German World War II submarine
German submarine "U-609" was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's "Kriegsmarine" for service during World War II.
She was laid down on 7 April 1941 by Blohm &amp; Voss, Hamburg as yard number 585, launched on 23 December 1941 and commissioned on 12 February 1942 under "Oberleutnant zur See" Klaus Rudloff.
Design.
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. "U-609" had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. She 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 Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of for use while surfaced, two BBC GG UB 720/8 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-609" was fitted with five torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
Service history.
The boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 12 February 1942, followed by active service on 1 August 1942 as part of the 6th U-boat Flotilla for the remainder of her service. In four patrols she sank two merchant ships, for a total of  gross register tons (GRT).
Wolfpacks.
"U-609" took part in six wolfpacks, namely:
Fate.
"U-609" was sunk on 6 February 1943 in the North Atlantic in position , by depth charges from the Free French corvette FFNF "Lobelia". All hands were lost.
Previously recorded fate.
"U-609" was sunk on 7 February 1943 in the North Atlantic in position , by depth charges from the Free French corvette FFNF "Lobelia". All hands were lost.
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