German submarine U-1271

U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1271.
History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-1271
Ordered: 23 March 1942
Builder: Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack
Yard number: 66
Laid down: 17 April 1943
Launched: 8 December 1943
Commissioned: 12 January 1944
Fate: Surrendered on 9 May 1945
Status: Sunk 8 December 1945
General characteristics
Type: Type VIIC/41 submarine
Displacement:
  • 757 long tons (769 t) surfaced
  • 857 long tons (871 t) submerged
Length:
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 × diesel engines
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion:
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:
  • 250 m (820 ft)
  • Calculated crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement: 44-52 officers & ratings
Armament:
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Sven Thienemann[1]
  • 12 January 1944 – April 1945
  • Oblt.z.S. Hermann Koopmann[2]
  • April 1945 – 9 May 1945
Operations: No patrols
Victories: None

German submarine U-1271 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 23 March 1942, and was laid down on 17 April 1943 at Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack, as yard number 66. She was launched on 8 December 1943 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Erwin Knipping on 12 January 1944.[3]

Design

German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-1271 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).[4]

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-1271 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, and an anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and fifty-two.[4]

Service history

On 9 May 1945, U-1271 surrendered at Bergen, Norway, before participating in any war patrols. She was later transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland on 2 June 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-1271 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-1271 was towed out and sank on 8 December 1945.[3]

The wreck now lies at 55°28′N 07°20′W / 55.467°N 7.333°W / 55.467; -7.333Coordinates: 55°28′N 07°20′W / 55.467°N 7.333°W / 55.467; -7.333.[3]

See also

References

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Sven Thienemann". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hermann Koopmann". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-1271". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 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. 
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