home

fighting ships of the world

KRIEGSMARINE / GERMAN NAVY (GERMANY / WEST GERMANY)

SUBMARINES

"XXIII" type small submarines (1944-1945)

U2350 1944

Hecht 1965

Name No Yard No Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
U2321   475 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 3.1944 17.4.1944 6/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 27.11.1945
U2322   476 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 3.1944 30.4.1944 7/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 27.11.1945
U2323   477 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 4.1944 31.5.1944 7/1944 sunk 26.7.1944
U2324   478 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 4.1944 16.6.1944 7/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 27.11.1945
U2325   479 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 4.1944 13.7.1944 8/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 28.11.1945
U2326   480 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 5.1944 17.7.1944 8/1944 surrendered 5.1945, to United Kingdom 5.1945 (N35)
U2327   481 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 5.1944 29.7.1944 8/1944 scuttled 2.5.1945
U2328   482 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 5.1944 7.8.1944 8/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 27.11.1945
U2329   483 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 6.1944 11.8.1944 9/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 28.11.1945
U2330   484 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 6.1944 19.8.1944 9/1944 scuttled 3.5.1945
U2331   485 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 6.1944 22.8.1944 9/1944 scuttled 3.5.1945
U2332   941 Germaniawerft, Kiel 9.1944 18.10.1944 11/1944 scuttled 2.5.1945
U2333   942 Germaniawerft, Kiel 9.1944 16.11.1944 12/1944 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2334   488 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 7.1944 26.8.1944 9/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 28.11.1945
U2335   489 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 7.1944 31.8.1944 9/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 28.11.1945
U2336   490 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 7.1944 10.9.1944 9/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 3.1.1946
U2337   491 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 8.1944 15.9.1944 10/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 28.11.1945
U2338   492 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 8.1944 18.9.1944 10/1944 sunk 4.5.1945
U2339   493 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 8.1944 22.9.1944 11/1944 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2340   494 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 8.1944 28.9.1944 10/1944 sunk 30.3.1945
U2341   495 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 8.1944 3.10.1944 10/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 31.12.1945
U2342   496 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 8.1944 13.10.1944 11/1944 sunk 26.12.1944
U2343   497 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 8.1944 18.10.1944 11/1944 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2344   498 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 9.1944 24.10.1944 11/1944 collision 18.2.1945
U2345   499 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 9.1944 28.10.1944 11/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 27.11.1945
U2346   500 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 9.1944 31.10.1944 11/1944 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2347   501 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 9.1944 6.11.1944 12/1944 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2348   502 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 9.1944 11.11.1944 12/1944 surrendered 5.1945, to United Kingdom 6.1945, BU 4.1949
U2349   503 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 9.1944 20.11.1944 12/1944 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2350   504 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 9.1944 22.11.1944 12/1944 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 28.11.1945
U2351   505 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 10.1944 25.11.1944 12/1944 stricken 4.1945, scuttled 3.1.1946
U2352   506 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 10.1944 5.12.1944 1/1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2353   507 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 10.1944 6.12.1944 1/1945 surrendered 5.1945, to United Kingdom 5.1945 (N31), to Soviet Union 1947 (Ì-31 [M-31])
U2354   508 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 10.1944 10.12.1944 1/1945 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 22.12.1945
U2355   509 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 10.1944 13.12.1944 1/1945 scuttled 3.5.1945
U2356   510 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 10.1944 19.12.1944 1/1945 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 6.1.1946
U2357   511 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 10.1944 20.12.1944 1/1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2358   512 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 11.1944 22.12.1944 1/1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2359   513 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 11.1944 23.12.1944 1/1945 sunk 2.5.1945
U2360   514 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 11.1944 29.12.1944 1/1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2361   515 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 11.1944 3.1.1945 2/1945 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 27.11.1945
U2362   516 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 11.1944 11.1.1945 2/1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2363   517 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 11.1944 18.1.1945 2/1945 surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 28.11.1945
U2364   518 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 11.1944 23.1.1945 2/1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2365, 1957- Hai S170 519 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 12.1944 26.1.1945 3/1945 scuttled 8.5.1945, re-commissioned 8.1957, foundered 14.9.1966
U2366   520 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 12.1944 17.2.1945 3/1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2367, 1957- Hecht S171 521 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 12.1944 23.2.1945 3/1945 collision 5.5.1945, re-commissioned 10.1957, stricken 1968
U2368   522 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 12.1944 19.3.1945 4/1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2369   523 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 12.1944 24.3.1945 4/1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U2370   524 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 12.1944 3/1945 --- scuttled incomplete 3.5.1945
U2371   525 Deutsche Werft, Hamburg 1.1945 18.4.1945 4/1945 scuttled 3.5.1945
U2372   1189 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2373   1190 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2374   1191 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2375   1192 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2376   1193 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2377   1194 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2378   1195 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2379   1196 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2380   1197 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2381   1198 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2382   1199 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2383   1200 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2384   1201 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2385   1202 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2386   1203 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2387   1204 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2388   1205 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2389   1206 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U2401   804 Ansaldo, Genoa 1944 --- --- cancelled 7.1944
U2402   805 Ansaldo, Genoa 1944 --- --- cancelled 7.1944
U2403   806 Ansaldo, Genoa 1944 --- --- cancelled 7.1944
U2431   656 CRDA, Monfalcone 1944 --- --- cancelled 7.1944
U2432   657 CRDA, Monfalcone 1944 --- --- cancelled 7.1944
U4701   943 Germaniawerft, Kiel 10.1944 14.12.1944 1.1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U4702   944 Germaniawerft, Kiel 10.1944 20.12.1944 1.1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U4703   945 Germaniawerft, Kiel 11.1944 3.1.1945 1.1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U4704   946 Germaniawerft, Kiel 11.1944 13.2.1945 3.1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U4705   947 Germaniawerft, Kiel 11.1944 11.1.1945 2.1945 scuttled 3.5.1945
U4706   948 Germaniawerft, Kiel 11.1944 19.1.1945 2.1945 surrendered 5.1945 to United Kingdom 5.1945, to Norway 10.1948 (Knertner)
U4707   949 Germaniawerft, Kiel 12.1944 25.1.1945 2.1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U4708   950 Germaniawerft, Kiel 12.1944 24.3.1945 --- sunk incomplete 9.4.1945
U4709   951 Germaniawerft, Kiel 12.1944 8.2.1945 3.1945 scuttled 4.5.1945
U4710   952 Germaniawerft, Kiel 3.1945 14.4.1945 5.1945 scuttled 5.5.1945
U4711   953 Germaniawerft, Kiel 12.1944 21.2.1945 3.1945 scuttled 4.5.1945
U4712   954 Germaniawerft, Kiel 1.1945 1.3.1945 4.1945 scuttled 3.5.1945
U4713   955 Germaniawerft, Kiel 1.1945 19.4.1945 --- BU incomplete 1945
U4714   956 Germaniawerft, Kiel 1.1945 26.4.1945 --- BU incomplete 1945
U4715   957 Germaniawerft, Kiel 3.1945 --- --- BU incomplete 1945
U4716   958 Germaniawerft, Kiel 3.1945 --- --- BU incomplete 1945
U4717   959 Germaniawerft, Kiel 3.1945 --- --- BU incomplete 1945
U4718   960 Germaniawerft, Kiel 3.1945 --- --- BU incomplete 1945
U4719   961 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4720   962 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4721   963 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4722   964 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4723   965 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4724   966 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4725   967 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4726   968 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4727   969 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4728   970 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4729   971 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4730   972 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4731   973 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4732   974 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4733   975 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4734   976 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4735   977 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4736   978 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4737   979 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4738   980 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4739   981 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4740   982 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4741   983 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4742   984 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4743   985 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4744   986 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4745   987 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4746   988 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4747   989 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired
U4748   990 Germaniawerft, Kiel --- --- --- never laid down, part of hull sections were prepaired

 

Data variant type XXIII

Displacement standard, t

 

Displacement normal, t

234 / 258

Length, m

34.7

Breadth, m

3.02

Draught, m

3.66

No of shafts

1

Machinery

1 MWM diesel / 1 AEG electric motor / 1 BBC crouching electric motor

Power, h. p.

575 - 630 / 580 / 35

Max speed, kts

9.7 / 12.5

Fuel, t

diesel oil 20
Endurance, nm(kts) 4450(6) / 194(4)

Armament

2 - 533 TT (bow, 2)
Electronic equipment FuMO 61 radar, GHG, Balkon-Gerät hydrohones, FuMB 3 Bali, FuMB 6 Palau ECM suites

Complement

 14
Diving depth operational, m

80

Project history: Last series of submarines designed and constructed before capitulation of Germany. Small submarines of XXIII series formed on the same principles that has been taken as a principle for design of large submarines of XXI series. Being similar in the dimensions with boats of II series, new submarines had almost twice higher submerged speed and in 5 times longer could be in the submerged position.

Single-hulled; cross-section of the pressure hull had the form of "8". A working diving depth was 80m, maximal 160m; minimal diving time was 9sec. Single-shaft machinery on design reminded applied on XXI series and included the electric motor for "crouching", allowing to reach 4.5kts. Boats were equipped with telescopic snorkel, but had only one periscope. Shortage of internal space, main lack of the design, did not allow to carry spare torpedoes: TTs were reloaded only outside. Despite it, submarines of XXIII series were considered very successful.

Though designing of XXIII series has begun after end of works on the design of XXI series, they were appeared embodied in metal before than latter. Building was conducted by line production method: the hull was assembled from four practically ready sections and was launched by crane. In total 378 boats were ordered, 30 of them should be built in Genoa, 15 in Monfalcone, 30 in Toulon and 15 in Nikolaev. Before capitulation of Germany 60 boats were commissioned, 5 more (U2370, U2371, U4708, U4713 and U4714) were destroyed during outfitting. Only six boats shared in operations, and no one of them was lost.

Modernizations: U2365 and U2367 were salvaged in 1956 and commissioned by West German navy as type 240 with data as given in the table

Data variant type 240

Displacement standard, t

 

Displacement normal, t

234 / 275

Length, m

36.1

Breadth, m

3.02

Draught, m

3.67

No of shafts

1

Machinery

1 Maybach MB820S1 diesel-generator / 1 electric motor

Power, h. p.

630 / 580

Max speed, kts

9.7 / 12.5

Fuel, t

diesel oil 18
Endurance, nm(kts) 2600(8) / 194(4)

Armament

2 - 533 TT (2)
Electronic equipment radar, GHG, Balkon-Gerät hydrophones

Complement

 17
Diving depth operational, m

80

   

Naval service: U2323 was lost 26.7.1944 on British aviation mine in Kiel Bight, salvaged in August, 1944 and put to repair which has been not finished till the end of war. U2326 was transferred on reparations to United Kingdom as N35, in 1946 transferred to France but 6.12.1946 was lost as result of underwater accident off Toulon. U2331 was sunk 10.10.1944 at Hel Peninsula as result of accident, salvaged, towed off on repair to Kiel and scuttled there 3.5.1945 by crew. U2338 was sunk 4.5.1945 by Beaufighters of 236th and 254th RAF sqns in Little Belt. U2340 was lost 30.3.1945 during raid of US 8th Air Army bombers to Hamburg. U2342 was lost 26.12.1944 on British aviation mine N off Swinemünde. U2344 was sunk 18.2.1945 as result of collision with U2336 in Mecklenburg Bight. U2348 was transferred on reparations to United Kingdom as N21, BU in 1949.

U2353 was transferred on reparations to the USSR as M-31, BU in 1963. U2359 was sunk 2.5.1945 by Mosquitoes of 235th, 143rd and 248th RAF sqns SW off Göteborg. U2365 was scuttled by crew 8.5.1945 N off Anholt, salvaged in 1956 and entered service with Bundesmarine 15.8.1957 as Hai, she was lost 14.9.1966 as a result of technical accident. U2367 was scuttled by crew 9.5.1945 N off Swinemünde, salvaged in 1956 and commissioned by Bundesmarine as Hecht, BU in 1968.

U4706 was captured by British troops at Kristiansand in May, 1945 and in 1948 transferred to Norway as Knerten, BU in 1954.

Following submarines were scuttled by crews: U2327 and U2332 3.5.1945 at Hamburg; U2330, U4705, U4709, U4711 and U4712 3.5.1945 at Kiel; U2355 3.5.1945 in Kiel Bight; U2333, U2339, U2343, U2346, U2347, U2349, U2357, U2358, U2360, U2362, U2364, U2366, U2368, U2369, U4702, U4703, U4707 and U4710 5.5.1945 in Gelting Bay; U2352, U4701 and U4704 5.5.1945 at Hörup Haff.

U2321, U2322, U2324, U2325, U2328, U2329, U2334, U2335, U2336, U2337, U2341, U2345, U2350, U2351, U2354, U2356, U2361, U2363 surrendered and were scuttled by Allies during operation "Deadlight".

Hai was foundered in cause of technical accident in the North Sea 14.9.1966 with all hands lost, raised 24.9.1966 and broken up in 1968.

Hai 1957

 

© Ivan Gogin, 2008-16