U-Boat History

[W.G.Ewald]

Type II-B German U-Boat

The Type II-B was a slightly improved version of the original 'dugout canoe' primarily with increased bunkers and radius. Only a handful were built; U-7 through U-24 plus U-120 and U-121. They were used mainly for training. The Type II-B carried six torpedoes or eight mines.

Type II-C German U-Boat

The Type II-C was a slightly improved version of the Type II-B with increased bunkers and radius plus slightly more powerful electric motors. Only a handful were built; U-56 through U-63 and were used mainly for training. The Type II-C carried six torpedoes or eight mines.

Type VII-B German U-Boat


The Type VII-B was slightly enlarged over the initial variant and the saddle tanks were modified to improve seaworthiness as well as extend bunker capacity and range. More powerful diesels were installed for greater surface speed.

More VII-B boats were built than the initial variant, but still not so many. They were U-45 through U-55; U-73 through U-76; U-83 through U-87 and U-99 through U-102. The three top ACES of the early years drove Type VII-B boats. All three were sunk early in the war - Prien on 7 March 1941 then Schepke and KRETSCHMER within hours of one another on 17 March 1941.

German U-Boat History - Sharkhunters - German U-Boat History - Official Publication

 

[pmaitra]

I will try to find an appropriate video.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

I will try to find an appropriate video.

Das Boot would be a good one.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

 

[W.G.Ewald]

 

[pmaitra]

Das Boot would be a good one.

That's a movie, isn't it?

 

[pmaitra]

U-Boat "Sea Wolf" (Parts 1,2,3/5)

 

[pmaitra]

U-Boat "Sea Wolf" (Parts 4,5/5)

 

[W.G.Ewald]

That's a movie, isn't it?

Das Boot (1981) - IMDb

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Re: U-Boat "Sea Wolf" (Parts 4,5/5)

The Enemy Below (1957) - IMDb

 

[Kunal Biswas]

U boats near America:

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Monthly losses of allied Shipping to U-boats..

 

[W.G.Ewald]

By the time my father, a USN LCDR was sent to Europe as part of the Naval Technical Mission, it was late in the war, and the German subs had acoustic homing torpedoes (T-V torpedoe in chart above). He told me the goal of every captain in the convoy was not to be last in line.

German U-Boat Torpedo T V (G7es) Acoustic Homing - Specification

As allied escorts gained mastery over their attackers, the Germans had an increasingly urgent need to develop an anti-escort weapon. Although research in acoustic homing torpedoes had already begun in 1934, but the technology was slow to mature. The acoustic torpedo was based on two hydrophones, placed side by side which directed the torpedo to home in on the target's noise signature. Due to the problem of the torpedo's self noise, the maximum speed that could be achieved was 25 knots. In addition, the sensor was only sensitive to targets moving at between 12 and 19 knots. If the escort ship moved at a significantly higher or lower speed, the torpedo would have difficulty tracking them. Out of necessity, the arming range was shortened to 250 meters. It was also not unknown for the acoustic torpedo to turn around and try to sink the U-boat that had launched it. Thus as soon as it was fired, the U-boat would have to dive deep as quickly as possible.

If the TV (G7es) Acoustic Homing Torpedo missed an escort, it would home in on a transport.