German submarine U-2337

Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-2337.
History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-2337
Ordered: 20 September 1943
Builder: Deutsche Werft, Hamburg
Yard number: 491
Laid down: 2 August 1944
Launched: 15 September 1944
Commissioned: 4 October 1944
Fate: Surrendered on 9 May 1945
General characteristics (XXIII)
Type: Type XXIII
Displacement:
  • 232 t (228 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 256 t (252 long tons) (submerged)
Length:
  • 34.14 m (112 ft 0 in) (o/a)
  • 26.00 m (85 ft 4 in) (p/h)
Beam:
  • 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a)
  • 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in) (p/h)
Draught: 3.66 m (12 ft 0 in)
Installed power:
  • 575 PS (423 kW; 567 shp) (diesel drive)
  • 572 PS (421 kW; 564 shp) (standard electric drive)
  • 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp) (silent electric drive)
Propulsion:
Speed:
  • 9.7 knots (18 km/h; 11 mph) (surfaced)
  • 12.5 knots (23 km/h; 14 mph) (submerged)
Range:
  • 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced
  • 194 nmi (359 km; 223 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth: 180 m (590 ft)
Complement: 14–18
Armament:
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Günter Behnisch[1]
  • 4 October 1944 – 9 May 1945
Operations: No patrols
Victories: None

German submarine U-2337 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 20 September 1943, and was laid down on 2 August 1944 at Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, as yard number 491. She was launched on 15 September 1944 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Günter Behnisch on 4 October 1944.[2]

Design

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-2337 had a displacement of 232 tonnes (228 long tons) when at the surface and 256 tonnes (252 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 34.14 m (112 ft 0 in) (o/a), a beam width of 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a), and a draught depth of 3.66 m (12 ft 0 in). The submarine was powered by one MWM six-cylinder RS134S diesel engine providing 575 metric horsepower (423 kilowatts; 567 shaft horsepower), one AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor electric motor providing 572 PS (421 kW; 564 shp), and one BBC silent running CCR188 electric motor providing 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp).[3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) and a submerged speed of 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) for 202 nautical miles (374 km; 232 mi); when surfaced, she could travel 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-3523 was fitted with two 53.3 cm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes in the bow. She could carry two preloaded torpedos. The complement was 14 – 18 men.[3] This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.[2]

Service history

On 9 May 1945, U-2337 surrendered at Kristiansand, Norway. She was later transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland on 29 May 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-2337 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-2337 was towed out to be sank on 28 November 1945, by gunfire from the British destroyer HMS Onslow and the Polish destroyer ORP Piorun.[2]

The wreck now lies at 56°10′N 10°05′W / 56.167°N 10.083°W / 56.167; -10.083Coordinates: 56°10′N 10°05′W / 56.167°N 10.083°W / 56.167; -10.083.[2]

See also

References

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Günter Behnisch". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2337". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Type XXIII U-Boat Coastal Submarine (1944)". Military Factory. Retrieved 28 April 2016.

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. 
  • Williamson, Gordon (2006). Wolf Pack. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84603-141-9. 

External links



This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, May 05, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.