German submarine U-994 facts for kids
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|} The German submarine U-994was a special type of U-boat(a German submarine) used by Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. This submarine was ordered on May 25, 1941. Its construction began on November 14, 1942, at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg. It was officially launched on July 8, 1943, meaning it was ready to float in the water. U-994was then put into service on September 2, 1943, under the command of Wolf Ackermann.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-994 |
| Ordered | 25 May 1941 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 194 |
| Laid down | 14 November 1942 |
| Launched | 8 July 1943 |
| Commissioned | 2 September 1943 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 9 May 1945; sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 5 December 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, 44–52 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 |
What Was the U-994 Like?
Design and Size
U-994 was a Type VIIC U-boat. These were a common kind of German submarine during World War II. It was a bit longer than earlier Type VIIB submarines.
When U-994 was on the surface, it weighed about 769 tonnes (that's like 769 small cars!). When it was underwater, it weighed a bit more, around 871 tonnes. The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long overall. Its main body, called the pressure hull, 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.
How It Moved
U-994 had two powerful diesel engines for moving on the surface. These engines produced a lot of power, between 2,800 and 3,200 horsepower. When submerged, it used two electric motors that made about 750 horsepower.
These engines powered two propellers, each about 1.23 meters (4 feet) wide. The submarine could travel up to 17.7 knots (about 32.8 km/h or 20.4 mph) on the surface. Underwater, it was slower, reaching about 7.6 knots (about 14.1 km/h or 8.7 mph).
When surfaced, U-994 could travel a very long distance, about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 km or 9,782 miles) at a speed of 10 knots. Underwater, it could go about 80 nautical miles (148 km or 92 miles) at 4 knots. The submarine could dive to depths of up to 230 meters (750 feet).
Weapons and Crew
U-994 was armed with five torpedo tubes. Four were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It could carry 14 torpedoes or 26 mines.
It also had an 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) deck gun with 220 rounds of ammunition. For defense against airplanes, it had a twin 2 cm (0.79 inch) anti-aircraft gun. The submarine usually had a crew of 44 to 52 sailors.
U-994's Journey
First and Only Patrol
On July 17, 1944, U-994 was coming back from its first and only war patrol. A Norwegian Mosquito aircraft from No. 333 Squadron RAF/L attacked it. Five crew members were hurt, and the submarine was damaged. However, it managed to reach Bergen, Norway, later that day.
End of the War
On May 9, 1945, U-994 surrendered in Trondheim, Norway, as World War II was ending. It was then moved to Loch Ryan, Scotland, on May 29, 1945.
U-994 was one of 116 U-boats chosen for something called Operation Deadlight. This was a plan to sink captured German U-boats so they couldn't be used again. On December 5, 1945, U-994 was being towed out to be sunk. But it foundered (sank unexpectedly) while still being towed. This happened before it even reached the planned sinking area.
The wreck of U-994 is located at 55°50′N 08°30′W / 55.833°N 8.500°W.
