A member of twelve wolfpacks, she sank a total of Twenty one ships for a total of 69,589 gross register tons (GRT) and 759 tons in five patrols. In addition, she damaged one ship with a total tonnage of 7,197 GRT.
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-221 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[1] 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 superchargeddiesel 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 AEG GU 460/8–27 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).[1]
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).[1] 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-221 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.[1]
Service historyEdit
U-221 is also credited with the destruction of ten allied landing craft (nine LCMs and one LCT) that were lost aboard the British merchantman Southern Empress when that vessel was torpedoed and sunk on 14 October 1942.
First patrolEdit
U-221 departed Kristiansand on 3 September 1942 having moved to the Norwegian port a day earlier. Her route took her through the gap between Iceland and the Faroe Islands. She claimed her first victim, Fagersten, about 500 nmi (930 km; 580 mi) east of the Belle Isle Strait, in Newfoundland on 13 October. In the same attack, she sank Ashworth and Senta. There were no survivors from either vessel.
The next day two more ships fell to the torpedoes of the German U-boat. The Susana went down in six minutes northeast of St. Johns; Southern Empress was sent to the bottom, taking a deck cargo of ten landing craft with her.
The boat's second foray was one of anti-climax and tragedy. Although she scoured the Atlantic west of Ireland, she failed to find any targets. On 8 December U-221 and U-254 collided in heavy fog, resulting in the loss of the latter boat. U-221 was badly damaged. Unable to dive, Oberleutnant zur See Trojer aborted the patrol and returned to St. Nazaire.
Third patrolEdit
Her third sortie was more fruitful. The Jamaica was destroyed on 7 March 1943. This ship took just two minutes to sink. As survivors took to the boats, Trojer surfaced and took the ship's 4th Engineer prisoner, but on March 21, the man, during an exercise period, jumped overboard and was lost.[2] The boat sank Tucurina on the tenth, southeast of Cape Farewell, (Greenland). In the same attack, the U-boat sank Andrea F. Luckenbach and damaged SS Lawton B. Evans (probably due to a dud torpedo).
Retribution was swift; the convoy's escorts from HX 228 caused some damage to U-221. Repairs were carried out at sea, enabling the boat to sink two more ships on 18 March; Canadian Star and Walter Q. Gresham were added to her list of 'kills'.
Fourth patrolEdit
U-221 only sank one ship on this patrol, Sandanger; the survivors had a remarkable escape. Occupying the only intact lifeboat, they found themselves in an area of low pressure created by the ship's burning fuel cargo. The flames were split in two by strong winds which also kept them above the men's heads by only a few feet as they rowed clear of the location.
Fifth patrol and lossEdit
U-221 left St. Nazaire for the last time on 20 September 1943. On the 27th she was attacked by a Handley Page Halifax of No. 58 Squadron RAF with eight depth charges southwest of Ireland. The U-boat was seen to sink by the stern but the aircraft was also hit, forcing the pilot to ditch about three miles from the encounter. Two gunners from the Halifax were lost; the U-boat was sunk with all hands (50 men).[3][4]
^Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-221". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
BibliographyEdit
Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN1-55750-186-6.
Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN3-8132-0514-2.
Edwards, Bernard (1996). Dönitz and the Wolf Packs - The U-boats at War. Cassell Military Classics. pp. 132, 173, 208. ISBN0-304-35203-9.
Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN0-85177-593-4.
Kemp, Paul (1999). U-boats destroyed : German submarine losses in the World Wars. London: Arms & Armour. ISBN1-85409-515-3. OCLC 43972253.
External linksEdit
Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-221". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
Hofmann, Markus. "U 221". Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de (in German). Retrieved 26 December 2014.
german, submarine, redirects, here, isotope, uranium, 221u, uranium, type, viic, boat, nazi, germany, kriegsmarine, during, world, historynazi, germanynameu, 221ordered15, august, 1940buildergermaniawerft, kielyard, number651laid, down16, june, 1941launched14,. U 221 redirects here For the isotope of uranium U 221 or 221U see Uranium 221 German submarine U 221 was a Type VIIC U boat of Nazi Germany s Kriegsmarine during World War II HistoryNazi GermanyNameU 221Ordered15 August 1940BuilderGermaniawerft KielYard number651Laid down16 June 1941Launched14 March 1942Commissioned9 May 1942FateSunk by aircraft 27 September 1943General characteristicsClass and typeType VIIC submarineDisplacement769 tonnes 757 long tons surfaced 871 t 857 long tons submergedLength67 10 m 220 ft 2 in o a 50 50 m 165 ft 8 in pressure hullBeam6 20 m 20 ft 4 in o a 4 70 m 15 ft 5 in pressure hullHeight9 60 m 31 ft 6 in Draught4 74 m 15 ft 7 in Installed power2 800 3 200 PS 2 100 2 400 kW 2 800 3 200 bhp diesels 750 PS 550 kW 740 shp electric Propulsion2 shafts 2 diesel engines 2 electric motorsSpeed17 7 knots 32 8 km h 20 4 mph surfaced 7 6 knots 14 1 km h 8 7 mph submergedRange8 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 submergedTest depth230 m 750 ft Crush depth 250 295 m 820 968 ft Complement4 officers 40 56 enlistedArmament5 53 3 cm 21 in torpedo tubes four bow one stern 14 torpedoes or 26 TMA mines 1 8 8 cm 3 46 in deck gun 220 rounds 1 x 2 cm 0 79 in C 30 AA gunService recordPart of 5th U boat Flotilla 9 May 31 August 1942 7th U boat Flotilla 1 September 1942 27 September 1943Commanders Kptlt Hans Hartwig Trojer 9 May 1942 27 September 1943Operations 5 patrols 1st patrol 3 September 22 October 1942 2nd patrol 23 November 23 December 1942 3rd patrol 27 February 28 March 1943 4th patrol 3 May 21 July 1943 5th patrol 20 27 September 1943Victories 11 merchant ships sunk 69 589 GRT 10 warships sunk 759 tons 1 merchant ship damaged 7 197 GRT Ordered on 15 August 1940 from the Germaniawerft shipyard in Kiel she was laid down on 16 June 1941 as yard number 651 launched on 14 March 1942 and commissioned on 9 May 1942 under the command of Kapitanleutnant Hans Hartwig Trojer A member of twelve wolfpacks she sank a total of Twenty one ships for a total of 69 589 gross register tons GRT and 759 tons in five patrols In addition she damaged one ship with a total tonnage of 7 197 GRT Contents 1 Design 2 Service history 3 First patrol 4 Second patrol 5 Third patrol 6 Fourth patrol 7 Fifth patrol and loss 7 1 Wolfpacks 8 Summary of raiding history 9 See also 10 References 10 1 Notes 10 2 Citations 11 Bibliography 12 External linksDesign EditGerman Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines U 221 had a displacement of 769 tonnes 757 long tons when at the surface and 871 tonnes 857 long tons while submerged 1 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 AEG GU 460 8 27 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 1 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 1 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 221 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 1 Service history EditU 221 is also credited with the destruction of ten allied landing craft nine LCMs and one LCT that were lost aboard the British merchantman Southern Empress when that vessel was torpedoed and sunk on 14 October 1942 First patrol EditU 221 departed Kristiansand on 3 September 1942 having moved to the Norwegian port a day earlier Her route took her through the gap between Iceland and the Faroe Islands She claimed her first victim Fagersten about 500 nmi 930 km 580 mi east of the Belle Isle Strait in Newfoundland on 13 October In the same attack she sank Ashworth and Senta There were no survivors from either vessel The next day two more ships fell to the torpedoes of the German U boat The Susana went down in six minutes northeast of St Johns Southern Empress was sent to the bottom taking a deck cargo of ten landing craft with her U 221 docked in St Nazaire on 22 October Second patrol EditThe boat s second foray was one of anti climax and tragedy Although she scoured the Atlantic west of Ireland she failed to find any targets On 8 December U 221 and U 254 collided in heavy fog resulting in the loss of the latter boat U 221 was badly damaged Unable to dive Oberleutnant zur See Trojer aborted the patrol and returned to St Nazaire Third patrol EditHer third sortie was more fruitful The Jamaica was destroyed on 7 March 1943 This ship took just two minutes to sink As survivors took to the boats Trojer surfaced and took the ship s 4th Engineer prisoner but on March 21 the man during an exercise period jumped overboard and was lost 2 The boat sank Tucurina on the tenth southeast of Cape Farewell Greenland In the same attack the U boat sank Andrea F Luckenbach and damaged SS Lawton B Evans probably due to a dud torpedo Retribution was swift the convoy s escorts from HX 228 caused some damage to U 221 Repairs were carried out at sea enabling the boat to sink two more ships on 18 March Canadian Star and Walter Q Gresham were added to her list of kills Fourth patrol EditU 221 only sank one ship on this patrol Sandanger the survivors had a remarkable escape Occupying the only intact lifeboat they found themselves in an area of low pressure created by the ship s burning fuel cargo The flames were split in two by strong winds which also kept them above the men s heads by only a few feet as they rowed clear of the location Fifth patrol and loss EditU 221 left St Nazaire for the last time on 20 September 1943 On the 27th she was attacked by a Handley Page Halifax of No 58 Squadron RAF with eight depth charges southwest of Ireland The U boat was seen to sink by the stern but the aircraft was also hit forcing the pilot to ditch about three miles from the encounter Two gunners from the Halifax were lost the U boat was sunk with all hands 50 men 3 4 Wolfpacks Edit U 221 took part in twelve wolfpacks namely Pfeil 12 22 September 1942 Blitz 22 26 September 1942 Tiger 26 30 September 1942 Wotan 5 18 October 1942 Draufganger 29 November 9 December 1942 Neuland 8 13 March 1943 Dranger 14 20 March 1943 Drossel 11 15 May 1943 Oder 17 19 May 1943 Mosel 19 24 May 1943 Trutz 1 16 June 1943 Trutz 3 16 29 June 1943 Summary of raiding history EditDate Name Nationality Tonnage Note 1 Fate 5 13 October 1942 Ashworth nbsp United Kingdom 5 227 Sunk13 October 1942 Fagersten nbsp Norway 2 342 Sunk13 October 1942 Senta nbsp Norway 3 785 Sunk14 October 1942 Southern Empress nbsp United Kingdom 12 398 Sunk14 October 1942 HMS LCM 508 Note 2 nbsp Royal Navy 52 Sunk14 October 1942 HMS LCM 509 Note 2 nbsp Royal Navy 52 Sunk14 October 1942 HMS LCM 519 Note 2 nbsp Royal Navy 52 Sunk14 October 1942 HMS LCM 522 Note 2 nbsp Royal Navy 52 Sunk14 October 1942 HMS LCM 523 Note 2 nbsp Royal Navy 52 Sunk14 October 1942 HMS LCM 532 Note 2 nbsp Royal Navy 52 Sunk14 October 1942 HMS LCM 537 Note 2 nbsp Royal Navy 52 Sunk14 October 1942 HMS LCM 547 Note 2 nbsp Royal Navy 52 Sunk14 October 1942 HMS LCM 620 Note 2 nbsp Royal Navy 52 Sunk14 October 1942 HMS LCT 2006 Note 2 nbsp Royal Navy 291 Sunk14 October 1942 Susana nbsp United States 5 929 Sunk7 March 1943 Jamaica nbsp Norway 3 015 Sunk10 March 1943 Andrea F Luckenbach nbsp United States 6 565 Sunk10 March 1943 Lawton B Evans nbsp United States 7 197 Damaged10 March 1943 Tucurinca nbsp United Kingdom 5 412 Sunk18 March 1943 Canadian Star nbsp United Kingdom 8 293 Sunk18 March 1943 Walter Q Gresham nbsp United States 7 191 Sunk18 March 1943 Sandanger nbsp Norway 9 432 SunkSee also EditGerman submarine U 254References EditNotes Edit Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons Military vessels are listed by tons displacement a b c d e f g h i j Carried by Southern Empress Citations Edit a b c d Groner 1991 pp 43 46 Franks Norman L R 1997 Dark sky deep water Lanham Maryland Rowman amp Littlefield p 94 ISBN 978 1442232853 Retrieved 6 August 2023 Helgason Gudmundur The Type VIIC boat U 221 German U boats of WWII uboat net Retrieved 9 December 2014 Kemp 1999 p 147 Helgason Gudmundur Ships hit by U 221 German U boats of WWII uboat net Retrieved 26 December 2014 Bibliography EditBusch Rainer Roll Hans Joachim 1999 German U boat commanders of World War II a biographical dictionary Translated by Brooks Geoffrey London Annapolis Md Greenhill Books Naval Institute Press ISBN 1 55750 186 6 Busch Rainer Roll Hans Joachim 1999 Deutsche U Boot Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 German U boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945 Der U Boot Krieg in German Vol IV Hamburg Berlin Bonn Mittler ISBN 3 8132 0514 2 Edwards Bernard 1996 Donitz and the Wolf Packs The U boats at War Cassell Military Classics pp 132 173 208 ISBN 0 304 35203 9 Groner Erich Jung Dieter Maass Martin 1991 U boats and Mine Warfare Vessels German Warships 1815 1945 Vol 2 Translated by Thomas Keith Magowan Rachel London Conway Maritime Press ISBN 0 85177 593 4 Kemp Paul 1999 U boats destroyed German submarine losses in the World Wars London Arms amp Armour ISBN 1 85409 515 3 OCLC 43972253 External links EditHelgason Gudmundur The Type VIIC boat U 221 German U boats of WWII uboat net Retrieved 9 December 2014 Hofmann Markus U 221 Deutsche U Boote 1935 1945 u boot archiv de in German Retrieved 26 December 2014 Portals nbsp Military of Germany nbsp World War II 47 0 N 18 0 W 47 000 N 18 000 W 47 000 18 000 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title German submarine U 221 amp oldid 1179954335, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
