German submarine U-244 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-244
Ordered	10 April 1941
Builder	Germaniawerft, Kiel
Yard number	678
Laid down	24 October 1942
Launched	2 September 1943
Commissioned	9 October 1943
Fate	Sunk 14 May 1945 north of Northern Ireland
General characteristics
Class and type	Type VIIC submarine
Displacement	769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced 871 t (857 long tons) submerged
Length	67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) o/a 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) pressure hull
Beam	6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height	9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught	4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power	2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels) 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion	2 shafts 2 × diesel engines 2 × electric motors
Speed	17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range	8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth	230 m (750 ft) Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement	4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament	5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern) 14 × G7e torpedoes or 26 TMA mines 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun(220 rounds) 1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 AA gun 2 × twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns
Service record
Part of:	5th U-boat Flotilla 9 October 1943 – 31 July 1944 9th U-boat Flotilla 1 August – 31 October 1944 11th U-boat Flotilla 1 November 1944 – 8 May 1945
Commanders:	Kptlt. Ruprecht Fischer 9 October 1943 – 9 April 1945 Oblt.z.S. Hans-Peter Mackeprang 10 April – 14 May 1945
Operations:	4 patrols: 1st patrol: a. 9 August – 10 October 1944 b. 13 – 14 October 1944 c. 31 October – 1 November 1944 2nd patrol: 12 – 23 December 1944 3rd patrol: 9 January – 13 March 1945 4th patrol: 15 April – 14 May 1945
Victories:	None

The German submarine U-244 was a special kind of submarine called a Type VIIC U-boat. It was built for Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. This submarine was started on 24 October 1942 in Kiel, Germany. It was launched into the water on 2 September 1943 and officially joined the navy on 9 September 1943. Its first commander was Ruprecht Fischer.

U-244 went on four missions, but it did not sink any enemy ships. It surrendered to the Allies on 14 May 1945.

What Was U-244 Like?

U-244 was a Type VIIC submarine. These submarines were a common type used by Germany. When it was on the surface, U-244 weighed about 769 tonnes (which is like 769,000 kilograms!). When it was underwater, it weighed a bit more, around 871 tonnes.

The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long. That's longer than two basketball courts! Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 meters (165 feet) long. 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.

How Did It Move?

U-244 had two different ways to move. When it was on the surface, it used two powerful diesel engines. These engines gave it enough power to go up to 17.7 knots (about 32.8 kilometers per hour or 20.4 miles per hour).

When it went underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors were quieter and allowed it to sneak around. Underwater, it could go up to 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 9,782 miles) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers or 92 miles) at 4 knots.

How Deep Could It Go?

U-244 was designed to operate safely at depths of up to 230 meters (755 feet). Its deepest possible depth before it would likely break apart, called its crush depth, was between 250 and 295 meters (820 to 968 feet).

What Weapons Did It Have?

This submarine was armed with several weapons:

• Torpedoes: It had five torpedo tubes, which are like underwater cannons. Four were at the front and one was at the back. It could carry 14 torpedoes.
• Mines: Instead of torpedoes, it could carry 26 mines. These are explosive devices that float in the water and blow up when a ship hits them.
• Deck Gun: On its deck, it had an 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) gun. This was used for attacking ships on the surface.
• Anti-Aircraft Guns: It also had several guns to shoot at enemy planes. These included a 3.7 cm (1.5 inch) anti-aircraft gun and two twin 2 cm (0.79 inch) anti-aircraft guns.

The submarine usually had a crew of between 44 and 60 sailors.

U-244 in Action

After its training, U-244 joined the 9th U-boat Flotilla on 1 August 1944. This was a group of submarines ready for battle. Later, on 1 November, it moved to the 11th Flotilla.

First Mission

Before its first official mission, U-244 made some short trips. While traveling between two places in Norway on 25 July 1944, it was attacked by two Norwegian Mosquito airplanes. One sailor was killed, and seven others were hurt.

The submarine's first real mission began on 9 August 1944. It left Bergen, Norway, and traveled south of Iceland. It returned to Bergen on 1 November.

Later Missions

U-244 went on more short trips and two more longer missions. Its second mission in December 1944 was quiet, with no major events.

Its third mission was its longest, lasting 64 days. During this time, it traveled all the way to the English Channel, near Worthing.

Final Mission and Fate

U-244's last mission ended when it surrendered to the Allies. This happened at Loch Eriboll in Scotland on 14 May 1945.

Later that same day, the submarine was being pulled by another ship to a place where it would be sunk on purpose. This was part of an operation called Operation Deadlight. However, the rope broke, and the submarine was then sunk by gunfire from a Polish destroyer named Piorun.