German submarine U-2356 facts for kids

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|} The German submarine U-2356was a special kind of U-boatused by Nazi Germanyduring World War II. It was a Type XXIII submarine, which was a smaller, faster submarine designed for coastal waters. U-2356was ordered in September 1944 and built in Hamburg, Germany. It was ready for action in January 1945, under the command of Friedrich Hartel.

Contents

• Submarine Design and Features

• Size and Dimensions
• Power and Speed
• Weapons and Crew

History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-2356
Ordered	20 September 1944
Builder	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg
Yard number	510
Laid down	21 October 1944
Launched	19 December 1944
Commissioned	12 January 1945
Fate	Surrendered on 5 May 1945 Sunk on 6 January 1946 during Operation Deadlight
General characteristics
Class and type	Type XXIII submarine
Displacement	234 t (230 long tons) (surfaced) 258 t (254 long tons) (submerged)
Length	34.68 m (113 ft 9 in) (o/a) 26.00 m (85 ft 4 in) (p/h)
Beam	3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a) 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in) (p/h)
Draught	3.66 m (12 ft)
Installed power	575–630 PS (423–463 kW; 567–621 shp) (diesel drive) 580 PS (430 kW; 570 shp) (standard electric drive) 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp) (silent electric drive)
Propulsion	1 × MWM RS134S 6-cylinder diesel engine 1 × AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor 1 × BBC CCR188 electric creeping motor
Speed	9.7 knots (18 km/h; 11 mph) (surfaced) 12.5 knots (23 km/h; 14 mph) (submerged)
Range	2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced 194 nmi (359 km; 223 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth	180 m (590 ft)
Complement	14–18
Armament	2 × 53.3 cm (21 in) bow torpedo tubes 2 × torpedoes
Service record
Part of:	32nd U-boat Flotilla 12 January – 15 February 1945 4th U-boat Flotilla 16 February – 5 May 1945
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. Friedrich Hartel 12 January – 5 May 1945
Operations:	None
Victories:	None

• Service History and Fate

• Surrender and Sinking

• See also

Submarine Design and Features

U-2356 was a Type XXIII submarine. These submarines were smaller than many others. When on the surface, it weighed about 234 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed 258 tons.

Size and Dimensions

This submarine was about 34.68 meters (113 feet) long. That's roughly the length of two school buses! Its widest part was about 3.02 meters (9.9 feet) across. The submarine could go as deep as 180 meters (590 feet) underwater.

Power and Speed

U-2356 had different engines for different speeds. It used a diesel engine when on the surface. It also had two types of electric motors for underwater travel. One electric motor was for normal speed, and another was for very quiet, slow movement.

On the surface, it could travel at 9.7 knots (about 11 miles per hour). Underwater, it was faster, reaching 12.5 knots (about 14 miles per hour). It could travel a long way on the surface, about 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km). Underwater, it could go about 194 nautical miles (359 km) at a slower speed.

Weapons and Crew

The U-2356 was armed with two torpedo tubes at the front. It could carry two torpedoes, which are underwater missiles. Unlike some larger submarines, it did not have a deck gun. A crew of 14 to 18 sailors operated the submarine.

Service History and Fate

U-2356 did not take part in any major battles. It was part of the German navy's submarine fleet.

Surrender and Sinking

As World War II ended, U-2356 surrendered on May 5, 1945. This happened in Cuxhaven, Germany. Later, it was moved to Lisahally, Northern Ireland.

The Allies decided to sink many of the captured German U-boats. This was part of an operation called Operation Deadlight. U-2356 was one of these submarines. On January 6, 1946, a British destroyer, HMS Onslaught, sank U-2356 using gunfire. The wreck of U-2356 now lies in the Atlantic Ocean.

See also

• Battle of the Atlantic