German submarine U-618

German submarine U-618 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 29 May 1941 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 594, launched on 20 February 1942 and commissioned on 16 April 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Kurt Baberg.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-618 had a displacement of 769 t when at the surface and 871 t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 50.50 m, a beam of 6.20 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.74 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2800 to 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 8500 nmi at 10 kn. U-618 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a 2 cm 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 16 April 1942, followed by active service on 1 September 1942 as part of the 7th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.

In ten patrols she sank three merchant ships, for a total of.

1943
On 20 November 1943, U-618 shot down a RAF Liberator bomber of 53 Squadron near to Convoy SL 139.

On 30 December 1943, U-618 rescued 21 survivors from German destroyer Z27. and its escort. Earlier GS U-505 had rescued 34, and MV Kerlogue (Ireland) had rescued 164.

1944
On 19 March 1944, U-618, while trying to enter the Mediterranean Sea, sustained a week long sustained Allied attack from both aircraft and surface ships before being forced to return to France with heavy battle damage.

On 6 April 1944, U-618 was attacked by a RCAF Liberator bomber. She was able to return fire and damage the aircraft sufficiently that the air attack was broken off.

On 30 July 1944, U-618 shot down a RAF Wellington bomber in the Bay of Biscay. All six of the aircrew were killed when the bomber crashed into the sea.

Fate
U-618 was sunk on 14 August 1944 in the North Atlantic in position 47.36667°N, -4.65°W, by depth charges from HMS Duckworth (K351), HMS Essington (K353) and RAF Liberator. All hands were lost.

Wolfpacks
U-618 took part in 18 wolfpacks, namely:
 * Pfeil (12 – 22 September 1942)
 * Blitz (22 – 26 September 1942)
 * Tiger (26 – 30 September 1942)
 * Wotan (5 – 19 October 1942)
 * Neuland (4 – 6 March 1943)
 * Ostmark (6 – 11 March 1943)
 * Stürmer (11 – 20 March 1943)
 * Seewolf (21 – 30 March 1943)
 * Adler (11 – 13 April 1943)
 * Meise (13 – 20 April 1943)
 * Specht (21 – 25 April 1943)
 * Schill 3 (18 – 22 November 1943)
 * Weddigen (22 November – 7 December 1943)
 * Coronel (7 – 8 December 1943)
 * Coronel 2 (8 – 14 December 1943)
 * Coronel 3 (14 – 17 December 1943)
 * Borkum (18 – 26 December 1943)
 * Hela (28 December 1943 – 1 January 1944)