German submarine U-848 was a Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine during World War II. Laid down in Bremen and commissioned on 20 February 1943, the boat was a long-range Type IX, with four bow and two stern torpedo tubes.
She was commanded throughout her brief service life by Korvettenkapitän Wilhelm Rollmann, who led her through her sea trials and onto her first war patrol on 18 September 1943.
Design
German Type IXD2 submarines were considerably larger than the original Type IXs. U-848 had a displacement of 1,610 tonnes (1,580 long tons) when at the surface and 1,799 tonnes (1,771 long tons) while submerged. The U-boat had a total length of 87.58 m (287 ft 4 in), a pressure hull length of 68.50 m (224 ft 9 in), a beam of 7.50 m (24 ft 7 in), a height of 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in), and a draught of 5.35 m (17 ft 7 in). 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 9,000 metric horsepower (6,620 kW; 8,880 shp) for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 1,000 shaft horsepower (1,010 PS; 750 kW) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.85 m (6 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 200 metres (660 ft).
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 20.8 knots (38.5 km/h; 23.9 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 6.9 knots (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate for 121 nautical miles (224 km; 139 mi) at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 12,750 nautical miles (23,610 km; 14,670 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-848 was fitted with six 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 24 torpedoes, one 10.5 cm (4.13 in) SK C/32 naval gun, 150 rounds, and a 3.7 cm (1.5 in) SK C/30 with 2575 rounds as well as two 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns with 8100 rounds. The boat had a complement of fifty-five.
Service history
U-848‘s first patrol was to join the Monsun Gruppe, based in the Indian Ocean. On 2 November 1943, she torpedoed and sank the unescorted 4,573 GRT British steamship Baron Semple NW of Ascension Island. All hands were lost.
Fate
She was intercepted after 49 days on 5 November 1943, off the coast of Brazil, by the United States Navy aircraft from VB-107. She was depth charged by 3 PB4Y-1 Liberators. All 63 hands were lost.
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 November 1943 | Baron Semple |  United Kingdom | 4,573 | Sunk |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-848 |
| Ordered | 20 January 1941 |
| Builder | AG Weser, Bremen |
| Yard number | 1054 |
| Laid down | 6 January 1942 |
| Launched | 6 October 1942 |
| Commissioned | 20 February 1943 |
| Motto | et quo volverunt! (and the wish!) |
| Fate | Sunk on 5 November 1943 ( 10°09′S 18°00′W) |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type IXD2 submarine |
| Displacement | 1,610 t (1,580 long tons) surfaced1,799 t (1,771 long tons) submerged |
| Length | 87.58 m (287 ft 4 in) o/a68.50 m (224 ft 9 in) pressure hull |
| Beam | 7.50 m (24 ft 7 in) o/a4.40 m (14 ft 5 in) pressure hull |
| Height | 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 5.35 m (17 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power | 9,000 PS (6,620 kW; 8,880 bhp) (diesels)1,000 PS (740 kW; 990 shp) (electric) |
| Propulsion | 2 shafts2 × diesel engines2 × electric motors |
| Speed | 20.8 knots (38.5 km/h; 23.9 mph) surfaced6.9 knots (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph) submerged |
| Range | 12,750 nmi (23,610 km; 14,670 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced57 nmi (106 km; 66 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged |
| Test depth | 230 m (750 ft) |
| Complement | 55 to 64 |
| Armament | 6 × torpedo tubes (four bow, two stern)24 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes1 × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK C/32 deck gun (150 rounds)1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) SK C/302 × 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns |
| Service record | |
| Part of: | 4th U-boat Flotilla20 February – 31 July 194312th U-boat Flotilla1 August – 5 November 1943 |
| Identification codes: | M 50 593 |
| Commanders: | K.Kapt. / F.Kapt. Wilhelm Rollmann20 February – 5 November 1943 |
| Operations: | 1 patrol:18 September – 5 November 1943 |
| Victories: | 1 merchant ship sunk (4,573 GRT) |