German submarine U-2363

Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-2363.
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-2363
Ordered20 September 1944
BuilderDeutsche Werft, Hamburg
Yard number517
Laid down22 November 1944
Launched18 January 1945
Commissioned5 February 1945
Fate
General characteristics
Class and typeType XXIII submarine
Displacement
  • 234 t (230 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 258 t (254 long tons) (submerged)
Length
  • 34.68 m (113 ft 9 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)
Draught3.66 m (12 ft)
Installed power
  • 575–630 PS (423–463 kW; 567–621 shp) (diesel drive)
  • 580 PS (430 kW; 570 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 depth180 m (590 ft)
Complement14–18
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 51 249
Commanders:
Operations: None
Victories: None

German submarine U-2363 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 20 September 1944, and was laid down on 22 November 1944 at Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, as yard number 517. She was launched on 18 January 1945 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Karl Frahm on 5 February 1945.[2]

Design

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Scale model replica of U-2363 at sea.
Scale model replica of U-2363 at sea.

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-2363 had a displacement of 234 tonnes (230 long tons) when at the surface and 258 tonnes (254 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 34.68 m (113 ft 9 in) (o/a), a beam width of 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a), and a draught depth of3.66 m (12 ft). The submarine was powered by one MWM six-cylinder RS134S diesel engine providing 575–630 metric horsepower (423–463 kilowatts; 567–621 shaft horsepower), one AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor electric motor providing 580 PS (430 kW; 570 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 194 nautical miles (359 km; 223 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-2363 was fitted with two 53.3 cm (21 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

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On 9 May 1945, U-2363 surrendered at Kristiansand, Norway. She was later transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland on 29 May 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-2363 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-2363 was towed out to be sunk on 28 November 1945, by gunfire from the British destroyer HMS Onslow and the Polish destroyer ORP Piorun.[2]

The wreck now lies at 56°10′N 10°05′W / 56.167°N 10.083°W / 56.167; -10.083.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Karl Frahm". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2363". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b Gröner 1991, p. 89.

Bibliography

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[edit]
  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2363". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.