German submarine U-1405 was a Type XVIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during the Second World War. She was one of a small number of U-boats fitted with Hellmuth Walter's high test peroxide propulsion system, which offered a combination of air-independent propulsion and high submerged speeds.[4]
 U-1406, a vessel of the same class as U-1405
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-1405 |
| Ordered | 4 January 1943 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 255 |
| Laid down | 15 October 1943 |
| Launched | 1 December 1944 |
| Commissioned | 21 December 1944 |
| Fate | Scuttled on 5 May 1945, later broken up |
| General characteristics [1][2] | |
| Class and type | Type XVIIB submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Draught | 4.30 m (14 ft 1 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 150 m (490 ft) |
| Capacity |
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| Complement | 19 |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 38 801 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
The U-1405 was laid down on 15 October 1943 at the Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, as yard number 255. She was launched on 1 December 1944 and commissioned under the command of Leutnant zur See Wilhelm Rex on 21 December 1944.[4]
Design edit
When completed, U-1405 was 41.45 metres (136 ft) long overall, with a beam of 4.50 metres (14 ft 9 in) and a draught of 4.3 metres (14 ft 1 in). She was assessed at 337 long tons (342 t) submerged. The submarine was powered by one Deutz SAA 8M517 supercharged 8-cylinder diesel engine producing a total of 210–230 metric horsepower (150–170 kW; 210–230 shp) for use while surfaced and one Walter gas turbine producing a total of 2,500 metric horsepower (1,800 kW; 2,500 shp) for use while submerged. She had one shaft and one propeller. The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 8.5 knots (15.7 km/h; 9.8 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) using the HTP drive. When submerged, the U-boat could operate for 123 nautical miles (228 km; 142 mi) at 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) on her HTP system and when surfaced, she could travel 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph).[5]
The submarine was fitted with two 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (All fitted at the bow) and four torpedoes. The boat had a complement of 19 men.[5]
Service history edit
U-1405 did not undertake any war patrols and was instead assigned as a training boat at first to the 8th U-boat Flotilla, followed by the 5th U-boat Flotilla.[4]
The U-1405 was scuttled on 5 May 1945 in Eckernförde Bay during Operation Regenbogen. The wreck was later raised and broken up.[4]
References edit
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Walter Boats Type XVIIB Small Coastal Research vessels". Uboat.net. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
- ^ "German Experimental U-Boats Types III, IV, V, VI, VIII, XI, XII, XIII, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXII, VB.60, V.80, U-791 and Deschimag". www.sharkhunters.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Wilhelm Rex". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
- ^ a b c d Helgason, Guðmundur (1995). "U-1405". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- ^ a b Hofmann, Markus (24 October 2010). "XVII_B". Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de (in German). Retrieved 14 April 2016.
Bibliography edit
- 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). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
External links edit
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-1405". Uboat.net. Retrieved 14 April 2016.