German submarine U-2337

Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). A sister ship of U-2337 (This picture of Hecht does not reflect its wartime configuration as it was rebuilt Postwar).
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-2337
Ordered20 September 1943
BuilderDeutsche Werft, Hamburg
Yard number491
Laid down2 August 1944
Launched15 September 1944
Commissioned4 October 1944
Fate
General characteristics
Class and typeType XXIII submarine
Displacement
  • 234 t (230 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 258 t (254 long tons) (submerged)
Length
  • 34.68 m (113 ft 9 in) (o/a)
  • 26.00 m (85 ft 4 in) (p/h)
Beam
  • 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a)
  • 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in) (p/h)
Draught3.66 m (12 ft)
Installed power
  • 575–630 PS (423–463 kW; 567–621 shp) (diesel drive)
  • 580 PS (430 kW; 570 shp) (standard electric drive)
  • 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp) (silent electric drive)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 9.7 knots (18 km/h; 11 mph) (surfaced)
  • 12.5 knots (23 km/h; 14 mph) (submerged)
Range
  • 2,600 nautical miles (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 44 676
Commanders:
Operations: None
Victories: None

German submarine U-2337 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 20 September 1943, and was laid down on 2 August 1944 at Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, as yard number 491. She was launched on 15 September 1944 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Günter Behnisch on 4 October 1944.[2][3]

Design

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-2337 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).[4]

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-2337 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.[4] This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.[2]

Service history

On 9 May 1945, U-2337 surrendered at Kristiansand, Norway. She was later transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland on 29 May 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-2337 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-2337 was towed out to be sank on 28 November 1945, by gunfire from the British destroyer HMS Onslow and the Polish destroyer ORP Piorun.[2]

The wreck now lies at 56°10′N 10°05′W / 56.167°N 10.083°W / 56.167; -10.083.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Günter Behnisch". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2337". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  3. ^ Busch & Röll 1999, p. 29.
  4. ^ a b Gröner 1991, p. 89.

Bibliography

  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2337". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.