| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | U-225 |
| Ordered | 15 August 1940 |
| Builder | Germaniawerft, Kiel |
| Cost | 4,439,000 Reichsmark |
| Yard number | 655 |
| Laid down | 3 September 1941 |
| Launched | 28 May 1942 |
| Commissioned | 11 July 1942 |
| Fate | Sunk 22 February 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | |
| Test depth |
|
| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament |
|
| Service record [1] [2] | |
| Part of |
|
| Identification codes | M 10 643 |
| Commanders |
|
| Operations |
|
| Victories | |
German submarine U-225 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
Ordered on 15 August 1940 from the Germaniawerft shipyard in Kiel, she was laid down on 3 September 1941 as yard number 655, launched on 28 May 1942 and commissioned on 11 July. [3]
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-225 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged. [4] 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), a 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 460/8–27 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). [4] 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-225 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, and an anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty. [4]
She departed from Kiel on her first patrol on 5 December 1942. It was during this patrol that she successfully attacked five vessels in convoy ONS 154. She returned to Brest on 8 January 1943.
Less than one month later, she departed from Brest on her second and final patrol on 2 February 1943. After just 21 days, she was sunk.
U-225 was attacked and sunk with depth charges by HMS Dianthus with the loss of all 46 crew on 22 February 1943 at position 48°37′N30°35′W / 48.617°N 30.583°W .
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) | Fate [5] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 December 1942 | Scottish Heather | 7,087 | Damaged | |
| 28 December 1942 | Melmore Head | 5,273 | Sunk | |
| 28 December 1942 | Ville de Rouen | 5,598 | Damaged | |
| 28 December 1942 | President Francqui | 4,919 | Damaged | |
| 28 December 1942 | Empire Shackleton | 7,068 | Damaged |