German submarine U-260

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<th colspan="2" Script error: No such module "Data".>Service record[1][2]
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German submarine U-260 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down 7 May 1941 by Bremer Vulkan, of Bremen-Vegesack. She was commissioned 14 March 1942 with Kapitänleutnant Herbertus Purkhold in command.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-260 had a displacement of Script error: No such module "convert". when at the surface and Script error: No such module "convert". while submerged.Template:Sfn She had a total length of Script error: No such module "convert"., a pressure hull length of Script error: No such module "convert"., a beam of Script error: No such module "convert"., a height of Script error: No such module "convert"., and a draught of Script error: No such module "convert".. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of Script error: No such module "convert". for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-acting electric motors producing a total of Script error: No such module "convert". for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two Script error: No such module "convert". propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to Script error: No such module "convert"..Template:Sfn

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of Script error: No such module "convert". and a maximum submerged speed of Script error: No such module "convert"..Template:Sfn When submerged, the boat could operate for Script error: No such module "convert". at Script error: No such module "convert".; when surfaced, she could travel Script error: No such module "convert". at Script error: No such module "convert".. U-260 was fitted with five Script error: No such module "convert". torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one Script error: No such module "convert". SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and two twin Script error: No such module "convert". C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.Template:Sfn

Service history

U-260 conducted nine patrols in total. On her second, U-260 was part of Spitz wolfpack[3] which attacked Convoy ON 154, making contact with the convoy on 28 December 1942, and sinking the 4,893 GRT British freighter Empire Wagtail (lost with all hands – 43 dead).[4] This was the only ship sunk by U-260.

Purkhold was relieved in April 1944 by Oberleutnant zur See Klaus Becker. Becker commanded the boat until March 1945.

On 12 March 1945, U-260 was scuttled south of neutral Ireland, in position Script error: No such module "Coordinates"., after sustaining mine damage. The minefield had been laid by Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities"., an Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".. U-260's crew of five officers and 48 crew were interned in Ireland for the remainder of the war.

After the sinking, a sealed container of papers floated to the surface. A British expert flew to Cork to examine them.[5]

In her entire career, U-260 suffered no casualties to her crew.

Wolfpacks

U-260 took part in 16 wolfpacks, namely:

  • Blitz (22 – 26 September 1942)
  • Tiger (26 – 30 September 1942)
  • Luchs (1 – 6 October 1942)
  • Panther (6 – 11 October 1942)
  • Südwärts (24 – 26 October 1942)
  • Spitz (22 – 31 December 1942)
  • Seeteufel (21 – 30 March 1943)
  • Löwenherz (1 – 10 April 1943)
  • Lerche (10 – 15 April 1943)
  • Specht (21 April – 4 May 1943)
  • Fink (4 – 6 May 1943)
  • Leuthen (15 – 24 September 1943)
  • Rossbach (24 September – 7 October 1943)
  • Rügen 6 (28 December 1943 – 2 January 1944)
  • Rügen 5 (2 – 7 January 1944)
  • Rügen (7 – 11 January 1944)

Post war

The wreck site of U-260 was discovered in 1975 by local fisherman Colin Barnes after snagging nets, although it was presumed that the wreck of Counsellor (sunk due to a mine in 1917) was in the area. A friend of Mr Barnes, Joe Barry, dived on the noted position and discovered the U-boat rather than the expected cargo ship.

U-260 currently lies in about Script error: No such module "convert". of water approximately seven kilometres south of Glandore, and is a popular scuba diving site from Baltimore, County Cork, and Union Hall, Ireland.

There is recent speculation that U-260 did not actually strike a mine, but instead struck an underwater pinnacle (now known as '78 Rock' but which was uncharted at the time) leading to its damaged state.

On 2 July 2014, two experienced divers died whilst exploring the wreck. The divers had deviated from their dive plan for the decompression dive by staying down too long, and ascended too quickly from the wreck. Both men were ruled to have died due to complications from the bends. The body of one diver was immediately recovered, and the body of the second diver was recovered later that afternoon.[6]

Summary of raiding history

Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT) 		Fate[7]
28 December 1942 Empire Wagtail File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 4,893 Sunk

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  3. ↑ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.183
  4. ↑ Hague 2000 p.135
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Bibliography

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External links

Template:German Type VII submarines Template:March 1945 shipwrecks

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