German World War II submarine
German submarine "U-863" was a long-range Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's "Kriegsmarine" during World War II.
She was ordered on 5 June 1941, and was laid down on 15 September 1942 at DeSchiMAG AG Weser, Bremen, as yard number 1069. She was launched on 29 June 1943 and commissioned under the command of "Kapitänleutnant" Dietrich von der Esch on 3 November 1943.
Design.
German Type IXD2 submarines were considerably larger than the original Type IXs. "U-863" had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. The U-boat had a total length of , a pressure hull length of , a beam of , a height of , and a draught of . 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 for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34 double-acting electric motors producing a total of for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to .
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of . When submerged, the boat could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at . "U-863" was fitted with six torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 24 torpedoes, one SK C/32 naval gun, 150 rounds, and a Flak M42 with 2575 rounds as well as two C/30 anti-aircraft guns with 8100 rounds. The boat had a complement of fifty-five.
Service history.
On 20 July 1944, "U-863" was attacked with 6pdr (57mm) cannon fire and depth charges from a TseTse flown by Norwegian pilot Rolf Leithe, flying for RAF 333 Squadron. "U-863" was forced back to base to repair the minor damage suffered in the attack.
On 29 September; "U-863" was sunk by depth charges east southeast of Recife, by two US Navy PB4Y-1 Liberator bomber from VB-107. All 69 of her crew were lost.
The wreck lies at .
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