German submarine U-1194 facts for kids
U-570 Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1194.
|
|
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
|
| Name | U-1194 |
| Ordered | 25 August 1941 |
| Builder | F Schichau GmbH, Danzig |
| Yard number | 1564 |
| Laid down | 29 December 1942 |
| Launched | 5 August 1943 |
| Commissioned | 21 October 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 9 May 1945; sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 22 December 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | |
| Test depth |
|
| Complement | 4 officers, 44–52 enlisted |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: |
|
| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
The U-1194 was a Type VIIC U-boat used by Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. It was a powerful submarine designed for combat.
The order for this submarine was placed on August 25, 1941. Its construction began on December 29, 1942, at a shipyard in Danzig. The U-1194 was officially launched on August 5, 1943. It was then put into service on October 21, 1943, under the command of Gerhard Nolte.
Contents
Submarine Design and Features
U-1194 was a Type VIIC submarine. These were a common type of German U-boat. They were built to be strong and effective underwater.
Size and Weight of the U-boat
When on the surface, U-1194 weighed about 769 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed more, around 871 tons. The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long overall. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was about 50.50 meters (165 feet) long.
The submarine was about 6.20 meters (20 feet) wide. Its height was 9.60 meters (31 feet), and it sat 4.74 meters (15 feet) deep in the water.
How the Submarine Moved
The U-1194 used two large diesel engines when it was on the surface. These engines gave it a lot of power. When it went underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors allowed it to move quietly beneath the waves.
The submarine had two propellers to push it through the water. It could travel quite fast on the surface, reaching speeds of up to 17.7 knots. Underwater, it moved slower, at about 7.6 knots.
Travel Distance and Depth
When surfaced, U-1194 could travel a very long distance. It could go about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 kilometers) at a speed of 10 knots. This is like traveling across the Atlantic Ocean and back!
Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) at 4 knots. The submarine was built to go deep, safely operating at depths of up to 220 meters (720 feet).
Weapons and Crew
The U-1194 was well-armed for its missions. It had five torpedo tubes, which are tubes that launch torpedoes. Four of these were at the front, and one was at the back. It could carry 14 torpedoes or 26 mines. Mines are like underwater bombs that float or sit on the seabed.
It also had several guns:
- One large 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) deck gun.
- One 3.7 cm (1.5 inch) anti-aircraft gun.
- Two twin 2 cm (0.79 inch) anti-aircraft guns.
The submarine needed a crew of about 44 to 52 sailors to operate it.
Service in World War II
The U-1194 was part of the German navy during World War II. It was assigned to two different groups of U-boats, called flotillas. From October 1943 to February 1945, it was with the 22nd U-boat Flotilla. Then, from March to May 1945, it joined the 31st U-boat Flotilla.
Surrender and Final Fate
As World War II was ending, U-1194 surrendered to the Allied forces. This happened on May 9, 1945, in Cuxhaven, Germany. Later, it was moved to Loch Ryan, Scotland.
The U-1194 was one of 116 German U-boats chosen for something called Operation Deadlight. This was a plan by the Allied forces to sink the captured German submarines so they could not be used again. On December 22, 1945, U-1194 was towed out to sea and sunk by naval gunfire.
Today, the wreck of U-1194 lies at these coordinates: 55°59′N 09°55′W / 55.983°N 9.917°W.
