German submarine U-295 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-295 |
| Ordered | 14 October 1941 |
| Builder | Bremer Vulkan Werft, Bremen-Vegesack |
| Yard number | 60 |
| Laid down | 31 December 1942 |
| Launched | 13 September 1943 |
| Commissioned | 20 October 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 9 May 1945; sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 17 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) |
| 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: | 1 warship damaged (1,150 tons) |
The German submarine U-295 was a special type of U-boat used by Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. U-boats were powerful submarines that played a big role in naval battles.
This submarine was ordered in 1941 and built by Bremer Vulkan in Germany. It was officially ready for service on October 20, 1943. Its first commander was Kapitänleutnant Günther Wieboldt.
During its time in service, U-295 went on six missions. It managed to damage one enemy warship. When World War II ended, the submarine surrendered in Scotland on May 9, 1945. Later, as part of an operation called Deadlight, U-295 was sunk on December 17, 1945.
Contents
About the U-295 Submarine
How U-295 Was Built
U-295 was a Type VIIC/41 submarine. This was a specific design that came after earlier models. Its construction began on December 31, 1942. It was built at the Bremer Vulkan shipyard in Bremen-Vegesack.
The submarine was launched into the water on September 13, 1943. This was a big step before it could join the navy. Finally, it was officially ready for duty on October 20, 1943.
Life Aboard U-295: Design and Features
Submarines like U-295 were designed to travel both on the surface and underwater. When on the surface, U-295 weighed about 759 tons. Underwater, it was heavier, at 860 tons.
Size and Power
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). It stood 9.60 meters (31 feet) tall and sat 4.74 meters (15 feet) deep in the water.
To move on the surface, U-295 used two powerful diesel engines. These engines gave it a top speed of 17.7 knots (about 20 miles per hour). Underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These allowed it to travel at 7.6 knots (about 8.7 miles per hour).
When surfaced, U-295 could travel a very long distance. It could go about 8,500 nautical miles (9,780 miles) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, its range was much shorter, about 80 nautical miles (92 miles) at 4 knots. The submarine could dive to depths of up to 250 meters (820 feet).
Weapons and Crew
U-295 was armed with five torpedo tubes. Four were at the front (bow) and one at the back (stern). It carried 14 torpedoes in total. For fighting on the surface, it had an 8.8 cm naval gun. It also had several anti-aircraft guns to defend against planes. These included a 3.7 cm Flak M42 and two 2 cm C/30 guns.
The submarine needed a crew of about 44 to 60 people to operate it. This included officers and enlisted sailors.
U-295's Journey: Service in World War II
Early Training and First Missions
U-295's service began with training. From October 1943, it trained with the 8th U-boat Flotilla. This was important to get the crew ready for real missions. On August 1, 1944, it moved to the 9th flotilla for active operations.
Later, it was transferred to other groups. On October 1, 1944, it joined the 13th flotilla. Then, on April 1, 1945, it moved to the 14th flotilla.
Key Patrols and Successes
U-295's first few patrols were mostly quiet. It made several short trips between different ports in Norway. These included Bergen, Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Trondheim.
Its second major mission was the most successful. On November 2, 1944, U-295 damaged a British warship. This ship was the frigate HMS Mounsey, and it was hit near Murmansk.
The submarine then went on its third patrol into the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea. It returned to Harstad, Norway, in December 1944. Its fourth and fifth patrols were also uneventful, even though one was longer.
The End of U-295's Service
U-295's final patrol began on April 15, 1945. It sailed into the Barents Sea again and returned to Narvik on May 7. Soon after, the war ended.
On May 12, 1945, U-295 was moved to Skjomenfjord. According to the surrender terms, it was then taken to Loch Eriboll in Scotland. This was part of Operation Deadlight, where many captured U-boats were sunk. On December 17, 1945, U-295 was sunk by the guns of the Polish destroyer ORP Błyskawica.
U-295's Achievements
Here is a summary of the ship U-295 damaged during its service:
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 November 1944 | HMS Mounsey |  Royal Navy |
1,150 | Damaged |
See Also
