German submarine U-1274

Summary

German submarine U-1274 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was ordered on 13 June 1942, and was laid down on 21 June 1943 by Vegesacker Werft AG, Bremen as yard number 69, launched on 25 January 1944 and commissioned on 1 March 1944 under Oberleutnant zur See Fedor Kuscher.

U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical to U-1274.
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-1274
Ordered13 June 1942
BuilderVegesacker Werft AG, Bremen
Yard number69
Laid down21 June 1943
Launched25 January 1944
Commissioned1 March 1944
FateSunk on 16 April 1945 in the North Sea at 55°36′N 01°24′W / 55.600°N 1.400°W / 55.600; -1.400 by British destroyer HMS Viceroy
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeType VIIC/41 submarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
  • 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range
  • 8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth
  • 230 m (750 ft)
  • Calculated crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement44-52 officers & ratings
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 50 816
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Fedor Kuscher[2]
  • 1 March – July 1944
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans-Hermann Fitting[3]
  • July 1944 – 16 April 1945
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 1 – 16 April 1945
Victories: 1 merchant ship sunk
(8,966 GRT)

Design edit

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.[4] 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).[4]

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).[4] 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.[4]

Service history edit

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 / 55.600; -1.400.

Summary of raiding history edit

Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate[5]
16 April 1945 Athelduke   United Kingdom 8,966 Sunk

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Type VIIC/41". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Fedor Kuscher". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans-Hermann Fitting". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  5. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-1274". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 25 March 2015.

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.
  • 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.