German submarine U-369 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-369 |
| Ordered | 25 August 1941 |
| Builder | Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg |
| Yard number | 492 |
| Laid down | 6 October 1942 |
| Launched | 17 August 1943 |
| Commissioned | 15 October 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered at Kristainsund-Sud on 9 May 1945, sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 30 November 1945 |
| 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: | None |
| Victories: | None |
The German submarine U-369 was 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.
This submarine never went on any combat missions and didn't sink or damage any enemy ships. After Germany surrendered, U-369 was sunk on November 30, 1945, as part of an operation called Deadlight.
Contents
About the U-369 Submarine
The U-369 was a Type VIIC submarine, which was a very common type of U-boat used by Germany during the war. These submarines were an improved version of earlier models.
How Big Was U-369?
When U-369 was on the surface, it weighed about 769 tonnes (757 long tons). When it was underwater, it weighed more, about 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.
The widest part of the submarine, its beam, was 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in). It stood 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) tall and sat 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) deep in the water, which is called its draught.
How U-369 Moved and Fought
The U-369 used two diesel engines when it was on the surface, which gave it a top speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) (knots). When it went underwater, it switched to two electric motors, which allowed it to travel at 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).
The submarine 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) (nautical miles) at a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). Underwater, it could travel about 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph).
U-369 could dive to a depth of 230 metres (750 ft) (about 755 feet). Its deepest safe depth before it might break apart was between 250–295 m (820–968 ft).
What Weapons Did U-369 Have?
The submarine was equipped with five torpedo tubes, which are used to launch torpedoes. Four of these tubes were at the front (bow), and one was at the back (stern). It carried a total of 14 torpedoes.
For fighting on the surface, it had one large 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun and two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns to defend against planes. The crew of the U-369 usually had between 44 and 60 people.
U-369's Time in Service
The building of U-369 started on October 6, 1942, at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard in Flensburg, Germany. It was officially launched into the water on August 17, 1943.
The submarine was ready for duty and officially joined the navy on October 15, 1943. Its first commander was Kapitänleutnant Ludwig Schaafhausen.
U-369 was part of the 22nd U-boat Flotilla from October 1943 to February 1945. Then, it moved to the 11th U-boat Flotilla from March 1945 until the end of the war.
The Final Days of U-369
U-369 surrendered in Kristiansand-Sud, Norway, on May 5, 1945, just a few days before Germany officially surrendered in World War II.
After its surrender, the submarine was taken to Scapa Flow in Scotland on May 29. There, it became part of Deadlight. This operation involved sinking many surrendered German U-boats to prevent them from being used again. U-369 was sunk on November 30, 1945.
