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U-Boat Type VIIC, Kriegsmarine `Workhorse` of WW-II
 Type VIIC was a slightly modified version of the successful Type VIIB, they had basically the same engine layout and power, but were slightly larger, and heavier which made them not quite as fast as the VIIB.
The VIIC was the `Workhorse` of the German U-boat force in World War II from 1941 onwards-some 568!! boats of this type were built throughout the war. The first VIIC boat being commissioned was the U-69 in 1940. The VIIC was an effective fighting machine and was seen in almost all theaters of war although their range was not as long as that of the Type IX.
The larger mine-laying Type VIID was a direct variant of the VIIC.
Specifications, Type VIIC:
Displacement (srf/sub tons): 769/871
Dimensions (L*B*D meter): 67.10*6.20*4.74
Propulsion: diesel-electric 2*1,600hp supercharged MAN or Germaniawerft,6 cylinder, M6V 40/46 diesels , 2*325hp AEG GU 460/8-276 electric motors, 2*62 AFA type 27 MAK 800 or type 33 MAL 800W or 800E battery cells, 2 shaft
Speed (srf/sub knots): 17.7/7.6
Range (srf/sub n/miles@knots): 8,500@10/80@4
Diving depth (meter): 150 (crush depth 250)
Complement: 4 officers and up to 52 enlisted
Torpedo: 4*21"(533 mm) bow torpedo tubes, 1*21" stern torpedo tubes, total of 14 torpedoes
Mines: 26*TMA or 39 TMB in lieu of torpedoes
Armament: 88/L45 mm main deck gun, 1*37 mm AA gun, 2*20/C30 mm AA gun. Later in the war, snorkel was added, the 88mm deck gun was removed, the two single mount 20mm were changed to two twin mounts of 20mm. Various gunnery configurations were installed on different boats as the war drew on.
Construction
In the time span between 1938 to 1944 some 568!! hulls commissioned making it by far the most numerous built type of submarine in World War II. The boats were built by almost all German shipyards.
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Germany |
1943 |
U-Boat Type VIIC |
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Guinea |
1991 |
Battle of the Atlantic, German Bismarck.Type VII submarine in margin of ss |
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