boat used by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was a Type VIIC U-boat, which was a very common kind of submarine. U-978 became famous for completing the longest underwater patrol of the entire war.

Submarine Design and Features

U-978 was a Type VIIC submarine. These submarines were a bit longer than earlier models. When it was on the surface, U-978 weighed about 769 tonnes. When it was underwater, it weighed about 871 tonnes.

Size and Dimensions

The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long overall. Its strong inner hull, 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 stood about 9.60 meters (31 feet) tall and sat 4.74 meters (15 feet) deep in the water.

Power and Speed

U-978 used two powerful diesel engines when it was on the surface. These engines gave it enough power to go up to 17.7 knots (about 32.8 kilometers per hour). When it was underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors allowed it to travel at a speed of 7.6 knots (about 14.1 kilometers per hour).

The submarine could travel a long way without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 kilometers) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) at 4 knots. U-978 could dive to a depth of 230 meters (750 feet).

Weapons and Crew

U-978 was armed with five torpedo tubes. Four of these were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It carried 14 torpedoes. It also had a large 8.8 cm deck gun and an anti-aircraft gun to defend against planes. The submarine usually had a crew of 44 to 60 sailors and officers.

Service History and Patrols

U-978 was officially ready for duty on May 12, 1943. It first joined the 5th U-boat Flotilla for training its crew. Later, it was moved to the 3rd U-boat Flotilla for active missions. Finally, it joined the 11th U-boat Flotilla in September 1944.

Record-Breaking Patrol

Under the command of Guenther Pulst, U-978 made history during its second war patrol. It completed the longest underwater journey using a Schnorchel during World War II. A Schnorchel is a special pipe that lets the submarine run its diesel engines and get fresh air while staying submerged. This amazing patrol lasted for 68 days! It started on October 9, 1944, when the submarine left Bergen, Norway. It returned to Bergen on December 16, 1944.

During its two patrols, U-978 did not sink any ships. However, it did damage one merchant ship so badly that it could not be repaired. This ship weighed 7,176 GRT.

The Fate of U-978

U-978 and its entire crew survived World War II. The submarine surrendered at Trondheim, Norway, on May 9, 1945, after the war ended. It was later sunk on December 11, 1945, as part of an operation called Operation Deadlight. During this operation, many captured German U-boats were sunk by torpedoes in the ocean. U-978 was sunk at coordinates 55°50′N 10°05′W / 55.833°N 10.083°W / 55.833; -10.083.

Summary of Ships Damaged

Here is a list of the ship that U-978 damaged:

Date	Ship Name	Nationality	Tonnage (GRT)	Fate
23 November 1944	William D. Burnham	United States	7,176	Total loss