German submarine U-1103 facts for kids
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|} The German submarine U-1103was a special type of U-boat(a German submarine) used by Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. It was a Type VIIC/41 submarine, known for being strong and reliable. The order to build U-1103was placed on October 14, 1941. Its construction began on May 26, 1943, at a shipyard called Nordseewerke in Emden, Germany. The submarine was officially launched into the water on October 12, 1943. It was then ready for service on January 8, 1944, under the command of a captain named Hans Bungards.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
|
| Name | U-1103 |
| Ordered | 14 October 1941 |
| Builder | Nordseewerke, Emden |
| Yard number | 225 |
| Laid down | 26 May 1943 |
| Launched | 12 October 1943 |
| Commissioned | 8 January 1944 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type | Type VIIC/41 submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
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| Beam |
|
| 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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| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 44-52 officers & ratings |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Commanders: |
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| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
Understanding the U-1103 Design
The U-1103 was part of the Type VIIC/41 family of submarines. These were an improved version of the earlier Type VIIC submarines. When U-1103 was on the surface, it weighed about 769 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed a bit more, around 871 tons.
Size and Shape of the Submarine
This submarine was quite long, measuring about 67.10 meters (about 220 feet) from front to back. The main strong part of the submarine, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 meters long. The widest part of the submarine was 6.20 meters (about 20 feet). It stood about 9.60 meters (about 31 feet) tall. The part of the submarine that was underwater, called the draught, was 4.74 meters deep.
How the U-1103 Moved
The U-1103 had two different ways to move. On the surface, it used two powerful diesel engines. These engines could make the submarine go as fast as 17.7 knots (about 20 miles per hour). When it was underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors allowed it to travel at a speed of 7.6 knots (about 8.7 miles per hour).
The submarine could travel a long way without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (about 9,780 miles) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (about 92 miles) at 4 knots. The U-1103 was built to dive deep, safely reaching depths of up to 230 meters (about 755 feet).
Weapons and Crew of the Submarine
The U-1103 was well-armed for its missions. It had five torpedo tubes, which are special launchers for 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 fighting on the surface or against aircraft, it also had several guns:
- One large 8.8 cm (about 3.5 inch) deck gun.
- One 3.7 cm (about 1.5 inch) anti-aircraft gun.
- Two 2 cm (about 0.8 inch) anti-aircraft guns.
The submarine needed a crew of between 44 and 52 sailors and officers to operate it.
The U-1103's Journey and End
As World War II was ending, the U-1103 surrendered to the Allied forces on May 5, 1945, in Cuxhaven, Germany. It was then moved from Wilhelmshaven to Loch Ryan, Scotland.
After the war, many German U-boats that had surrendered were sunk by the Allies. This operation was called Operation Deadlight. U-1103 was one of 116 submarines chosen for this. On December 30, 1945, the U-1103 was towed out to sea and sunk by naval gunfire.
Today, the remains of the U-1103 lie at the bottom of the sea at coordinates 56°03′N 10°05′W.
See also
