German World War II submarine
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|
| History |
|---|
 Nazi Germany |
|---|
| Name | U-225 |
| Ordered | 15 August 1940 |
| Builder | Germaniawerft, Kiel |
| Cost | 4,439,000 Reichsmark |
| Yard number | 655 |
| Laid down | 3 September 1941 |
| Launched | 28 May 1942 |
| Commissioned | 11 July 1942 |
| Fate | Sunk 22 February 1943 |
| General characteristics |
|---|
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement |
- 769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced
- 871 t (857 long tons) submerged
|
| Length | |
| Beam |
- 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
- 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 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 |
- 8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) 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
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| Test depth | |
| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament | |
| Service record[1][2] |
| Part of: |
|
| Identification codes: |
M 10 643 |
| Commanders: |
- Oblt.z.S. Wolfgang Leimkühler
- 11 July 1942 – 22 February 1943
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| Operations: |
- 2 patrols:
- 1st patrol:
- 5 December 1942 – 8 January 1943
- 2nd patrol:
- 2 – 22 February 1943
|
| Victories: |
- 1 merchant ship sunk
(5,273 GRT)
- 4 merchant ships damaged
(24,672 GRT)
|
German submarine U-225 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
Ordered on 15 August 1940 from the Germaniawerft shipyard in Kiel, she was laid down on 3 September 1941 as yard number 655, launched on 28 May 1942 and commissioned on 11 July.
Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-225 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing 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, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-acting electric motors producing 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).
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). 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-225 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and an anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
Service history
First patrol
She departed from Kiel on her first patrol on 5 December 1942. It was during this patrol that she successfully attacked five vessels in convoy ONS 154. She returned to Brest on 8 January 1943.
Final Patrol
Less than one month later, she departed from Brest on her second and final patrol on 2 February 1943. After just 21 days, she was sunk.
Fate
U-225 was attacked and sunk with depth charges by HMS Dianthus with the loss of all 46 crew on 22 February 1943 at position 48°37′N 30°35′W / 48.617°N 30.583°W / 48.617; -30.583.
