German submarine U-1172

U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1172.
History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-1172
Ordered: 16 July 1942
Builder: Danziger Werft AG, Danzig
Yard number: 144
Laid down: 7 June 1943
Launched: 3 December 1943
Commissioned: 20 April 1944
Fate: Sunk on 27 January 1945 in St Georges Channel at 52°24′N 5°42′W / 52.400°N 5.700°W / 52.400; -5.700 by British frigates
General characteristics (VIIC/41)[1]
Class & type: Type VIIC/41 submarine
Displacement:
  • 759 tonnes (747 long tons) surfaced
  • 860 t (846 long tons) submerged
Length:
Beam:
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height: 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught: 4.74 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)
  • Calculated crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement: 44-52 officers & ratings
Armament:
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Jürgen Kuhlmann[2]
  • 20 April 1944 – 27 January 1945
Operations: 1 patrol
Victories:
  • 1 merchant ship sunk (1,599 GRT)
  • 1 merchant ship damaged (7,429 GRT)
  • 1 warship total loss (11,400 tons)

German submarine U-1172 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 7 June 1943 by Danziger Werft, Danzig as yard number 144, launched on 3 December 1943 and commissioned on 20 April 1944 under Oberleutnant zur See Jürgen Kuhlmann.

Design

Like all Type VIIC/41 U-boats, U-1172 had a displacement of 759 tonnes (747 long tons) when at the surface and 860 tonnes (850 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.23 m (220 ft 7 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam length of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), and a draught length of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in).[3] The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 supercharged six-cylinder four-stroke 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) and two SSW GU 343/38-8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. The boat was capable of operating at a depth of 250 metres (820 ft).[3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a 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).[3] U-1172 was fitted with an 8.8 centimetres (3.5 in) SK C/35 naval gun and 220 rounds, an anti-aircraft gun, five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four on the bow and one on the stern) and fourteen torpedoes. Its complement was between forty-four and sixty.[3]

Service history

The boat's service career began on 20 April 1944 with the 8th Training Flotilla, followed by active service with 11th Flotilla on 1 December 1944. U-1172 took part in no wolfpacks. U-1172 was sunk on 27 January 1945 in St Georges Channel by depth charges from British frigates HMS Tyler, HMS Keats and HMS Bligh at 52°24′N 05°42′W / 52.400°N 5.700°W / 52.400; -5.700.

Summary of raiding history

Date Ship Nationality Tonnage Fate[4]
15 January 1945 HMS Thane  Royal Navy 11,400 Total loss
15 January 1945 Spinanger  Norway 7,429 Damaged
23 January 1945 Vigsnes  Norway 1,599 Sunk

See also

References

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Type VIIC/41". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Jürgen Kuhlmann". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
  4. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-1172". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.

Bibliography

  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel (London: Conway Maritime Press). ISBN 0-85177-593-4. 
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