German submarine U-31 (1936)

Last updated
U-33 - Unterseeboot (1936) in Brockhaus 1937.jpg
U-33, a typical Type VIIA boat
History
War ensign of Germany (1938-1945).svg Nazi Germany
NameU-31
Ordered1 April 1935
Builder AG Weser, Bremen
Cost4,189,000 Reichsmark
Yard number912
Laid down1 March 1936
Launched25 September 1936
Commissioned28 December 1936
Recommissioned30 July 1940
Decommissioned24 March 1940
Fate
  • Sunk, 11 March 1940, raised
  • sunk again 2 November 1940
General characteristics
Class and type Type VIIA submarine
Displacement
  • 626  t (616 long tons) surfaced
  • 745 t (733 long tons) submerged
Length
  • 64.51 m (211 ft 8 in) o/a
  • 45.50 m (149 ft 3 in) pressure hull
Beam
  • 5.85 m (19 ft 2 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.50 m (31 ft 2 in)
Draught4.37 m (14 ft 4 in)
Installed power
  • 2,100–2,310 PS (1,540–1,700 kW; 2,070–2,280 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) surfaced
  • 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) submerged
Range
  • 6,200  nmi (11,500  km; 7,100  mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 73–94 nmi (135–174 km; 84–108 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth
  • 220 m (720 ft)
  • Crush depth: 230–250 m (750–820 ft)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems
Gruppenhorchgerät
Armament
Service record [1] [2]
Part of:
Identification codes: M 28 961
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Rolf Dau
  • 28 December 1936 – 8 November 1938
  • Kptlt. Johannes Habekost
  • 8 November 1938 – 11 March 1940
  • Kptlt. Wilfried Prellberg
  • 30 July 1940 – 2 November 1940
Operations:
  • 7 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 27 August – 2 September 1939
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 9 September – 2 October 1939
  • 3rd patrol:
  • 21 – 31 October 1939
  • 4th patrol:
  • 19 November – 11 December 1939
  • 5th patrol:
  • 15 January – 4 February 1940
  • 6th patrol:
  • 16 September – 8 October 1940
  • 7th patrol:
  • 19 October – 2 November 1940
Victories:
  • 11 merchant ships sunk
    (27,751  GRT)
  • 2 auxiliary warships sunk
    (160  GRT)
  • 1 warship damaged
    (33,950 tons)

German submarine U-31 was a Type VIIA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was laid down on 1 March 1936 as yard number 912, launched on 25 September and commissioned on 28 December 1936. [1]

Contents

Design

As one of the first ten German Type VII submarines later designated as Type VIIA submarines, U-31 had a displacement of 626 tonnes (616 long tons) when at the surface and 745 tonnes (733 long tons) while submerged. [3] She had a total length of 64.51 m (211 ft 8 in), a pressure hull length of 45.50 m (149 ft 3 in), a beam of 5.85 m (19 ft 2 in), a height of 9.50 m (31 ft 2 in), and a draught of 4.37 m (14 ft 4 in). The submarine was powered by two MAN M 6 V 40/46 four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of 2,100 to 2,310 metric horsepower (1,540 to 1,700 kW; 2,070 to 2,280 shp) for use while surfaced, two BBC GG UB 720/8 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). [3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). [3] When submerged, the boat could operate for 73–94 nautical miles (135–174 km; 84–108 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 6,200 nautical miles (11,500 km; 7,100 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-31 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), eleven 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. [3]

Service history

During her career U-31 was involved in seven war patrols.

First patrol

U-31 was one of the few ocean-going submarines deployed to the Baltic Sea instead of the Atlantic Ocean on the eve of World War II. Departing Memel under the command of Johannes Habekost on 27 August, this uneventful trip was concluded quickly with the rapid destruction of the Polish Navy and the boat put in at Wilhelmshaven on 2 September. [4]

Second patrol

After her quick return to Germany, U-31 became one of three Type VII reserve boats, going to sea again when Karl Dönitz ordered a redeployment of the U-boat force on 8 September. Ordered along with U-35 to save time by directly proceeding to the Atlantic via the English Channel, [5] she attacked the first convoy of World War II, OB 4 on 16 September 1939, sinking the British steamer SS Aviemore. [6] Habekost had found the convoy the day before and per orders reported the convoy's location, course and speed to Dönitz. Excited by this first reliable convoy report, he ordered all available boats to converge and attack the convoy. U-31 maneuvered into attack position and in the nighttime hours made an attack. Thinking he had sunk two ships, Habekost had however suffered torpedo failure, and thus only the 4,060 GRT Aviemore was actually sunk out of the convoy by U-31. U-31 would later sink the slightly larger Hazelside, of 4,646 GRT, on 24 September before concluding the patrol and returning to Wilhelmshaven on 2 October 1939. [7]

First sinking

On 11 March 1940 U-31 was sunk in the Schillig Roads near buoy 12 ( 53°37′N08°10′E / 53.617°N 8.167°E / 53.617; 8.167 ) by four bombs from a Bristol Blenheim, O of No. 82 Squadron RAF, with the loss of 58 lives. The U-boat had been on trials and carried eleven workers from the shipyard and two assistants to the flotilla engineer in addition to her regular complement. [8]

The U-boat was raised later that month, repaired and returned to service on 30 July 1940 with Kptlt. Prellberg in command. [1] [9] [10]

Second sinking

U-31 was sunk again on 2 November 1940, north-west of Ireland, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Antelope, which picked up 44 survivors (or 43, sources vary), from the crew of 46. [1] [11]

In U-31's entire career she sank eleven merchant ships, totalling 27,751  gross register tons  (GRT), and two auxiliary warships of 160  GRT. A mine laid by U-31 damaged the British battleship HMS Nelson of 33,950 tons. [1]

Summary of raiding history

DateName of ShipNationalityTonnage [Note 1] Fate [12]
16 September 1939 Aviemore Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,060Sunk
24 September 1939 Hazelside Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,646Sunk
1 December 1939 Arcturus Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,277Sunk
3 December 1939 Ove Toft Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 2,135Sunk
4 December 1939 Gimle Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,271Sunk
4 December 1939 HMS Nelson Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 33,950Damaged (mine)
4 December 1939 Primula Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,024Sunk
6 December 1939 Agu Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 1,575Sunk
6 December 1939 Vinga Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1,974Sunk
23 December 1939 HMS Glen Albyn Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 82Sunk (mine)
23 December 1939 HMS Promotive Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 78Sunk (mine)
22 September 1940 Union Jack Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 81Sunk
27 September 1940 Vestvard Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 4,319Sunk
29 October 1940 Matina Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,389Sunk

Related Research Articles

German submarine <i>U-27</i> (1936) German World War II submarine

German submarine U-27 was a Type VIIA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service in World War II. Her keel was laid down in November 1935 in Bremen. She was commissioned in August 1936 with Korvettenkapitän Hans Ibbeken in command. Ibbeken was relieved on 4 October 1937, by Johannes Franz, who commanded the boat until 6 June 1939 when Hans-Georg von Friedeburg assumed command for barely one month. He was relieved on 8 July again by Johannes Franz, who commanded the boat until her loss on 20 September 1939.

German submarine U-28 was a Type VIIA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-32</i> (1937) German World War II submarine

German submarine U-32 was a Type VIIA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-100</i> (1940) German World War II submarine

German submarine U-100 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-98 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II, operating from March 1941 until she was sunk in November 1942.

German submarine <i>U-37</i> (1938) German World War II submarine

German submarine U-37 was a Type IXA U-boat of the German Navy (Kriegsmarine) during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 15 March 1937 at the DeSchiMAG AG Weser yard in Bremen, launched on 14 May 1938, and commissioned on 4 August 1938 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Schuch as part of the 6th U-boat Flotilla.

German submarine <i>U-83</i> (1940) German World War II submarine

German submarine U-83 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-70 was a Type VIIC submarine of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-300 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-438 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-759 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 15 November 1940 at the Kriegsmarinewerft yard at Wilhelmshaven, launched on 30 May 1942, and commissioned on 15 August 1942 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Rudolf Friedrich.

German submarine <i>U-35</i> (1936) German World War II submarine

German submarine U-35 was a Type VIIA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. She was built three years before the start of World War II. The submarine was laid down on 2 March 1936 by Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft at Kiel, launched on 24 September 1936, and commissioned on 3 November that year under the command of Kapitänleutnant (Kptlt.) Klaus Ewerth. The U-boat was featured on the cover of Life magazine on 16 October 1939, as in the days preceding, it "courteously" rescued all the sailors of a Greek ship that it was about to sink.

German submarine U-214, was a Type VIID mine-laying U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-338 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 4 April 1941 at the Nordseewerke yard at Emden, launched on 20 April 1942, and commissioned on 25 June 1942 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Manfred Kinzel.

German submarine <i>U-101</i> (1940) German World War II submarine

German submarine U-101 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She had a highly successful career.

German submarine <i>U-751</i> German World War II submarine

German submarine U-751 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. Built as yard number 134 of the Kriegsmarinewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven, she was commissioned on 31 January 1941. She served with 7th U-boat Flotilla until 1 June as a training boat, and as an operational boat until 17 July 1942, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Gerhard Bigalk. U-751 served in seven patrols with the 7th U-boat Flotilla, sinking the escort carrier HMS Audacity. The U-boat was attacked with depth charges from aircraft on 17 July 1942 and sank with the loss of all 48 crew members.

German submarine <i>U-29</i> (1936) German World War II submarine

German submarine U-29 was a Type VIIA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine <i>U-45</i> (1938) German World War II submarine

German submarine U-45 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 21 November 1936 and laid down on 23 February 1937 at Germaniawerft in Kiel as yard number 580. She was launched on 27 April 1938 and commissioned on 25 June 1938 under the command of Kapitänleutnant (Kptlt.) Alexander Gelhaar.

German submarine U-87 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 18 April 1940 at the Flender Werke (yard) at Lübeck as yard number 283 and launched on 21 June 1941. She was commissioned on 21 June under the command of Kapitänleutnant Joachim Berger. U-87 trained with 6th U-boat Flotilla until 1 December 1941, when she was put on front-line service.

German submarine U-252 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 1 November 1940 at the Vegesacker Werft at Bremen as yard number 17, launched on 14 August 1941 and commissioned on 4 October under the command of Kapitänleutnant Gunter Schiebusch.

References

Notes

  1. Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIA boat U-31". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 19 December 2009.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "War Patrols by German U-boat U-31". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 19 December 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Gröner, Jung & Maass 1991, pp. 43–44.
  4. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Patrol info for U-31". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  5. Blair, page 84
  6. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Aviemore (Steam merchant)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 19 December 2009.
  7. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Patrol info for U-31". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  8. Busch & Röll 1999, p. 17.
  9. Kemp 1999, p. 64.
  10. Rohwer, Jürgen; Gerhard Hümmelchen. "Seekrieg 1940, Märtz". Württembergische Landesbibliothek Stuttgart (in German). Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  11. Kemp 1999, p. 67.
  12. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-31". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 8 December 2014.

Bibliography