German submarine U-1203
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany
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| Name: | U-1203 |
| Ordered: | 14 October 1941 |
| Builder: | Schichau-Werke, Danzig |
| Yard number: | 1573 |
| Laid down: | 15 May 1943 |
| Launched: | 9 December 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 10 February 1944 |
| Fate: | Surrendered in Trondheim, Norway on 9 May 1945. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | Type VIIC submarine |
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| Draught: | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
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| Complement: | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
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| Service record | |
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| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | 1 patrol |
| Victories: | 1 auxiliary warship sunk (580 tons) |
German submarine U-1203 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 15 May 1943 by Schichau-Werke, Danzig as yard number 1573, launched on 9 December 1943 and commissioned on 10 February 1944 under Kapitänleutnant Erich Steinbrink.
Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-1203 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[3] 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).[3]
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).[3] 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-1203 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.[3]
Service history
The boat's career began with training at 8th Flotilla on 10 February 1944, followed by active service on 1 December 1944 as part of the 11th Flotilla.
Wolfpacks
U-1203 took part in no wolfpacks.
Fate
U-1203 surrendered on 9 May 1945 in Trondheim. She was initially transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland on 29 May 1945, and sunk on 8 December 1945 at 55°50′N 10°05′W / 55.833°N 10.083°WCoordinates: 55°50′N 10°05′W / 55.833°N 10.083°W as part of Operation Deadlight.
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) |
Fate[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 February 1945 | HMY Ellesmere |  Royal Navy |
580 | Sunk |
References
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Erich Steinbrink". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Sigurd Seeger". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-1203". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 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.
- Sharpe, Peter (1998). Ships hit by U-Boat Fact File. Great Britain: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-072-9.
External links
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC Uboat U-1203". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net.