German submarine U-374


German submarine U-374 was a [German German Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC] U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 23 September 1939. Her keel was laid down by Howaldtswerke in Kiel on 18 December 1939, she was launched on 10 May 1941 and formally commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 21 June 1941 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Unno von Fischel.
U-374 had a short career, carrying out three patrols. During these she sank one merchant ship, the British Rose Schiaffino and two auxiliary warships, the naval trawler and naval yacht HMY Rosabelle.
U-374 was sunk on 12 January 1942 in the western Mediterranean east of Cape Spartivento, in position, by torpedoes from the British submarine. 42 of her crew were killed; there was one survivor.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-374 had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. She had a total length of, a pressure hull length of, a beam of, a height of, and a draught of. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-acting electric motors producing a total of for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to.
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of. When submerged, the boat could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at. U-374 was fitted with five torpedo tubes, fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history

First patrol

29 September 1941 – 11 November 1941

Second patrol

6 December 1941 – 14 December 1941

Third patrol

18 December 1941 – 12 January 1942

Wolfpacks

U-374 took part in one wolfpack, namely:
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