German submarine U-1273

Last updated

U995 2004 1.jpg
U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1273.
History
War ensign of Germany (1938-1945).svg Nazi Germany
NameU-1273
Ordered23 March 1942
BuilderBremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack
Yard number68
Laid down7 June 1943
Launched10 January 1944
Commissioned16 February 1944
FateSunk on 17 February 1945
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 50 803
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Karl-Heinz Voswinkel [1]
  • 16 February – 6 July 1944
  • Kptlt. Helmut Knollmann [2]
  • 7 July 1944 – 17 February 1945
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 17 February 1945
Victories: None

German submarine U-1273 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 7 June 1943, at Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack, as yard number 68. She was launched on 10 January 1944, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Karl-Heinz Voswinkel on 16 February 1944. [3]

Design

German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-1273 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-1273 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 17 February 1945, U-1273 struck a British air-laid mine off Horten in the Skagerrak in Oslofjord. Kapitänleutnant Helmut Knollmann and 42 other crewmen died out of a crew of 51. [3]

The wreck now lies at 59°24′N10°32′E / 59.400°N 10.533°E / 59.400; 10.533 . [3]

See also

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References

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Karl-Heinz Voswinkel". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Helmut Knollmann". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-1273". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 Gröner 1991, pp. 43–44.

Bibliography