German submarine U-293 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-293 |
| Ordered | 14 October 1941 |
| Builder | Bremer Vulkan Werft, Bremen-Vegesack |
| Yard number | 58 |
| Laid down | 17 November 1942 |
| Launched | 30 July 1943 |
| Commissioned | 8 September 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 11 May 1945; sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 13 December 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC/41 submarine |
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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) |
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| Speed |
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| Range | |
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| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
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| Victories: | 1 warship damaged (1,658 tons) |
The German submarine U-293 was a special type of U-boat called a Type VIIC/41. It was built for Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. This submarine was started on November 17, 1942, and launched on July 30, 1943. It officially joined the navy on September 8, 1943, led by Captain Leonhard Klingspor.
During its time in service, U-293 went on six patrols. It managed to damage one enemy warship. The submarine surrendered in Scotland on May 11, 1945. Later, on December 13, 1945, it was sunk as part of a plan called Operation Deadlight.
Contents
Designing a U-boat: The U-293 Story
The U-293 was a Type VIIC/41 submarine. These submarines were an improved version of earlier models. When U-293 was on the surface, it weighed about 759 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed about 860 tons.
This 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 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 U-293 Moved
The U-293 had two powerful diesel engines for moving on the surface. These engines produced a lot of power, between 2,800 and 3,200 horsepower. When underwater, it used two electric motors that made 750 horsepower. These motors turned two propellers, each about 1.23 meters (4 feet) wide.
The submarine could travel at 17.7 knots (about 32.8 km/h or 20.4 mph) on the surface. Underwater, it was slower, reaching 7.6 knots (about 14.1 km/h or 8.7 mph). It could travel about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 km) on the surface at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it could go about 80 nautical miles (148 km) at 4 knots.
Depth and Weapons
U-293 could dive to a depth of 230 meters (750 feet). Its maximum safe depth, known as Crush depth, was between 275 and 325 meters (900-1,060 feet).
For fighting, the submarine had five torpedo tubes. Four were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It carried 14 torpedoes. It also had a large 8.8 cm deck gun with 220 rounds of ammunition. For defense against aircraft, it had one 3.7 cm anti-aircraft gun and two 2 cm anti-aircraft guns. The crew of the U-293 usually had between 44 and 60 sailors.
U-293's Journey: Service History
The U-293 was ordered by the German navy on October 14, 1941. It was built at the Bremer Vulkan shipyard in Bremen-Vegesack. The submarine was officially launched on July 30, 1943, and joined the navy on September 8, 1943.
Like other Type VIIC/41 U-boats, U-293 was well-equipped for its missions. It carried five 533 mm torpedo tubes and a C35 88mm/L45 deck gun. It could also carry 14 torpedoes or 26 mines.
First Patrol: A Quiet Start
After its training, U-293 spent several months traveling through German-controlled waters. It stopped at different bases like Arendal, Bergen, and Stavanger before settling in Trondheim.
On September 16, 1944, U-293 began its first wartime patrol. Captain Leonhard Klingspor was in command. For seven days, the submarine sailed through the Norwegian Sea. It arrived at the port of Narvik on September 22, 1944. During this patrol, U-293 did not see any enemy ships.
Patrols Two, Three, and Four: Searching the Arctic
U-293 left Narvik again on September 25, 1944, still under Captain Klingspor. This time, it went into the Arctic Ocean. This patrol lasted 10 days, but again, U-293 did not find any enemy vessels. On October 4, 1944, it arrived at Hammerfest, a German U-boat base far north in Norway.
The third patrol was the longest one so far for U-293. On October 14, 1944, the U-boat left Hammerfest and traveled into the Barents Sea, off the coast of Russia. For 24 days, the submarine searched for enemy ships but found none. It returned to Narvik on November 6, 1944.
U-293's fourth patrol was similar. It spent 29 days at sea, going to the northern coast of Russia. Like before, it did not encounter any ships. It returned to Narvik on December 19, 1944, after leaving on November 21, 1944. After this patrol, Captain Erich Steinbrink took command of the U-boat.
Fifth Patrol: A Direct Hit!
With Captain Steinbrink in charge, U-293 left Narvik on January 1, 1945. This was its longest patrol ever. The U-boat once again sailed into the Arctic, near the northern coast of Russia.
It was here, on January 20, 1945, that U-293 made its only successful attack of the war. At 10:55 AM, a Soviet destroyer named Razyaryonny was part of a convoy. It was trying to hunt down U-293 with another ship, Razumny. U-293 launched a torpedo, and it hit Razyaryonny in the back.
Part of the destroyer's stern was blown off by the explosion. Even with the damage, the crew of Razyaryonny managed to save their ship. It was later pulled by a Soviet minesweeper to the port of Liinahamari the next day. After this attack, U-293 returned to Narvik on February 15, 1945, after spending 46 days at sea.
Summary of U-293's Success
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage | Fate |
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| 20 January 1945 | Razyaryonny |  Soviet Navy |
1,658 | Damaged |
See also
