German submarine U-57 (1938)

U-57 was a Type IIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was built by Deutsche Werke in Kiel and commissioned on 16 December 1938, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Gunter Krech.

Service History:

U-57 primarily served in a training capacity early in the war, initially assigned to the U-boat training flotilla (U-Ausbildungsflottille). She later transitioned to operational patrols. Her operational career spanned from November 1939 to September 1940, during which she conducted patrols in the North Sea and the English Channel.

Fate:

On 3 September 1940, U-57 collided with the Norwegian merchant vessel Rona in the North Sea, south of Heligoland. The collision resulted in the sinking of U-57. Six members of the crew were killed in the incident. The remaining crew, including the commander, were rescued. The wreck of U-57 rests on the seabed in the North Sea.

Specifications (Type IIB):

• Displacement: 254 tons surfaced, 303 tons submerged
• Length: 42.70 m (140 ft 1 in)
• Beam: 4.08 m (13 ft 5 in)
• Draft: 3.90 m (12 ft 10 in)
• Propulsion: Two MWM RS 127 S diesel engines, one AEG electric motor
• Speed: 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) surfaced, 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph) submerged
• Range: 1,600 nautical miles (3,000 km; 1,800 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced, 35 nautical miles (65 km; 40 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
• Torpedo Tubes: 3 (53.3 cm, bow)
• Crew: 25

Commanders:

• Kapitänleutnant Gunter Krech (16 December 1938 – 3 September 1940)