German submarine U-1304
German submarine U-1304 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
 U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1304. | |
| History | |
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| Name: | U-1304 |
| Ordered: | 2 April 1942 |
| Builder: | Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg |
| Yard number: | 497 |
| Laid down: | 17 May 1943 |
| Launched: | 4 August 1944 |
| Commissioned: | 6 September 1944 |
| Fate: | Scuttled, 5 May 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Type VIIC/41 submarine |
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| Height: | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
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| Complement: | 44-52 officers & ratings |
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| Operations: | No patrols |
| Victories: | None |
She was ordered on 2 April 1942, and was laid down on 17 May 1943, at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg, as yard number 497. She was launched on 4 August 1944, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Walter Süss on 6 September 1944.[2]
Design
German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-1304 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), an overall beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8-276 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-1304 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and fifty-two.[3]
Service history
U-1304 was scuttled in Kupfermühle Bay, near Flensburg, on 5 May 1945, as part of Operation Regenbogen. Her wreck was raised and broken up later.[2]
See also
References
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "Walter Süss". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-1304". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- Gröner 1991, pp. 43-44.
Bibliography
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German). IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
- Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
