German submarine U-1271

Last updated

U995 2004 1.jpg
U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1271.
History
War ensign of Germany (1938-1945).svg Nazi Germany
NameU-1271
Ordered23 March 1942
BuilderBremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack
Yard number66
Laid down17 April 1943
Launched8 December 1943
Commissioned12 January 1944
Fate
General characteristics
Type Type VIIC/41 submarine
Displacement
  • 757 long tons (769  t) surfaced
  • 857 long tons (871 t) submerged
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 2 × diesel engines
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
  • 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range
  • 8,500  nmi (15,700  km; 9,800  mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth
  • 250 m (820 ft)
  • Calculated crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement44-52 officers & ratings
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 49 740
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Erwin Knipping [1]
  • 12 January 1944 – April 1945
  • Oblt.z.S. Sven Thienemann [2]
  • April – 9 May 1945
Operations: None
Victories: None

German submarine U-1271 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

Contents

She was ordered on 23 March 1942, and was laid down on 17 April 1943, at Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack, as yard number 66. She was launched on 8 December 1943, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Erwin Knipping on 12 January 1944. [3]

Design

German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-1271 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), an overall beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8-276 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft). [4]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-1271 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and fifty-two. [4]

Service history

On 9 May 1945, U-1271 surrendered at Bergen, Norway, before participating in any war patrols. She was later transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland on 2 June 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-1271 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-1271 was towed out and sank on 8 December 1945. [3]

The wreck now lies at 55°28′N07°20′W / 55.467°N 7.333°W / 55.467; -7.333 . [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

German submarine U-551 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 21 November 1939 at the Blohm & Voss yard in Hamburg as yard number 527, launched on 14 September 1940, and commissioned on 7 November 1940 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Karl Schrott.

German submarine U-1302 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service in World War II. She was commissioned on 25 May 1944.

German submarine <i>U-450</i> German world war II submarine

German submarine U-450 was a Type VIIC U-boat in the service of Nazi Germany during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-1022</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1022 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. She was laid down on 6 May 1943 by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, Germany, and commissioned on 7 June 1944, the day after the Allied landings in Normandy, with Kapitänleutnant Hans-Joachim Ernst in command. She sank two ships for a total of 1,720 GRT. After the war she was handed over to the Allies and sunk in Operation Deadlight.

German submarine U-258 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was laid down at the Bremer Vulkan yard at Bremen-Vegesack on 20 March 1941 as yard number 23. She was launched on 13 December and commissioned on 4 February 1942.

German submarine U-267 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 9 August 1941 at the Bremer Vulkan yard at Bremen-Vegesack as yard number 32, launched on 23 May 1942 and commissioned on 11 July 1942. She took part in seven patrols between 11 July 1942 and when she was scuttled at the war's end. She neither sank nor damaged any ships. U-267 was scuttled in Geltinger Bucht on 5 May 1945, later raised and broken up.

German submarine <i>U-1274</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1274 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was ordered on 13 June 1942, and was laid down on 21 June 1943 by Vegesacker Werft AG, Bremen as yard number 69, launched on 25 January 1944 and commissioned on 1 March 1944 under Oberleutnant zur See Fedor Kuscher.

German submarine U-956 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 20 February 1942 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 156, launched on 14 November 1942 and commissioned on 6 January 1943 under Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Dieter Mohs.

German submarine U-747 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 19 August 1942 by Schichau-Werke of Danzig. She was commissioned on 17 July 1943 with Tenente di vascello Roberto Rigoli in command.

German submarine <i>U-1002</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1002 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-1009</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1009 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-1010</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1010 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-1275</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1275 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-1303</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1303 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-924</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-924 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-1131</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1131 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-1192</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1192 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-1194</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1194 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-1201</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1201 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-1204</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-1204 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

References

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Erwin Knipping". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Sven Thienemann". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-1271". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 Gröner 1991, pp. 43–44.

Bibliography