German submarine U-368 facts for kids
class="infobox " style="float: right; clear: right; width: 315px; border-spacing: 2px; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; line-height: 1.5em;" |
|} The German submarine U-368was a special type of submarine called a Type VIIC U-boat. It was built for Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. This submarine never went on any combat patrols. It also did not sink or damage any enemy ships. After Germany surrendered, U-368was sunk on 17 December 1945 as part of a plan called Operation Deadlight.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
|
| Name | U-368 |
| Ordered | 25 August 1941 |
| Builder | Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg |
| Yard number | 491 |
| Laid down | 20 August 1942 |
| Launched | 16 November 1943 |
| Commissioned | 7 January 1944 |
| Fate | Surrendered at Heligoland on 5 May 1945, sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 17 December 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | |
| Test depth |
|
| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: |
|
| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
About the U-boat's Design
German Type VIIC submarines were a common type of U-boat used by Germany. They were an improved version of earlier models.
Size and Weight
U-368 weighed 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when it was on the surface of the water. When it was underwater, it weighed 871 tonnes (857 long tons). The submarine was about 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) long overall. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) long. It was 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) wide and 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) tall. The part of the boat that sat below the water, its draught, was 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in).
How it Moved
The submarine 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 (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) (about 32.8 kilometers per hour). When underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors allowed it to move at a maximum speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) (about 14.1 kilometers per hour).
U-368 could travel a long way without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go about 8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) (about 15,742 kilometers) at a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). Underwater, it could travel about 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) (about 148 kilometers) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph). The submarine was built to dive safely to depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft) (about 755 feet).
Weapons and Crew
U-368 was armed with five torpedo tubes. Four of these were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It carried a total of fourteen torpedoes. For fighting on the surface, it had one large 8.8 cm deck gun with 220 rounds of ammunition. It also had two twin 2 cm anti-aircraft guns to defend against planes. The submarine usually had a crew of between 44 and 60 sailors.
Service History
The construction of U-368 began on 20 August 1942 at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard in Flensburg, Germany. It was given the yard number 491. The submarine was launched into the water on 16 November 1943. It was officially commissioned (put into active service) on 7 January 1944. Its first commander was Oberleutnant zur See Wolfgang Schäfer.
U-368 was part of the 21st U-boat Flotilla from January 1944 until February 1945. After that, it joined the 31st U-boat Flotilla from March 1945 until May 1945.
What Happened to U-368?
On 5 May 1945, U-368 surrendered at Heligoland, a German-occupied island. After surrendering, it was moved to Wilhelmshaven and then taken to Loch Ryan in Scotland on 23 June. This was part of Operation Deadlight. The goal of Operation Deadlight was to sink captured German U-boats so they could not be used again. U-368 was finally sunk by naval gunfire on 17 December 1945.
