German submarine U-2538
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-2538 |
| Ordered | 6 November 1943 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 2538 |
| Laid down | 24 October 1944 |
| Launched | 6 January 1945 |
| Commissioned | 16 February 1945 |
| Fate | Scuttled on 8 May 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type XXI submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | |
| Beam |
|
| Height | 11.30 m (37 ft 1 in) |
| Draught | 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 280 m (920 ft) |
| Complement | 57—60 crewmen |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | No patrols |
| Victories: | None |
German submarine U-2538 was a Type XXI U-boat (one of the "Elektroboote") of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine, built for service in World War II. She was ordered on 6 November 1943, and was laid down on 24 October 1944 at the Blohm & Voss yard at Hamburg, as yard number 2538. She was launched on 6 January 1945, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Heinrich Klapdor, on 16 February 1945.[2]
Design
Like all Type XXI U-boats, U-2538 had a displacement of 1,621 tonnes (1,595 long tons) when at the surface and 1,819 tonnes (1,790 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 76.70 m (251 ft 8 in) (o/a), a beam length of 8 m (26 ft 3 in), and a draught length of 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in).[3] The submarine was powered by two MAN SE supercharged six-cylinder M6V40/46KBB diesel engines each providing 4,000 metric horsepower (2,900 kilowatts; 3,900 shaft horsepower), two Siemens-Schuckert GU365/30 double-acting electric motors each providing 5,000 PS (3,700 kW; 4,900 shp), and two Siemens-Schuckert silent running GV232/28 electric motors each providing 226 PS (166 kW; 223 shp).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph) and a submerged speed of 17.2 knots (31.9 km/h; 19.8 mph). When running on silent motors the boat could operate at a speed of 6.1 knots (11.3 km/h; 7.0 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) for 340 nautical miles (630 km; 390 mi); when surfaced, she could travel 15,500 nautical miles (28,700 km; 17,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).[3] U-2538 was fitted with six 53.3 cm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes in the bow and four 2 cm (0.8 in) anti-aircraft guns. She could carry twenty-three torpedoes or seventeen torpedoes and twelve mines. The complement was five officers and fifty-two men.[3]
Fate
U-2538 was scuttled on 8 May 1945, at 0445 hrs, southwest of Ærø, near Marstal, as part of Operation Regenbogen. The wreck was later raised and broken up in 1950.[2]
Original location of wreck was 54°53′5″N 10°15′7″E / 54.88472°N 10.25194°E[2]
References
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.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). 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. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|last-author-amp=(help)
External links
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2538". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
