German submarine U-170 facts for kids

class="infobox " style="float: right; clear: right; width: 315px; border-spacing: 2px; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"

|} The German submarine U-170was a special type of U-boatused by Nazi Germanyduring World War II. It was a Type IXC/40 model. This submarine was built in Bremenand started its service on January 19, 1943. Its first commander was Günther Pfeffer. U-170began its journey with training. It was part of the 4th U-boat Flotilla at first. Later, it joined the 10th U-boat Flotilla for active missions. Finally, it moved to the 33rd U-boat Flotilla in late 1944.

Contents

• About the U-170 Submarine

• Size and Weight
• Power and Speed
• Crew and Weapons

History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-170
Ordered	15 August 1940
Builder	DeSchiMAG, Bremen
Yard number	709
Laid down	21 May 1941
Launched	6 June 1942
Commissioned	19 January 1943
Fate	Surrendered on 9 May 1945 Scuttled on 30 November 1945 during Operation Deadlight
General characteristics
Class and type	Type IXC/40 submarine
Displacement	1,144 t (1,126 long tons) surfaced 1,257 t (1,237 long tons) submerged
Length	76.76 m (251 ft 10 in) o/a 58.75 m (192 ft 9 in) pressure hull
Beam	6.86 m (22 ft 6 in) o/a 4.44 m (14 ft 7 in) pressure hull
Height	9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught	4.67 m (15 ft 4 in)
Installed power	4,400 PS (3,200 kW; 4,300 bhp) (diesels) 1,000 PS (740 kW; 990 shp) (electric)
Propulsion	2 shafts 2 × diesel engines 2 × electric motors
Range	13,850 nmi (25,650 km; 15,940 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced 63 nmi (117 km; 72 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Complement	4 officers, 44 enlisted
Armament	6 × torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 stern) 22 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes 1 × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK C/32 deck gun (180 rounds) 1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) SK C/30 AA gun 1 × twin 2 cm FlaK 30 AA guns
Service record
Part of:	4th U-boat Flotilla 19 January 1943 – 31 May 1943 10th U-boat Flotilla 1 June 1943 – 31 October 1944 33rd U-boat Flotilla 1 November 1944 – 8 May 1945
Commanders:	Kptlt. Gunther Pfeffer 19 January 1943 – July 1944 Oblt.z.S. Hans-Gerold Hauber July 1944 – 9 May 1945
Operations:	4 patrols: 1st patrol: 27 May – 9 July 1943 2nd patrol: 29 August – 23 December 1943 3rd patrol: 9 February – 27 May 1944 4th patrol: 1 August – 4 December 1944
Victories:	1 merchant ship sunk (4,663 GRT)

• Missions and Journey

• First Patrol: Across the Atlantic
• Second Patrol: Brazilian Coast
• Third Patrol: US East Coast
• Fourth Patrol: West Africa and Damage
• End of Service

• Ships Sunk by U-170

About the U-170 Submarine

The U-170 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat. These submarines were a bit bigger than earlier models.

Size and Weight

When on the surface, U-170 weighed about 1,144 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed 1,257 tons. The submarine was about 76.76 meters (251 feet) long. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 58.75 meters (192 feet) long. The submarine was 6.86 meters (22 feet) wide and 9.60 meters (31 feet) tall. It sat 4.67 meters (15 feet) deep in the water.

Power and Speed

U-170 had two powerful diesel engines for moving on the surface. These engines produced a lot of power, about 4,400 horsepower. For moving underwater, it used two electric motors. These motors gave it about 1,000 horsepower. The submarine had two propellers to help it move.

It could travel up to 18.3 knots (about 34 kilometers per hour) on the surface. Underwater, its top speed was 7.3 knots (about 13.5 kilometers per hour). When surfaced, it could travel very far, about 13,850 nautical miles (25,650 kilometers). Underwater, it could go about 63 nautical miles (117 kilometers) at a slower speed.

Crew and Weapons

The U-170 needed a crew of 48 people to operate. This included 4 officers and 44 other sailors.

The submarine was armed with several weapons:

• Six torpedo tubes: Four were at the front (bow) and two at the back (stern).
• 22 torpedoes: These were 53.3 centimeters (21 inches) wide.
• One large deck gun: This gun was 10.5 centimeters (4.1 inches) wide and had 180 rounds of ammunition.
• Two anti-aircraft guns: One was a 3.7 cm (1.5 inch) gun, and the other was a twin 2 cm (0.79 inch) gun. These were used to shoot at enemy aircraft.

Missions and Journey

U-170 went on four main missions, also called patrols.

First Patrol: Across the Atlantic

The first mission for U-170 started on May 27, 1943. It left Kiel, Germany, and sailed all the way around the British Isles. It went into the Atlantic Ocean, west of the Azores islands. The submarine arrived in Lorient, France, on July 9.

Second Patrol: Brazilian Coast

The second mission took U-170 to the coast of Brazil. During this patrol, on October 23, 1943, it sank a merchant ship named Campos. This ship weighed 4,663 tons. The event happened near Alcatazes Island.

Third Patrol: US East Coast

U-170's third mission was to the east coast of the United States. It left Lorient on February 9, 1944. The submarine returned to Lorient on May 27, 1944.

Fourth Patrol: West Africa and Damage

The last mission for U-170 was near West Africa. On its way back to Germany, on October 30, 1944, it was attacked by enemy ships. The submarine was badly damaged. It also reported problems with its Schnorchel, which is a device that helps submarines breathe underwater. U-170 had to go to Norway for repairs. It finally arrived in Flensburg, Germany, on December 4, 1944.

End of Service

U-170 surrendered in Norway on May 9, 1945, when World War II ended. It was then moved to Loch Ryan in Scotland. The submarine was later sunk on November 30, 1945. This was part of something called Operation Deadlight, where many captured U-boats were sunk.

Ships Sunk by U-170

Here is a list of the ships U-170 sank during its service:

Date	Name	Nationality	Tonnage (GRT)	Fate
23 October 1943	Campos	Brazil	4,663	Sunk