German submarine U-992

History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-992
Ordered: 25 May 1941
Builder: Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number: 192
Laid down: 30 October 1942
Launched: 24 June 1943
Commissioned: 2 August 1943
Fate: Surrendered in Narvik, Norway on 9 May 1945.
General characteristics
Class and type: Type VIIC submarine
Displacement:
  • 769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced
  • 871 t (857 long tons) submerged
Length:
Beam:
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
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:
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:
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
Operations: 8 patrols
Victories: 1 warship total loss (1,060 tons)

German submarine U-992 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 30 October 1942 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 192, launched on 24 June 1943 and commissioned on 2 August 1943 under Kapitänleutnant Hans Falke.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-992 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[2] She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[2]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).[2] When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-992 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and an anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[2]

Service history

The boat's career began with training at 5th Flotilla on 2 August 1943, followed by active service on 1 March 1944 as part of the 3rd Flotilla. She later transferred to 11th Flotilla on 1 June 1944, then on to 13th Flotilla on 1 October 1944.

Wolfpacks

U-992 took part in seven wolfpacks, namely.

Fate

U-992 surrendered on 9 May 1945 in Narvik. She was initially transferred to Loch Eriboll, Scotland on 19 May 1945, and sunk on 16 December 1945 at 56°10′N 10°05′W / 56.167°N 10.083°W / 56.167; -10.083Coordinates: 56°10′N 10°05′W / 56.167°N 10.083°W / 56.167; -10.083 as part of Operation Deadlight.

Summary of raiding history

Date Name Nationality Tonnage[Note 1] Fate[3]
13 February 1945 HMS Denbigh Castle  Royal Navy 1,060 Total loss

References

Notes

  1. Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.

Citations

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans Falke (German Cross in Gold)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
  3. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-992". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 March 2015.

Bibliography

  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6. 
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4. 
  • Sharpe, Peter (1998). U-Boat Fact File. Great Britain: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-072-9. 

External links

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