German World War II submarine
German submarine "U-629" was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's "Kriegsmarine" for service during World War II.
She was laid down on 23 August 1941 by Blohm &amp; Voss, Hamburg as yard number 605, launched on 12 May 1942 and commissioned on 2 July 1942 under "Oberleutnant zur See" Hans-Helmuth Bugs.
Design.
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. "U-629" 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-629" 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 one twin 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 2 July 1942, followed by active service on 1 December 1942 as part of the 11th Flotilla. After eleven months she transferred to 1st Flotilla and stayed for the remainder of her service. In 11 patrols she sank no ships. During the eight patrol, on 4 January 1944 she was strafed and damaged in the Bay of Biscay by Wellington bomber from No. 304 Polish Bomber Squadron, but managed to return to Brest.
Wolfpacks.
"U-629" took part in seven wolfpacks, namely:
Fate.
"U-629" was sunk on 7 June 1944 in the English Channel in position , by depth charges from a RAF Liberator of 53 Squadron. All hands were lost.
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