German submarine U-313 facts for kids
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|} The German submarine U-313was a special kind of submarine called a Type VIIC U-boat. It was built for Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. The submarine was started on May 11, 1942, at the Flender Werke shipyard in Lübeck, Germany. It was launched into the water on March 27, 1943, and officially joined the navy on May 20, 1943. Its commander was KapitänleutnantFriedrich Schweiger. During its time in service, U-313went on twelve combat missions. However, it did not sink any enemy ships. The submarine surrendered at Narvik, Norway, on May 9, 1945, as World War II was ending. Later, on December 27, 1945, it was sunk as part of an operation called Deadlight. U-313was also part of eleven "wolfpacks". These were groups of U-boats that worked together to hunt down enemy ships.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-313 |
| Ordered | 25 August 1941 |
| Builder | Flender Werke, Lübeck |
| Yard number | 313 |
| Laid down | 11 May 1942 |
| Launched | 27 March 1943 |
| Commissioned | 20 May 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 9 May 1945. Sunk on 27 December 1945 as part of Operation Deadlight |
| 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 |
Understanding the U-boat's Design
The U-313 was a Type VIIC submarine, a common type used by Germany. These submarines were designed to be very effective during wartime.
Size and Weight
When U-313 was on the surface of the water, it weighed about 769 tonnes (which is like 769,000 kilograms!). When it was underwater, it weighed even more, around 871 tonnes. The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long, which is longer than two basketball courts. Its main body, 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.
Power and Speed
U-313 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, which produced 750 horsepower. These motors helped it move quietly beneath the waves.
The submarine could travel at a top speed of 17.7 knots (about 32.8 kilometers per hour) when on the surface. Underwater, it was slower, reaching a maximum speed of 7.6 knots (about 14.1 kilometers per hour).
Travel Range and Depth
U-313 could travel very far. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (about 15,742 kilometers) at a speed of 10 knots. That's like traveling from London to Tokyo! Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (about 148 kilometers) at 4 knots before needing to surface.
The submarine was built to go deep underwater. It could safely operate at depths of up to 230 meters (755 feet). Its maximum crush depth, the point where the pressure would be too much, was between 250 and 295 meters (820 to 968 feet).
Crew and Weapons
A crew of about 44 to 60 people lived and worked inside U-313. This included 4 officers and 40 to 56 enlisted sailors.
For defense and attack, U-313 was equipped with:
- Five torpedo tubes, which are special launchers for torpedoes. Four were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern).
- It carried 14 torpedoes or 26 mines. Mines are explosives placed in the water to damage enemy ships.
- One 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) deck gun, which is a large cannon on the deck, with 220 rounds of ammunition.
- Two twin 2 cm (0.79 inch) anti-aircraft guns. These were used to shoot at enemy planes.
U-boat Service History
The U-313 had an interesting journey through World War II.
Training and Flotillas
The submarine's service started with training. From May 1943, it trained with the 8th U-boat Flotilla. A "flotilla" is like a group of ships or submarines working together. On January 1, 1944, it moved to the 11th U-boat Flotilla for actual operations. Then, on September 15, 1944, it was moved again to the 13th U-boat Flotilla.
In January 1944, U-313 made two short trips from Kiel in Germany to Stavanger and Bergen in Norway.
Early Patrols
The submarine's first combat patrol began on January 26, 1944, when it left Bergen. It reached Hammerfest on February 2. After a short stop, it left again on February 7 and returned to Hammerfest on February 29.
U-313 spent its second and third patrols in the Norwegian Sea, a large area of the Atlantic Ocean.
Mid-War Patrols
Its fourth patrol took it far north, southwest of Bear Island. On June 26, 1944, it was north of Jan Mayen Island.
The fifth patrol kept U-313 closer to the coast of Norway.
During its sixth and seventh patrols, the submarine visited Skillefjord on September 23, 1944, after leaving Narvik. It then left Skillefjord on September 26 and returned to Narvik.
Later Patrols
For its eighth patrol, U-313 sailed around the North Cape and passed near Murmansk.
Its ninth patrol was quite short. It started in Bodenbucht on December 11, 1944, and ended in Trondheim on December 16.
The tenth patrol was the longest for U-313, lasting 57 days. During this mission, it sailed near the Orkney Islands. After leaving Trondheim, the submarine returned to Narvik.
Final Patrols and Fate
After briefly using Harstad as a base, and following Germany's surrender, U-313 was moved. First, it went from Narvik to Skjomenfjord, then to Loch Eriboll in Scotland on May 19, 1945. This was in preparation for Operation Deadlight. This operation involved sinking many captured German U-boats.
Finally, U-313 was moved to Loch Ryan and was sunk on November 27, 1945. One report says it flipped over while being pulled by a British ship called HMS Blencathra.
