German submarine U-149 (1940) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-149
Ordered	25 September 1939
Builder	Deutsche Werke, Kiel
Yard number	278
Laid down	25 May 1940
Launched	19 October 1940
Commissioned	13 November 1940
Fate	Surrendered on 5 May 1945 Scuttled on 21 December 1945 during Operation Deadlight
General characteristics
Class and type	Type IID coastal submarine
Displacement	314 t (309 long tons) surfaced 364 t (358 long tons) submerged
Length	43.97 m (144 ft 3 in) o/a 29.80 m (97 ft 9 in) pressure hull
Beam	4.92 m (16 ft 2 in) o/a 4.00 m (13 ft 1 in) pressure hull
Height	8.40 m (27 ft 7 in)
Draught	3.93 m (12 ft 11 in)
Installed power	700 PS (510 kW; 690 bhp) (diesels) 410 PS (300 kW; 400 shp) (electric)
Propulsion	2 shafts 2 × diesel engines 2 × electric motors
Range	3,450 nmi (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced 56 nmi (104 km; 64 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth	80 m (260 ft)
Complement	3 officers, 22 men
Armament	3 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes 5 × torpedoes or up to 12 TMA or 18 TMB mines 1 × 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun
Service record
Part of:	1st U-boat Flotilla 13 November – 31 December 1940 22nd U-boat Flotilla 1 January 1941 – 5 May 1945
Commanders:	Kptlt. Horst Höltring 13 November 1940 – 30 November 1941 Kptlt. Rolf Borchers 1 December 1941 – 31 July 1942 Oblt.z.S. Adolf-Whilhelm von Hammerstein-Equord 1 August 1942 – 14 May 1944 Oblt.z.S. Helmut Plohr 15 May 1944 – 5 May 1945
Operations:	1 Patrol: 18 June - 11 July 1941
Victories:	1 warship sunk (206 tons)

The German submarine U-149 was a small submarine used by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was a special kind of U-boat called a Type IID. This submarine was built in Kiel, Germany. Its construction started on May 25, 1940.

U-149 was launched into the water on October 19, 1940. It officially joined the German navy on November 13, 1940. Its first commander was Kapitänleutnant Horst Höltring.

The submarine first served with the 1st U-boat Flotilla. Later, it moved to the 22nd U-boat Flotilla. U-149 stayed with this group for the rest of the war. It completed only one combat patrol.

At the end of the war, U-149 surrendered on May 5, 1945. It was later sunk on December 21, 1945. This sinking was part of an operation called Operation Deadlight.

About the U-149 Design

The U-149 was a German Type IID submarine. These submarines were larger than the very first Type II models. When U-149 was on the surface, it weighed about 314 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed about 364 tons.

Size and Shape

The submarine was about 43.97 meters (144 feet) long overall. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 29.80 meters (97 feet) long. The widest part of the submarine was 4.92 meters (16 feet). It stood about 8.40 meters (27 feet) tall. The part of the submarine underwater, its draught, was 3.93 meters (12 feet).

How it Moved

U-149 had two different ways to move. On the surface, it used two powerful diesel engines. These engines gave it about 700 horsepower. Underwater, it used two electric motors. These electric motors produced about 410 horsepower.

The submarine had two propellers to push it through the water. It could travel up to 12.7 knots (about 14.6 miles per hour) on the surface. Underwater, its top speed was 7.4 knots (about 8.5 miles per hour).

Travel Range

When surfaced, U-149 could travel about 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 kilometers) at 12 knots. This is like traveling from New York to London. When submerged, it could go about 56 nautical miles (104 kilometers) at 4 knots.

Depth and Crew

The U-149 could safely dive to a depth of about 80 meters (262 feet). A crew of 25 people operated the submarine. This included 3 officers and 22 other sailors.

Weapons on Board

The U-149 was armed with several weapons. It had three torpedo tubes at the front. These tubes could fire five torpedoes. Instead of torpedoes, it could carry up to 12 or 18 mines. It also had a 2 cm anti-aircraft gun to defend against planes.

U-149's War Journey

U-149 completed only one combat patrol during the war. This patrol took place in the Baltic Sea.

First and Only Patrol

During its patrol, U-149 achieved one success. On July 27, 1941, it sank a Soviet submarine. This submarine was named M-99. The sinking happened north-west of Dagö Island. After this event, U-149 returned to its base. The base was in Gotenhafen, which is now Gdynia in Poland.

The End of U-149

U-149 surrendered to the Allied forces on May 5, 1945. This happened near the German island of Heligoland. After its surrender, the submarine was moved. It went from Wilhelmshaven to Loch Ryan in Scotland.

The submarine was prepared for an operation called Operation Deadlight. This operation involved sinking many surrendered German U-boats. On December 21, 1945, U-149 was sunk. It went down in the Atlantic Ocean at coordinates 55°40′N 08°00′W.

Summary of What U-149 Sank

Here is a list of the ship U-149 sank during its service:

Date	Ship Name	Country	Weight (Tons)	Outcome
27 June 1941	M-99	Soviet Navy	206	Sunk