German submarine U-294 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-294
Ordered	14 October 1941
Builder	Bremer Vulkan Werft, Bremen-Vegesack
Yard number	59
Laid down	22 December 1942
Launched	27 August 1943
Commissioned	4 October 1943
Fate	Surrendered on 9 May 1945; sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 31 December 1945
General characteristics
Class and type	Type VIIC/41 submarine
Displacement	759 tonnes (747 long tons) surfaced 860 t (846 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	250 m (820 ft) Crush depth: 275–325 m (902–1,066 ft)
Complement	4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament	5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern) 14 × torpedoes 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun (220 rounds) 1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 AA gun 2 × 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 AA guns
Service record
Part of:	8th U-boat Flotilla 4 October 1943 – 31 July 1944 11th U-boat Flotilla 1 August – 5 November 1944 13th U-boat Flotilla 6 November – 28 February 1945 14th U-boat Flotilla 1 March – 8 May 1945
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. Heinz Schütt 4 October 1943 – 9 May 1945
Operations:	5 patrols: 1st patrol: a. 31 May – 23 June 1944 b. 12 – 13 July 1944 c. 31 August – 2 September 1944 d. 9 – 13 September 1944 2nd patrol: 18 – 24 September 1944 3rd patrol: a. 15 – 23 October 1944 b. 27 – 28 October 1944 c. 4 November 1944 d. 7 – 12 November 1944 4th patrol: a. 12 – 14 November 1944 b. 15 – 17 November 1944 c. 25 – 27 December 1944 d. 15 – 18 March 1945 e. 20 – 22 March 1945 5th patrol: a. 8 – 24 April 1945 b. 25 – 26 April 1945 c. 15 – 19 May 1945
Victories:	None

The German submarine U-294 was a special type of U-boat used by Nazi Germany during World War II. U-boats were submarines that played a big role in naval battles.

This submarine was built by Bremer Vulkan in Bremen-Vegesack. Its construction started on 22 December 1942. The U-294 was launched on 27 August 1943 and officially joined the navy on 4 October 1943. Oberleutnant zur See Heinz Schütt was its commander.

Even though it went on five patrols, the U-294 did not sink or damage any enemy ships. It surrendered in Narvik, Norway, on 9 May 1945, when the war ended. Later, on 31 December 1945, it was sunk as part of an operation called Operation Deadlight.

What Was the U-294 Like?

The U-294 was a Type VIIC/41 submarine. These submarines were an improved version of earlier models. When it was on the surface, the U-294 weighed about 759 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed around 860 tons.

Size and Shape

The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long overall. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 meters (165 feet) long. The U-294 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 it Moved

The U-294 used two diesel engines when it was on the surface. These engines gave it enough power to travel at a top speed of 17.7 knots (about 32.8 km/h or 20.4 mph). When it was underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors allowed it to move at 7.6 knots (about 14.1 km/h or 8.7 mph).

The submarine could travel a long way without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 km) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (148 km) at 4 knots. The U-294 could dive to depths of up to 250 meters (820 feet).

Weapons and Crew

The U-294 was armed with several weapons. It had five torpedo tubes, which are used to fire torpedoes. Four of these tubes were at the front, and one was at the back. It carried 14 torpedoes in total.

For fighting on the surface, it had one 8.8 cm deck gun. It also had anti-aircraft guns to defend against planes. These included one 3.7 cm Flak M42 gun and two 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The crew of the U-294 usually had between 44 and 60 sailors.

U-294's Journey Through the War

The U-294's journey began with training. It spent time with different U-boat groups, called flotillas, during the war.

Training and Early Operations

The submarine started its training with the 8th U-boat Flotilla in October 1943. This training helped the crew learn how to operate the submarine.

Later, on 1 August 1944, it moved to the 11th U-boat Flotilla for active operations. It then joined the 13th U-boat Flotilla on 6 November 1944. Finally, on 1 March 1945, it was assigned to the 14th U-boat Flotilla.

Patrols and Final Days

The U-294 went on five official patrols during its service. These patrols involved traveling to different areas, including northeast of the Shetland Islands and the North Sea. It also made several short trips between various ports in Germany and Norway, like Kiel, Stavanger, Bergen, and Trondheim.

Its last patrol ended in April 1945. The submarine traveled from Narvik to Harstad and then to Skjomenfjord in Norway.

On 19 May 1945, after the war in Europe ended, the U-294 arrived at Loch Eriboll in northern Scotland. It was then moved to Lisahally in Northern Ireland. There, it became part of Operation Deadlight. This operation involved sinking many surrendered German U-boats. The U-294 was sunk by gunfire from British warships, HMS Offa and HMS Zealous, on 31 December 1945.