German submarine U-2331: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 54°0′N 18°0′E / 54.000°N 18.000°E / 54.000; 18.000
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{{Short description|German World War II submarine}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=
|Ship image=Tipo XXIII.svg
|Ship caption=
|Ship image size=300px
|Ship caption= Rendering of a Type XXIII submarine
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[Nazi Germany]]
|Ship country= [[Nazi Germany]]
|Ship flag={{Shipboxflag|Nazi Germany|naval}}
|Ship flag={{Shipboxflag|Nazi Germany|naval}}
|Ship name= ''U-2331''
|Ship name= ''U-2331''
|Ship ordered= 20 September 1943
|Ship ordered= 20 September 1943
|Ship builder= [[Deutsche Werft]], [[Hamburg]]
|Ship builder= [[Deutsche Werft]], [[Hamburg]]
|Ship yard number=485
|Ship laid down= 30 June 1944
|Ship laid down= 30 June 1944
|Ship launched= 22 August 1944
|Ship launched= 22 August 1944
|Ship completed=
|Ship commissioned= 12 September 1944
|Ship commissioned= 12 September 1944
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship motto=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship fate=Sunk on 10 October 1944
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate=Sunk, 10 October 1944
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=yes
|Hide header =
|Header caption=
|Header caption =
|Ship class=[[German Type XXIII submarine|Type XXIII]] [[submarine]]
|Ship class= [[Type XXIII submarine|Type XXIII]] [[submarine]]
|Ship displacement =
*{{Convert|234|t|LT|abbr=on|lk=on}} surfaced
*{{Convert|258|t|LT|abbr=on}} submerged
|Ship length={{convert|34.68|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|3.02|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{Convert|3.66|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion =
*1 × [[Caterpillar Energy Solutions|MWM]] RS134S 6-cylinder diesel engine, {{convert|575|-|630|PS|kW shp}}
*1 × [[AEG (German company)|AEG]] GU4463-8 [[Motor-generator|double-acting electric motor]], {{convert|580|PS|kW shp|0}}
*1 × [[Brown, Boveri & Cie|BBC]] CCR188 electric creeping motor, {{convert|35|PS|kW shp}}
|Ship speed=
*{{convert|9.7|kn|0|lk=in}} surfaced
*{{convert|12.5|kn|0}} submerged
|Ship range =
*{{convert|2,600|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{Convert|8|kn}} surfaced
*{{Convert|194|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{Convert|4|kn}} submerged
|Ship test depth ={{Convert|180|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=14–18
|Ship sensors =
|Ship EW =
|Ship armament =
*2 bow [[torpedo tubes]]
*2 [[torpedo]]es
|Ship notes =
}}
}}
{{service record
{{Infobox service record
|is_ship=yes
|is_ship=yes
|label=
|label=
|partof=
|partof=[[Kriegsmarine]]:<br />[[32nd U-boat Flotilla]]
*[[32nd U-boat Flotilla]]
|codes=
*12 September – 10 October 1944
|commanders=[[Oberleutnant zur See|''Oblt.z.S.'']] Hans-Walter Pahl (Sep&ndash;Oct 1944)
|codes=M 44 322
|commanders=
*''[[Oblt.z.S.]]'' Hans-Walter Pahl
*12 September – 10 October 1944
|operations=None
|operations=None
|victories=None
|victories=None
|awards=
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''German submarine ''U-2331''''' was a [[German Type XXIII submarine|Type XXIII]] [[U-boat]] built for [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' during [[World War II]] and intended for service against allied shipping in coastal waters. She was a brand new, [[Elektroboot|high-technology electric U-boat]] which was lost when only one month old in a bizarre training accident in the [[Baltic Sea]]. Built at [[Hamburg]], she was constructed at speed, as she and her sisters were seen as war winning weapons and thus vitally important to the German war effort.
'''German submarine ''U-2331''''' was a [[Type XXIII submarine|Type XXIII]] [[U-boat]] built for [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' during [[World War II]] and intended for service against allied shipping in coastal waters. She was a brand new, [[Elektroboot|high-technology electric U-boat]] which was lost when only one month old in a bizarre training accident in the [[Baltic Sea]]. Built at [[Hamburg]], she was constructed at speed, as she and her sisters were seen as war winning weapons and thus vitally important to the German war effort.


==Design==
Completed in September 1944, ''U-2331'' was undergoing a fast-track working-up period in the Baltic under her commander ''Oblt.z.S.'' Hans-Walter Pahl under the observation of Klaus Vernier, a highly experienced U-boat commander and tactical expert. On 10 October, just 28 days after her completion, ''U-2331'' dived and failed to surface in the sea off the Hel Peninsula. Four of the reduced crew (including the captain), escaped the sinking ship but 15 did not, including Vernier.
Like all [[Type XXIII submarine|Type XXIII]] [[U-boat]]s, ''U-2331'' had a displacement of {{convert|234|t|LT}} when at the surface and {{convert|258|t|LT}} while submerged. She had a total length of {{convert|34.68|m|ftin|abbr=on}} ([[o/a]]), a beam width of {{convert|3.02|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (o/a), and a draught depth of{{convert|3.66|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. The submarine was powered by one [[MWM GmbH|MWM]] six-cylinder RS134S diesel engine providing {{convert|575|-|630|PS|kW shp|lk=on|abbr=off}}, one [[AEG (German company)|AEG]] GU4463-8 [[Motor-generator|double-acting electric motor]] electric motor providing {{convert|580|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}}, and one [[Brown, Boveri & Cie|BBC]] [[Silent running (submarine)|silent running]] CCR188 electric motor providing {{convert|35|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|p=89}}


The submarine had a maximum surface speed of {{convert|9.7|kn}} and a submerged speed of {{convert|12.5|kn}}. When submerged, the boat could operate at {{convert|4|kn}} for {{convert|194|nmi}}; when surfaced, she could travel {{convert|2600|nmi}} at {{convert|8|kn}}. ''U-2331'' was fitted with two {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s in the bow. She could carry two preloaded [[torpedo]]es. The [[Ship's company|complement]] was 14–18 men.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|p=89}} This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.
The [[Kriegsmarine]] conducted an investigation into the loss, at which it was revealed that either the captain or Vernier had ordered the submarine to submerge whilst travelling in reverse, thus unbalancing the boat and causing it to sink uncontrollably. A handful of men on the conning tower survived as the boat sank under them. The wreck was raised and taken to [[Gdynia|Gotenhafen]], but the time submerged underwater had irreparably damaged the boat's systems, and the remains were scrapped.

==Service history==
Completed in September 1944, ''U-2331'' was undergoing a fast-track working-up period in the Baltic under her commander ''[[Oberleutnant zur See]]'' Hans-Walter Pahl under the observation of Klaus Vernier, a highly experienced U-boat commander and tactical expert. On 10 October, just 28 days after her completion, ''U-2331'' dived and failed to surface in the sea off the [[Hel Peninsula]]. Four of the reduced crew (including the captain), escaped the sinking ship but 15 did not, including Vernier.

The ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' conducted an investigation into the loss, at which it was revealed that either the captain or Vernier had ordered the submarine to submerge whilst travelling in reverse, thus unbalancing the boat and causing it to sink uncontrollably. A handful of men on the conning tower survived as the boat sank under them. The wreck was raised and taken to [[Gotenhafen]] (Gdynia, Poland), but the time submerged underwater had irreparably damaged the boat's systems, and the remains were scrapped.


==References==
==References==
;Notes
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

;Bibliography
==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book | last1 = Busch | first1 = Rainer | last2 = Röll | first2 = Hans-Joachim | translator-last = Brooks | translator-first = Geoffrey | title = German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary | publisher = Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press | location = London, Annapolis, Md | year = 1999 | isbn = 1-55750-186-6 }}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
|last1=Busch
|last1=Busch
Line 61: Line 91:
|first2=Hans-Joachim
|first2=Hans-Joachim
|title=Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945
|title=Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945
|trans-title=German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945
|work=Der U-Boot-Krieg
|series=Der U-Boot-Krieg
|volume=IV
|volume=IV
|publisher=Mittler
|publisher=Mittler
Line 67: Line 98:
|year=1999
|year=1999
|isbn=3-8132-0514-2
|isbn=3-8132-0514-2
|language=German
|language=de

}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
|last=Gröner
|last1=Gröner
|first=Erich
|first1=Erich
|last2=Jung
|title=U-Boote, Hilfskreuzer, Minenschiffe, Netzleger, Sperrbrecher
|first2=Dieter
|work=Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945
|last3=Maass
|volume=III
|first3=Martin
|publisher=Bernard&Graefe
|translator-last1=Thomas
|location=Koblenz
|translator-first1=Keith
|year=1985
|translator-last2=Magowan
|isbn=3-7637-4802-4
|translator-first2=Rachel
|year=1991
|title=U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels
|volume=2
|series=German Warships 1815–1945
|location=London
|publisher=Conway Maritime Press
|isbn=0-85177-593-4
|ref=CITEREFGröner1991
}}
}}
*{{cite book
* Sharpe, Peter, ''U-Boat Fact File'', Midland Publishing, Great Britain: 1998. ISBN 1-85780-072-9.
|last=Sharpe
|first=Peter
|title=U-Boat Fact File
|publisher=Midland Publishing
|location=Great Britain
|year=1998
|isbn=1-85780-072-9


}}
==External links==
{{Refend}}
* [http://www.uboat.net/boats/u2331.htm U-boat.net webpage for ''U-2331'']

==See also==
*[[List of U-boats]]


==External links==
* {{Cite web
|url= http://uboat.net/boats/u2331.htm
|title= The Type XXI boat U-2331
|last=Helgason
|first=Guðmundur
|website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
|access-date= 6 December 2014
}}
{{use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{coord|54|0|N|18|0|E|display=title}}
{{coord|54|0|N|18|0|E|display=title}}
{{German Type XXIII submarines}}
{{Italic title prefixed|16}}
{{October 1944 shipwrecks}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:U2331}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:U2331}}
[[Category:World War II submarines of Germany]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of Germany]]
[[Category:Type XXIII submarines]]
[[Category:Type XXIII submarines]]
[[Category:U-boat accidents]]
[[Category:U-boat lost in diving accidents]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea]]
[[Category:U-boats commissioned in 1944]]
[[Category:U-boats commissioned in 1944]]
Line 100: Line 156:
[[Category:1944 ships]]
[[Category:1944 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Hamburg]]
[[Category:Ships built in Hamburg]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in October 1944]]

Latest revision as of 10:36, 21 April 2024

Rendering of a Type XXIII submarine
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-2331
Ordered20 September 1943
BuilderDeutsche Werft, Hamburg
Yard number485
Laid down30 June 1944
Launched22 August 1944
Commissioned12 September 1944
FateSunk on 10 October 1944
General characteristics
Class and typeType XXIII submarine
Displacement
  • 234 t (230 long tons) surfaced
  • 258 t (254 long tons) submerged
Length34.68 m (113 ft 9 in)
Beam3.02 m (9 ft 11 in)
Draft3.66 m (12 ft)
Propulsion
  • 1 × MWM RS134S 6-cylinder diesel engine, 575–630 metric horsepower (423–463 kW; 567–621 shp)
  • 1 × AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor, 580 metric horsepower (427 kW; 572 shp)
  • 1 × BBC CCR188 electric creeping motor, 35 metric horsepower (26 kW; 35 shp)
Speed
  • 9.7 knots (18 km/h; 11 mph) surfaced
  • 12.5 knots (23 km/h; 14 mph) submerged
Range
  • 2,600 nmi (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 44 322
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans-Walter Pahl
  • 12 September – 10 October 1944
Operations: None
Victories: None

German submarine U-2331 was a Type XXIII U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II and intended for service against allied shipping in coastal waters. She was a brand new, high-technology electric U-boat which was lost when only one month old in a bizarre training accident in the Baltic Sea. Built at Hamburg, she was constructed at speed, as she and her sisters were seen as war winning weapons and thus vitally important to the German war effort.

Design[edit]

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-2331 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).[1]

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-2331 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.[1] This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.

Service history[edit]

Completed in September 1944, U-2331 was undergoing a fast-track working-up period in the Baltic under her commander Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Walter Pahl under the observation of Klaus Vernier, a highly experienced U-boat commander and tactical expert. On 10 October, just 28 days after her completion, U-2331 dived and failed to surface in the sea off the Hel Peninsula. Four of the reduced crew (including the captain), escaped the sinking ship but 15 did not, including Vernier.

The Kriegsmarine conducted an investigation into the loss, at which it was revealed that either the captain or Vernier had ordered the submarine to submerge whilst travelling in reverse, thus unbalancing the boat and causing it to sink uncontrollably. A handful of men on the conning tower survived as the boat sank under them. The wreck was raised and taken to Gotenhafen (Gdynia, Poland), but the time submerged underwater had irreparably damaged the boat's systems, and the remains were scrapped.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Gröner 1991, p. 89.

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.
  • Sharpe, Peter (1998). U-Boat Fact File. Great Britain: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-072-9.

External links[edit]

54°0′N 18°0′E / 54.000°N 18.000°E / 54.000; 18.000

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