German submarine U-281 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-281 |
| Ordered | 5 June 1941 |
| Builder | Bremer Vulkan, Bremen-Vegesack |
| Yard number | 46 |
| Laid down | 7 May 1942 |
| Launched | 16 January 1943 |
| Commissioned | 27 February 1943 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement |
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| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Commanders: |
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| Operations: |
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| Victories: | None |
The German submarine U-281 was a special type of submarine called a Type VIIC U-boat. It was used by Nazi Germany's navy, known as the Kriegsmarine, during World War II.
This U-boat was started on 7 May 1942 at the Bremer Vulkan shipyard in Bremen-Vegesack. It was officially launched into the water on 16 January 1943. The submarine was then ready for service on 27 February 1943, under the command of Captain Heinz von Davidson.
Contents
Submarine Design and Features
U-281 was a Type VIIC submarine, which was a common design for German U-boats. These submarines were an improved version of earlier models.
Size and Weight
When U-281 was on the surface, it weighed about 769 tonnes. When it was underwater, it weighed more, around 871 tonnes. The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long overall. Its strong inner hull, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 meters (165 feet) long. The widest part of the submarine was 6.20 meters (20 feet) across. It stood 9.60 meters (31 feet) tall and sat 4.74 meters (15 feet) deep in the water.
Power and Speed
The U-281 had two diesel engines for moving on the surface. These engines could produce a lot of power, between 2800 and 3200 horsepower. For moving underwater, it used two electric motors, which produced 750 horsepower. These engines turned two propellers, each about 1.23 meters (4 feet) wide.
The submarine could travel quite fast. On the surface, its top speed was 17.7 knots (about 32.8 km/h or 20.4 mph). Underwater, it was slower, reaching 7.6 knots (about 14.1 km/h or 8.7 mph).
Travel Range and Depth
U-281 could travel long distances. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 km or 9,780 miles) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it had a shorter range, about 80 nautical miles (148 km or 92 miles) at 4 knots.
The submarine was built to dive deep. It could safely operate at depths of up to 230 meters (750 feet). Its maximum safe depth, known as its Crush depth, was between 250 and 295 meters (820 and 968 feet).
Crew and Weapons
The crew of U-281 usually had between 44 and 60 people. This included about four officers and many enlisted sailors.
For weapons, the U-boat had five torpedo tubes. Four of these were at the front (bow), and one was at the back (stern). It could carry 14 torpedoes or 26 naval mines. It also had a large 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) deck gun with 220 rounds of ammunition. For defense against aircraft, it had two twin 2 cm (0.79 inch) anti-aircraft guns.
Service History of U-281
U-281 was first part of the 8th U-boat Flotilla for training from February to July 1943. After that, it joined the 7th U-boat Flotilla for active operations starting on 1 August 1943. Later, from November 1944, it served with the 33rd U-boat Flotilla.
The submarine went on four patrols during the war. However, it did not sink any ships. It also took part in 11 wolfpacks, which were groups of U-boats that hunted Allied ships together.
First Patrol: Journey to France
U-281 began its first long patrol on 6 October 1943. It left Kiel, Germany, and traveled around the British Isles to reach occupied France. It passed between Iceland and the Faroe Islands to get into the Atlantic Ocean.
During this patrol, on 17 October, an Allied B-24 Liberator aircraft attacked the submarine. The aircraft's depth charges missed, but machine gun fire wounded three of the U-boat's crew members. U-281 finally arrived at St. Nazaire, France, on 26 November 1943.
Second and Third Patrols
The second patrol of U-281 was its longest, lasting 61 days. It traveled into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. In contrast, its third patrol was very short. The submarine did not even leave the Bay of Biscay, which is a large bay off the coast of France and Spain.
Return to Germany and Surrender
After its patrols, U-281 moved from St. Nazaire to La Pallice, another port further south in France, in August 1944. From there, it made a longer journey back to Kristiansand in Norway. It again sailed through the area between Iceland and the Faroes, but this time heading east. The submarine did not stay long in Norway, arriving at Flensburg, Germany, on 5 November 1944.
U-281 surrendered at Kristiansand-Sud on 9 May 1945, at the end of World War II. It was then taken to Loch Ryan in Scotland. This was part of an operation called Operation Deadlight. During this operation, many captured German U-boats were sunk by the Allies. U-281 was sunk on 30 November 1945.
Interestingly, U-281 appears in the film The Cruel Sea. You can see it in the movie after its surrender, about 1 hour and 57 minutes into the film.
Wolfpacks U-281 Joined
U-281 was part of eleven different wolfpacks. These were groups of U-boats that worked together to find and attack enemy convoys.
- Schlieffen (16 – 22 October 1943)
- Siegfried (22 – 27 October 1943)
- Siegfried 2 (27 – 30 October 1943)
- Körner (30 October – 2 November 1943)
- Tirpitz 3 (2 – 8 November 1943)
- Eisenhart 9 (9 – 11 November 1943)
- Rügen (14 – 26 January 1944)
- Hinein (26 January – 3 February 1944)
- Igel 2 (3 – 17 February 1944)
- Hai 2 (17 – 22 February 1944)
- Preussen (22 – 23 February 1944)
