German submarine U-225
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany
| |
| Name: | U-225 |
| Ordered: | 15 August 1940 |
| Builder: | Germaniawerft, Kiel |
| Cost: | 4,439,000 Reichsmark |
| Yard number: | 655 |
| Laid down: | 15 July 1941 |
| Launched: | 28 May 1942 |
| Commissioned: | 11 July 1942 |
| Fate: | sunk 22 February 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: |
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| Beam: |
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| Height: | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power: |
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| Propulsion: |
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| Range: | |
| Test depth: |
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| Complement: | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament: |
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German submarine U-225 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
Ordered on 15 August 1940 from the Germaniawerft shipyard in Kiel, she was laid down on 16 June 1941 as yard number 655, launched on 28 May 1942 and commissioned on 11 July.[1]
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.[2] 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).[2]
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).[2] 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.[2]
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 the 8 January 1943.
Final Patrol
Less that 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′N 30°35′W / 48.617°N 30.583°WCoordinates: 48°37′N 30°35′W / 48.617°N 30.583°W.
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Displacement | Fate[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 December 1942 | Scottish Heather |  United Kingdom |
7,087 | Damaged |
| 28 December 1942 | Melmore Head | United Kingdom |
5,273 | Sunk |
| 28 December 1942 | Ville de Rouen | United Kingdom |
5,598 | Damaged |
| 28 December 1942 | President Francqui | .svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
4,919 | Damaged |
| 28 December 1942 | Empire Shackleton | United Kingdom |
7,068 | Damaged |
References
- ↑ Gröner 1985, p. 84.
- 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43-46.
- ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-225". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
Bibliography
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German) IV (Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler). ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
- Edwards, Bernard (1996). Dönitz and the Wolf Packs - The U-boats at War. Cassell Military Classics. pp. 136, 138, 155. ISBN 0-304-35203-9.
- 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.
External links
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-225". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- Hofmann, Markus. "U 225". Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de (in German). Retrieved 26 December 2014.