Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-2343
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-2343
Ordered20 September 1943
BuilderDeutsche Werft AG, Hamburg
Yard number497
Laid down31 August 1944
Launched18 October 1944
Commissioned6 November 1944
FateScuttled on 5 May 1945
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 45 907
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Harald Fuhlendorf[1]
  • 6 November 1944 – 30 April 1945
  • Kptlt. Hans-Ludwig Gaude[2]
  • 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]

See also

References

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

Bibliography

External links

Type XXIII submarines
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in May 1945
Categories