German submarine U-743

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History
War ensign of Germany (1938-1945).svg Nazi Germany
NameU-743
Ordered5 June 1941
Builder Schichau-Werke, Danzig
Yard number1546
Laid down30 May 1942
Launched11 March 1943
Commissioned15 May 1943
FateMissing since 22 August 1944
General characteristics
Class and type Type VIIC submarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
  • 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range
  • 8,500  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) submerged
Test depth
  • 230 m (750 ft)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 51 797
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Helmut Kandzior
  • 15 May 1943 – 22 August 1944
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • a. 18 – 20 August 1944
  • b. 21 – 22 August 1944
Victories: None

German submarine U-743 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 30 May 1942 by Schichau-Werke of Danzig. She was commissioned on 15 May 1943 with Oberleutnant zur See Helmut Kandzior in command.

Contents

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-743 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-743 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 two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty. [1]

Fate

On 20 August 1944 U-743 entered Trondheim for schnorkel repairs. She left the next day and was never heard from again. On 10 September 1944 U-743 was declared missing.

Previously recorded fate

U-743 was originally thought to have been sunk on 9 September 1944 at position 55°27′N11°25′W / 55.45°N 11.41°W / 55.45; -11.41 by depth charges from HMS Portchester Castle and HMS Helmsdale. This attack actually resulted in the sinking of U-484.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.

Bibliography