Summary
German submarine U-4706 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 7 July 1944, and was laid down on 14 November 1944 at Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel, as yard number 948. She was launched on 19 January 1945 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Manfred Schneider on 7 February 1945.[2]
 Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-4706.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-4706 |
| Ordered | 7 July 1944 |
| Builder | Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel |
| Yard number | 948 |
| Laid down | 14 November 1944 |
| Launched | 19 January 1945 |
| Commissioned | 7 February 1945 |
| Fate | Surrendered on 9 May 1945 |
 Norway | |
| Name | HNoMS Knerter |
| Acquired | 9 May 1945 |
| Commissioned | October 1948 |
| Stricken | 1954 |
| Fate | Broken up |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type XXIII submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length | |
| Beam |
|
| Draught | 3.66 m (12 ft) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 180 m (590 ft) |
| Complement | 14–18 |
| Armament |
|
| Service record (Kriegsmarine) | |
| Part of: |
|
| Identification codes: | M 50 650 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
Design edit
Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-4706 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 of 3.66 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-4706 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 edit
On 9 May 1945, U-4706 surrendered at Kristiansand, Norway.[2]
Post war service edit
In October 1948, U-4706 was transferred to Norway, and the Royal Norwegian Navy quickly gave her the impromptu name HNoMS Knerten ("the runt") in reference to her diminutive size relative to the three Type VIIC/41 boats that were acquired at the same time. Knerten was briefly homeported in Trondheim in 1949, slated to be used as a development testbed for air-independent propulsion technology, but a lack of spare parts and a battery explosion accident prevented her from ever being entered into service.[4] [5] From 14 April 1950, the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club used her for storage until she was struck in 1954 and broken up.[2]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Manfred Schneider". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ a b c d Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-4706". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ a b Gröner 1991, p. 89.
- ^ "Kobbenklasse undervannsbåt 1964 - 2002" (PDF). Royal Norwegian Navy Museum. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ "DORAS grå ulver - tyske ubåter i Trondheim under og etter andre verdenskrig" (PDF). no:Strinda historielag. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
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, Eric; 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. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
- Williamson, Gordon (2005). Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-boat in World War II. Osprey. ISBN 1841768723.
External links edit
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-4706". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.