German submarine U-609


German submarine U-609 was a [German German Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC] U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II.
She was laid down on 7 April 1941 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 585, launched on 23 December 1941 and commissioned on 12 February 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Klaus Rudloff.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-609 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 BBC GG UB 720/8 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-609 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

The boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 12 February 1942, followed by active service on 1 August 1942 as part of the 6th U-boat Flotilla for the remainder of her service. In four patrols she sank two merchant ships, for a total of.

Wolfpacks

U-609 took part in six wolfpacks, namely:

Fate

U-609 was sunk on 6 February 1943 in the North Atlantic in position, by depth charges from the Free French corvette FFNF Lobelia. All hands were lost.

Previously recorded fate

U-609 was sunk on 7 February 1943 in the North Atlantic in position, by depth charges from the Free French corvette FFNF Lobelia. All hands were lost.