German submarine U-1235

German submarine U-1235 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 25 May 1943 at the Deutsche Werft yard at Hamburg, launched on 25 January 1944, and commissioned on 17 May 1944. She served with 31st U-boat Flotilla, a training unit, and with 33rd U-boat Flotilla from 1 December 1944 until 15 April 1945.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-1235
Ordered14 October 1941
BuilderDeutsche Werft, Hamburg
Yard number398
Laid down25 May 1943
Launched25 January 1944
Commissioned17 May 1944
FateSunk on 15 April 1945
General characteristics
Class and typeType IXC/40 submarine
Displacement
  • 1,144 t (1,126 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,257 t (1,237 long tons) submerged
Length
Beam
  • 6.86 m (22 ft 6 in) o/a
  • 4.44 m (14 ft 7 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.67 m (15 ft 4 in)
Installed power
  • 4,400 PS (3,200 kW; 4,300 bhp) (diesels)
  • 1,000 PS (740 kW; 990 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 18.3 knots (33.9 km/h; 21.1 mph) surfaced
  • 7.3 knots (13.5 km/h; 8.4 mph) submerged
Range
  • 13,850 nmi (25,650 km; 15,940 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 63 nmi (117 km; 72 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth230 m (750 ft)
Complement4 officers, 44 enlisted
Armament
Service record[1][2]
Part of:
Identification codes: M 50 796
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Rolf Bahn
  • March – April 1944
  • Oblt.z.S. / Kptlt. Franz Barsch
  • 17 May 1944 – 15 April 1945
Operations:
  • 2 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 6 – 19 February 1945
  • 2nd patrol:
  • a. 14 – 15 March 1945
  • b. 19 March – 15 April 1945
Victories: None

Design

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German Type IXC/40 submarines were slightly larger than the original Type IXCs. U-1235 had a displacement of 1,144 tonnes (1,126 long tons) when at the surface and 1,257 tonnes (1,237 long tons) while submerged.[3] The U-boat had a total length of 76.76 m (251 ft 10 in), a pressure hull length of 58.75 m (192 ft 9 in), a beam of 6.86 m (22 ft 6 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.67 m (15 ft 4 in). The submarine was powered by two MAN M 9 V 40/46 supercharged four-stroke, nine-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of 4,400 metric horsepower (3,240 kW; 4,340 shp) for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 1,000 shaft horsepower (1,010 PS; 750 kW) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.92 m (6 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 18.3 knots (33.9 km/h; 21.1 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.3 knots (13.5 km/h; 8.4 mph).[3] When submerged, the boat could operate for 63 nautical miles (117 km; 72 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 13,850 nautical miles (25,650 km; 15,940 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-1235 was fitted with six 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 22 torpedoes, one 10.5 cm (4.13 in) SK C/32 naval gun, 180 rounds, and a 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 as well as two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of forty-eight.[3]

Service history

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The U-boat completed two combat patrols in early 1945, but did not sink any ships.

Fate

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U-1235 was sunk on 15 April 1945 in the North Atlantic by hedgehogs from the destroyer escorts USS Stanton and USS Frost during Operation Teardrop, at position 42°54′N 30°25′W / 42.900°N 30.417°W / 42.900; -30.417.

References

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  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type IXC/40 boat U-1235". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "War Patrols by German U-boat U-1235 - Boats - uboat.net". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, p. 68.

Bibliography

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  • 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). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
  • 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.
  • Bishop, Chris (2006). Kriegsmarine U-Boats, 1939–45. London: Amber Books. ISBN 978-1-904687-96-2.
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