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German submarineU-314

Coordinates:73°41′N24°30′E/ 73.683°N 24.500°E/73.683; 24.500
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History
Nazi Germany
NameU-314
Ordered25 August 1941
BuilderFlender Werke,Lübeck
Yard number314
Laid down9 June 1942
Launched17 April 1943
Commissioned10 June 1943
FateSunk on 30 January 1944 by British warships[1]
General characteristics
Class and typeType VIICsubmarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
  • 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range
  • 8,500nmi(15,700km;9,800mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth
  • 230 m (750 ft)
  • Crush depth:250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record[1][2]
Part of:
Identification codes: M 46 712
Commanders:
  • Kptlt.Georg-Wilhelm Basse
  • 10 June 1943 – 30 January 1944
Operations:
  • 2 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 22 December 1943 – 14 January 1944
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 25 – 30 January 1944
Victories: None

German submarineU-314was aType VIICU-boatofNazi Germany'sKriegsmarineduringWorld War II.The submarine waslaid downon 9 June 1942 at theFlender Werkeyard atLübeckas yard number 314,launchedon 17 April 1943 andcommissionedon 10 June under the command ofKapitänleutnantGeorg-Wilhelm Basse.

During her short career, the U-boat sailed on two combat patrols, but sank no ships before she was sunk on 30 January 1944. She was a member of fourwolfpacks.[1]

Design

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German Type VIIC submarineswere preceded by the shorterType VIIB submarines.U-314had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[3]She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), apressure hulllength of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), abeamof 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and adraughtof 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by twoGermaniawerftF46 four-stroke, six-cylindersuperchargeddiesel enginesproducing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, twoGarbe, Lahmeyer & Co.RP 137/cdouble-acting electric motorsproducing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft)propellers.The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).[3]When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).U-314was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes(four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteentorpedoes,one8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun,220 rounds, and two twin2 cm (0.79 in) C/30anti-aircraft guns.The boat had acomplementof between forty-four and sixty.[3]

Service history

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The boat's service life began with training with the8th U-boat Flotillafrom June 1943. She was then transferred to the11th flotillafor operations on 1 January 1944.

First patrol

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U-314's first patrol took her to theBarents Sea,then south ofBear Island.She departed fromTrondheimin Norway on 22 December 1943; the patrol finished atHammerfest,northeast ofNarvik,on 14 January 1944.

Second patrol and loss

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The boat left Hammerfest on 25 January 1944. She was sunk on the 30th bydepth chargesdropped by the British destroyersHMSWhitehallandMeteorsoutheast of Bear Island.[4]

Forty-nine men died; there were no survivors.

Wolfpacks

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U-314took part in fourwolfpacks,namely:

  • Eisenbart (24 December 1943 - 5 January 1944)
  • Isegrim (5 – 13 January 1944)
  • Isegrim (25 – 27 January 1944)
  • Werwolf (27 – 30 January 1944)

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcHelgason, Guðmundur."The Type VIIC boat U-314".German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net.Retrieved18 August2012.
  2. ^Helgason, Guðmundur."War Patrols by German U-boatU-314".German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net.Retrieved18 August2012.
  3. ^abcdGröner 1991,pp. 43–46.
  4. ^Hofmann, Markus."U 314".Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de(in German).Retrieved26 December2014.

Bibliography

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  • 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.ISBN1-55750-186-6.
  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999).Der U-Boot-Krieg, 1939-1945: Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945[German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945] (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler.ISBN3-8132-0514-2.
  • 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.ISBN0-85177-593-4.
  • Kemp, Paul (1999).U-Boats Destroyed - German Submarine Losses in the World Wars.London: Arms & Armour.ISBN1-85409-515-3.
[edit]
  • Helgason, Guðmundur."The Type VIIC boat U-314".German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net.Retrieved26 December2014.
  • Hofmann, Markus."U 314".Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de(in German).Retrieved26 December2014.

73°41′N24°30′E/ 73.683°N 24.500°E/73.683; 24.500