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German submarine U-453: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 38°13′N 16°30′E / 38.217°N 16.500°E / 38.217; 16.500
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{{Short description|German world war II submarine}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
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{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship country= {{nowrap|[[Nazi Germany]]}}
|Ship country=[[Nazi Germany]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Nazi Germany|naval}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Nazi Germany|naval}}
|Ship name=''U-453''
|Ship name=''U-453''
|Ship ordered= 30 October 1939
|Ship ordered=30 October 1939
|Ship builder=[[Deutsche Werke]], [[Kiel]]
|Ship builder=[[Deutsche Werke]], [[Kiel]]
|Ship yard number= 284
|Ship yard number=284
|Ship laid down= 4 July 1940
|Ship laid down=4 July 1940
|Ship launched= 30 April 1941
|Ship launched=30 April 1941
|Ship commissioned= 26 June 1941
|Ship commissioned=26 June 1941
|Ship fate= Sunk by depth charges on 21 May 1944 off the south coast of Italy at position {{coord|38|13|N|16|30|E|display=title, inline}} by Royal Navy surface warships.
|Ship fate=Sunk by depth charges on 21 May 1944 off the south coast of Italy at position {{coord|38|13|N|16|30|E|display=title, inline}} by Royal Navy surface warships.
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Header caption={{sfn|Gröner|1985|pp=72-74}}
|Header caption=
|Ship class=[[German Type VII submarine#Type VIIC|Type VIIC]] [[submarine]]
|Ship class=[[German Type VII submarine#Type VIIC|Type VIIC]] [[submarine]]
|Ship displacement={{convert|769|t|LT|0}} surfaced<br/>{{convert|871|t|LT|0|abbr=on}} submerged
|Ship displacement=
*{{convert|769|t|LT|0|lk=on}} surfaced
*{{convert|871|t|LT|0|abbr=on}} submerged
|Ship length={{convert|67.10|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[o/a]]<br/>{{convert|50.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[pressure hull]]
|Ship length=
*{{convert|67.10|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[o/a]]
*{{convert|50.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[pressure hull]]
|Ship beam={{convert|6.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}} o/a<br/>{{convert|4.70|m|ftin|abbr=on}} pressure hull
|Ship beam=
*{{convert|6.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}} o/a
*{{convert|4.70|m|ftin|abbr=on}} pressure hull
|Ship height={{convert|9.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship height={{convert|9.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft= {{convert|4.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|4.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=2&nbsp;×&nbsp;[[supercharged]] [[Germaniawerft]] 6-cylinder 4-stroke F46 [[diesel engine]]s, totalling {{convert|2800|–|3200|PS|kW bhp|abbr=on}}. Max [[rpm]]: 470–490<br/>2&nbsp;×&nbsp;[[Siemens-Schuckert|SSW]] GU 343/38-8 [[Motor-generator|double-acting electric motors]], totalling {{convert|750|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}} and max rpm: 296
|Ship speed={{convert|17.7|kn|lk=in}} surfaced<br/>{{convert|7.6|kn}} submerged
*{{convert|2800|–|3200|PS|kW bhp|abbr=on}} (diesels)
*{{convert|750|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}} (electric)
|Ship range={{convert|8,500|nmi|abbr=on|lk=on}} at {{convert|10|kn}} surfaced<br/>{{convert|80|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4|kn}} submerged
|Ship propulsion=
|Ship test depth={{convert|230|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br/>[[Submarine depth ratings|Crush depth]]: {{convert|250|–|295|m|ft|abbr=on}}
*2 shafts
|Ship complement=44–52 officers & ratings
*2 × [[diesel engine]]s
*2 × [[Motor-generator|electric motors]]
|Ship speed=
*{{convert|17.7|kn|lk=in}} surfaced
*{{convert|7.6|kn}} submerged
|Ship range=
*{{convert|8,500|nmi|abbr=on|lk=on}} at {{convert|10|kn}} surfaced
*{{convert|80|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4|kn}} submerged
|Ship test depth=
*{{convert|230|m|ft|abbr=on}}
*[[Submarine depth ratings|Crush depth]]: {{convert|250|–|295|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
|Ship sensors=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament={{plainlist|
|Ship armament=
*5&nbsp;×&nbsp;{{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s (four bow, one stern)
*5 × {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s (four bow, one stern)
*14&nbsp;×&nbsp;[[torpedo]]es ''or'' 26 TMA mines
*14 × [[torpedo]]es ''or'' 26 TMA [[Naval mine|mine]]s
*1&nbsp;×&nbsp;[[8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun|{{convert|8.8|cm|in|2|abbr=on}} deck gun]] (220 rounds)
*1 × [[8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun|{{convert|8.8|cm|in|2|abbr=on}} deck gun]] (220 rounds)
*1 x [[2 cm FlaK 30|{{convert|2|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} C/30]] AA gun
*various AA guns
}}
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
{{Infobox service record
|}
{{Service record
|is_ship=yes
|is_ship=yes
|label=Service record<ref name="uboatnet">{{cite web
|label=Service record<ref name="uboatnet">{{cite web
|url=http://www.uboat.net/boats/u453.html
|url=http://uboat.net/boats/u453.html
|title=The Type VIIC boat U-453
|title=The Type VIIC boat U-453
|last=Helgason
|last=Helgason
|first=Guðmundur
|first=Guðmundur
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|accessdate=27 April 2014
|access-date=27 April 2014
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
|partof=
|partof=[[7th U-boat Flotilla]]<br/> (26 June – 1 November 1941) - Training<br/> [[7th U-boat Flotilla]]<br/> (1 November – 31 December 1941)<br/>[[29th U-boat Flotilla]]<br/> (1 January 1942 – 21 May 1944)
*[[7th U-boat Flotilla]]
|codes=
*26 June – 31 December 1941
|commanders={{plainlist|
*[[29th U-boat Flotilla]]
*''[[Kptlt.]]'' Gert Hetschko<br/>(26 June – 8 July 1941)
*1 January 1942 – 21 May 1944
*''Kptlt.'' [[Egon-Reiner von Schlippenbach]]<br/> (9 July 1941 - 6 December 1943)*''[[Oblt.z.S.]]'' Dierk Lührs<br/>(7 December 1943 – 21 May 1944)
|codes=M 43 787
}}
|commanders=
|operations=1st patrol:<br/>12 November – 17 December 1941<br/>
*''[[Kptlt.]]'' Gert Hetschko
2nd patrol:<br/>17 January – 1 February 1942<br/>
*26 June – 8 July 1941
3rd patrol:<br/>22 March – 21 April 1942<br/>
*''Kptlt.'' [[Egon-Reiner von Schlippenbach]]
4th patrol:<br/>25 May – 14 June 1942<br/>
*9 July 1941 – 6 December 1943
5th patrol:<br/>18 June – 21 July 1942<br/>
*''[[Oblt.z.S.]]'' Dierk Lührs
6th patrol:<br/>17 September – 15 October 1942<br/>
*7 December 1943 – 21 May 1944
7th patrol:<br/>29 November – 17 December 1942<br/>
|operations=*17 patrols:
8th patrol:<br/>11 January – 16 February 1943<br/>
*1st patrol:
9th patrol:<br/>1 April – 5 May 1943<br/>
*12 November – 17 December 1941
10th patrol:<br/>23 June – 24 July 1943<br/>
*2nd patrol:
11th patrol:<br/>31 July – 14 August 1943<br/>
*17 January – 1 February 1942
12th patrol:<br/>21–27 October 1943<br/>
*3rd patrol:
13th patrol:<br/>2–13 November 1943<br/>
*22 March – 21 April 1942
14th patrol:<br/>24 November – 1 December 1943<br/>
*4th patrol:
15th patrol:<br/>12 January – 9 February 1944<br/>
*25 May – 14 June 1942
16th patrol:<br/>8–25 March 1944<br/>
*5th patrol:
17th patrol:<br/>30 April – 21 May 1944
*a. 18 June – 21 July 1942
|victories=9 merchant ships sunk ({{GRT|23,289}})<br/>2 merchant ships damaged (16,610 GRT)<br/>2 warships sunk (2,540 tons)
*b. 31 August – 10 September 1942
*6th patrol:
*17 September – 15 October 1942
*7th patrol:
*29 November – 17 December 1942
*8th patrol:
*11 January – 16 February 1943
*9th patrol:
*1 April – 5 May 1943
*10th patrol:
*23 June – 24 July 1943
*11th patrol:
*31 July – 14 August 1943
*12th patrol:
*21 – 27 October 1943
*13th patrol:
*2 – 13 November 1943
*14th patrol:
*24 November – 1 December 1943
*15th patrol:
*12 January – 9 February 1944
*16th patrol:
*8 – 25 March 1944
*17th patrol:
*30 April – 21 May 1944
|victories=
*9 merchant ships sunk <br/>({{GRT|23,289}})
*1 warship sunk <br/>(835 tons)
*1 warship total loss <br/>(1,705 tons)
*1 merchant ship damaged <br/>({{GRT|6,894}})
*1 auxiliary warship damaged <br/>({{GRT|9,716}})
}}
}}
|}


'''German submarine ''U-453''''' was a [[German Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC]] [[U-boat]] built for [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' for service during [[World War II]].
'''German submarine ''U-453''''' was a [[German Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC]] [[U-boat]] built for [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' for service during [[World War II]].
She was laid down on 4 July 1940 by [[Deutsche Werke]] in [[Kiel]] as yard number 284, launched on 30 April 1941 and commissioned on 26 June 1941 under ''[[Kapitänleutnant]]'' [[Egon-Reiner von Schlippenbach]] ([[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross|Knight’s Cross]]).
She was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 4 July 1940 by [[Deutsche Werke]] in [[Kiel]] as yard number 284, [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 30 April 1941 and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 26 June 1941 under ''[[Kapitänleutnant]]'' [[Egon-Reiner von Schlippenbach]] ([[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross|Knight's Cross]]).


The boat's service began on 26 June 1941 with training as part of the [[7th U-boat Flotilla]], followed by active service until being transferred to the [[29th U-boat Flotilla|29th flotilla]] on 1 January 1942, based in [[La Spezia]] in [[Italy]].
The boat's service began on 26 June 1941 with training as part of the [[7th U-boat Flotilla]], followed by active service until being transferred to the [[29th U-boat Flotilla|29th flotilla]] on 1 January 1942, based in [[La Spezia]] in Italy.


==Service History==
==Design==
[[German Type VII submarine#Type VIIC|German Type VIIC submarines]] were preceded by the shorter [[German Type VII submarine#Type VIIB|Type VIIB submarines]]. ''U-453'' had a displacement of {{convert|769|t|LT}} when at the surface and {{convert|871|t|LT}} while submerged.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|pp=43-46}} She had a total length of {{convert|67.10|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a [[pressure hull]] length of {{convert|50.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|6.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a height of {{convert|9.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, and a [[draught (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|4.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The submarine was powered by two [[Germaniawerft]] F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder [[supercharged]] [[diesel engine]]s producing a total of {{convert|2800 to 3200|PS|kW shp|-1}} for use while surfaced, two [[Siemens-Schuckert]] GU 343/38–8 [[Motor–generator|double-acting electric motors]] producing a total of {{convert|750|PS|kW shp}} for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two {{convert|1.23|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} [[propeller]]s. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to {{convert|230|m}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|pp=43-46}}
In 17 patrols she sank nine merchant ships for a total of {{GRT|23,289|disp=long}}, plus two warships and damaged two merchant ships.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of {{convert|17.7|kn}} and a maximum submerged speed of {{convert|7.6|kn}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|pp=43-46}} When submerged, the boat could operate for {{convert|80|nmi}} at {{convert|4|kn}}; when surfaced, she could travel {{convert|8500|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}}. ''U-453'' was fitted with five {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen [[torpedo]]es, one [[8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun|{{convert|8.8|cm|in|2|abbr=on}} SK C/35 naval gun]], 220 rounds, and a [[2 cm FlaK 30|{{convert|2|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} C/30]] anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a [[Ship's company|complement]] of between forty-four and sixty.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|pp=43-46}}

==Service history==
In 17 patrols she sank nine merchant ships for a total of {{GRT|23,289|disp=long}}, plus one warship , damaged one merchant ship , one auxiliary warship and cause one warship total loss.


===Fate===
===Fate===
She was depth charged and sunk by on 21 May 1944 off the south coast of Italy at position {{coord|38|13|N|16|30|E}} by Royal Navy destroyers {{HMS|Termagant|R89|6}}, {{HMS|Tenacious|R45|6}} and the escort destroyer {{HMS|Liddesdale}}.
She was depth charged and sunk by on 21 May 1944 off the south coast of Italy at position {{coord|38|13|N|16|30|E}} by Royal Navy destroyers {{HMS|Termagant|R89|6}}, {{HMS|Tenacious|R45|6}} and the escort destroyer {{HMS|Liddesdale}}.


==Summary of raiding career==
==Summary of raiding history==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! width="120px"|Date
! width="130px"|Date
! width="150px"|Name
! width="150px"|Ship Name
! width="220px"|Nationality
! width="220px"|Nationality
! width="25px" |Tonnage<br />([[Gross register tonnage|GRT]])
! width="25px" |Tonnage<ref group=Note name=tonnage>Merchant ship tonnages are in [[gross register tons]]. Military vessels are listed by tons [[displacement (ship)|displacement]].</ref>
! width="120px" |Fate<ref>{{cite web
! width="120px" |Fate<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://uboat.net/boats/successes/u453.html
|url=http://uboat.net/boats/successes/u453.html
Line 102: Line 156:
|first=Guðmundur
|first=Guðmundur
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|accessdate= 27 December 2014
|access-date=27 December 2014
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
|-
|-
Line 139: Line 193:
|align="left" |{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|align="left" |{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|align="right"|1,705
|align="right"|1,705
|align="left" |Total loss - mined
|align="left" |Total loss (mine)
|-
|-
|align="right"|20 November 1943
|align="right"|20 November 1943
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|align="left" |{{flag|Kingdom of Yugoslavia|name=Yugoslavia}}
|align="left" |{{flag|Kingdom of Yugoslavia|name=Yugoslavia}}
|align="right"|335
|align="right"|335
|align="left" |Sunk - mined
|align="left" |Sunk (mine)
|-
|-
|align="right"|22 November 1943
|align="right"|22 November 1943
Line 151: Line 205:
|align="left" |{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|align="left" |{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|align="right"|835
|align="right"|835
|align="left" |Sunk - mined
|align="left" |Sunk (mine)
|-
|-
|align="right"|1 February 1944
|align="right"|1 February 1944
Line 185: Line 239:


==References==
==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

===Citations===
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book | last1 = Busch | first1 = Rainer | last2 = Röll | first2 = Hans-Joachim | translator-last = Brooks | translator-first = Geoffrey | title = German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary | publisher = Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press | location = London, Annapolis, Md | year = 1999 | isbn = 1-55750-186-6 }}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
|last1=Busch
|last1=Busch
Line 194: Line 255:
|first2=Hans-Joachim
|first2=Hans-Joachim
|title=Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945
|title=Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945
|trans-title=German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945
|work=Der U-Boot-Krieg
|series=Der U-Boot-Krieg
|volume=IV
|volume=IV
|publisher=Mittler
|publisher=Mittler
Line 200: Line 262:
|year=1999
|year=1999
|isbn=3-8132-0514-2
|isbn=3-8132-0514-2
|language=German
|language=de
|ref=harv
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
|last=Gröner
|last1=Gröner
|first=Erich
|first1=Erich
|last2=Jung
|title=U-Boote, Hilfskreuzer, Minenschiffe, Netzleger, Sperrbrecher
|first2=Dieter
|work=Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945
|last3=Maass
|volume=III
|first3=Martin
|publisher=[[Bernard & Graefe]]
|translator-last1=Thomas
|location=Koblenz
|translator-first1=Keith
|year=1985
|translator-last2=Magowan
|isbn=3-7637-4802-4
|translator-first2=Rachel
|language=German
|year=1991
|ref=harv
|title=U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels
|volume=2
|series=German Warships 1815–1945
|location=London
|publisher=Conway Maritime Press
|isbn=0-85177-593-4
|ref=CITEREFGröner1991
}}
}}

{{Refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{cite web
*{{Cite web
| url =http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/dieboote/u0453.php
|url=http://uboat.net/boats/u453.html
| title =''U 453''
|title=The Type VIIC boat U-453
| last =Hofmann
| first =Markus
| website =Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de
| language =German
| accessdate =26 December 2014
}}
* {{Cite web
|url= http://www.uboat.net/boats/u453.html
|title= The Type VIIC boat U-453
|last=Helgason
|last=Helgason
|first=Guðmundur
|first=Guðmundur
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|accessdate= 26 December 2014
|access-date=26 December 2014
}}
*{{cite web
|url=http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/dieboote/u0453.php
|title=''U 453''
|last=Hofmann
|first=Markus
|website=Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de
|language=de
|access-date=26 December 2014
}}
}}


{{German Type VII submarines}}
{{German Type VII submarines}}
{{May 1944 shipwrecks}}

{{use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Italic title prefixed|16}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:U0453}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:U0453}}
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[[Category:U-boats sunk in 1944]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk in 1944]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by British warships]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by British warships]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by depth charges]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of Germany]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of Germany]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Mediterranean]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea]]
[[Category:Ships built in Kiel]]
[[Category:Ships built in Kiel]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in May 1944]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in May 1944]]

Latest revision as of 11:05, 10 March 2024

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-453
Ordered30 October 1939
BuilderDeutsche Werke, Kiel
Yard number284
Laid down4 July 1940
Launched30 April 1941
Commissioned26 June 1941
FateSunk by depth charges on 21 May 1944 off the south coast of Italy at position 38°13′N 16°30′E / 38.217°N 16.500°E / 38.217; 16.500 by Royal Navy surface warships.
General characteristics
Class and typeType VIIC submarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.74 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)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record[1]
Part of:
Identification codes: M 43 787
Commanders:
Operations:
  • 17 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 12 November – 17 December 1941
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 17 January – 1 February 1942
  • 3rd patrol:
  • 22 March – 21 April 1942
  • 4th patrol:
  • 25 May – 14 June 1942
  • 5th patrol:
  • a. 18 June – 21 July 1942
  • b. 31 August – 10 September 1942
  • 6th patrol:
  • 17 September – 15 October 1942
  • 7th patrol:
  • 29 November – 17 December 1942
  • 8th patrol:
  • 11 January – 16 February 1943
  • 9th patrol:
  • 1 April – 5 May 1943
  • 10th patrol:
  • 23 June – 24 July 1943
  • 11th patrol:
  • 31 July – 14 August 1943
  • 12th patrol:
  • 21 – 27 October 1943
  • 13th patrol:
  • 2 – 13 November 1943
  • 14th patrol:
  • 24 November – 1 December 1943
  • 15th patrol:
  • 12 January – 9 February 1944
  • 16th patrol:
  • 8 – 25 March 1944
  • 17th patrol:
  • 30 April – 21 May 1944
Victories:
  • 9 merchant ships sunk
    (23,289 GRT)
  • 1 warship sunk
    (835 tons)
  • 1 warship total loss
    (1,705 tons)
  • 1 merchant ship damaged
    (6,894 GRT)
  • 1 auxiliary warship damaged
    (9,716 GRT)

German submarine U-453 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 4 July 1940 by Deutsche Werke in Kiel as yard number 284, launched on 30 April 1941 and commissioned on 26 June 1941 under Kapitänleutnant Egon-Reiner von Schlippenbach (Knight's Cross).

The boat's service began on 26 June 1941 with training as part of the 7th U-boat Flotilla, followed by active service until being transferred to the 29th flotilla on 1 January 1942, based in La Spezia in Italy.

Design

[edit]

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-453 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 Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38–8 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-453 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 a 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[2]

Service history

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In 17 patrols she sank nine merchant ships for a total of 23,289 gross register tons (GRT), plus one warship , damaged one merchant ship , one auxiliary warship and cause one warship total loss.

Fate

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She was depth charged and sunk by on 21 May 1944 off the south coast of Italy at position 38°13′N 16°30′E / 38.217°N 16.500°E / 38.217; 16.500 by Royal Navy destroyers HMS Termagant, HMS Tenacious and the escort destroyer HMS Liddesdale.

Summary of raiding history

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Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage[Note 1] Fate[3]
13 December 1941 Badalona  Spain 4,202 Sunk
7 April 1942 HMHS Somersetshire  Royal Navy 9,716 Damaged
20 January 1943 Jean Jadot  Belgium 5,859 Sunk
30 June 1943 Oligarch  United Kingdom 6,894 Damaged
6 July 1943 Shahjehan  United Kingdom 5,454 Sunk
15 November 1943 HMS Quail  Royal Navy 1,705 Total loss (mine)
20 November 1943 Jela  Yugoslavia 335 Sunk (mine)
22 November 1943 HMS Hebe  Royal Navy 835 Sunk (mine)
1 February 1944 Agia Paraskevi  Greece 80 Sunk
1 February 1944 Salem  Lebanon 81 Sunk
1 February 1944 Himli  Lebanon 67 Sunk
1 February 1944 Yahiya  Syria 64 Sunk
19 May 1944 Fort Missanabie  United Kingdom 7,147 Sunk

References

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Notes

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

Citations

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  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-453". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-453". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 27 December 2014.

Bibliography

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  • 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.
  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
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  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-453". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  • Hofmann, Markus. "U 453". Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de (in German). Retrieved 26 December 2014.

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