German submarine U-658

German submarine U-658 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 15 November 1940 by Howaldtswerke, Hamburg as yard number 807, launched on 11 September 1941 and commissioned on 5 November 1941 under Kapitänleutnant Hans Senkel.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-658 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 Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38-8 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-658 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 8th U-boat Flotilla on 5 November 1941, followed by active service on 1 August 1942 as part of the 6th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.

In two patrols she sank three merchant ships, for a total of and damaged one other.

Wolfpacks
U-658 took part in two wolfpacks, namely:
 * Panther (13 – 20 October 1942)
 * Veilchen (20 – 30 October 1942)

Fate
U-658 was sunk on 30 October 1942 in the North Atlantic east of Newfoundland, in position 50.53333°N, -46.53333°W, by depth charges from RCAF Hudson bomber from 145 Squadron. There were no survivors.