German submarine U-1109 facts for kids

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|} The German submarine U-1109was a special type of U-boat(a German submarine) used by Nazi Germany's navy during World War II. It was a Type VIIC/41 submarine, known for its strong design. The U-1109was ordered on April 2, 1942. Its construction began on October 20, 1943, at the Nordseewerke shipyard in Emden. It was officially launched into the water on June 19, 1944. The submarine began its service on August 31, 1944, under the command of Hans Julius Hoß.

Contents

• Submarine Design and Features

• Size and Weight
• Engines and Speed
• Depth and Crew
• Weapons and Armament

History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-1109
Ordered	2 April 1942
Builder	Nordseewerke, Emden
Yard number	231
Laid down	20 October 1943
Launched	19 June 1944
Commissioned	31 August 1944
Fate	Surrendered on 12 May 1945 Sunk on 6 January 1946 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:	8th U-boat Flotilla 31 August 1944 – 15 February 1945 11th U-boat Flotilla 16 February – 8 May 1945
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. Hans Julius Hoß 31 August – 10 September 1944 Oblt.z.S. Friedrich von Riesen 10 September 1944 – 12 May 1945
Operations:	2 patrols: 1st patrol: 22 March – 6 April 1945 2nd patrol: 17 April – 12 May 1945
Victories:	None

• Service History and Fate

• First Patrol
• Second Patrol
• Surrender and Sinking

• See also

Submarine Design and Features

The U-1109 was part of the Type VIIC/41 series of submarines. These were an improved version of earlier Type VIIC U-boats.

Size and Weight

When on the surface, U-1109 weighed about 769 tonnes (about 847 tons). When it was underwater, it weighed more, around 871 tonnes (about 960 tons). The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long overall. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 meters (165 feet) long. The submarine was 6.20 meters (20 feet) wide and 9.60 meters (31 feet) tall. It sat 4.74 meters (15 feet) deep in the water.

Engines and Speed

U-1109 had two powerful diesel engines for moving on the surface. These engines could produce up to 3,200 horsepower. When underwater, it used two electric motors, which produced 750 horsepower. These motors turned two propellers, helping the submarine move.

The submarine could travel quite fast. On the surface, its top speed was 17.7 knots (about 32.8 kilometers per hour). Underwater, it was slower, reaching 7.6 knots (about 14.1 kilometers per hour). It could travel a long distance on the surface, about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 kilometers) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, its range was shorter, about 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) at 4 knots.

Depth and Crew

U-1109 was built to dive deep. It could operate safely at depths of up to 230 meters (755 feet). The submarine needed a crew of 44 to 52 sailors and officers to operate it.

Weapons and Armament

The U-1109 was well-armed for its missions. 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 also had guns:

• One 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) deck gun, which could fire 220 rounds.
• One 3.7 cm (1.5 inch) anti-aircraft gun.
• Two 2 cm (0.79 inch) anti-aircraft guns.

Service History and Fate

U-1109 went on two war patrols during its service. A patrol is a mission where a submarine travels to a specific area to search for enemy ships.

First Patrol

The submarine's first patrol started on March 22, 1945, from Kristiansand. However, this mission was cut short. On April 2, 1945, the submarine had technical problems. It had to return to port and arrived in Bergen on April 6, 1945. During this patrol, U-1109 did not sink or damage any enemy ships.

Second Patrol

U-1109's second patrol began on April 17, 1945, from Bergen. Like its first patrol, this one also ended without sinking or damaging any ships.

Surrender and Sinking

As World War II was ending, U-1109 surrendered to the Allied forces on May 12, 1945, at Loch Eriboll in Scotland. It was then moved to Lisahally on May 31, 1945.

After the war, many German U-boats that had surrendered were sunk in an operation called Operation Deadlight. This was done to prevent them from being used again. U-1109 was one of 116 U-boats chosen for this operation. On January 6, 1946, U-1109 was towed out to sea and sunk by torpedoes fired from a British submarine, HMS Templar.

Today, the wreck of U-1109 lies underwater at the coordinates 55°49′N 08°31′W.

See also

• Battle of the Atlantic