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Coordinates: 70°26′N 12°40′E / 70.433°N 12.667°E / 70.433; 12.667
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{{Short description|German World War II submarine}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image =
| Ship image=
| Ship caption =
| Ship caption=
}}
}}
{{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-601''
| Ship name=''U-601''
| Ship namesake =
| Ship namesake=
| Ship ordered =22 May 1940
| Ship ordered=22 May 1940
| Ship builder =[[Blohm & Voss]], Hamburg
| Ship builder=[[Blohm & Voss]], Hamburg
| Ship yard number =577
| Ship yard number=577
| Ship laid down =10 February 1941
| Ship laid down=10 February 1941
| Ship launched =29 October 1941
| Ship launched=29 October 1941
| Ship commissioned =18 December 1941
| Ship commissioned=18 December 1941
| Ship fate =Sunk by depth charges, 24 February 1944
| Ship fate=Sunk by depth charges on 25 February 1944
}}
}}
{{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 draft={{convert|4.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|4.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship power={{convert|2800|–|3200|PS|kW bhp|abbr=on}} (diesels)<br/>{{convert|750|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}} (electric)
|Ship power=
* {{convert|2800|–|3200|PS|kW bhp|abbr=on}} (diesels)
* {{convert|750|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}} (electric)
|Ship propulsion=2 shafts; 2 × [[diesel engine]]s<br />2 × [[Motor-generator|electric motors]]
|Ship propulsion=
* 2 shafts
* 2 × [[diesel engine]]s
* 2 × [[Motor-generator|electric motors]]
|Ship speed={{convert|17.7|kn|lk=in}} surfaced<br/>{{convert|7.6|kn}} submerged
|Ship speed=
* {{convert|17.7|kn|lk=in}} surfaced
* {{convert|7.6|kn}} submerged
|Ship range=
|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 test depth={{convert|230|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br/>[[Submarine depth ratings|Crush depth]]: {{convert|250|–|295|m|ft|abbr=on}}
* {{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 complement=4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
|Ship armament={{plainlist|
|Ship armament=
*5 × {{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 × torpedoes ''or'' 26 TMA mines
* 14 × torpedoes ''or'' 26 TMA [[Naval mine|mines]]
*1 × [[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=
}}
}}
{{service record
{{Infobox service record
|is_ship=yes
|is_ship=yes
|partof=[[Kriegsmarine]]
|partof=
*[[5th U-boat Flotilla]]
*18 December 1941 – 30 June 1942
*[[11th U-boat Flotilla]]
*1 July 1942 – 31 May 1943
*[[13th U-boat Flotilla]]
*1 June 1943 – 25 February 1944
|codes=M 47 254
|codes=M 47 254
|commanders=
|commanders=Peter-Ottmar Grau<br />(18 December 1941 – 28 November 1943)<br />Otto Hansen<br />(29 November 1943 – 25 February 1944)
*''[[Kptlt.]]'' Peter-Ottmar Grau
|operations=1st patrol<br />14 July – 3 August 1942<br />2nd patrol<br />9 August – 20 September 1942<br />3rd patrol<br />5 November – 7 December 1942<br />4th patrol<br />15 April – 14 May 1943<br />5th patrol<br />14–25 July 1943<br />6th patrol<br />30 July – 28 August 1943<br />7th patrol<br />16 September – 7 October 1943<br />8th patrol<br />18 December 1943 – 7 January 1944<br />9th patrol<br />10 January – 2 February 1944<br />10th patrol<br />17–25 February 1944
* 18 December 1941 – 28 November 1943
|victories=4 ships sunk for a total of {{GRT|8,869}}
*''[[Oblt.z.S.]]'' Otto Hansen
* 29 November 1943 – 25 February 1944
|operations=*10 patrols:
*1st patrol:
*14 July – 3 August 1942
*2nd patrol:
*a. 9 August – 20 September 1942
*b. 22 – 24 September 1942
*c. 31 October – 3 November 1942
*3rd patrol:
*a. 5 November – 7 December 1942
*b. 8 December 1942
*c. 15 – 24 December 1942
*d. 3 – 5 April 1943
*e. 6 – 7 April 1943
*4th patrol:
*a. 15 April – 14 May 1943
*b. 15 May 1943
*c. 7 – 10 July 1943
*5th patrol:
*a. 14 – 25 July 1943
*b. 26 – 27 July 1943
*c. 29 July 1943
*6th patrol:
*a. 30 July – 28 August 1943
*b. 13 – 14 September 1943
*c. 15 – 16 September 1943
*7th patrol:
*a. 16 September – 7 October 1943
*b. 8 October 1943
*c. 9 October 1943
*d. 10 October 1943
*e. 12 – 14 October 1943
*f. 17 – 19 October 1943
*g. 10 – 12 December 1943
*8th patrol:
*18 December 1943 – 7 January 1944
*9th patrol:
*a. 10 January – 2 February 1944
*b. 4 – 5 February 1944
*10th patrol:
*17 – 25 February 1944
|victories=*4 merchant ships sunk <br/>({{GRT|8,869}})
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''German submarine ''U-601''''' was a [[German Type VII submarine|Type VIIC]] [[U-boat]] built for [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' for service the [[World War II]]. She was commissioned in December 1941 and sunk in February 1944, having sunk four ships. Her commanders were Peter-Ottmar Grau and Otto Hansen.<ref>{{cite web
'''German submarine ''U-601''''' was a [[German Type VII submarine|Type VIIC]] [[U-boat]] built for [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' for service in [[World War II]]. She was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 18 December 1941 and sunk on 25 February 1944, having sunk four ships. Her commanders were Peter-Ottmar Grau and Otto Hansen.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.uboat.net/boats/u601.html
|url=http://uboat.net/boats/u601.html
|title=The Type VIIC boat U-601
|title=The Type VIIC boat U-601
|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=10 November 2012
|access-date=10 November 2012
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
''U-601'' was built by [[Blohm & Voss]], [[Hamburg]] as yard number 577. She was ordered on 22 May 1940 and the keel was laid down on 10 February 1941. ''U-601'' was launched on 29 October 1941.
''U-601'' was built by [[Blohm & Voss]], [[Hamburg]] as yard number 577. She was ordered on 22 May 1940 and the keel was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 10 February 1941. ''U-601'' was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 29 October 1941.


==Design==
==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-601'' had a displacement of {{convert|769|t|LT}} when at the surface and {{convert|871|t|LT}} while submerged.{{sfn|Gröner|1985|pp=72-74}} It 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 [[Brown, Boveri & Cie]] GG UB 720/8 [[Motor–generator|double-acting electric motors]] producing a total of {{convert|750|shp|PS kW}} for use while submerged. It had two shafts and two {{convert|1.23|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} [[propeller]]s. It was capable of operating at depths of up to {{convert|230|m}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1985|pp=72-74}}
[[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-601'' 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 [[Brown, Boveri & Cie]] GG UB 720/8 [[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}}


The submarine had a maximum surface speed of {{convert|17.7|kn}} and a maximum submerged speed of {{convert|7.6|kn}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1985|pp=72-74}} When submerged, it could operate for {{convert|80|nmi}} at {{convert|4|kn}}; when surfaced, it could travel {{convert|8500|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}}. ''U-601'' was fitted with five {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s (four fitted at its bow and one at its 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 an anti-aircraft gun. It had a [[Ship's company|complement]] of between forty-four and sixty.{{sfn|Gröner|1985|pp=72-74}}
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-601'' 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==
==Service history==
She took part in ten patrols; exclusively in the Arctic Ocean. She was assigned to:* [[11th U-boat Flotilla]] (1 July 1942 to 31 May 1943)
She took part in ten patrols; exclusively in the Arctic Ocean. She was assigned to:
* [[5th U-boat Flotilla]] (18 December 1941 – 30 June 1942)
* [[13th U-boat Flotilla]] (1 June 1943 to 25 February 1944)
* [[11th U-boat Flotilla]] (1 July 1942 – 31 May 1943)
* [[13th U-boat Flotilla]] (1 June 1943 – 25 February 1944)


In November 1942, she along with {{GS|U-625||2}} as part of wolfpack ''Boreas'', attacked [[Convoy QP 15]] and sank the Soviet cargo ship ''Kuznets Lesov''.
On 23 November 1942, she along with {{GS|U-625||2}} as part of wolfpack ''Boreas'', attacked [[Convoy QP 15]] and sank the Soviet cargo ship ''Kuznets Lesov''.


==Fate==
==Fate==
She was sunk by depth charges in the [[Arctic Ocean]] on 25 February 1944 NW of [[Narvik]], Norway by a RAF [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|Catalina]] at position {{coord|70|26|N|12|40|E|display=inline, title}}. She was lost with all 51 hands.
She was sunk by depth charges in the [[Arctic Ocean]] on 25 February 1944 North west of [[Narvik]], Norway by a RAF [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|Catalina]] at position {{coord|70|26|N|12|40|E|display=inline, title}}. She was lost with all 51 hands.


==Wolfpacks==
==Wolfpacks==
''U-601'' took part in five [[Wolfpack (naval tactic)|wolfpack]]s, namely.
''U-601'' took part in five [[Wolfpack (naval tactic)|wolfpacks]], namely:
* Boreas (19 November - 6 December 1942)
* Boreas (19 November – 6 December 1942)
* Wiking (20 September – 3 October 1943)
* Wiking (20 September – 3 October 1943)
* Eisenbart (19 December 1943 – 5 January 1944)
* Eisenbart (19 December 1943 – 5 January 1944)
* Isegrim (16–27 January 1944)
* Isegrim (16 – 27 January 1944)
* Werwolf (27 January – 1 February 1944)
* Werwolf (27 January – 1 February 1944)


==Summary of raiding career==
==Summary of raiding history==


{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
Line 95: Line 162:
! width="30px" |Fate<ref>{{cite web
! width="30px" |Fate<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://uboat.net/boats/successes/u601.html
|url=http://uboat.net/boats/successes/u601.html
|title=Ships hit by U-601
|title=Ships hit by U-601
|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=5 February 2014
|access-date=5 February 2014
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
|-
|-
Line 120: Line 187:
|align="left" |Sunk
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|-
|align="right"|24 November 1942
|align="right"|23 November 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in November 1942#24 November|''Kuznets Lesov'']]
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in November 1942#24 November|''Kuznets Lesov'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|align="left" |{{flag|Soviet Union}}
Line 131: Line 198:


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book |last1=Gröner |first1=Eric |last2=Jung |first2=Dieter |last3=Maass |first3=Martin |translator-last1=Thomas|translator-first1=Keith|translator-last2=Magowan|translator-first2=Rachel |title=German Warships 1815-1945: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels |date=1991 |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |location=London |volume=2 |isbn=0-85177-593-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Udg-0AEACAAJ|ref=CITEREFGröner1991}}
|last1=Busch
{{Refend}}
|first1=Rainer

|last2=Röll
==Further reading==
|first2=Hans-Joachim
{{Refbegin}}
|title=Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945
* {{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}}
|work=Der U-Boot-Krieg
*{{cite book |last1=Busch |first1=Rainer |last2=Röll |first2=Hans-Joachim |title=Der U-Boot-Krieg, 1939-1945: Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945|trans-title=German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945 |date=1999|volume=IV |publisher=Mittler|location=Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn |isbn=3-8132-0514-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vXKwAAAAIAAJ |language=de}}
|volume=IV
{{Refend}}
|publisher=Mittler
|location=Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn
|year=1999
|isbn=3-8132-0514-2
|language=German
|ref=harv
}}
*{{cite book
|last=Gröner
|first=Erich
|title=U-Boote, Hilfskreuzer, Minenschiffe, Netzleger, Sperrbrecher
|work=Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945
|volume=III
|publisher=[[Bernard & Graefe]]
|location=Koblenz
|year=1985
|isbn=3-7637-4802-4
|language=German
|ref=harv
}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Cite web
* {{Cite web
|url=http://www.uboat.net/boats/u601.html
|url=http://uboat.net/boats/u601.html
|title=The Type VIIC boat U-601
|title=The Type VIIC boat U-601
|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=29 December 2014
|access-date=29 December 2014
}}
}}


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

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


{{DEFAULTSORT:U0601}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:U0601}}
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[[Category:U-boats sunk by depth charges]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by depth charges]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by British aircraft]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by British aircraft]]
[[Category:Ships lost with all hands]]
[[Category:Submarines lost with all hands]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in February 1944]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in February 1944]]

Latest revision as of 00:17, 27 August 2024

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-601
Ordered22 May 1940
BuilderBlohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number577
Laid down10 February 1941
Launched29 October 1941
Commissioned18 December 1941
FateSunk by depth charges on 25 February 1944
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
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
Part of:
Identification codes: M 47 254
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Peter-Ottmar Grau
  • 18 December 1941 – 28 November 1943
  • Oblt.z.S. Otto Hansen
  • 29 November 1943 – 25 February 1944
Operations:
  • 10 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 14 July – 3 August 1942
  • 2nd patrol:
  • a. 9 August – 20 September 1942
  • b. 22 – 24 September 1942
  • c. 31 October – 3 November 1942
  • 3rd patrol:
  • a. 5 November – 7 December 1942
  • b. 8 December 1942
  • c. 15 – 24 December 1942
  • d. 3 – 5 April 1943
  • e. 6 – 7 April 1943
  • 4th patrol:
  • a. 15 April – 14 May 1943
  • b. 15 May 1943
  • c. 7 – 10 July 1943
  • 5th patrol:
  • a. 14 – 25 July 1943
  • b. 26 – 27 July 1943
  • c. 29 July 1943
  • 6th patrol:
  • a. 30 July – 28 August 1943
  • b. 13 – 14 September 1943
  • c. 15 – 16 September 1943
  • 7th patrol:
  • a. 16 September – 7 October 1943
  • b. 8 October 1943
  • c. 9 October 1943
  • d. 10 October 1943
  • e. 12 – 14 October 1943
  • f. 17 – 19 October 1943
  • g. 10 – 12 December 1943
  • 8th patrol:
  • 18 December 1943 – 7 January 1944
  • 9th patrol:
  • a. 10 January – 2 February 1944
  • b. 4 – 5 February 1944
  • 10th patrol:
  • 17 – 25 February 1944
Victories: 4 merchant ships sunk
(8,869 GRT)

German submarine U-601 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service in World War II. She was commissioned on 18 December 1941 and sunk on 25 February 1944, having sunk four ships. Her commanders were Peter-Ottmar Grau and Otto Hansen.[1]

Description

[edit]

U-601 was built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 577. She was ordered on 22 May 1940 and the keel was laid down on 10 February 1941. U-601 was launched on 29 October 1941.

Design

[edit]

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-601 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-601 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

[edit]

She took part in ten patrols; exclusively in the Arctic Ocean. She was assigned to:

On 23 November 1942, she along with U-625 as part of wolfpack Boreas, attacked Convoy QP 15 and sank the Soviet cargo ship Kuznets Lesov.

Fate

[edit]

She was sunk by depth charges in the Arctic Ocean on 25 February 1944 North west of Narvik, Norway by a RAF Catalina at position 70°26′N 12°40′E / 70.433°N 12.667°E / 70.433; 12.667. She was lost with all 51 hands.

Wolfpacks

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U-601 took part in five wolfpacks, namely:

  • Boreas (19 November – 6 December 1942)
  • Wiking (20 September – 3 October 1943)
  • Eisenbart (19 December 1943 – 5 January 1944)
  • Isegrim (16 – 27 January 1944)
  • Werwolf (27 January – 1 February 1944)

Summary of raiding history

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Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage (GRT) Fate[3]
1 August 1942 Krest’janin  Soviet Union 2,513 Sunk
24 August 1942 Kujbyshev  Soviet Union 2,332 Sunk
24 August 1942 Medvezhonok  Soviet Union 50 Sunk
23 November 1942 Kuznets Lesov  Soviet Union 3,974 Sunk

References

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  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-601". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-601". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 5 February 2014.

Bibliography

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Further reading

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