German submarine U-826 facts for kids

U-570 Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical to U-826.
Quick facts for kids History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-826
Ordered	8 June 1942
Builder	F Schichau GmbH, Danzig
Yard number	1589
Laid down	6 August 1943
Launched	9 March 1944
Commissioned	11 May 1944
Fate	Surrendered on 11 May 1945; sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 1 December 1945
General characteristics
Class and type	Type VIIC submarine
Displacement	769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced 871 t (857 long tons) submerged
Length	67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) o/a 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) pressure hull
Beam	6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height	9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught	4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power	2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels) 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion	2 shafts 2 × diesel engines 2 × electric motors
Speed	17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range	8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth	220 m (720 ft) Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement	4 officers, 44–52 enlisted
Armament	5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern) 14 × torpedoes or 26 TMA mines 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun (220 rounds) 1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 AA gun 2 × twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns
Service record
Part of:	8th U-boat Flotilla 11 May – 31 December 1944 11th U-boat Flotilla 1 January – 8 May 1945
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. / Kptlt. Olaf Lübcke 11 May 1944 – 11 May 1945
Operations:	1 patrol: 9 March – 11 May 1945
Victories:	None

German submarine U-826 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.

The order to build U-826 was given on 8 June 1942. Its construction started on 6 August 1943 in Danzig at a company called F Schichau GmbH. The submarine was officially launched into the water on 9 March 1944. It began its service on 11 May 1944, led by Commander Olaf Lübcke.

Submarine Design and Features

U-826 was a Type VIIC submarine. These were a common type of German U-boat during World War II. They were designed to be strong and effective.

Size and Weight

When U-826 was on the surface, it weighed about 769 tonnes (757 long tons) (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) (220 feet) long. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was about 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) (165 feet) long.

The submarine was about 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) (20 feet) wide. It stood about 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) (31 feet) tall. The part of the submarine that was underwater, called the draught, was about 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) (15 feet).

Engines and Speed

U-826 had two powerful diesel engines for moving on the surface. These engines gave it a top speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) (about 20 miles per hour). When underwater, it used two electric motors. These motors allowed it to travel at a speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) (about 8.7 miles per hour).

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) (9,780 miles) at a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). Underwater, it could travel about 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) (92 miles) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph).

Depth and Crew

U-826 was built to go deep underwater. It could safely operate at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft) (755 feet). The deepest it could go before its hull might break, called its crush depth, was between 250–295 m (820–968 ft) (820 to 968 feet).

The submarine usually had a crew of 4 officers and between 44 to 52 sailors.

Weapons and Defense

U-826 was equipped with several weapons:

• Torpedoes: It had five 53.3 cm (21 in) (21-inch) torpedo tubes. Four were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It could carry 14 torpedoes.
• Mines: Instead of torpedoes, it could carry 26 mines. These were used to create underwater traps for enemy ships.
• Deck Gun: It had one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) (3.5-inch) deck gun with 220 rounds of ammunition.
• Anti-Aircraft Guns: For defense against planes, it had one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) (1.5-inch) Flak M42 anti-aircraft gun. It also had two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) (0.8-inch) C/30 anti-aircraft guns.

Service During World War II

U-826 was part of the 8th U-boat Flotilla from May to December 1944. Then it joined the 11th U-boat Flotilla from January to May 1945. Its only war patrol happened between March and May 1945. During this patrol, it did not sink or damage any enemy ships.

Surrender and Final Fate

On 11 May 1945, after the war in Europe ended, U-826 surrendered. It was in Loch Eriboll, Scotland, at the time. Later, it was moved to Lisahally and then to Loch Ryan, Scotland.

U-826 was one of 116 German U-boats chosen for Operation Deadlight. This was a plan by the Allies to sink the surrendered U-boats so they could not be used again. On 1 December 1945, U-826 was towed out to sea and sank. The exact reason for its sinking on that day is not known.

Today, the wreck of U-826 lies underwater at coordinates 56°10′N 10°05′W / 56.167°N 10.083°W / 56.167; -10.083.