Type IX submarine

U-505, a type IXC U-boat
Class overview
Name	Type IX
Operators	Kriegsmarine   Imperial Japanese Navy   Soviet Navy   French Navy   Royal Canadian Navy
Preceded by	Type I
Succeeded by	Type XXI
Subclasses	Type IXA Type IXB Type IXC Type IXC/40 Type IXD1 Type IXD2 Type IXD/42
Built	1937-1945
In service	1938-1945
Planned	290
Building	195
Completed	194
Cancelled	95
Preserved	2
General characteristics
Propulsion	2 × MAN M 9 V 40/46 supercharged 9-cylinder diesel engines, 4,400 PS (4,300 shp; 3,200 kW) (surfaced) 2 × SSW 1 GU 345/34 double-acting electric motors, 1,000 PS (990 shp; 740 kW) (submerged)
Speed	33.7 km/h (18.2  kn) (surfaced) 14.3 km/h (7.7  kn) (submerged)
Range	13,450  nmi (24,910 km; 15,480 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced 63 nmi (117 km; 72 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth	230 m (750 ft)
Complement	48 to 56 (55 to 63 in Type IXD)
Armament	6 × torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 stern) 22 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes (24 in Type IXD) 1 × 10.5 cm SK C/32 naval gun various AA guns

The Type IX U-boat was designed by Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine in 1935 and 1936 as a large ocean-going submarine for sustained operations far from the home support facilities. It was derived from the Type IA and appeared in various sub-types. ^{[1] [2] [a]}

Type IXs had six torpedo tubes; four at the bow and two at the stern. They carried six reloads internally and ten spare torpedoes externally in pressure-tight containers. Type IX boats could also be fitted for mine operations; as mine-layers they could carry 44 TMA or 60 TMB mines. ^[3]

Secondary armament was provided by one 10.5 cm (4.1 in) deck gun with 180 rounds. Anti-aircraft armament differed throughout the war.

Design

The Anglo-German Naval Agreement of 1935 allowed Germany to build a U-Boat fleet of 22,050 t (21,700 long tons). Parts for two Type I, twenty-four Type II and ten Type VII U-boats had already been produced before the conclusion of the agreement and these thirty-six U-boats comprising 12,500 t (12,300 long tons) were built within the year. The German Navy wanted to spend the remaining 9,950 t (9,790 long tons) on a large 750 t (740 long tons) U-boat, capable of operating in the Mediterranean Sea. In order to speed up construction, the existing Type I design was modified to fulfill the extra requirements. To improve speed, a more powerful diesel engine was installed. The upper deck was widened so that ten spare torpedoes could be stored below in water-tight containers. ^[4]

Subclasses

Type IXA

Main article: Type IXA submarine

The first four Type IX U-boats were ordered on 29 July 1936 from DeSchiMAG AG Weser in Bremen, ^[5] and on 21 November a further four were ordered from the same yard. ^[6] The eight U-boats were commissioned in 1938-39. Six were lost in action and two were scuttled at the end of the war. ^[7]

Type IXB

Main article: Type IXB submarine

On 17 July 1937 the British amended the Anglo-German Naval Agreement for an expansion of their submarine fleet. As a consequence Germany was also allowed more tonnage for their U-boats and part of this tonnage was used to order two Type IXB on 21 July. The Type IXB was a identical to the Type IXA, except for a wider outer hull, ^[6] which increased fuel storage to 165 t (162 long tons). ^[8] In 1938, the Germans invoked a clausule of the Anglo-German Naval- Agreement which allowed them to build submarines in parity with the British. A further eight Type IXB were ordered on 24 May 1938 and a ninth was ordered on 9 Augustus. ^[9] A total of fourteen Type IXB was ordered from DeSchiMAG AG Weser in Bremen. These U-boats were commissioned in 1939-40. Thirteen were sunk in the course of the war, the remaining one was decommissioned and sabotaged when Lorient Submarine Base was evacuated in 1944. ^{[10] [11]}

Type IXC

The Type IXC had again a wider outer hull, with storage for an additional 43 tonnes of fuel, increasing the boat's range. This series omitted the control room periscope leaving the boats with two tower scopes. ^[12] The 35 boats of U-162 through U-170 and U-505 through U-550 were not fitted for mine operations. ^[13]

The first ten Type IXC were ordered on 7 August 1939. ^[14] Three shipyards, DeSchiMAG AG Weser and Seebeckwerft of Bremen, and Deutsche Werft of Hamburg built 54 Type IXC submarines, which were commissioned in 1941-42. 49 Type IXC U-boats were lost. Two were decommissioned in French ports and could not be evacuated to Germany when the Allies overran France in 1944. ^[15] One was given to Japan as a gift from Hitler, one surrendered at the end of the war, and U-505 was captured at sea and survives at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. ^{[16] [15]}

Type IXC/40

Type IXC/40 was an improved Type IXC with slightly increased range. ^[17] The 87 Type IXC/40 U-boats built at DeSchiMAG AG Weser and Seebeckwerft of Bremen, and Deutsche Werft of Hamburg were commissioned in 1942-44. ^[18] After the decision of Karl Dönitz on 13 August 1943 to focus on the construction of the new Elektroboote, on 30 September 1943, the outstanding order for 71 Type IXC/40 was cancelled. ^[19] 64 Type IXC/40 were lost in action, four were decommissioned before the end of the war, two were scuttled, one was transferred to the Japanese Navy and sixteen surrendered. ^[18] The Type IXC/40 U-534 was sunk on 5 May 1945, but raised and is on display at Woodside Ferry Terminal, Birkenhead. ^{[20] [21]}

Type IXD1

After the cancelling of the Type XI U-cruisers at the beginning of the war which were intended for patrols against independently sailing vessels in remote areas, Dönitz sought a way to replace these U-cruisers with an existing design that could be modified without much impact on existing U-boat production. The solution was to adapt the Type IXC into two designs : a high-speed Type IXD1 and a long-range Type IXD2. On 28 May 1940 the first IXD U-boats were ordered. ^[22] Only two Type IXD1 U-boats were built, ^[23] U-180 was commissioned on 10 December 1941 and U-195 on 8 April 1942. ^[24]

The Type IXD1 was significantly longer and heavier than the IXC/40. It had three pairs of 20-Cylinder, four-stroke Daimler Benz MB501 diesels, which were also used for E-boats, with a total of 9,000 bhp (6,700 kW). ^[23] This installation was not successful: it produced too much exhaust smoke, and the heat in the engine room was unbearable because of defective cooling. ^{[25] [26]} Since they not fit for war patrols, it was decided in the autumn of 1943 to convert the two Type IXD1 U-boats in transport U-boats. They had their torpedo tubes removed and the six diesel engines were replaced with two Type VIIC 3,200 bhp (2,400 kW) Germaniawerft F46 diesel engines. ^[27] As a consequence top speed dropped to 15.8 kn (29.3 km/h; 18.2 mph). ^[28] In their new role they could transport 252 tonnes of cargo. ^[27]

Type IXD2 and IXD/42

See also: Focke-Achgelis Fa 330

Apart from the two standard MAN M9V40/46 diesel engine totalling 4,400 hp (3,300 kW; 4,500 PS), the Type IXD2 had two extra six-cylinder, four-stroke MWM RS34S diesel generators totalling 1,000 hp (750 kW; 1,000 PS) for economical cruising. ^[29] The IXD2 had a range of 23,700 nautical miles (43,900 km; 27,300 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph) ^[30] and 31,500 nautical miles (58,300 km; 36,200 mi)10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph). The IXD/42 was almost identical. ^[31] Most of the Type IXD2 were sent to patrols in the Indian Ocean as part of the Monsun Gruppe and were equipped with a Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 rotor kite which was stored in two watertight vertical canister behind the conning tower. ^[32]

The first two Type IXD2 U-boats were ordered on 15 August 1940. ^[17] DeSchiMAG AG Weser of Bremen built 28 Type IXD2 U-boats, which were commissioned in 1942-44. ^[29] Following the decision by Dönitz to stop building conventional U-boats, the orders for 22 Type IXD/42 U-boats was cancelled. Only two that were already under construction by DeSchiMAG AG Weser of Bremen, were continued. Only U-883 was launched on 28 April 1944 and commissioned 27 March 1945, and surrendered at the end of the war. The other Type IXD/42 U-884 was launched on 17 May 1944 but was badly damaged on 30 March 1945 by US bombs while still in the dockyard and never commissioned. ^{[19] [31]}

In foreign service

• U-123 had been scuttled in Lorient but was raised by the French after the war, repaired and recommissioned as Blaison. ^[10]
• U-510 was returning from the Far East to Saint-Nazaire submarine base when the war ended and was captured there by the French. ^[33] The U-boat was commissioned into the French Navy as Bouan. ^[34]
• U-511 was a gift from Hitler to Japan, she arrived on 16 September 1943 in Japan and was renamed Ro-500. ^[35]
• U-1224 was another gift from Hitler to Japan. A Japanese crew was brought to Germany to commission her on 14 February 1944. ^[36] She sailed for Japan on 30 March and was lost on her way. ^[37]
• U-181, U-862 and U-195 were in the Far East when Germany surrendered in May 1945, were captured by the Japanese and commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy as I-501, I-502 and I-506 respectively. ^[38]
• U-1231 surrendered at the end of the war and was given as a war prize to the Soviet Union. She was commissioned in the Soviet Navy as N.26. ^[39]
• U-190 and U-889 were on patrol in the North Atlantic when Germany surrendered. They put into a Canadian port and both were commissioned in the Royal Canadian Navy, but U-889 was later transferred to the United States Navy. ^{[40] [41]}

Specifications

Class	IXA [13]	IXB [13]	IXC [13]	IXC/40 [13]	IXD1 [42]	IXD2 [8]	IXD/42 [8]
Displacement surfaced	1,032 t (1,016 long tons)	1,051 t (1,034 long tons)	1,120 t (1,100 long tons)	1,144 t (1,126 long tons)	1,610 t (1,580 long tons)	1,616 t (1,590 long tons)	1,616 t (1,590 long tons)
Displacement submerged	1,152 t (1,134 long tons)	1,178 t (1,159 long tons)	1,232 t (1,213 long tons)	1,257 t (1,237 long tons)	1,799 t (1,771 long tons)	1,808 t (1,779 long tons)	1,808 t (1,779 long tons)
Length overall	76.50 m (251 ft 0 in)	76.50 m (251 ft 0 in)	76.76 m (251 ft 10 in)	76.76 m (251 ft 10 in)	87.58 m (287 ft 4 in)	87.5 m (287 ft 1 in)	87.5 m (287 ft 1 in)
Length pressure hull	58.75 m (192 ft 9 in)	58.75 m (192 ft 9 in)	58.75 m (192 ft 9 in)	58.75 m (192 ft 9 in)	68.50 m (224 ft 9 in)	--	--
Beam overall	6.51 m (21 ft 4 in)	6.76 m (22 ft 2 in)	6.76 m (22 ft 2 in)	6.86 m (22 ft 6 in)	7.50 m (24 ft 7 in)	7.50 m (24 ft 7 in)	7.50 m (24 ft 7 in)
Beam pressure hull	4.40 m (14 ft 5 in)	4.40 m (14 ft 5 in)	4.40 m (14 ft 5 in)	4.40 m (14 ft 5 in)	4.40 m (14 ft 5 in)	--	--
Height	9.40 m (30 ft 10 in)	9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)	9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)	9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)	10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)	--	--
Draft	4.70 m (15 ft 5 in)	4.70 m (15 ft 5 in)	4.70 m (15 ft 5 in)	4.67 m (15 ft 4 in)	5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)	5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)	5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)
Power surfaced (diesel) [43]	4,400 hp (3,300 kW)				9,000 hp (6,700 kW)	5,400 hp (4,000 kW)	5,400 hp (4,000 kW)
Power submerged (Electric) [43]	1,000 hp (750 kW)
Surface speed	18.2 kn (33.7 km/h; 20.9 mph)	18.2 kn (33.7 km/h; 20.9 mph)	18.3 kn (33.9 km/h; 21.1 mph)	18.3 kn (33.9 km/h; 21.1 mph)	20.8 kn (38.5 km/h; 23.9 mph)	19.2 kn (35.6 km/h; 22.1 mph)	19.2 kn (35.6 km/h; 22.1 mph)
Submerged speed	7.7 kn (14.3 km/h; 8.9 mph)	7.3 kn (13.5 km/h; 8.4 mph)	7.3 kn (13.5 km/h; 8.4 mph)	7.3 kn (13.5 km/h; 8.4 mph)	6.9 kn (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph)	6.9 kn (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph)	6.9 kn (12.8 km/h; 7.9 mph)
fuel capacity [44]	154 t (152 long tons)	165 t (162 long tons)	208 t (205 long tons)	214 t (211 long tons)	203 t (200 long tons)	442 t (435 long tons)	442 t (435 long tons)
Surface range at 10 knots	10,500 nmi (19,400 km; 12,100 mi)	12,000 nmi (22,000 km; 14,000 mi)	13,450 nmi (24,910 km; 15,480 mi)	13,850 nmi (25,650 km; 15,940 mi)	12,750 nmi (23,610 km; 14,670 mi)	31,500 nmi (58,300 km; 36,200 mi)	31,500 nmi (58,300 km; 36,200 mi)
Surface range at 12 knots [44]	8,100 nmi (15,000 km; 9,300 mi)	8,700 nmi (16,100 km; 10,000 mi)	11,000 nmi (20,000 km; 13,000 mi)	11,400 nmi (21,100 km; 13,100 mi)	9,900 nmi (18,300 km; 11,400 mi)	23,700 nmi (43,900 km; 27,300 mi)	23,700 nmi (43,900 km; 27,300 mi)
Submerged range at 4 knots	65 nmi (120 km; 75 mi)	64 nmi (119 km; 74 mi)	63 nmi (117 km; 72 mi)	63 nmi (117 km; 72 mi)	115 nmi (213 km; 132 mi)	57 nmi (106 km; 66 mi)	57 nmi (106 km; 66 mi)
Bow tubes	4
Stern tubes	2
Torpedoes (maximum)	22	22	22	22	22	24	24

Notes

1. Showell states that the Type IX submarine was designed as a further development of the U81. ^[2]

Citations

1. Williamson 2005, p. 40.
2. Showell 2006, p. 83.
3. Rössler 2001, p. 104.
4. Rössler 2001, pp. 103–105.
5. Rössler 2001, p. 105.
6. Rössler 2001, p. 109.
7. Möller & Brack 2004, p. 96.
8. Bagnasco 1977, p. 71.
9. Rössler 2001, p. 115.
10. Kemp 1999, p. 197.
11. Möller & Brack 2004, p. 97.
12. Rössler 2001, pp. 117–118.
13. Gröner, Jung & Maass 1991, p. 68.
14. Rössler 2001, p. 117.
15. Möller & Brack 2004, p. 98.
16. "U-505 (German Submarine)". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
17. Rössler 2001, p. 126.
18. Möller & Brack 2004, pp. 99–101.
19. Rössler 2001, p. 216.
20. "The U-Boat Story - The Story of World War 2 German Submarine U-534". u-boatstory.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 August 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
21. Möller & Brack 2004, p. 100.
22. Rössler 2001, p. 150.
23. Möller & Brack 2004, p. 102.
24. Möller & Brack 2004, p. 159.
25. Rössler 2001, pp. 150–151.
26. Blair 1998, pp. 231–232.
27. Rössler 2001, p. 206.
28. Rössler 2001, p. 337.
29. Möller & Brack 2004, p. 103.
30. Gröner, Jung & Maass 1991, p. 75.
31. Möller & Brack 2004, p. 104.
32. Paterson 2016, pp. 92–94.
33. Blair 1998, pp. 690–691.
34. Watts 1977, p. 24.
35. Blair 1998, p. 776.
36. Möller & Brack 2004, p. 101.
37. Blair 1998, pp. 538–539.
38. Blair 1998, p. 694.
39. Watts 1977, p. 27.
40. Watts 1977, pp. 23, 26.
41. Blair 1998, pp. 685, 690.
42. Gröner, Jung & Maass 1991, p. 114.
43. Möller & Brack 2004, pp. 96–104.
44. Rössler 2001, pp. 336–337.

Bibliography

• Bagnasco, Erminio (1977). Submarines of World War Two. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN   0870219626.
• Blair, Clay (1998). Hitler's U-Boat War: The Hunted 1942–1945. Vol. 2. Cassell. ISBN   0-304-35261-6.
• Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter & Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Translated by Thomas, Keith & Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN   0-85177-593-4.
• Kemp, Paul (1999). U-Boats Destroyed, German Submarine Losses in the World Wars. Arms and Armour. ISBN   1-85409-515-3.
• Möller, Eberhard; Brack, Werner (2004). The Encyclopedia of U-Boats. London: Chatham. ISBN   1-85367-623-3.
• Paterson, Lawrence (2016). Hitler's Grey Wolves : U-Boats in the Indian Ocean. Havertown: Frontline Books. ISBN   9781473882751.
• Rössler, Eberhard (2001). The U-boat: The Evolution and Technical History of German submarines. London: Cassell & Co. ISBN   0-304-36120-8.
• Showell, Jak P. Mallmann (2006). The U-boat Century: German Submarine Warfare 1906–2006. London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN   9781861762412.
• Watts, Anthony John (1977). Axis Submarines. New York: Arco Pub. Co. ISBN   0668041595.
• Williamson, Gordon (2005). Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-boat in World War II. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN   1-84176-872-3.

Further reading

• Sharpe, Peter (1998). U-Boat Fact File: Detailed Service Histories of the Submarines Operated by the Kriegsmarine 1935–1945. Leicester: Midland Publishing. ISBN   1-85780-072-9.
• Thew, Robert W. (1991). "The Type IX U-Boat". Warship International. XXVIII (1). International Naval Research Organization: 14–29. ISSN   0043-0374.