German submarine U-1307 facts for kids
class="infobox " style="float: right; clear: right; width: 315px; border-spacing: 2px; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; line-height: 1.5em;" | 
|} The German submarine U-1307was a special type of U-boat(a German submarine) used by Nazi Germany's navy during World War II. It was part of the Type VIIC/41 series of submarines. U-1307was ordered on August 1, 1942. Its construction began on December 2, 1943, at a shipyard in Flensburg, Germany. The submarine was officially launched into the water on September 29, 1944. It was then ready for service on November 17, 1944, under the command of Captain Hans Buscher.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
|
| Name | U-1307 |
| Ordered | 1 August 1942 |
| Builder | Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg |
| Yard number | 500 |
| Laid down | 2 December 1943 |
| Launched | 29 September 1944 |
| Commissioned | 17 November 1944 |
| Fate |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Type VIIC/41 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 | 44-52 officers & ratings |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: |
|
| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
Submarine Design and Features
U-1307 was a Type VIIC/41 submarine. This type was an improved version of earlier German submarines. When it was on the surface, U-1307 weighed about 769 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed about 871 tons.
Size and Structure
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 pressure hull is the strong inner part that keeps the water out. 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.
Power and Speed
U-1307 used two diesel engines when it was on the surface. These engines gave it enough power to travel at a top speed of 17.7 knots (about 32.8 kilometers per hour or 20.4 miles per hour). When underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors allowed it to move at a speed of 7.6 knots (about 14.1 kilometers per hour or 8.7 miles per hour).
The submarine could travel very far. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 kilometers or 9,780 miles) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers or 92 miles) at 4 knots. U-1307 was built to dive to depths of up to 230 meters (750 feet).
Weapons and Crew
U-1307 was well-armed for its missions. It had five torpedo tubes, which are special tubes for launching torpedoes. Four tubes were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It carried 14 torpedoes in total.
For defense on the surface, it had a large 8.8 cm naval gun. It also had anti-aircraft guns to protect against planes. These included one 3.7 cm Flak M42 gun and two 2 cm C/30 guns. The submarine usually had a crew of 44 to 52 sailors and officers.
Special Listening Equipment
U-1307 had a special listening device called a Balkongerät. This name means 'Balcony apparatus' in German. This device was a type of passive sonar. It helped the submarine listen for other ships without making any noise itself.
How the Balkongerät Worked
The Balkongerät was an improved version of an older system. It had 48 hydrophones. Hydrophones are like underwater microphones. They could pick up sounds from far away. This allowed the crew to hear enemy ships more clearly and figure out their direction more accurately. U-1307 was one of only ten Type VIIC submarines to have this advanced equipment.
Submarine's Final Days
As World War II was ending, U-1307 surrendered to the Allied forces on May 9, 1945, in Bergen, Norway. Later, on June 2, 1945, it was moved to Loch Ryan, Scotland.
After the war, many German U-boats that had surrendered were sunk on purpose. This event was called Operation Deadlight. The goal was to prevent them from being used again. U-1307 was one of 116 U-boats chosen for this operation.
On December 9, 1945, U-1307 was towed out to sea. It was then sunk by rockets fired from a British Fairey Firefly aircraft. This plane was launched from an escort carrier called HMS Nairana. The wreck of U-1307 now rests at coordinates 55°50′N 10°05′W.
See also
