German submarine U-318 facts for kids
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|} The German submarine U-318was a special type of submarinecalled a Type VIIC/41 U-boat. It was used by Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. This submarine was built in Lübeck, Germany. Its construction began on 14 October 1942. It was launched into the water on 25 September 1943. Finally, it was ready for duty on 13 November 1943, under the command of Lieutenant Josef Will. U-318was part of different groups of submarines, called flotillas, during its service. It was used for training first. Then, it joined other flotillas for actual operations. The submarine went on six missions, called patrols, during the war. However, it did not sink any enemy ships. It was also part of two "wolfpacks," which were groups of submarines that hunted together. At the end of World War II, U-318gave up in Narvik, Norway, on 9 May 1945. Later, on 21 December 1945, it was sunk as part of an operation called Deadlight.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-318 |
| Ordered | 14 October 1941 |
| Builder | Flender Werke, Lübeck |
| Yard number | 318 |
| Laid down | 14 October 1942 |
| Launched | 25 September 1943 |
| Commissioned | 13 November 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 9 May 1945; sunk on 21 December 1945 as part of Operation Deadlight |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC/41 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 |
Submarine Design and Features
The U-318 was a Type VIIC/41 submarine. This type was an improved version of earlier German submarines.
Size and Weight
When U-318 was on the surface, it weighed about 759 tonnes (which is like 759,000 kilograms!). When it was underwater, it weighed a bit more, about 860 tonnes.
The submarine was quite long, measuring about 67.10 meters (around 220 feet) from front to back. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was about 50.50 meters long. The widest part of the submarine was 6.20 meters (about 20 feet). It stood about 9.60 meters (around 31 feet) tall and sat 4.74 meters (about 15 feet) deep in the water.
Power and Speed
U-318 had two powerful diesel engines for moving on the surface. These engines could produce a lot of power, between 2800 and 3200 horsepower. When underwater, it used two electric motors that produced 750 horsepower.
These engines allowed the submarine to travel at different speeds:
- On the surface: It could go as fast as 17.7 knots (about 32.8 kilometers per hour).
- Underwater: It was slower, reaching a maximum speed of 7.6 knots (about 14.1 kilometers per hour).
The submarine could travel long distances without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (about 15,742 kilometers) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (about 148 kilometers) at 4 knots.
Depth and Crew
U-318 was designed to operate safely at depths of up to 230 meters (about 755 feet). Its maximum safe depth, known as its crush depth, was between 275 and 325 meters.
The submarine needed a crew of about 44 to 60 people to operate it. This included about four officers and many enlisted sailors.
Weapons and Defense
The U-318 was armed with several weapons:
- Torpedoes: It had five torpedo tubes, which are like underwater cannons that fire torpedoes. Four were at the front, and one was at the back. It carried 14 torpedoes in total.
- Deck Gun: It had one large 8.8 cm naval gun on its deck, which could fire 220 rounds.
- Anti-Aircraft Guns: For defense against airplanes, it had one 3.7 cm anti-aircraft gun and two smaller 2 cm anti-aircraft guns.
Service History and Fate
U-318 spent its time on patrols using various naval bases in Norway. These bases included places like Egersund, Bergen, Kristiansand, Arendal, Trondheim, Bogenbucht, Kilbotn, Harstad, and Narvik. None of its missions lasted longer than 32 days.
End of Service
When World War II ended, U-318 surrendered at Narvik, Norway, on 10 May 1945. After its surrender, the submarine was moved to a fjord called Skjomenfjord. Then, it was taken to Loch Eriboll in Scotland, arriving there on 19 May.
Finally, U-318 was moved one last time to Loch Ryan. Here, it became part of Operation Deadlight. This was an operation where many captured German U-boats were sunk by the Allied forces. U-318 was sunk on 21 December 1945, north of Northern Ireland.
See also
