German submarine U-1163 facts for kids
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|} The German submarine U-1163was 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, which was a common and effective design. The order to build U-1163was placed on 14 October 1941. Its construction started on 5 December 1942 at a shipyard in Danzig. The submarine was officially launched into the water on 12 June 1943. It was then put into service on 6 October 1943, under the command of a naval officer named Ernst-Ludwig Balduhn.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-1163 |
| Ordered | 14 October 1941 |
| Builder | Danziger Werft AG, Danzig |
| Yard number | 135 |
| Laid down | 5 December 1942 |
| Launched | 12 June 1943 |
| Commissioned | 6 October 1943 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC/41 submarine |
| Displacement |
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| Length |
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| Beam |
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| 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: |
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| Victories: | 1 merchant ship sunk (433 GRT) |
- First Patrol Adventures
- Second Patrol and an Air Attack
- Third Patrol and its Only Victory
- Fourth and Final Patrol
Understanding the U-1163 Design
U-1163 was part of the Type VIIC/41 family of submarines. These were improved versions of earlier German U-boats.
Size and Weight
When U-1163 was on the surface, it weighed about 759 tonnes (747 long tons). When it was underwater, it weighed more, around 860 tonnes (850 long tons). The submarine was about 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) long overall. Its main strong hull, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) long. The widest part of the submarine, its beam, was 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in). It stood 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) tall and sat 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) deep in the water.
Power and Speed
U-1163 had two diesel engines for moving on the surface. These engines produced a lot of power, between 2,800 and 3,200 horsepower. For moving underwater, it used two electric motors that made about 750 horsepower. It had two propellers to push it through the water.
The submarine could travel at a top speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) (knots) when on the surface. Underwater, its top speed was 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph). It could travel for a long distance, about 8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) (nautical miles) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) on the surface. When submerged, it could go about 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph).
How Deep Could it Go?
U-1163 was designed to operate safely at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft). Its strongest point, where it might start to break from the water pressure, was estimated to be between 250–295 m (820–968 ft).
Weapons and Crew
The submarine was armed with five torpedo tubes, which are tubes used to launch torpedoes. Four were at the front (bow) and one at the back (stern). It carried 14 torpedoes in total. For fighting on the surface, it had a large 8.8 cm (3.46 in) naval gun. It also had anti-aircraft guns to defend against planes: one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 gun and two smaller 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 guns. The crew of U-1163 usually consisted of 44 to 52 officers and sailors.
U-1163 in Action: Service History
U-1163 didn't have a very busy combat career. Even though it was put into service in October 1943, it didn't sink its first (and only) enemy ship until December 1944. However, it was one of the few German U-boats during World War II that helped shoot down a De Havilland Mosquito aircraft in August 1944.
For its first eight months, U-1163 was used for training with the 8th U-boat Flotilla. After training, it was sent to the 11th U-boat Flotilla in Norway for active duty. Its first patrol began on 13 July 1944, almost three years after it was ordered.
First Patrol Adventures
After its training, U-1163 traveled from Kiel to Flekkefjord in Norway. Its first official war patrol with the 11th U-boat Flotilla started on 13 July 1944. But this patrol was very short. After only seven days at sea, U-1163 returned to the coastal town of Arnöy in Norway on 19 July.
Second Patrol and an Air Attack
After its first patrol, U-1163 spent the next three months moving along the coast of Norway. On 2 August 1944, U-1163 and another U-boat, U-771, were traveling on the surface near Stavanger and Kristiansand. They even had other ships protecting them. Despite this, two British de Havilland Mosquito planes attacked them. One of the planes was shot down by the U-boats' anti-aircraft fire, and both submarines were undamaged.
On 15 October 1944, U-1163 started its second war patrol from Bogenbucht. For 17 days, it searched the Arctic Ocean for Allied convoys heading to the Soviet Union. However, it didn't find any enemy ships. On 31 October, U-1163 arrived in Hammerfest, Norway.
Third Patrol and its Only Victory
U-1163's third patrol began on 25 November 1944, when it left the port of Kilbotn. For 22 days, it again traveled through the Arctic Ocean, looking for Allied ships. On 3 December 1944, U-1163 achieved its only success in sinking an enemy vessel.
The ship was a Soviet cargo steamship named Revoljucija. It weighed 433 GRT (Gross Register Tonnage) and had fallen behind its convoy because of engine problems. It was being protected by just one minesweeper. U-1163 fired a single torpedo, hitting and sinking the Revoljucija and its 23 crew members. Thirteen days later, on 16 December, U-1163 returned to Bogenbucht.
Fourth and Final Patrol
The last patrol for U-1163 started on 15 April 1945. It left Kristiansand and traveled towards the north coast of Ireland. After 25 days at sea, it returned to Marvika, Norway. A few days later, all German forces surrendered, and U-1163 was handed over to the Allies.
Summary of Ships Sunk
U-1163 only sank one ship during its time in service.
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 December 1944 | Revoljucija |  Soviet Union |
433 | Sunk |
See also
