Berbagai Type U-boat Nazi German

Kapal selam. Dan dulu sampai sekarang dianggap sebagai mesin perang yang punya nilai strategis. Sulit dideteksi sehingga punya kemampuan menyelinap tanpa ketahuan lawan serta memiliki daya gempur, itulah alasan utamanya.

Nazi Jerman rupanya sadar betul dengan potensi yang dimiliki mesin perang yang satu ini. Benteng aturan dari negara-negara pemenang PD I dalam bentuk Traktat Versailles yang salah satu isinya adalah membatasi Jerman untuk mengembangkan teknologi kapal selam atau U-boat bisa dikelabui. Proses pengembangan diam-diam tetap berjalan dan walau sedikit meleset, AL Nazi Jerman atau Kriegsmarine mampu menyuguhkan sebuah komposisi kekuatan U-boat yang tergolong rapi dalam PD II.

Nazi Jerman rupanya sadar betul dengan potensi yang dimiliki mesin perang yang satu ini. Benteng aturan dari negara-negara pemenang PD I dalam bentuk Traktat Versailles yang salah satu isinya adalah membatasi Jerman untuk mengembangkan teknologi kapal selam atau U-boat bisa dikelabui. Proses pengembangan diam-diam tetap berjalan dan walau sedikit meleset, AL Nazi Jerman atau Kriegsmarine mampu menyuguhkan sebuah komposisi kekuatan U-boat yang tergolong rapi dalam PD II.

Sesuai dengan kebutuhan di lapangan, kekuatan U-boat Kriegsmarine terbagi menjadi tiga kategori. Mulai dari U-boat jarak dekat, menengah, dan jarak jauh. U-boat Type II dan XXIII misalnya masuk dalam golongan kekuatan jarak dekat yang umumnya dipakai untuk keperluan patroli pantai. Selanjutnya bagi keperluan patroli jarak menengah, ada keluarga besar Type VII. Terakhir U-boat Type IX dirancang buat memenuhi kebutuhan operasi jarak jauh. Semua penggelaran kekuatan, terutama untuk U-boat jarak jauh didukung oleh U-boat spesialis pemasok logistik. Bagi keperluan latih, Kriegsmarine menerapkan kebijakan komposit. Artinya jenis U-boat yang dipakai beragam.

                                                               U-boat types

                              Coastal boats

IIA	IIB	IIC	IID
Long Range boats
IX	IXB Most victorious	IXC	IXC/40	IXD
Atlantic boats
VIIA	VIIB	VIIC The workhorse	VIIC/41	VIIC/42
Various boats
IA	VIID Mine layers	VIIF Torpedo transports	U-Flak Aircraft traps
Special boats
X B Mine layers	XIV Supply boats	XXI Elektro boat	XXIII Elektro boat
Walter U-boats
V 80 Prototype	XVIIA Research boats	XVIIB Research boats	XVIII

			Atlantic boats Type U-Boat VIIA
			Construction history of type VIIA U-boats Shipyard Werk # Built during U-27 - U-32 6   AG Weser, Bremen 908 - 913  1935 - 1937 U-33 - U-36 4  F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 556 - 559 1935 - 1936   Technical information for type VIIA Displacement: (tons) 626 (sf) 745 (sm) 915 (total) Length: (m) 64,51 oa 45,50 ph Beam: (m) 5,85 oa 4,70 ph Draught: (draft) 4,37 m Height: 9,50 m Power: (hp) 2310 (sf) 750 (sm) Speed: (knots) 17 (sf) 8,0 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 6200/10 (sf) 94/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 11 4/1 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 22 TMA Deck gun: 88/45 220 rounds Crew: 42-46 men Max depth: ca. 220 m (722 feet) sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower.
			Type U-Boat VIIB Which was the most successful U-boat, Prien's U-47 and Schepke's U-100. U-48, the most successful boat in the war, was of type VIIB. VIIB Below you can see the 24 commissioned U-boats of this type. U-45, U-46, U-47, U-48, U-49, U-50, U-51, U-52, U-53, U-54, U-55, U-73, U-74, U-75, U-76, U-83, U-84, U-85, U-86, U-87, U-99, U-100, U-101, and U-102. Technical information for type VIIB Displacement: (tons) 753 (sf) 857 (sm) 1040 (total) Length: (m) 66,50 oa 48,80 ph Beam: (m) 6,20 oa 4,70 ph Draught: (draft) 4,74 m Height: 9,50 m Power: (hp) 3200 (sf) 750 (sm) Speed: (knots) 17,9 (sf) 8,0 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 8700/10 (sf) 90/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 14 4/1 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 26 TMA Deck gun: 88/45 220 rounds Crew: 44-48 men Max depth: ca. 220 m (722 feet) sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower.
			Type U-Boat VIIC Construction history of type VIIC U-boats Shipyard Werk # Built during U-69 - U-70 2   F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 603 - 604  1938 - 1940 U-71 - U-72 2   F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 618 - 619  1939 - 1941 U-77 - U-82 6   Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack 5 - 10  1939 - 1941 U-88 - U-92 5   Flender Werke AG, Lübeck 292 - 296  1939 - 1942 U-93 - U-98 6   F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 598 - 603  1938 - 1940 U-132 - U-136 5   Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack 11 - 15  1939 - 1941 U-201 - U-212 12   F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 630 - 641  1939 - 1942 U-221 - U-232 12   F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 651 - 662  1940 - 1942 U-235 - U-240 6   F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 665 - 670  1941 - 1943 U-241 - U-250 10   F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 675 - 684  1941 U-251 - U-291 41   Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack 16 - 56  1939 - 1943 U-301 - U-316 16   Flender Werke AG, Lübeck 301 - 316  1940 - 1943 U-331 - U-350 20   Nordseewerke, Emden 203 - 222  1939 - 1943 U-351 - U-366 16   Flensburger Schiffsbau-Ges, Flensburg 470 - 485  1939 - 1943 U-367 - U-370 4   Flensburger Schiffsbau-Ges, Flensburg 490 - 493  1941 U-371 - U-390 20   Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel 2 - 21  1939 - 1943 U-391 - U-394 4   Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel 23 - 26  1941 - 1943 U-396 - U-400 5   Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel 28 - 32  1941 U-401 - U-430 30   Danziger Werft AG, Danzig 102 - 131  1939 - 1943 U-431 - U-434 4   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1472 - 1475  1939 - 1941 U-435 - U-438 4   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1477 - 1480  1939 - 1941 U-439 - U-442 4   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1490 - 1493  1940 - 1942 U-443 - U-444 2   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1498 - 1499  1940 - 1942 U-445 - U-448 4   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1505 - 1508  1940 - 1942 U-449 - U-450 2   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1520 - 1521  1940 - 1942 U-451 - U-458 8   Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel 282 - 289  1939 - 1941 U-465 - U-473 9   Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel 296 - 304  1940 - 1943 U-475 - U-480 6   Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel 306 - 311  1941 - 1943 U-481 - U-486 6   Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel 316 - 321  1941 - 1944 U-551 - U-650 100   Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 527 - 626  1939 - 1942 U-651 - U-683 33   Howaldtswerke Hamburg AG, Hamburg 800 - 832  1939 - 1944 U-701 - U-705 5   H C Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg 760 - 764  1939 - 1941 U-706  H C Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg 766  1939 - 1941 U-707 - U-710 4   H C Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg 771 - 774  1940 - 1942 U-711 - U-722 12   H C Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg 777 - 788  1940 - 1943 U-731 - U-734 4   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1522 - 1525  1940 - 1942 U-735 - U-740 6   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1532 - 1537  1941 - 1943 U-741 - U-746 6   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1544 - 1549  1941 - 1943 U-747 - U-750 4   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1557 - 1560  1941 U-751 - U-768 18   Kriegsmarinewerft (KMW), Wilhelmshaven 134 - 151  1939 - 1943 U-771 - U-779 9   Kriegsmarinewerft (KMW), Wilhelmshaven 154 - 162  1940 - 1944 U-821 - U-822 2   Oderwerke AG, Stettin 821 - 822  1941 - 1944 U-825 - U-826 2   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1588 - 1589  1942 - 1944 U-901  Stettiner Maschinenbau AG, Stettin 14  1941 - 1944 U-903 - U-904 2   Flender Werke AG, Lübeck 329 - 330  1942 - 1943 U-905  H C Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg 802  1942 - 1943 U-907  H C Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg 804  1942 - 1943 U-921 - U-928 8   Neptun Werft AG, Rostock 508 - 515  1941 - 1944 U-951 - U-994 44   Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 151 - 194  1941 - 1943 U-1051 - U-1058 8   F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 685 - 692  1941 - 1944 U-1101 - U-1102 2   Nordseewerke, Emden 223 - 224  1941 - 1944 U-1131 - U-1132 2   Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel 33 - 34  1941 - 1944 U-1161 - U-1162 2   Danziger Werft AG, Danzig 133 - 134  1941 - 1943 U-1191 - U-1210 20  F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1561 - 1580 1942 - 1944
			Technical information for type VIIC Displacement: (tons) 769 (sf) 871 (sm) 1070 (total) Length: (m) 67,10 oa 50,50 ph Beam: (m) 6,20 oa 4,70 ph Draught: (draft) 4,74 m Height: 9,60 m Power: (hp) 3200 (sf) 750 (sm) Speed: (knots) 17,7 (sf) 7,6 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 8500/10 (sf) 80/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 14 4/1 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 26 TMA Deck gun: 88/45 220 rounds Crew: 44-52 men Max depth: ca. 220 m (722 feet) sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower.
			Type VIIC/41 91 boats commissioned Construction history of type VIIC/41 U-boats Shipyard Werk # Built during U-292 - U-300 9   Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack 57 - 65  1941 - 1943 U-317 - U-328 12   Flender Werke AG, Lübeck 317 - 328  1941 - 1944 U-827 - U-828 2   F Schichau GmbH, Danzig 1590 - 1591  1942 - 1944 U-929 - U-930 2   Neptun Werft AG, Rostock 516 - 517  1942 - 1944 U-995  Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 195  1941 - 1944 U-997 - U-1010 14   Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 197 - 210  1941 - 1944 U-1013 - U-1025 13   Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 213 - 225  1942 - 1945 U-1063 - U-1065 3   F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 700 - 702  1941 - 1944 U-1103 - U-1110 8   Nordseewerke, Emden 225 - 232  1941 - 1944 U-1163 - U-1172 10   Danziger Werft AG, Danzig 135 - 144  1941 - 1944 U-1271 - U-1279 9   Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack 66 - 74  1942 - 1944 U-1301 - U-1308 8  Flensburger Schiffsbau-Ges, Flensburg 494 - 501 1942 - 1945
			U-995 is seen here in a rather dry environment for a U-boat! All type VIIC/41 U-boats Below you can see the 91 commissioned U-boats of this type. U-292, U-293, U-294, U-295, U-296, U-297, U-298, U-299, U-300, U-317, U-318, U-319, U-320, U-321, U-322, U-323, U-324, U-325, U-326, U-327, U-328, U-827, U-828, U-929, U-930, U-995, U-997, U-998, U-999, U-1000, U-1001, U-1002, U-1003, U-1004, U-1005, U-1006, U-1007, U-1008, U-1009, U-1010, U-1013, U-1014, U-1015, U-1016, U-1017, U-1018, U-1019, U-1020, U-1021, U-1022, U-1023, U-1024, U-1025, U-1063, U-1064, U-1065, U-1103, U-1104, U-1105, U-1106, U-1107, U-1108, U-1109, U-1110, U-1163, U-1164, U-1165, U-1166, U-1167, U-1168, U-1169, U-1170, U-1171, U-1172, U-1271, U-1272, U-1273, U-1274, U-1275, U-1276, U-1277, U-1278, U-1279, U-1301, U-1302, U-1303, U-1304, U-1305, U-1306, U-1307, and U-1308. Technical information for type VIIC/41 Displacement: (tons) 769 (sf) 871 (sm) 1070 (total) Length: (m) 67,10 oa 50,50 ph Beam: (m) 6,20 oa 4,70 ph Draught: (draft) 4,74 m Height: 9,60 m Power: (hp) 3200 (sf) 750 (sm) Speed: (knots) 17,7 (sf) 7,6 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 8500/10 (sf) 80/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 14 4/1 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 26 TMA Deck gun: 88/45 220 rounds Crew: 44-52 men Max depth: ca. 250 m (820 feet) sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower.
			U-boat Types VIIC/42 None Built Contracts were signed for 164 boats U-boats Builder Werk number U-699 - U-700* Howaldtswerke, Hamburg (Werk 849 - 850) U-783 - U-790 Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven (Werk 168 - 175) U-913 - U-918 H C Stülcken, Hamburg (Werk 810 - 815) U-937 - U-942 AG Neptun, Rostock (Werk 529 - 534) U-1069 - U-1080* Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (Werk 706 - 717) U-1093 - U-1100* Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (Werk 732 - 739) U-1115 - U-1120* Nordseewerke, Emden (Werk 237 - 242) U-1147 - U-1152 Howaldtswerke, Kiel (Werk 49 - 54) U-1215 - U-1220 F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (Werk 1610 - 1615) U-1292 - U-1297 Vegesacker Werft, Vegesack (Werk 87 - 92) U-1313 - U-1318 Flensburger Schiffsbau, Flensburg (Werk 509 - 514) U-1339 - U-1350 Flender-Werke AG, Lübeck (Werk 359 - 370) U-1423 - U-1434 Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (Werk 273 - 284) U-1440 - U-1463 Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (Werk 290 - 313) U-1805 - U-1822 Danziger Werft AG, Danzig (Werk 167 - 184) U-1901 - U-1904 Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven (Werk 176 - 179) U-2001 - U-2004 Howaldtswerke, Hamburg (Werk 851 - 854) U-2101 - U-2104 Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (Werk 740 - 743) U-2301 - U-2318 F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (Werk 1616 - 1633) Technical information for type VIIC/42 Displacement: (tons) 999 (sf) 1099 (sm) 1363 (total) Length: (m) 68,70 oa 50,90 ph Beam: (m) 6,85 oa 5,00 ph Draught: (draft) 5,00 m Height: 10,00 m Power: (hp) 4400 (sf) 750 (sm) Speed: (knots) 18,6 (sf) 7,6 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 12600/10 (sf) 80/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 16 4/1 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 26 TMA Deck gun: No deck gun Crew: 44-52 men Max depth: ca. 270 m (886 feet) sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower.

Special boats

Type XXIII

61 boats commissioned

Construction history of type XXIII

U-boats		Shipyard	Werk #	Built during
U-2321 - U-2331	11	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg	475 - 485	1943 - 1944
U-2332 - U-2333	2	F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel	941 - 942	1944
U-2334 - U-2369	36	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg	488 - 523	1943 - 1945
U-2371		Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg	525	1944 - 1945
U-4701 - U-4707	7	F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel	943 - 949	1944 - 1945
U-4709 - U-4712	4	F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel	951 - 954	1944 - 1945

The first XXIII, U-2321, was launched from Deutsche Werft in Hamburg on 17 April, 1944, she was one of the 6 XXIII's that went on operational patrol around the British Isles in early 1945. U-4712 was the last one launched, on April 19, 1945.

The first XXIII to go out on patrol was U-2324 on 29 Jan 1945. The U-2336 under the command of Kptlt. Klusmeier sank the last ships sunk in WWII on May 7 when he sank two British freighters inside the Firth of Forth.

None of the 6 operational XXIII's (U-2321, U-2322, U-2324, U-2326, U-2329 and U-2336) was sunk by the allies during Jan - May 1945. 3 of these boats sank 4 ships for a total of 7,392 tons.

The following 7 boats were lost to various causes;

U-2323 (mined on 26 July 1944), U-2331 (training accident on 10 Oct 1944), U-2338 (sunk by British aircraft east-northeast of Frederika on May 4, 1945, the only XXIII to be sunk by the enemy, 12 dead) U-2342 (mined on 26 Dec 1944), U-2344 (rammed by U-2336 on 18 Feb 1945), U-2351 (paid off in April 1945 after bomb damages) and U-2367 (rammed by U-boat on 5 May 1945).

 

U-2363 after the surrender to the Allies.

All type XXIII U-boats

Below you can see the 61 commissioned U-boats of this type.

U-2321, U-2322, U-2323, U-2324, U-2325, U-2326, U-2327, U-2328, U-2329, U-2330, U-2331,
U-2332, U-2333, U-2334, U-2335, U-2336, U-2337, U-2338, U-2339, U-2340, U-2341, U-2342,
U-2343, U-2344, U-2345, U-2346, U-2347, U-2348, U-2349, U-2350, U-2351, U-2352, U-2353,
U-2354, U-2355, U-2356, U-2357, U-2358, U-2359, U-2360, U-2361, U-2362, U-2363, U-2364,
U-2365, U-2366, U-2367, U-2368, U-2369, U-2371, U-4701, U-4702, U-4703, U-4704, U-4705,
U-4706, U-4707, U-4709, U-4710, U-4711, and U-4712.

Technical information for type XXIII

Displacement: (tons) 234 (sf) 258 (sm) 275 (total) Length: (m) 34,68 oa 26,00 ph Beam: (m) 3,02 oa 3,00 ph Draught: (draft) 3,66 m Height: 7,70 m Power: (hp) 630 (sf) 580 (sm)

Speed: (knots) 9,7 (sf) 12,5 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 2600/8 (sf) 194/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 2 2/0 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: No mines carried Deck gun: No deck gun Crew: 14-18 men Max depth: ca. 180 m (591 feet)

sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull,
oa = overall, hp = horsepower. 

Type XXI

118 boats commissioned

Construction history of type XXI

U-boats		Shipyard	Werk #	Built during
U-2501 - U-2531	31	Blohm & Voss, Hamburg	2501 - 2531	1943 - 1945
U-2533 - U-2536	4	Blohm & Voss, Hamburg	2533 - 2536	1943 - 1945
U-2538 - U-2546	9	Blohm & Voss, Hamburg	2538 - 2546	1943 - 1945
U-2548		Blohm & Voss, Hamburg	2548	1943 - 1945
U-2551 - U-2552	2	Blohm & Voss, Hamburg	2551 - 2552	1943 - 1945
U-3001 - U-3035	35	AG Weser, Bremen	1160 - 1194	1943 - 1945
U-3037 - U-3041	5	AG Weser, Bremen	1196 - 1200	1943 - 1945
U-3044		AG Weser, Bremen	1203	1943 - 1945
U-3501 - U-3530	30	F Schichau GmbH, Danzig	1646 - 1675	1943 - 1945

U-2540, now called Wilhelm Bauer, as seen in Bremerhaven.

Read about the Elektro boat development.

All type XXI U-boats

Below you can see the 118 commissioned U-boats of this type.

U-2501, U-2502, U-2503, U-2504, U-2505, U-2506, U-2507, U-2508, U-2509, U-2510, U-2511,
U-2512, U-2513, U-2514, U-2515, U-2516, U-2517, U-2518, U-2519, U-2520, U-2521, U-2522,
U-2523, U-2524, U-2525, U-2526, U-2527, U-2528, U-2529, U-2530, U-2531, U-2533, U-2534,
U-2535, U-2536, U-2538, U-2539, U-2540, U-2541, U-2542, U-2543, U-2544, U-2545, U-2546,
U-2548, U-2551, U-2552, U-3001, U-3002, U-3003, U-3004, U-3005, U-3006, U-3007, U-3008,
U-3009, U-3010, U-3011, U-3012, U-3013, U-3014, U-3015, U-3016, U-3017, U-3018, U-3019,
U-3020, U-3021, U-3022, U-3023, U-3024, U-3025, U-3026, U-3027, U-3028, U-3029, U-3030,
U-3031, U-3032, U-3033, U-3034, U-3035, U-3037, U-3038, U-3039, U-3040, U-3041, U-3044,
U-3501, U-3502, U-3503, U-3504, U-3505, U-3506, U-3507, U-3508, U-3509, U-3510, U-3511,
U-3512, U-3513, U-3514, U-3515, U-3516, U-3517, U-3518, U-3519, U-3520, U-3521, U-3522,
U-3523, U-3524, U-3525, U-3526, U-3527, U-3528, U-3529, and U-3530.

Technical information for type XXI

Displacement: (tons) 1621 (sf) 1819 (sm) 2100 (total) Length: (m) 76,70 oa 60,50 ph Beam: (m) 8,00 oa 5,30 ph Draught: (draft) 6,32 m Height: 11,30 m Power: (hp) 4000 (sf) 4400 (sm)

Speed: (knots) 15,6 (sf) 17,2 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 15500/10 (sf) 340/5 (sm) Torpedoes: 23 6/0 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 12 TMC Deck gun: No deck gun Crew: 57-60 men Max depth: ca. 280 m (919 feet)

sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower.

Type XIV

10 boats commissioned

Construction history of type XIV

U-boats		Shipyard	Werk #	Built during
U-459 - U-464	6	Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel	290 - 295	1940 - 1942
U-487 - U-490	4	F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel	556 - 559	1941 - 1943

All type XIV U-boats

Below you can see the 10 commissioned U-boats of this type.
U-459, U-460, U-461, U-462, U-463, U-464, U-487, U-488, U-489, and U-490.

Technical information for type XIV

Displacement: (tons) 1668 (sf) 1932 (sm) 2300 (total) Length: (m) 67,10 oa 47,51 ph Beam: (m) 9,35 oa 4,90 ph Draught: (draft) 6,51 m Height: 11,71 m Power: (hp) 3200 (sf) 750 (sm)

Speed: (knots) 14,9 (sf) 6,2 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 12350/10 (sf) 55/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 0 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: No mines carried Deck gun: No deck gun Crew: 53-60 men Max depth: ca. 240 m (787 feet)

sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull,
oa = overall, hp = horsepower.   

Type XB

8 boats commissioned

Construction history of type XB

U-boats		Shipyard	Werk #	Built during
U-116 - U-118	3	F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel	615 - 617	1939 - 1941
U-119		F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel	624	1939 - 1941
U-219 - U-220	2	F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel	625 - 626	1940 - 1943
U-233 - U-234	2	F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel	663 - 664	1940 - 1944

All type XB U-boats

Below you can see the 8 commissioned U-boats of this type.

U-116, U-117, U-118, U-119, U-219, U-220, U-233, and U-234.

Technical information for type XB

Displacement: (tons) 1763 (sf) 2177 (sm) 2710 (total) Length: (m) 89,80 oa 70,90 ph Beam: (m) 9,20 oa 4,75 ph Draught: (draft) 4,71 m Height: 10,20 m Power: (hp) 4800 (sf) 1100 (sm)

Speed: (knots) 17,0 (sf) 7,0 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 18450/10 (sf) 93/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 15 0/2 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 66 SMA Deck gun: 105/45 200 rounds Crew: 48-60 men Max depth: ca. 220 m (722 feet)

sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull,
oa = overall, hp = horsepower. 

Long Range boats

Type IXD

30 boats commissioned

Construction history of type IXD

U-boats		Shipyard	Werk #	Built during
U-177 - U-182	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1017 - 1022	1940 - 1942
U-195 - U-200	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1041 - 1046	1940 - 1942
U-847 - U-852	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1053 - 1058	1941 - 1943
U-859 - U-864	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1065 - 1070	1941 - 1943
U-871 - U-876	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1079 - 1084	1941 - 1944

All type IXD U-boats

Below you can see the 30 commissioned U-boats of this type.
U-177, U-178, U-179, U-180, U-181, U-182, U-195, U-196, U-197, U-198, U-199,
U-200, U-847, U-848, U-849, U-850, U-851, U-852, U-859, U-860, U-861, U-862,
U-863, U-864, U-871, U-872, U-873, U-874, U-875, and U-876.

Technical information for type IXD

Displacement: (tons) 1616 (sf) 1804 (sm) 2150 (total) Length: (m) 87,60 oa 68,50 ph Beam: (m) 7,50 oa 4,40 ph Draught: (draft) 5,40 m Height: 10,20 m Power: (hp) 4400 (sf) 1000 (sm)

Speed: (knots) 19,2 (sf) 6,9 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 23700/12 (sf) 57/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 24 4/2 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 48 TMA Deck gun: 105/45 150 rounds Crew: 55-63 men Max depth: ca. 230 m (755 feet)

sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull,
oa = overall, hp = horsepower. 

Type IXC/40

87 boats commissioned

Construction history of type IXC/40

U-boats		Shipyard	Werk #	Built during
U-167 - U-170	4	Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG, Bremen	706 - 709	1940 - 1943
U-183 - U-188	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1023 - 1028	1940 - 1942
U-189 - U-194	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1035 - 1040	1940 - 1943
U-525 - U-532	8	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg	340 - 347	1940 - 1942
U-533 - U-538	6	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg	351 - 356	1941 - 1943
U-539 - U-550	12	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg	360 - 371	1941 - 1943
U-801 - U-806	6	Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG, Bremen	359 - 364	1940 - 1944
U-841 - U-846	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1047 - 1052	1941 - 1943
U-853 - U-858	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1059 - 1064	1941 - 1943
U-865 - U-870	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1073 - 1078	1941 - 1944
U-877 - U-881	5	AG Weser, Bremen	1085 - 1089	1942 - 1944
U-889		AG Weser, Bremen	1097	1942 - 1944
U-1221 - U-1235	15	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg	384 - 398	1941 - 1944

U-805 of type IXC/40 is seen here shortly after its surrender in 1945.

All type IXC/40 U-boats

Below you can see the 87 commissioned U-boats of this type.
U-167, U-168, U-169, U-170, U-183, U-184, U-185, U-186, U-187, U-188, U-189,
U-190, U-191, U-192, U-193, U-194, U-525, U-526, U-527, U-528, U-529, U-530,
U-531, U-532, U-533, U-534, U-535, U-536, U-537, U-538, U-539, U-540, U-541,
U-542, U-543, U-544, U-545, U-546, U-547, U-548, U-549, U-550, U-801, U-802,
U-803, U-804, U-805, U-806, U-841, U-842, U-843, U-844, U-845, U-846, U-853,
U-854, U-855, U-856, U-857, U-858, U-865, U-866, U-867, U-868, U-869, U-870,
U-877, U-878, U-879, U-880, U-881, U-889, U-1221, U-1222, U-1223, U-1224, U-1225,
U-1226, U-1227, U-1228, U-1229, U-1230, U-1231, U-1232, U-1233, U-1234, and U-1235.

Technical information for type IXC/40

Displacement: (tons) 1120 (sf) 1232 (sm) 1545 (total) Length: (m) 76,76 oa 58,75 ph Beam: (m) 6,86 oa 4,44 ph Draught: (draft) 4,67 m Height: 9,60 m Power: (hp) 4400 (sf) 1000 (sm)

Speed: (knots) 19 (sf) 7,3 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 13850/10 (sf) 63/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 22 4/2 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 44 TMA Deck gun: 105/45 110 rounds Crew: 48-56 men Max depth: ca. 230 m (755 feet)

sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull,
oa = overall, hp = horsepower. 

Type IXC

54 boats commissioned

Construction history of type IXC

U-boats		Shipyard	Werk #	Built during
U-66 - U-68	3	AG Weser, Bremen	985 - 987	1939 - 1941
U-125 - U-131	7	AG Weser, Bremen	988 - 994	1939 - 1941
U-153 - U-158	6	AG Weser, Bremen	995 - 1000	1939 - 1941
U-159 - U-160	2	AG Weser, Bremen	1009 - 1010	1939 - 1941
U-161 - U-166	6	Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG, Bremen	700 - 705	1939 - 1942
U-171 - U-176	6	AG Weser, Bremen	1011 - 1016	1939 - 1941
U-501 - U-506	6	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg	291 - 296	1939 - 1941
U-507 - U-518	12	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg	303 - 314	1939 - 1942
U-519 - U-524	6	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg	334 - 339	1940 - 1942

U-156 of type IXC during the Laconia rescue operations.

All type IXC U-boats

Below you can see the 54 commissioned U-boats of this type.

U-66, U-67, U-68, U-125, U-126, U-127, U-128, U-129, U-130, U-131, U-153,
U-154, U-155, U-156, U-157, U-158, U-159, U-160, U-161, U-162, U-163, U-164,
U-165, U-166, U-171, U-172, U-173, U-174, U-175, U-176, U-501, U-502, U-503,
U-504, U-505, U-506, U-507, U-508, U-509, U-510, U-511, U-512, U-513, U-514,
U-515, U-516, U-517, U-518, U-519, U-520, U-521, U-522, U-523, and U-524.

Technical information for type IXC

Displacement: (tons) 1120 (sf) 1232 (sm) 1540 (total) Length: (m) 76,76 oa 58,75 ph Beam: (m) 6,76 oa 4,40 ph Draught: (draft) 4,70 m Height: 9,40 m Power: (hp) 4400 (sf) 1000 (sm)

Speed: (knots) 18,3 (sf) 7,3 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 13450/10 (sf) 63/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 22 4/2 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 44 TMA Deck gun: 105/45 110 rounds Crew: 48-56 men Max depth: ca. 230 m (755 feet)

sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull,
oa = overall, hp = horsepower. 

Type IXB

14 boats commissioned

Construction history of type IXB

U-boats		Shipyard	Werk #	Built during
U-64 - U-65	2	AG Weser, Bremen	952 - 953	1937 - 1940
U-103 - U-110	8	AG Weser, Bremen	966 - 973	1938 - 1940
U-111		AG Weser, Bremen	976	1939 - 1940
U-122 - U-124	3	AG Weser, Bremen	954 - 956	1937 - 1940

All type IXB U-boats

Below you can see the 14 commissioned U-boats of this type.

U-64, U-65, U-103, U-104, U-105, U-106, U-107, U-108, U-109, U-110, U-111,
U-122, U-123, and U-124.

Technical information for type IXB

Displacement: (tons) 1051 (sf) 1178 (sm) 1430 (total) Length: (m) 76,50 oa 58,75 ph Beam: (m) 6,76 oa 4,40 ph Draught: (draft) 4,70 m Height: 9,60 m Power: (hp) 4400 (sf) 1000 (sm)

Speed: (knots) 18,2 (sf) 7,3 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 12000/10 (sf) 64/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 22 4/2 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 44 TMA Deck gun: 105/45 110 rounds Crew: 48-56 men Max depth: ca. 230 m (755 feet)

sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower.  Type IX 8 boats commissioned Construction history of type IX U-boats Shipyard Werk # Built during U-37 - U-44 8  AG Weser, Bremen 942 - 949 1936 - 1939 U-42 of type IX seen here in a pre-war photo. All type IX U-boats Below you can see the 8 commissioned U-boats of this type. U-37, U-38, U-39, U-40, U-41, U-42, U-43, and U-44. Technical information for type IX Displacement: (tons) 1032 (sf) 1152 (sm) 1408 (total) Length: (m) 76,60 oa 58,75 ph Beam: (m) 6,51 oa 4,40 ph Draught: (draft) 4,70 m Height: 9,40 m Power: (hp) 4400 (sf) 1000 (sm) Speed: (knots) 18,2 (sf) 7,7 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 10500/10 (sf) 78/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 22 4/2 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: 44 TMA Deck gun: 105/45 110 rounds Crew: 48-56 men Max depth: ca. 230 m (755 feet) sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower.  Walther U-boats Type XVIII Large combat version   The XXI which was designed from the XVIII plans Technical information Displacement (tons) 1485 sf 1652 sm 1887 total Length (m) 71.50 oa Breath (m) 8.00 6.20 oa 5.30 ph Draught/ Height (m) 6.36 Power (hp) 4000 to 4400 ehp sf 396 ehp sm 15,000 ehp sm* Range (nm/kts) 3000/17 sf 45/4 sm 202/24 sm* Speed (kts) 17.0 to 18.5 sf 7.0 sm 24.0 sm* Oil Supply (tons) 124 max + 204 (H2O2) Torpedoes (Max #) 23 Max Depth (meters) Unknown sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower, nm = Nautical miles * Walter turbine Type XVIIA Wa 201 and Wk 202 designs U-792 running trials outside of Hamburg. U-boat Type Builder Werk # Built: U-792 & U-793 Wa 201 Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 455 & 456 1942 U-794 & U-795 Wk 202 Germaniawerft, Kiel 718 & 719 1942 Careers U-792. Type XVIIA. Launched on 28 Sep 1943 and commissioned on 16 Nov 1943. Fate: Used for trials. Scuttled at 0130hrs on 4 May, 1945 in position 54.19N, 09.43E in the Audorfer See, near Rendsburg. U-793. Type XVIIA. Launched on 4 Mar 1944 and commissioned on 24 Apr 1944. Fate: Scuttled at 0130hrs on 4 May, 1945 in position 54.19N, 09.43E in the Audorfer See, near Rendsburg. U-794. Type XVIIA. Launched on 7 Oct 1943 and commissioned on 14 Nov 1943. Fate: Used for trials and scuttled on May 5, 1945 in Gelting Bay. Later raised and broken up. U-795. Type XVIIA. Launched on 21 Mar 1944 and commissioned on 22 Apr 1944. Fate: Used for trials and scuttled on May 3, 1945 at Germaniawerft in Kiel. Later broken up. Technical information for Wa 201 Displacement (tons) 277 sf 309 sm 373 total Length (m) 39.05 oa 26.15 ph Breath (m) 4.50 oa 3.30 ph Draught/ Height (m) 4.30 Power (hp) 210 to 230 ehp sf 77.5 ehp sm 5000 ehps* Range (nm/kts) 2910/8.5 sf 50/2 sm 127/20 sm* Speed (kts) 9.0 sf 5.0 sm 24-25 sm* Oil Supply (tons) 18 max + 34 (H2O2) Torpedoes (Max #) 4 Max Depth (meters) Unknown sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower, nm = Nautical miles * Walter turbine drive Technical information for Wk 202 Displacement (tons) 236 sf 259 sm 312 total Length (m) 36.60 oa Breath (m) 4.50 oa 3.40 ph Draught/ Height (m) 4.55 Power (hp) 210 to 230 ehp sf 77.5 ehp sm 5000 ehps* Range (nm/kts) 1840/9 sf 76/2 sm 117/20 sm* Speed (kts) 9.0 sf 5.0 sm 24-25 sm* Oil Supply (tons) 14 max + 40 (H2O2) Torpedoes (Max #) 4 Max Depth (meters) Unknown sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower, nm = Nautical miles * Walter turbine drive V80 This was the first Walter boat, known as V80. It was built at Germaniawerft in Kiel during 1939-1940  and was driven by one Germaniawerft Walter turbine (20,000rpm). A crew of 4 was needed to operate  the vessel which was unarmed and built purely for research purposes. V80 was used for various trials  and shattered all underwater speed records at the time when the boat reached 28 knots. V80 was  taken out of service at the end of 1942, and was scuttled at Hela in March 1945. Technical information Displacement (tons) 73 sf 76 sm 85.5 total Length (m) 22.05 oa 16.90 ph Breath (m) 2.10 oa 2.10 ph Draught/ Height (m) 3.20 5.65 Power (hp) 2500 ehp sm Range (nm/kts) 50/28 Speed (kts) 28 sm Oil Supply (tons) 21 (H2O2) Torpedoes (Max #) Unarmed Max Depth (meters) Unknown sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower, nm = Nautical miles Type XVIIB Small Coastal Research vessels U-boat Builder Werk # Built: U-1405 - U-1407 Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 255 - 257 1943 - 1944 Careers U-1405. Type XVIIB. Launched on 1 Dec 1944 and commissioned on 21 Dec 1944. Fate: Scuttled on 5 May, 1945 in Eckernfjörde Bay. Later broken up. U-1406. Type XVIIB. Launched on 2 Jan 1945 and commissioned on 8 Feb 1945. Fate: Surrendered on 5 May 1945 at Cuxhaven, Germany along with all boats stationed there. Its crew abandoned the boat according to orders. U-1406 and U-1407 were scuttled by Oblt. Gerhard Grumpelt without permission on 7 May. Read our article U—1406 and U—1407. Were they Scuttled or did they Surrender?. Later raised and transported to the USA on the deck of the US transport vessel Shoemaker on 15 Sept, 1945. She was used for trials by the US Navy and broken up in New York harbor sometime after 18 May, 1948 (Waller & Niestlé, 2010). U-1407. Type XVIIB.Commissioned on 13 Mar 1945. Fate: Surrendered on 5 May 1945 at Cuxhaven, Germany along with all boats stationed there. Its crew abandoned the boat according to orders. U-1406 and U-1407 were scuttled by Oblt. Gerhard Grumpelt without permission on 7 May. Read our article U—1406 and U—1407. Were they Scuttled or did they Surrender? (Waller & Niestlé, 2010). Contracts U-1408 through U-1410 (3 boats) were under construction at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg from 1943 but were not complete when the war ended. U-1411 through U-1416 (6 boats) Under construction at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg (Werk # 260-266) but were cancelled on 20 Sept, 1943 in favour of the XXI. Technical information Displacement (tons) 312 sf 337 sm 415 total Length (m) 41.45 oa 27.30 ph Breath (m) 4.50 oa 3.30 ph Draught/ Height (m) 4.30 Power (hp) 210 to 230 ehp sf 77.5 ehp sm 2,500 ehp sm* Range (nm/kts) 3000/8 sf 76/2 sm 123/25 sm* Speed (kts) 8.5 to 8.8 sf 5.0 sm 25.0 sm* Oil Supply (tons) 20.2 max + 52 (H2O2) Torpedoes (Max #) 4 Max Depth (meters) Unknown sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower, nm = Nautical miles * Walter turbine Varios Boats U-boat Types U-Flak 1 4 operational The U-flak boats were 4 VIIC boats (U-441, U-256, U-621 and U-953) that were modified to act as surface escorts for the incoming/outgoing attack u-boats operating from the French Atlantic bases. They had greatly increased anti-aircraft fire-power and were intended as aircraft traps. 3 more U-boats were taken aside as additional U-flak boats (U-211, U-263 and U-271) but none of them was completed as Flak boats although conversion did certainly start on all of them. They were eventually returned to duty as traditional VIIC attack boats.   The feared quadruple 2.2cm fast firing anti-aircraft gun. The modifications took place in 1943 and the boats became operational in June 1943 and had excellent successes against the surprised RAF aircraft. Dönitz realized their potential and ordered the boats to cross the Bay of Biscay in groups at max speed. The effort gave the Germans only about 2 months of still-limited freedom though until the RAF developed counter-measures where they called in surface hunters to assist the aircraft and the U-flak boats were withdrawn and converted back into fighting vessels. U-flak - the origins of the idea On 31/08/42 U-256 (on her first cruise sailing from Kiel on 28/07/42 to proceed to Lorient via the North Atlantic) was seriously damaged by Whitley 'B' of Sq 502. The boat was nearly scrapped but it was decided to adapt her into a U-flak - a heavily AA armed boat intended to lure unsuspecting aircraft to a deadly trap. It was expected to stop heavy losses in the Bay of Biscay inflicted by Allied aircraft by deploying a number of U-flaks. Although U-256 was the first boat to be converted into a U-flak, the reconstruction was delayed. In the meantime, on 16/04/43, it was decided to convert U-441 in the same way. The third and fourth Flakvierling mounts available (20mm quadruple sets) and the first experimental 37mm automatic gun were installed on U-441. Also, a battery of 86mm line-carrying AA rockets was installed (but this idea proved unworkable). It is sometimes indicated that two additional single 20mm guns were also carried. The fuel capacity was limited to Bay of Biscay operations only. Only 5 torpedoes were carried - in the tubes - for self-defence (room was needed for additional gunners taken aboard). First operations Flak-U1 or U-441 sailed on 22/05/43 from Brest on her 5th patrol commanded by KL Goetz von Hartman. On 24/05/43 U-441 was attacked by Sunderland 'L' of Sq 228, shot the aircraft down but got seriously damaged by aerial depth-charges and was forced to return arriving on 26/05/43. The effectiveness of improved AA weaponry was overestimated and resulted in ordering U-boats to pass the Bay of Biscay on the surface in groups. This in turn resulted in heavy losses due to the group tactics adopted by the Allied aircraft. Further actions U-441 as U-flak again sailed from Brest on 8/07/43. On 12/07/43 she was attacked by Beaufighters 'A', 'B' and 'V' of Sq 248 and ended up badly damaged with heavy casualties (10 men dead, 13 wounded) in spite of the initial heavy AA fire. U-441 returned on 13/07/43. U-621 was converted into U-flak in June 43, after being damaged on her 4th cruise, by Liberator 'Q' of Sq 224 on 31/05/43. U-621 as U-flak sailed on 29/08/43 and scored no success on her 5th one month patrol. After being reverted to a normal flak armament she was damaged by aircraft on 6th cruise, by Liberator 'A' of Sq 59 on 13/01/44. Notes The number of U-flaks sometimes is given as greater than 7. The confusion may arise from the fact that many boats carried extended AA armament, including additional guns installed forward of the bridge (and therefore easily confused with U-flaks). U-Flak 1 U-flak Operations 5 1943 U-441 Operations in the Bay of Biscay 7 1943 U-441 Operations in the Bay of Biscay 8/9 1943 U-621 Operations in the Bay of Biscay 10 1943 U-256, U-271 AA cover in the refueling area north of the Azores 10 1943 U-953 Operations on the Bay of Biscay 10/11 1943 U-211, U-441 U-953 Group Schill against convoys MKS 28 an MKS 29, for U-953 it was just one long patrol. Type VIIF 4 boats commissioned Construction history of type VIIF U-boats Shipyard Werk # Built during U-1059 - U-1062 4  F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel 693 - 696 1941 - 1943 These boats, designed in 1941, were primarily built as torpedo transports and were never fitted with the typical 88mm deck guns found on other VII type boats. They had 5 torpedo tubes (4 at the bow and 1 at the stern) and as attack boats they would carry 14 torpedoes but in their transport role they would have up to 39 torpedoes onboard. Two of them, U-1062 and U-1059, were sent to support the Monsun boats in the far East waters. They were the largest and heaviest type VII boats built. All type VIIF U-boats Below you can see the 4 commissioned U-boats of this type. U-1059, U-1060, U-1061, and U-1062. Technical information for type VIIF Displacement: (tons) 1084 (sf) 1181 (sm) 1345 (total) Length: (m) 77,63 oa 60,40 ph Beam: (m) 7,30 oa 4,70 ph Draught: (draft) 4,91 m Height: 9,60 m Power: (hp) 3200 (sf) 750 (sm) Speed: (knots) 17,6 (sf) 7,9 (sm) Range: (miles / knots) 14700/10 (sf) 75/4 (sm) Torpedoes: 14 4/1 (bow / stern tubes) Mines: No mines carried Deck gun: No deck gun Crew: 46-52 men Max depth: ca. 200 m (656 feet) sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower.