German World War II submarine
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|
| History |
|---|
 Nazi Germany |
|---|
| Name | U-317 |
| Ordered | 14 October 1941 |
| Builder | Flender Werke, Lübeck |
| Yard number | 317 |
| Laid down | 12 September 1942 |
| Launched | 1 September 1943 |
| Commissioned | 23 October 1943 |
| Fate | Sunk on 26 June 1944 |
| General characteristics |
|---|
| Class and type | Type VIIC/41 submarine |
| Displacement |
- 759 tonnes (747 long tons) surfaced
- 860 t (846 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[2][3] |
| Part of: |
|
| Identification codes: |
M 53 454 |
| Commanders: |
- Oblt.z.S. Peter Rahlf
- 23 October 1943 – 26 June 1944
|
| Operations: |
- 2 patrols:
- 1st patrol:
- 31 May – 2 June 1944
- 2nd patrol:
- 21 – 26 June 1944
|
| Victories: |
None |
German submarine U-317 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
The submarine was laid down on 12 September 1942 at the Flender Werke at Lübeck, launched on 1 September 1943, and commissioned on 23 October 1943 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Peter Rahlf.
Design
German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-317 had a displacement of 759 tonnes (747 long tons) when at the surface and 860 tonnes (850 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 Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c 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-317 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), one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
Service history
U-317 served with the 4th U-boat Flotilla for training, and later with the 9th U-boat Flotilla in front-line service from 1 to 26 June 1944.[2]
U-317's first patrol took her from Kiel in Germany to Egersund in Norway, between 31 May and 2 June 1944. She then sailed from Egersund on 21 June for her second and final patrol.[3]
U-317 was sunk with all hands on 26 June 1944, northeast of the Shetland islands, in position 62°3′N 1°45′E / 62.050°N 1.750°E / 62.050; 1.750, by depth charges dropped by a Liberator anti-submarine bomber of No. 86 Squadron RAF.[2]
