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	Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-2343
History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-2343
Ordered	20 September 1943
Builder	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg
Yard number	497
Laid down	31 August 1944
Launched	18 October 1944
Commissioned	6 November 1944
Fate	Scuttled on 5 May 1945
General characteristics
Class and type	Type 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);
Draught	3.66 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	1 × MWM RS134S 6-cylinder diesel engine; 1 × AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor; 1 × BBC CCR188 electric creeping motor;
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 depth	180 m (590 ft)
Complement	14–18
Armament	2 × bow torpedo tubes; 2 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes;
Service record
Part of:	32nd U-boat Flotilla; 6 November 1944 – 15 February 1945; 4th U-boat Flotilla; 16 February – 5 May 1945;
Identification codes:	M 45 907
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. Harald Fuhlendorf; 6 November 1944 – 30 April 1945; Kptlt. Hans-Ludwig Gaude; 1 – 5 May 1945;
Operations:	None
Victories:	None

German submarine U-2343 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 31 August 1944 at Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg, as yard number 497. She was launched on 18 October 1944 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Harald Fuhlendorf on 6 November 1944.^[3]

Design

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-2343 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-2343 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.^[3]

Service history

On 5 May 1945, U-2343 was scuttled in Gelting Bay near Gelting as part of Operation Regenbogen. The wreck was later raised and broken up.^[3]

References

^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Harald Fuhlendorf". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans-Ludwig Gaude". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2343". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
^ ^a ^b Gröner 1991, p. 89.

Bibliography

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.
Williamson, Gordon (2005). Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-boat in World War II. Osprey. ISBN 1841768723.