German submarine U-618

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-618 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.^[2] 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 Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 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).^[2]

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).^[2] 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-618 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.^[2]

The boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 16 April 1942, followed by active service on 1 September 1942 as part of the 7th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.

In ten patrols she sank three merchant ships, for a total of 15,788 gross register tons (GRT).

On 20 November 1943, U-618 shot down a RAF Liberator bomber of 53 Squadron near to Convoy SL 139.

On 30 December 1943, U-618 rescued 21 survivors from German destroyer Z27.^[3] and its escort. Earlier U-505 had rescued 34,^[4] and MV Kerlogue (Ireland) had rescued 164.

On 19 March 1944, U-618, while trying to enter the Mediterranean Sea, sustained a week long sustained Allied attack from both aircraft and surface ships before being forced to return to France with heavy battle damage.

On 6 April 1944, U-618 was attacked by a RCAF Liberator bomber. She was able to return fire and damage the aircraft sufficiently that the air attack was broken off.

On 30 July 1944, U-618 shot down a RAF Wellington bomber in the Bay of Biscay. All six of the aircrew were killed when the bomber crashed into the sea.

U-618 was sunk on 14 August 1944 in the North Atlantic in position 47°22′N 04°39′W / 47.367°N 4.650°W / 47.367; -4.650, by depth charges from HMS Duckworth, HMS Essington and RAF Liberator. All hands were lost.

U-618 took part in 18 wolfpacks, namely:

• Pfeil (12 – 22 September 1942)
• Blitz (22 – 26 September 1942)
• Tiger (26 – 30 September 1942)
• Wotan (5 – 19 October 1942)
• Neuland (4 – 6 March 1943)
• Ostmark (6 – 11 March 1943)
• Stürmer (11 – 20 March 1943)
• Seewolf (21 – 30 March 1943)
• Adler (11 – 13 April 1943)
• Meise (13 – 20 April 1943)
• Specht (21 – 25 April 1943)
• Schill 3 (18 – 22 November 1943)
• Weddigen (22 November – 7 December 1943)
• Coronel (7 – 8 December 1943)
• Coronel 2 (8 – 14 December 1943)
• Coronel 3 (14 – 17 December 1943)
• Borkum (18 – 26 December 1943)
• Hela (28 December 1943 – 1 January 1944)

• Convoy SC 104

• Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-618". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 December 2014.