German submarine U-225

Last updated
History
War ensign of Germany (1938-1945).svg Nazi Germany
NameU-225
Ordered15 August 1940
Builder Germaniawerft, Kiel
Cost4,439,000 Reichsmark
Yard number655
Laid down3 September 1941
Launched28 May 1942
Commissioned11 July 1942
FateSunk 22 February 1943
General characteristics
Class & type Type VIIC submarine
Displacement
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
  • 2,800–3,200 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
  • 230 m (750 ft)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record [1] [2]
Part of
Identification codesM 10 643
Commanders
  • Oblt.z.S. Wolfgang Leimkühler
  • 11 July 1942 – 22 February 1943
Operations
  • 2 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 5 December 1942 – 8 January 1943
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 2 – 22 February 1943
Victories
  • 1 merchant ship sunk
    (5,273  GRT)
  • 4 merchant ships damaged
    (24,672  GRT)

German submarine U-225 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

Contents

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]

Design

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]

Service history

First patrol

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.

Final Patrol

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.

Fate

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 / 48.617; -30.583 .

Summary of raiding history

DateShip NameNationalityTonnage (GRT)Fate [5]
27 December 1942 Scottish Heather Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 7,087Damaged
28 December 1942 Melmore Head Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 5,273Sunk
28 December 1942 Ville de Rouen Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 5,598Damaged
28 December 1942 President Francqui Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium 4,919Damaged
28 December 1942 Empire Shackleton Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 7,068Damaged

References

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XB boat U-225". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "War Patrols by German U-boat U-225". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  3. Gröner 1985, p. 84.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  5. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-225". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 December 2014.

Bibliography