German submarine U-626


German submarine U-626 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The ship was built by Blohm & Voss of Hamburg, and commissioned on 11 June 1942. After six months of basic training she was assigned to the 6th U-boat Flotilla. U-626 sailed from Bergen on 8 December 1942 on her first operational voyage. She was reported missing on 16 December after failing to report her position.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-626 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 Brown, Boveri & Cie 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-626 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 44 and 60.

Service history

U-626 was assigned to the 5th U-boat Flotilla for basic training, and upon completion was permanently assigned to the 5th U-boat Flotilla. On 8 December 1942, U-626, under the direction of Leutnant zur See Hans-Botho Bade left Bergen, Norway for her maiden patrol. On 14 December 1942, U-626 sent her final radio message at position and was never heard from again. 47 men were lost with her.

Previously recorded fate

U-626 was previously thought to have been sunk in the North Atlantic on 15 December 1942 by depth charges from US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Ingham. This attack was actually 200 nmi from U-626's position and there is no evidence that the target was a U-boat.