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German submarine U-871

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-871
Ordered25 August 1941
BuilderDeSchiMAG AG Weser, Bremen
Yard number1079
Laid down14 November 1942
Launched7 September 1943
Commissioned15 January 1944
FateSunk on 26 September 1944
General characteristics
Class and typeType IXD2 submarine
Displacement
  • 1,610 t (1,580 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,799 t (1,771 long tons) submerged
Length
Beam
  • 7.50 m (24 ft 7 in) o/a
  • 4.40 m (14 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
Draught5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 9,000 PS (6,620 kW; 8,880 bhp) (diesels)
  • 1,000 PS (740 kW; 990 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 20.8 knots (38.5 km/h; 23.9 mph) surfaced
  • 6.9 knots (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph) submerged
Range
  • 12,750 nmi (23,610 km; 14,670 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 57 nmi (106 km; 66 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth230 m (750 ft)
Complement66
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 19 451
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Erwin Ganzer[2]
  • 15 January – 26 September 1944
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 31 August – 26 September 1944
Victories: None

German submarine U-871 was a long-range Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 25 August 1941, and was laid down on 14 November 1942 at DeSchiMAG AG Weser, Bremen, as yard number 1079. She was launched on 7 September 1943 and commissioned under the command of Kapitänleutnant Erwin Ganzer on 15 January 1944.[3]

Design

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German Type IXD2 submarines were considerably larger than the original Type IXs. U-871 had a displacement of 1,610 tonnes (1,580 long tons) when at the surface and 1,799 tonnes (1,771 long tons) while submerged.[4] The U-boat had a total length of 87.58 m (287 ft 4 in), a pressure hull length of 68.50 m (224 ft 9 in), a beam of 7.50 m (24 ft 7 in), a height of 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in), and a draught of 5.35 m (17 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two MAN M 9 V 40/46 supercharged four-stroke, nine-cylinder diesel engines plus two MWM RS34.5S six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines for cruising, producing a total of 9,000 metric horsepower (6,620 kW; 8,880 shp) for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 1,000 shaft horsepower (1,010 PS; 750 kW) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.85 m (6 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 200 metres (660 ft).[4]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 20.8 knots (38.5 km/h; 23.9 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 6.9 knots (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph).[4] When submerged, the boat could operate for 121 nautical miles (224 km; 139 mi) at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 12,750 nautical miles (23,610 km; 14,670 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-871 was fitted with six 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 24 torpedoes, one 10.5 cm (4.13 in) SK C/32 naval gun, 150 rounds, and a 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 with 2575 rounds as well as two 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns with 8100 rounds. The boat had a complement of fifty-five.[4]

Service history

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On 26 September 1944, U-871 was sunk by depth charges northwest of the Azores, by a British B-17 Flying Fortress of 220 Squadron/P RAF. All 69 of her crew were lost.[3]

The wreck lies at 43°18′N 36°28′W / 43.300°N 36.467°W / 43.300; -36.467.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Busch & Röll 1997, p. 384.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Erwin Ganzer". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-871". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 74–75.

Bibliography

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