French submarine Laubie (S610)
Introduction '''German submarine ''U-766''''' was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the navy (''Kriegsmarine'') of Nazi Germany during World War II. She was later incorporated in the French Navy, where she served as '''''Laubie'''''.
Design German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. ''U-766'' had a displacement of  when at the surface and  while submerged. She had a total length of , a pressure hull length of , a beam of , a height of , and a draught of . The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of  for use while surfaced, two Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c double-acting electric motors producing a total of  for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two  propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to .The submarine had a maximum surface speed of  and a maximum submerged speed of . When submerged, the boat could operate for  at ; when surfaced, she could travel  at . ''U-766'' was fitted with five  torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one  SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one  Flak M42 and two twin  C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
Service history ===Kriegsmarine===''U-766'' was launched in Wilhelmshaven on 29 May 1943, and was commissioned  on 30 July 1943 under the command ''Oberleutnant zur See'' Hans-Dietrich Wilke. She was part of the 8th U-boat Flotilla for training until 29 February 1944, when she was transferred to the frontline in the 6th U-boat flotilla.She sailed five uneventful patrols.She was de-commissioned at La Rochelle on 24 August 1944, and was surrendered on 8 May 1945.===Marine Nationale===In May 1945 ''U-766'' was transferred to France and brought into French service under captain Brunet. She was in a poor shape, and pieces of  were used to repair her. In the process, she was also fitted with a snorkel. Her trials were accomplished by a mostly German crew composed of war prisoners, with Wilke acting as first officer. ''U-766'' was commissioned in 1946 as '''''Laubie''''' (pennant number: S610), in honour of Louis Laubie, an engineer killed in the wreck of the submarine . ''Laubie'' was transferred to Toulon. On 17 July 1950, ''Laubie'' was accidentally rammed by the frigate ''Surprise'' as she was emerging. She managed to surface and return to Casablanca with a heavily damaged sail.In 1956, ''Laubie'' took part in naval operations of the Suez crisis as a backup to . On 2 May 1960, ''Laubie'' was again rammed, this time by the liner ''Ville de Marseille'', off Algiers. Her stern was damaged over 9 metres. She sustained one last accident in September 1961, when she collided with  at periscope depth. Severely damaged, ''Laubie'' was decommissioned, and broken up in 1963.
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External links **  section Rubis: (S 610) LAUBIE *  francois.delboca.free.fr:LE LAUBIE ex U-766