Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War
Kriegsmarine — Submarine

German submarine U-668

Type VIIC submarine

Displacement
757 long tons (769 t)
Length
67.1 m (220.1 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-66816 November 1942 — 9 May 1945905 days of the war
Type VIIC submarine Particulars
Name
U-668
Builder
Howaldtswerke, Hamburg
Ordered
15 August 1940
Laid down
11 October 1941
Launched
5 October 1942
Commissioned
16 November 1942
Fate
Surrendered on 9 May 1945
Sunk on 31 December 1945 as part of Operation Deadlight (1945)
Status
Wreck

Specifications

Displacement, surfaced
757 long tons (769 t)
Displacement, submerged
857 long tons (871 t)
Length
67.1 m (220.1 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-668 was a Type VIIC submarine in service with the Kriegsmarine. Howaldtswerke, Hamburg laid her keel on 11 October 1941. Launched on 5 October 1942, she entered service on 16 November 1942.

She was one of 612 ships of her class. 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 67.1 m (220 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 905 days of the Second World War.

She was sunk on 9 May 1945, at 56°03′N 9°24′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 × torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern)
  • 14 × 53.3 cm torpedoes or 26 TMA mines
  • 1 × 8.8 cm deck gun (220 rounds)
  • 2 × twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns

Sister ships

587 more in the class

Sources