German submarine U-150 (1940) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-150 |
| Ordered | 25 September 1939 |
| Builder | Deutsche Werke, Kiel |
| Yard number | 279 |
| Laid down | 25 May 1940 |
| Launched | 19 October 1940 |
| Commissioned | 27 November 1940 |
| Fate | Surrendered at Heligoland on 5 May 1945, sunk on 21 December 1945 as part of Operation Deadlight |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type IID coastal submarine |
| Displacement |
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| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Height | 8.40 m (27 ft 7 in) |
| Draught | 3.93 m (12 ft 11 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Range |
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| Test depth | 80 m (260 ft) |
| Complement | 3 officers, 22 men |
| Armament | |
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Commanders: |
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| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
The German submarine U-150 was a special kind of U-boat (a German submarine) used by Nazi Germany's navy, called the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. It was a Type IID coastal submarine. This means it was designed for operations closer to shore.
The U-150 was ordered on 25 September 1939. Its construction began on 25 May 1940 at Deutsche Werke in Kiel, Germany. The submarine was officially launched into the water on 19 October 1940. It was then ready for service on 27 November 1940, with Hinrich Kelling as its first commander.
U-150 served with different groups of submarines, called flotillas. It started with the 1st U-boat Flotilla. Later, it joined the 22nd flotilla and then the 31st flotilla. Throughout the war, U-150 was mainly used for training new submarine crews. It did not take part in any combat missions.
Contents
Submarine Design and Features
The U-150 was a German Type IID submarine, which was a larger version of the earlier Type II submarines. These submarines were quite small compared to later, bigger U-boats.
Size and Weight
When U-150 was on the surface, it weighed about 314 tonnes (309 long tons). When it was underwater, it weighed more, around 364 tonnes (358 long tons). The submarine was about 43.97 m (144 ft 3 in) long overall. Its main strong outer shell, called the pressure hull, was 29.80 m (97 ft 9 in) long. The widest part of the submarine was 4.92 m (16 ft 2 in). It stood 8.40 m (27 ft 7 in) tall and sat 3.93 m (12 ft 11 in) deep in the water.
Power and Speed
U-150 had two types of engines. For moving on the surface, it used two diesel engines. These engines gave it a top speed of 12.7 knots (23.5 km/h; 14.6 mph) (knots). When underwater, it used two electric motors. These allowed it to travel at a maximum speed of 7.4 knots (13.7 km/h; 8.5 mph).
The submarine could travel a long way on the surface. It could go about 3,450 nmi (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) (nautical miles) at a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph). Underwater, its range was much shorter, about 56 nmi (104 km; 64 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph). The U-150 could dive to a depth of up to 80 m (260 ft).
Crew and Weapons
A crew of 25 people operated the U-150. This included 3 officers and 22 other sailors. For defense and attack, the submarine was armed with three torpedo tubes at the front. It could carry five torpedoes. Instead of torpedoes, it could carry up to 12 large mines (TMA) or 18 smaller mines (TMB) to lay in the water. It also had one 2 cm (0.79 in) anti-aircraft gun to protect itself from planes.
The End of U-150
As World War II was ending, U-150 surrendered to the Allies. This happened at the German island of Heligoland on 5 May 1945. After its surrender, the submarine was taken to Loch Ryan in Scotland.
On 21 December 1945, U-150 was sunk as part of Operation Deadlight. This was an operation where many captured German U-boats were deliberately sunk by the Allied forces. U-150 was sunk by gunfire from two British ships: the destroyer HMS Onslaught and the patrol sloop HMS Powey. It sank at coordinates 56°04′N 09°35′W / 56.067°N 9.583°W.
