German submarine U-4703

Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-4703.
History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-4703
Ordered: 7 July 1944
Builder: Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel
Yard number: 945
Laid down: 1 November 1944
Launched: 3 January 1945
Commissioned: 21 January 1945
Fate: Scuttled on 5 May 1945
General characteristics (XXIII)
Type: Type XXIII
Displacement:
  • 232 t (228 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 256 t (252 long tons) (submerged)
Length:
  • 34.14 m (112 ft 0 in) (o/a)
  • 26.00 m (85 ft 4 in) (p/h)
Beam:
  • 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a)
  • 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in) (p/h)
Draught: 3.66 m (12 ft 0 in)
Installed power:
  • 575 PS (423 kW; 567 shp) (diesel drive)
  • 572 PS (421 kW; 564 shp) (standard electric drive)
  • 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp) (silent electric drive)
Propulsion:
Speed:
  • 9.7 knots (18 km/h; 11 mph) (surfaced)
  • 12.5 knots (23 km/h; 14 mph) (submerged)
Range:
  • 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced
  • 194 nmi (359 km; 223 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth: 180 m (590 ft)
Complement: 14–18
Armament:
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans-Ulrich Scholz[1]
  • 21 January 1945 - 5 May 1945
Operations: No patrols
Victories: None

German submarine U-4703 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 7 July 1944, and was laid down on 1 November 1944 at Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel, as yard number 945. She was launched on 3 January 1945 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Ulrich Scholz on 21 January 1945.[2]

Design

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-4703 had a displacement of 232 tonnes (228 long tons) when at the surface and 256 tonnes (252 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 34.14 m (112 ft 0 in) (o/a), a beam width of 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a), and a draught depth of 3.66 m (12 ft 0 in). The submarine was powered by one MWM six-cylinder RS134S diesel engine providing 575 metric horsepower (423 kilowatts; 567 shaft horsepower), one AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor electric motor providing 572 PS (421 kW; 564 shp), and one BBC silent running CCR188 electric motor providing 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp).[3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) and a submerged speed of 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) for 202 nautical miles (374 km; 232 mi); when surfaced, she could travel 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-4703 was fitted with two 53.3 cm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes in the bow. She could carry two preloaded torpedoes. The complement was 14 — 18 men.[3] This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.[2]

Service history

On 5 May 1945, U-4703 was scuttled in Gelting Bay near Gelting as part of Operation Regenbogen. The wreck was later raised and broken up.[2]

See also

References

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans-Ulrich Scholz". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-4703". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Type XXIII U-Boat Coastal Submarine (1944)". Military Factory. Retrieved 30 April 2016.

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. 
  • 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. 
  • Williamson, Gordon (2005). Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-boat in World War II. Osprey. ISBN 1841768723. 

External links

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