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German submarine U-1052 facts for kids

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U-570 Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1052.


|} The German submarine U-1052was a special kind of submarinecalled a Type VIIC U-boat. It was built for Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. This submarine was ordered on June 5, 1941. Its construction began on February 8, 1943, at a shipyard in Kiel, Germany. It was launched into the water on December 16, 1943. U-1052officially joined the navy on January 20, 1944, under the command of Friedrich Weidner.

History
Nazi Germany
Name U-1052
Ordered 5 June 1941
Builder Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel
Yard number 686
Laid down 8 February 1943
Launched 16 December 1943
Commissioned 20 January 1944
Fate
General characteristics
Class and type Type VIIC submarine
Displacement
  • 769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced
  • 871 t (857 long tons) 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
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
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
  • 220 m (720 ft)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement 4 officers, 44–52 enlisted
Armament
  • 5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern)
  • 14 × torpedoes or
  • 26 TMA mines
  • 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun (220 rounds)
  • 1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 AA gun
  • 2 × twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns
Service record
Part of:
  • 5th U-boat Flotilla
  • 20 January – 4 July 1944
  • U-boat Defense School
  • 5 July 1944 – 8 May 1945
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Friedrich Weidner
  • 20 January – 4 July 1944
  • Oblt.z.S. Günther Scholz
  • 5 July 1944 – 9 May 1945
Operations: None
Victories: None
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What was U-1052 like?

U-1052 was a Type VIIC submarine. These submarines were a bit longer than earlier models.

Size and Weight

When U-1052 was on the surface, it weighed about 769 tonnes (757 long tons). When it was underwater, it weighed more, around 871 tonnes (857 long tons). The submarine was about 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) long overall. Its main strong body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) long.

It was 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) wide and 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) tall. The part of the submarine that sat below the water, called the draught, was 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) deep.

How it Moved

U-1052 used two different types of engines to move.

  • When on the surface, it used two powerful diesel engines. These engines gave it enough power to go fast.
  • When underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors were quieter and didn't need air, which was perfect for staying hidden underwater.

The submarine had two propellers, each about 1.23 m (4.0 ft) wide. It could dive deep, safely operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).

Speed and Travel Distance

  • On the surface, U-1052 could reach a top speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) (knots).
  • Underwater, it was slower, with a top speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).

It could travel a long way without needing to refuel:

  • On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) (nautical miles) at a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). That's like going from New York to London and back!
  • Underwater, it could travel about 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph).

Weapons on Board

U-1052 was armed with several weapons:

  • Torpedoes: It had five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes. Four were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It could carry 14 torpedoes or 26 mines.
  • Deck Gun: It had one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun with 220 rounds of ammunition.
  • Anti-Aircraft Guns: For defense against planes, it had one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 gun and two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns.

The submarine usually had a crew of 44 to 52 sailors.

U-1052's Journey

U-1052 had a short but eventful service.

Collision at Sea

On November 13, 1944, U-1052 was involved in a collision. It crashed into a small cargo ship called Saude south of Bergen, Norway. When U-1052 backed away, its bow pulled out of the hole it had made in Saude's side, causing Saude to sink.

End of the War

As World War II was ending, U-1052 surrendered to the Allied forces on May 9, 1945, in Bergen, Norway. It was then moved to Loch Ryan, Scotland, on May 30, 1945.

U-1052 was one of 116 German submarines chosen for something called Operation Deadlight. This was a plan to sink the surrendered U-boats so they couldn't be used again. On December 9, 1945, U-1052 was towed out to sea and sunk by planes from the British Royal Navy's 816 Squadron.

Today, the remains of U-1052 can be found underwater at these coordinates: 55°50′N 10°05′W / 55.833°N 10.083°W / 55.833; -10.083.

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