German Submarine U-1274
Design
German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-1274 had a displacement of 759 tonnes (747 long tons) when at the surface and 860 tonnes (850 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged 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) for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum 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). U-1274 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
Service history
The boat's service career began on 1 March 1944 with the 8th Training Flotilla, followed by active service with 5th Flotilla on 1 March 1945. U-1274 took part in no wolfpacks. U-1274 was sunk on 16 April 1945 in the North Sea by depth charges from British destroyer HMS Viceroy, commanded by Lieutenant-Commander John Manners, at 55°36′N 01°24′W / 55.600°N 1.400°W.
Summary of raiding history
Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) |
Fate |
---|---|---|---|---|
16 April 1945 | Athelduke | United Kingdom | 8,966 | Sunk |
See also
References
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Type VIIC/41". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Fedor Kuscher". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans-Hermann Fitting". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-1274". 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). 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.