German submarine U-997 facts for kids
U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-997.
|
|
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
|
| Name | U-997 |
| Ordered | 14 October 1941 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss AG, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 197 |
| Laid down | 7 December 1942 |
| Launched | 18 August 1943 |
| Commissioned | 23 September 1943 |
| Fate |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC/41 submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | |
| Test depth |
|
| Complement | 44-52 officers & ratings |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: |
|
| Operations: |
|
| Victories: |
|
U-997 was a German submarine (called a U-boat) that served during World War II. It was a special type known as a Type VIIC/41. This U-boat was built in Hamburg by Blohm & Voss. Its construction started on December 7, 1942, and it was ready for launch on August 18, 1943. The U-997 officially joined the German Navy (Kriegsmarine) on September 23, 1943. Its first commander was Oberleutnant zur See Hans Lehmann.
Contents
Submarine Design and Features
The U-997 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat. These submarines were designed to be strong and effective in battle.
Size and Weight
When on the surface, U-997 weighed about 759 tons. When it went underwater, it weighed more, around 860 tons. The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 meters (165 feet) long. It was 6.20 meters (20 feet) wide and stood 9.60 meters (31 feet) tall. The part of the submarine underwater, called the draught, was 4.74 meters (15 feet).
Power and Speed
U-997 used two large diesel engines when on the surface. These engines produced a lot of power, between 2800 and 3200 horsepower. When submerged, it switched to two electric motors, which produced 750 horsepower. The submarine could travel at 17.7 knots (about 32.8 km/h or 20.4 mph) on the surface. Underwater, it was slower, moving at 7.6 knots (about 14.1 km/h or 8.7 mph).
Range and Depth
The U-997 could travel a long way without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go 8,500 nautical miles (about 15,742 km or 9,782 miles) at 10 knots. Underwater, its range was much shorter, about 80 nautical miles (148 km or 92 miles) at 4 knots. This U-boat could dive to a depth of 250 meters (820 feet). Its maximum safe depth was even deeper, between 250 and 295 meters (820-968 feet).
Crew and Weapons
The crew of U-997 usually had between 44 and 60 sailors. For weapons, the submarine had five torpedo tubes. Four were at the front (bow) and one at the back (stern). It carried 14 torpedoes in total. It also had several guns for defense:
- One 8.8 cm deck gun with 220 rounds.
- One 3.7 cm anti-aircraft (AA) gun.
- Two 2 cm AA guns.
Submarine Sensors
Submarines use special equipment to "see" and "hear" underwater. This equipment is called sensors.
Listening for Sounds: Passive Sonar
U-997 had a special listening device called a Balkongerät. Only ten Type VIIC U-boats were fitted with this advanced system. The Balkongerät was an improved version of an older listening device. It had 48 hydrophones (underwater microphones), which were twice as many as the older system. This allowed the submarine to hear sounds more clearly and figure out where other ships were with better accuracy.
Service History of U-997
The U-997's journey began as a training submarine. It was part of the 5th U-boat Flotilla from September 1943 to April 1944. After its training, it joined active service with different groups of U-boats called flotillas:
- 9th U-boat Flotilla in May 1944.
- 13th U-boat Flotilla from June 1944 to March 1945.
- 14th U-boat Flotilla from March to May 1945.
Working Together: Wolfpacks
U-997 took part in seven "wolfpacks". A wolfpack was a group of U-boats that hunted enemy ships together. Here are the wolfpacks U-997 was part of:
- Grimm (May 31 – June 6, 1944)
- Trutz (August 17 – September 1, 1944)
- Grimm (September 13 – October 1, 1944)
- Regenschirm (October 14 – October 16, 1944)
- Panther (October 16 – November 8, 1944)
- Stier (November 21 – December 25, 1944)
- Hagen (March 15 – March 21, 1945)
The End of U-997
At the end of World War II, U-997 surrendered on May 9, 1945, in Narvik, Norway. Later, on December 13, 1945, the submarine was sunk by aircraft in the North Atlantic. This was part of an operation called Operation Deadlight, where many captured German U-boats were destroyed.
Ships Attacked by U-997
During its service, U-997 attacked three ships:
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 December 1944 | BO-229 |  Soviet Navy |
105 | Sunk |
| 22 April 1945 | Idefjord |  Norway |
4,287 | Damaged |
| 22 April 1945 | Onega |  Soviet Union |
1,603 | Sunk |
Images for kids
-
This image shows the outside view of the Balkongerät sensor, which was installed on some Type VIIC U-boats like U-997.
See also
