U-48
Scuttled
| Type | Submarine |
|---|---|
| Class | Type VIIB |
| War | Second World War |
| Main guns | 1 × 3.5″ gun |
The most successful U-boat of the war, sinking 52 ships in twelve patrols under Herbert Schultze and Heinrich Bleichrodt, before she was retired to training in 1941. Scuttled in May 1945.
Armament and specifications
Armament
- 5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern)
- 14 torpedoes or 26 TMA or 39 TMB mines
- 1 × 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun with 220 rounds
- 1 × 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun
| Builder | Germaniawerft, Kiel |
|---|---|
| Laid down | 10 March 1937 |
| Launched | 8 March 1939 |
| Commissioned | 22 April 1939 |
| Displacement | 753 t (741 long tons) surfaced 857 t (843 long tons) submerged |
| Length | 66.50 m (218 ft 2 in) o/a 48.80 m (160 ft 1 in) pressure hull |
| Speed | 17.9 knots (33.2 km/h; 20.6 mph) surfaced 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) submerged |
| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
As built, from the ship's Wikipedia article. Figures there may cover later refits too.
Career
Launched
8 March 1939
Convoy SC 7
Survived
16–19 October 1940
Heinrich Bleichrodt
Convoy HX 79
Survived
19–20 October 1940
Finished off Shirak
Fate
Scuttled
Scuttled, 3 May 1945