German submarine U-2502 facts for kids
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|} The German submarine U-2502was a special type of U-boatcalled a Type XXI submarine. These submarines were built for Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. U-2502was built in Hamburg, Germany, at the Blohm & Voss shipyard. Its construction began on 25 April 1944. It was launched into the water on 15 June 1944 and was ready for duty on 19 July 1944. Its first commander was Gert Mannesmann.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
|
| Name | U-2502 |
| Ordered | 6 November 1943 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 2502 |
| Laid down | 25 April 1944 |
| Launched | 15 June 1944 |
| Commissioned | 19 July 1944 |
| Fate |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type XXI submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 76.70 m (251 ft 8 in) (o/a) |
| Beam | 8 m (26 ft 3 in) |
| Height | 11.30 m (37 ft 1 in) |
| Draught | 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range |
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| Test depth | 240 m (790 ft) |
| Complement | 5 officers, 52 enlisted |
| Sensors and processing systems |
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| Armament | |
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Commanders: |
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| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
About the U-2502 Design
U-2502 was a large submarine. When it was on the surface, it weighed about 1,621 tons. When it was fully underwater, it weighed around 1,819 tons.
Size and Dimensions
This submarine was quite long, measuring about 76.7 meters (251 feet) from end to end. It was 8 meters (26 feet) wide and stood about 6.32 meters (20 feet) high.
How it Moved
U-2502 used both diesel engines and electric motors to move. It had powerful diesel engines for traveling on the surface and electric motors for moving silently underwater. It could travel at different speeds:
- On the surface, it could go up to 15.6 knots (about 28.9 km/h or 17.9 mph) using its diesel engines.
- Underwater, it could reach 17.2 knots (about 31.9 km/h or 19.8 mph) with its main electric motors.
- For very quiet movement, it had special silent running motors that allowed it to travel at 6.1 knots (about 11.3 km/h or 7 mph).
It could travel a long distance without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go about 15,500 nautical miles (28,700 km) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it could travel about 340 nautical miles (630 km) at 5 knots.
Weapons and Crew
U-2502 was armed with six torpedo tubes at the front. It could carry 23 torpedoes. Sometimes, it would carry fewer torpedoes (17) and also carry 12 naval mines. For defense against airplanes, it had four 2 cm anti-aircraft guns.
The submarine needed a crew of 57 people to operate it. This included 5 officers and 52 other crew members.
The End of U-2502
U-2502 never went on any combat patrols during the war. It surrendered on 9 May 1945 at the Horten Naval Base in Norway, as World War II was ending.
After its surrender, the submarine was moved to Oslo, Norway, and then to Scapa Flow in Scotland. Finally, on 1 January 1946, it was taken to Moville, near Lisahally. The very next day, on 2 January 1946, U-2502 was sunk as part of Operation Deadlight. This was an operation where many captured German U-boats were sunk by the Allied forces.
