German submarine U-1301 facts for kids
U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1301.
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-1301 |
| Ordered | 2 April 1942 |
| Builder | Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg |
| Yard number | 494 |
| Laid down | 20 January 1943 |
| Launched | 22 December 1943 |
| Commissioned | 11 February 1944 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type | Type VIIC/41 submarine |
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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) |
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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 |
The German submarine U-1301 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat. This was a type of submarine used by Nazi Germany's navy, called the Kriegsmarine, during World War II.
The order to build U-1301 was placed on 2 April 1942. Its construction began on 20 January 1943, at a shipyard in Flensburg, Germany. The submarine was launched into the water on 22 December 1943. It officially joined the navy on 11 February 1944, under the command of Karl-Heinrich Feufel.
Contents
Submarine Design and Features
U-1301 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat. These submarines were an improved version of the earlier Type VIIC models. When on the surface, U-1301 weighed about 769 tonnes. When it was underwater, it weighed around 871 tonnes.
Size and Dimensions
The submarine was quite long, measuring about 67.10 meters (220 feet) from end to end. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was about 50.50 meters (165 feet) long. The widest part of the submarine was about 6.20 meters (20 feet) across. It stood about 9.60 meters (31 feet) tall and sat about 4.74 meters (15 feet) deep in the water.
Power and Speed
U-1301 used two large diesel engines when it was on the surface. These engines gave it enough power to travel at speeds up to 17.7 knots. When underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors allowed it to move silently at speeds up to 7.6 knots.
The submarine could travel a long way without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 km) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (148 km) at 4 knots. U-1301 was built to dive deep, safely operating at depths of up to 230 meters (750 feet).
Weapons and Crew
U-1301 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 carried 14 torpedoes in total.
For fighting on the surface, it had a large 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) deck gun. This gun carried 220 rounds of ammunition. The submarine also had anti-aircraft guns to defend against planes. These included one 3.7 cm (1.5 inch) Flak M42 gun and two 2 cm (0.8 inch) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The crew of U-1301 typically consisted of 44 to 52 officers and sailors.
Service and Final Fate
U-1301 was part of the 4th U-boat Flotilla from February 1944 until the end of the war. Its main commander for most of its service was Paul Ehrenfried Lenkeit. The submarine did not take part in any major battles or sink any enemy ships during its time in service.
Surrender and Sinking
As World War II was ending, U-1301 surrendered to the Allied forces on 9 May 1945, in Bergen, Norway. It was then moved to Loch Ryan, Scotland, on 2 June 1945.
After the war, many German U-boats that had surrendered were sunk on purpose. This operation was called Operation Deadlight. It was done to prevent them from being used again. U-1301 was one of 116 U-boats chosen for this. On 16 December 1945, U-1301 was towed out to sea and sunk by bombs dropped from British aircraft.
Today, the wreck of U-1301 lies underwater at coordinates 55°50′N 10°05′W / 55.833°N 10.083°W.
See also
