Hi Dave,

I know that a number of authorities question KL Schaeffer's claim that the U-977 traveled entirely submerged for 66 straight days during his final voyage, which he characterized as a 'Reisen' (vacation, rather that a 'Feindfahrt' (war patrol).

The voyage from Norway to Argentina between May 2nd and August 17, '45 lasted some 107 days. They departed Norway with U-977's fuel bunkers only 3/4 full, taking on 85 tons of fuel, though a Type VIIC's capacity was more in the area of 110 tons. With a range of approximately 8,500 miles, surfaced at 10 knot cruise speed, she traveled an estimated 7,644 miles, with 5 tons of fuel to spare. With the significantly increased hydrodynamic drag of a submerged, rather than a surfaced u-boat, and the dramatically reduces speed (3 to 4 kts. ?), one would think that U-977's fuel economy would have been dramatically reduced.

The big question I have is, how did they really accomplish that voyage? The numbers: days at sea, tones of fuel bunkered, used, and left to spare, miles transeted, and the 66 days claimed traveled submerged, don't appear to add up.

In any event, it is a remarkable story.

Any insight, or analysis of this voyage by the experts, would be appreciated.

Regards,

Paul