Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War
Kriegsmarine — Submarine

German submarine U-480

Type VIIC submarine

Displacement
757 long tons (769 t)
Length
67.23 m (220.6 ft)
Beam
6.2 m (20.3 ft)
Speed
17.7 knots (32.8 km/h, 20.4 mph)
Main gun
88 mm (3.5 in)

Service

  1. Kriegsmarine as U-4806 October 1943 — 20 February 1945503 days of the war
Type VIIC submarine Particulars
Name
U-480
Builder
Deutsche Werke, Kiel
Ordered
10 April 1941
Laid down
8 December 1942
Launched
14 August 1943
Commissioned
6 October 1943
Fate
Sunk between 29 January and 20 February 1945 in minefield "Brazier D2" in the English Channel, with the loss of the entire crew of 48. (1945)
Status
Wreck

Specifications

Displacement, surfaced
757 long tons (769 t)
Displacement, submerged
857 long tons (871 t)
Length
67.23 m (220.6 ft) OA
Beam
6.2 m (20.3 ft)
Draught
4.74 m (15.6 ft)
Speed
17.7 knots (32.8 km/h, 20.4 mph)
Range
8,500 nmi (15,742 km)
Main gun
88 mm (3.5 in)

U-480 was a Type VIIC submarine in service with the Kriegsmarine. Deutsche Werke, Kiel laid her keel on 8 December 1942. She entered service on 6 October 1943, having been launched on 14 August 1943.

612 ships of the class were built. The class followed the Type UB III, Vetehinen class and was succeeded by the Type XXI (Late-war replacement).

The boat displaced 757 long tons surfaced and 857 long tons submerged. She measured 67.2 m (221 ft) long with a beam of 6.2 m (20 ft). Her designed speed was 17.7 knots.

Her main battery was one 88 mm (3.5 in) guns.

She was in commission for 503 days of the Second World War.

She was sunk on 20 February 1945, at 50°22′N 1°44′W. The wreck survives.

Written from the harvested record. Every figure above is sourced; the wording is this site's own.

Armament and machinery

Armament and machinery
Propulsion
  • 2 shafts
  • 2 × diesel engines
  • 2 × electric motors
Power
  • 2800 - 3200 PS (diesels)
  • 750 PS (electric)
Armament
  • 5 × 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern)
  • 14 × torpedoes or 26 TMA mines
  • 1 × 8.8 cm deck gun (220 rounds)
  • 1 × 3.7 cm Flak M42 AA gun
  • 2 × twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns

Sister ships

587 more in the class

Sources