German submarine U-1172
 U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1172.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-1172 |
| Ordered | 16 July 1942 |
| Builder | Danzig |
| Yard number | 144 |
| Laid down | 7 June 1943 |
| Launched | 3 December 1943 |
| Commissioned | 20 April 1944 |
| Fate | Sunk on 27 January 1945 in St Georges Channel at 52°24′N 5°42′W / 52.400°N 5.700°W by British frigates |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC/41 submarine |
| Displacement | |
| 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 |
|
| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 44-52 officers & ratings |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 05 593 |
| Commanders: |
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| Operations: |
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| Victories: | |
German submarine U-1172 was a
. She wasDanzig as yard number 144, launched on 3 December 1943 and commissioned on 20 April 1944 under Oberleutnant zur See
Jürgen Kuhlmann.
Design
Like all
supercharged six-cylinder four-stroke 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) and two SSW GU 343/38-8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. The boat was capable of operating at a depth of 250 metres (820 ft).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a 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).2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. Its complement was between forty-four and sixty.[3]
Sensors
Passive sonar
U-1172 was one of only ten Type VIIC's to be fitted with a Balkongerät (literally 'Balcony apparatus or equipment'). The Balkongerät was used on U-boats (
Type X. The Balkongerät was an improved version of Gruppenhorchgerät (GHG) (group listening device). The GHG had 24 hydrophones, the Balkongerät had 48 hydrophones and improved electronics, which enabled more accurate readings to be taken.[5]
-
The outside view of the German design of Balcongerät installed on Type VIIC's
Service history
The boat's service career began on 20 April 1944 with the
St Georges Channel by depth charges from British frigates HMS Tyler, HMS Keats and HMS Bligh at 52°24′N 05°42′W / 52.400°N 5.700°W
.
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage[Note 1] | Fate[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 January 1945 | HMS Thane |  Royal Navy
|
11,400 | Total loss |
| 15 January 1945 | Spinanger |  Norway
|
7,429 | Damaged |
| 23 January 1945 | Vigsnes | Norway
|
1,599 | Sunk |
See also
References
Notes
- gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.
Citations
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Type VIIC/41". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Jürgen Kuhlmann". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
- ^ Base on war-time photographs.
- ^ "Hydrophones". U-boats Aces - uboataces.com. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-1172". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
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). German Warships 1815–1945, U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
