German submarine U-1009 facts for kids

U-1009 surrendering at Loch Eriboll Scotland, behind is the frigate HMS Byron in May 1945
Quick facts for kids History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-1009
Ordered	23 March 1942
Builder	Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number	209
Laid down	24 February 1943
Launched	5 January 1944
Commissioned	10 February 1944
Fate	Surrendered on 10 May 1945 Sunk on 16 December 1945 during Operation Deadlight
General characteristics
Type	Type VIIC/41 submarine
Displacement	757 long tons (769 t) surfaced 857 long tons (871 t) submerged
Length	67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) o/a 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) pressure hull
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 × diesel engines 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels) 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion	2 × electric motors 2 × screws
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	250 m (820 ft) Calculated crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement	44-52 officers & ratings
Armament	5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (4 bow, 1 stern) 14 × torpedoes or 26 × TMA or TMB Naval mines 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun (220 rounds) 1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 AA gun 2 × 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 AA guns
Service record
Part of:	31st U-boat Flotilla 10 February – 31 October 1944 11th U-boat Flotilla 1 November 1944 – 8 May 1945
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. Klaus Hilgendorf 10 February 1944 – 10 May 1945 Oblt.z.S. Dietrich Zehle November 1944 – February 1945
Operations:	2 patrols: 1st patrol: 11 December 1944 – 8 February 1945 2nd patrol: 29 March – 10 May 1945
Victories:	None

The German submarine U-1009 was a special type of U-boat (a German submarine) used by Nazi Germany's navy, called the Kriegsmarine, during World War II.

This submarine was ordered on March 23, 1942. Its construction began on February 24, 1943, at a shipyard called Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, Germany. U-1009 was launched into the water on January 5, 1944. It officially joined the navy on February 10, 1944, under the command of a leader named Oberleutnant zur See Klaus Hilgendorf.

Understanding the U-1009 Design

The U-1009 was a Type VIIC/41 submarine. This type was an improved version of earlier German submarines. It was built to be strong and effective in underwater warfare.

Size and Weight of U-1009

When U-1009 was on the surface of the water, it weighed about 769 tonnes (757 long tons). When it was underwater, it became heavier, weighing about 871 tonnes (857 long tons). The submarine was quite long, measuring about 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) from front to back. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) long.

The submarine was 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) wide and 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) tall. It sat 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) deep in the water.

How U-1009 Moved

U-1009 used two powerful diesel engines when it was on the surface. These engines gave it a lot of power to move through the water. When the submarine went underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors were quieter and allowed it to travel silently beneath the waves.

The submarine had two propellers, each about 1.23 m (4 ft) wide, to push it through the water. It could travel up to 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) (knots) on the surface. Underwater, it was slower, reaching a speed of about 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).

Travel Range and Depth

U-1009 could travel very far. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) (nautical miles) at a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). That's like traveling across the Atlantic Ocean! When submerged, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) before needing to surface.

This submarine was designed to go very deep. It could operate safely at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft) (about 750 feet).

Weapons and Crew

U-1009 was equipped with several weapons. It had five torpedo tubes, which are tubes used to launch torpedoes. Four of these were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It could carry 14 torpedoes or 26 Naval mines.

For defense against other ships or aircraft, it had a large 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun. It also had anti-aircraft guns: one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 guns.

The submarine needed a crew of between 44 and 52 sailors to operate it.

U-1009 in Action

U-1009 took part in two war patrols during World War II. However, it did not sink or damage any enemy ships during these missions.

Before November 1944, the submarine was fitted with a special device called a Schnorchel. This allowed the submarine to run its diesel engines and breathe fresh air while staying submerged, making it harder for enemies to detect.

On May 10, 1945, as World War II was ending, U-1009 surrendered. It sailed to Loch Eriboll in Scotland. From there, it was moved to Lisahally and then to Loch Ryan.

U-1009 was one of 116 German submarines chosen to be sunk as part of an operation called Operation Deadlight. This was done to prevent them from being used again. On December 16, 1945, U-1009 was towed out to sea and sunk by naval gunfire.

Today, the remains of U-1009 lie at the bottom of the ocean at coordinates 55°31′N 07°24′W / 55.517°N 7.400°W / 55.517; -7.400.

Learn More

• Battle of the Atlantic