German submarine U-847

History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-847
Ordered	20 January 1941
Builder	DeSchiMAG AG Weser, Bremen
Yard number	1053
Laid down	23 November 1941
Launched	5 September 1942
Commissioned	23 January 1943
Fate	Sunk on 27 August 1943 at position 28°19′N37°58′W / 28.317°N 37.967°W by air-launched homing torpedoes fired from US aircraft operating off escort carrier USS Card.
General characteristics
Class and type	Type IXD2 submarine
Displacement	1,610 t (1,580 long tons) surfaced; 1,804 t (1,776 long tons) submerged;
Length	87.58 m (287 ft 4 in) o/a ; 68.50 m (224 ft 9 in) pressure hull ;
Beam	7.50 m (24 ft 7 in) o/a; 4.40 m (14 ft 5 in) pressure hull;
Height	10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
Draught	5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)
Installed power	9,000 PS (6,620 kW; 8,880 bhp) (diesels); 1,000 PS (740 kW; 990 shp) (electric);
Propulsion	2 shafts; 2 × diesel engines ; 2 × electric motors ;
Speed	20.8 knots (38.5 km/h; 23.9 mph) surfaced; 6.9 knots (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph) submerged;
Range	12,750 nmi (23,610 km; 14,670 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced; 115 nmi (213 km; 132 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged;
Test depth	230 m (750 ft)
Complement	55 to 64
Armament	6 × torpedo tubes (four bow, two stern); 24 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes ; 1 × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK C/32 deck gun (150 rounds); 1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) SK C/30 ; 2 × 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns ;
Service record
Part of:	4th U-boat Flotilla ; 23 January – 30 June 1943; 12th U-boat Flotilla ; 1 July – 27 August 1943;
Identification codes:	M 49 998
Commanders:	Kptlt. Friedrich Guggenberger ; 23 January – 1 February 1943; K.Kapt. Wilhelm Rollmann ; 26 January 1943; Kptlt. Jost Metzler ; 1 February – 30 June 1943; Kptlt. Herbert Kuppisch ; 1 July – 27 August 1943;
Operations:	1 patrol:; 29 July – 27 August 1943;
Victories:	None

Last updated April 05, 2024

German submarine U-847 was a long-range Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. Laid down in Bremen and launched on 5 September 1942.

Design

German Type IXD2 submarines were considerably larger than the original Type IXs. U-847 had a displacement of 1,610 tonnes (1,580 long tons) when at the surface and 1,799 tonnes (1,771 long tons) while submerged.^[3] The U-boat had a total length of 87.58 m (287 ft 4 in), a pressure hull length of 68.50 m (224 ft 9 in), a beam of 7.50 m (24 ft 7 in), a height of 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in), and a draught of 5.35 m (17 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two MAN M 9 V 40/46 supercharged four-stroke, nine-cylinder diesel engines plus two MWM RS34.5S six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines for cruising, producing a total of 9,000 metric horsepower (6,620 kW; 8,880 shp) for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 1,000 shaft horsepower (1,010 PS; 750 kW) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.85 m (6 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 200 metres (660 ft).^[3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 20.8 knots (38.5 km/h; 23.9 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 6.9 knots (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph).^[3] When submerged, the boat could operate for 121 nautical miles (224 km; 139 mi) at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 12,750 nautical miles (23,610 km; 14,670 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-847 was fitted with six 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 24 torpedoes, one 10.5 cm (4.13 in) SK C/32 naval gun, 150 rounds, and a 3.7 cm (1.5 in) SK C/30 with 2575 rounds as well as two 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns with 8100 rounds. The boat had a complement of fifty-five.^[3]

Service history

She was commanded for her short career by four Knight's Cross recipients, each a U-boat ace in their own right, although she neither sank nor damaged any vessels. They were:

Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Guggenberger
Korvettenkapitän Wilhelm Rollmann
Kapitänleutnant Jost Metzler
Kapitänleutnant Herbert Kuppisch

She joined 4th Flotilla for training on 23 January 1943, where she remained until 30 June 1943. She then joined 12th Flotilla for active service until 27 August 1943 when she was sunk while providing logistical support for other U-boats operating in the area.

Fate

U-847 was sunk by air-launched FIDO torpedoes dropped from US Avenger and Wildcat aircraft operating from the escort carrier USS Card on 27 August 1943 in the Atlantic Ocean at position 28°19′N37°58′W / 28.317°N 37.967°W / 28.317; -37.967 . All 63 hands were lost.

Related Research Articles

German submarine U-859 was a Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was one of a select number of U-boats to join Monsun Gruppe or Monsoon Group, which operated in the Far East alongside the Imperial Japanese Navy.

German submarine U-181 was a Type IXD2 U-boat of Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 15 March 1941 at the DeSchiMAG AG Weser yard at Bremen as yard number 1021. She was launched on 30 December 1941 and commissioned on 9 May 1942 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Wolfgang Lüth. After training with the 4th U-boat Flotilla at Stettin, U-181 was attached to the 10th flotilla for front-line service on 1 October 1942, then transferred to the 12th flotilla on 1 November.

German submarine U-549 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 28 September 1942 at the Deutsche Werft yard in Hamburg, launched on 28 April 1943, and commissioned on 14 July 1943 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Detlev Krankenhagen. After training with the 4th U-boat Flotilla at Stettin, the U-boat was transferred to the 10th U-boat Flotilla for front-line service on 1 January 1944.

German submarine U-196 was a Type IXD2 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 10 June 1941 at the AG Weser yard in Bremen, launched on 24 April 1942, and commissioned on 11 September 1942 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat. After training with the 4th U-boat Flotilla at Stettin, U-196 was transferred to the 12th flotilla for front-line service on 1 April 1943.

German submarine U-197 was a Type IXD2 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 5 July 1941 at the DeSchiMAG AG Weser yard in Bremen as yard number 1043. She was launched on 21 May 1942, and commissioned on 10 October under the command of Korvettenkapitän Robert Bartels. After training with the 4th U-boat Flotilla at Stettin, U-197 was transferred to the 12th U-boat Flotilla for front-line service on 1 April 1943.

German submarine U-756 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. Laid down as yard number 139 at the Kriegsmarinewerft (KMW) in Wilhelmshaven, she served with 6th U-boat flotilla from 30 December 1941 until 1 September 1942 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Klaus Harney. U-756 did not survive to complete her first patrol and did not sink or damage any ships.

German submarine <i>U-199</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-199 was a Type IXD2 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-561 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 28 February 1940 by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg as yard number 537, launched on 23 January 1941 and commissioned on 13 March 1941 under Kapitänleutnant Robert Bartels.

German submarine U-302 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 2 April 1941 at the Flender Werke yard at Lübeck as yard number 302, launched on 25 April 1942 and commissioned on 16 June under the command of Kapitänleutnant Herbert Sackel.

German submarine U-326 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. While she carried out one patrol U-326 failed to sink or damage any ships. The boat was sunk on 30 April 1945 in the Bay of Biscay by an American aircraft.

German submarine U-848 was a Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. Laid down in Bremen and commissioned on 20 February 1943, the boat was a long-range Type IX, with four bow and two stern torpedo tubes.

German submarine U-861 was a long-range Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. Laid down in Bremen and launched on 29 April 1943. She was equipped with two stern torpedo tubes and 24 mines.

German submarine U-849 was a long-range Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. Laid down in Bremen and launched on 31 October 1942.

German submarine U-904 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-851 was a long-range Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-863 was a long-range Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-871 was a long-range Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-875 was a long-range Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-876 was a long-range Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-3028 was a Type XXI U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine, built for service in World War II. She was ordered on 6 November 1943, and was laid down on 26 October 1944 at AG Weser, Bremen, as yard number 1187. She was launched on 22 December 1944, and commissioned under the command of Kapitänleutnant Erwin Christophersen on 27 January 1945.

References

↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type IXD2 boat U-847". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "War Patrols by German U-boat U-847". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 74–75.

Bibliography

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. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.
Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Der U-Boot-Krieg, 1939-1945: Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945] (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
Gröner, Eric; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815-1945: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
Sharpe, Peter (1998). U-Boat Fact File. Great Britain: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-072-9.

External links

Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type IXD2 boat U-847". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
Hofmann, Markus. "U 847". Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de (in German). Retrieved 2 February 2015.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[uboatnet-1] Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type IXD2 boat U-847". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 May 2014.

[patrols-2] Helgason, Guðmundur. "War Patrols by German U-boat U-847". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 May 2014.

[FOOTNOTEGröner199174–75-3] 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 74–75.

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e German Type IXD submarine
Type IXD1	U-180 U-195
Type IXD2	U-177 U-178 U-179 U-181 U-182 U-196 U-197 U-198 U-199 U-200 U-847 U-848 U-849 U-850 U-851 U-852 U-859 U-860 U-861 U-862 U-863 U-864 U-871 U-872 U-873 U-874 U-875 U-876
IXD/42	U-883 U-884
Preceded by: Type IXC Followed by: Type X
List of U-boats of Germany

v t e German Type IX submarines
Type IXA	U-37 U-38 U-39 U-40 U-41 U-42 U-43 U-44
Type IXB	U-64 U-65 U-103 U-104 U-105 U-106 U-107 U-108 U-109 U-110 U-111 U-122 U-123 U-124
Type IXC	U-66 U-67 U-68 U-125 U-126 U-127 U-128 U-129 U-130 U-131 U-153 U-154 U-155 U-156 U-157 U-158 U-159 U-160 U-161 U-162 U-163 U-164 U-165 U-166 U-171 U-172 U-173 U-174 U-175 U-176 U-501 U-502 U-503 U-504 U-505 U-506 U-507 U-508 U-509 U-510 U-511 U-512 U-513 U-514 U-515 U-516 U-517 U-518 U-519 U-520 U-521 U-522 U-523 U-524
Type IXC/40	U-167 U-168 U-169 U-170 U-183 U-184 U-185 U-186 U-187 U-188 U-189 U-190 U-191 U-192 U-193 U-194 U-525 U-526 U-527 U-528 U-529 U-530 U-531 U-532 U-533 U-534 U-535 U-536 U-537 U-538 U-539 U-540 U-541 U-542 U-543 U-544 U-545 U-546 U-547 U-548 U-549 U-550 U-801 U-802 U-803 U-804 U-805 U-806 U-841 U-842 U-843 U-844 U-845 U-846 U-853 U-854 U-855 U-856 U-857 U-858 U-865 U-866 U-867 U-868 U-869 U-870 U-877 U-878 U-879 U-880 U-881 U-889 U-1221 U-1222 U-1223 U-1224 U-1225 U-1226 U-1227 U-1228 U-1229 U-1230 U-1231 U-1232 U-1233 U-1234 U-1235
Type IXD	U-177 U-178 U-179 U-180 U-181 U-182 U-195 U-196 U-197 U-198 U-199 U-200 U-847 U-848 U-849 U-850 U-851 U-852 U-859 U-860 U-861 U-862 U-863 U-864 U-871 U-872 U-873 U-874 U-875 U-876 U-883 U-884
Preceded by: Type VII Followed by: Type X List of U-boats of Germany

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in August 1943
Shipwrecks	1 Aug: U-383, U-454 2 Aug: USS PT-109, U-106, V 420 Alcyon 3 Aug: U-335, U-572, U-706 4 Aug: Catania, Fort La Montee, Lombardia, U-489 5 Aug: USS Plymouth, U-34 6 Aug: Arashi, Hagikaze, Kawakaze 7 Aug: U-84, U-117, U-615 9 Aug: U-664 11 Aug: U-468, U-525, U-604 12 Aug: Clan Macarthur 13 Aug: USS John Penn 14 Aug: HMS Saracen 15 Aug: LST-414 16 Aug: Empire Kestrel 18 Aug: Cha-5, Cha-12, U-403 19 August: I-17 20 Aug: U-197, U-670 23 Aug: USS Crow, Riilahti, USS SC-694 24 Aug: Erg, U-134, U-185 25 Aug: Ro-35, U-523 27 Aug: HMS Egret, U-847 28 Aug: U-639 29 Aug: Niels Juel 30 Aug: U-634 Unknown date: HMS Parthian, SA 7
Other incidents	4 Aug: HMS Arrow, Kembu Maru 10 Aug: USS Brant 11 Aug: USS Raton 18 Aug: USS Abner Read 30 Aug: USS Cod 31 Aug: USS Stingray
1942 1943 1944 July 1943 September 1943

History

Nazi Germany
Name	U-847
Ordered	20 January 1941
Builder	DeSchiMAG AG Weser, Bremen
Yard number	1053
Laid down	23 November 1941
Launched	5 September 1942
Commissioned	23 January 1943
Fate	Sunk on 27 August 1943 at position 28°19′N37°58′W / 28.317°N 37.967°W / 28.317; -37.967 by air-launched homing torpedoes fired from US aircraft operating off escort carrier USS Card.
General characteristics
Class and type	Type IXD2 submarine
Displacement	1,610 t (1,580 long tons) surfaced 1,804 t (1,776 long tons) submerged
Length	87.58 m (287 ft 4 in) o/a 68.50 m (224 ft 9 in) pressure hull
Beam	7.50 m (24 ft 7 in) o/a 4.40 m (14 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height	10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
Draught	5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)
Installed power	9,000 PS (6,620 kW; 8,880 bhp) (diesels) 1,000 PS (740 kW; 990 shp) (electric)
Propulsion	2 shafts 2 × diesel engines 2 × electric motors
Speed	20.8 knots (38.5 km/h; 23.9 mph) surfaced 6.9 knots (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph) submerged
Range	12,750 nmi (23,610 km; 14,670 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced 115 nmi (213 km; 132 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth	230 m (750 ft)
Complement	55 to 64
Armament	6 × torpedo tubes (four bow, two stern) 24 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes 1 × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK C/32 deck gun (150 rounds) 1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) SK C/30 2 × 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns
Service record^[1]^[2]
Part of:	4th U-boat Flotilla 23 January – 30 June 1943 12th U-boat Flotilla 1 July – 27 August 1943
Identification codes:	M 49 998
Commanders:	Kptlt. Friedrich Guggenberger 23 January – 1 February 1943 K.Kapt. Wilhelm Rollmann 26 January 1943 Kptlt. Jost Metzler 1 February – 30 June 1943 Kptlt. Herbert Kuppisch 1 July – 27 August 1943
Operations:	1 patrol: 29 July – 27 August 1943
Victories:	None