German submarine U-363 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-363 |
| Ordered | 20 January 1941 |
| Builder | Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg |
| Yard number | 482 |
| Laid down | 23 December 1941 |
| Launched | 17 December 1942 |
| Commissioned | 18 March 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 9 May 1945 at Narvik. Sunk on 31 December 1945 as part of Operation Deadlight |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC 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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| 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 |
The German submarine U-363 was a special type of U-boat (a German submarine) used by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was built in Flensburg, Germany. The submarine was started on December 23, 1941, and launched into the water on December 17, 1942. It officially joined the navy on March 18, 1943, with Wolf-Werner Wilzer as its first commander.
During its time in service, U-363 went on seven combat missions. However, it did not sink any enemy ships. The submarine surrendered at Narvik, Norway, on May 9, 1945, when the war ended. Later, on December 31, 1945, it was sunk as part of an operation called Deadlight.
U-363 was also part of eight different wolfpacks. These were groups of U-boats that worked together to attack enemy ships.
Contents
Submarine Design and Features
U-363 was a Type VIIC U-boat. This was a common and very important type of submarine for Germany during World War II. It was designed to be strong and effective in battle.
Size and Weight
When U-363 was on the surface of the water, it weighed about 769 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed more, about 871 tons. The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long overall. Its main body, called the pressure hull, which protected the crew from the water pressure, was 50.50 meters (165 feet 8 inches) long.
The submarine was 6.20 meters (20 feet 4 inches) wide and 9.60 meters (31 feet 6 inches) tall. It sat 4.74 meters (15 feet 7 inches) deep in the water.
Power and Speed
U-363 had two powerful diesel engines for moving on the surface. These engines produced between 2,800 and 3,200 horsepower. When underwater, it used two electric motors that produced 750 horsepower. These motors turned two propellers, each 1.23 meters (4 feet) wide.
The submarine could travel at a maximum speed of 17.7 knots (about 32.8 km/h or 20.4 mph) on the surface. Underwater, it was slower, reaching a top speed of 7.6 knots (about 14.1 km/h or 8.7 mph).
Range and Depth
U-363 could travel a long way without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 km or 9,782 miles) at a speed of 10 knots. When submerged, its range was much shorter, about 80 nautical miles (148 km or 92 miles) at 4 knots.
The submarine was built to operate safely at depths of up to 230 meters (750 feet). Its maximum crush depth, where the pressure would be too much for the hull, was between 250 and 295 meters (820 and 968 feet).
Crew and Weapons
A crew of about 44 to 60 people, including officers and sailors, operated U-363.
For attacking enemy ships, the submarine had five torpedo tubes. Four of these were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It carried 14 torpedoes. It also had a large 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) deck gun with 220 rounds of ammunition. For defense against aircraft, it was equipped with two twin 2 cm (0.79 inch) anti-aircraft guns.
Service History of U-363
The journey of U-363 began with training. It spent its first year learning how to operate.
Early Training and Transfers
U-363 started its service on March 18, 1943, by training with the 8th U-boat Flotilla. This was like a school for new submarines and their crews. After training, it was moved to the 11th U-boat Flotilla on June 1, 1944, to begin active operations. Later, on September 15, 1944, it was reassigned to the 13th U-boat Flotilla.
In May 1944, the submarine made a few short trips from Kiel in Germany to Marvika and Bergen in Norway.
Combat Patrols
U-363 completed seven combat patrols during the war.
- First Patrol: It left Bergen on May 29, 1944, and arrived at Bogenbucht (near Narvik) on June 29.
- Second Patrol: It departed Bogenbucht on August 4 and returned to Narvik on September 2, 1944.
- Third Patrol: This mission took U-363 into the Norwegian Sea.
- Fourth Patrol: The submarine sailed past the North Cape and into the Barents Sea.
- Fifth Patrol: It traveled as far as the Kola Inlet, which is the entrance to the port of Murmansk.
- Sixth Patrol: Before this patrol, U-363 made trips between Narvik, Trondheim, and Kilbotn in Norway.
Final Patrol and Fate
The last patrol for U-363 happened in April and May 1945. After this, it moved to Skjomenfjord. When Germany surrendered, the submarine was taken to Lerwick and Loch Eriboll in Scotland. This was in preparation for Operation Deadlight.
On December 31, 1945, U-363 was sunk by the guns of two Allied warships, HMS Onslaught and ORP Blyskawica. This marked the end of its service.
