German submarine U-2354

Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-2354.
History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-2354
Ordered: 20 September 1944
Builder: Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg
Yard number: 508
Laid down: 14 October 1944
Launched: 10 December 1944
Commissioned: 11 January 1945
Fate: Surrendered on 9 May 1945
Status: Sunk on 22 December 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:
Operations: No patrols
Victories: None

German submarine U-2354 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 20 September 1944, and was laid down on 14 October 1944 at Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg, as yard number 508. She was launched on 10 December 1944 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Dieter Wex on 11 January 1945.[2]

Design

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-2354 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-2354 surrendered at Kristiansand–Süd, Norway. She was later transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland , Northern Ireland on 29 May 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-2354 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-2354 was towed out and sank on 22 December 1945, by gunfire from the British destroyer HMS Onslow.[2]

The wreck now lies at 56°00′N 10°05′W / 56.000°N 10.083°W / 56.000; -10.083Coordinates: 56°00′N 10°05′W / 56.000°N 10.083°W / 56.000; -10.083.[2]

See also

References

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans-Dieter Wex". Uboat.net. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2354". Uboat.net. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Type XXIII U-Boat Coastal Submarine (1944)". Military Factory. Retrieved 29 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


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