German submarine U-658


German submarine U-658 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 15 November 1940 by Howaldtswerke, Hamburg as yard number 807, launched on 11 September 1941 and commissioned on 5 November 1941 under Kapitänleutnant Hans Senkel.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-658 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 Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38-8 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-658 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 8th U-boat Flotilla on 5 November 1941, followed by active service on 1 August 1942 as part of the 6th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.
In two patrols she sank three merchant ships, for a total of and damaged one other.

Wolfpacks

U-658 took part in two wolfpacks, namely:

Fate

U-658 was sunk on 30 October 1942 in the North Atlantic east of Newfoundland, in position, by depth charges from RCAF Hudson bomber from 145 Squadron. There were no survivors.