German submarine U-2342 was a short-lived Type XXIIIU-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during the Second World War. She was built at Hamburg during 1944 as a modern Type XXIII "Elektroboote", a small coastal class designed to strike ships along the coastlines of Britain and liberated Europe, particularly the English Channel, although none ever served there. U-2342 was placed under the command of Oberleutnant zur See der Reserve Berthold Schad von Mittelbiberach, a former senior non-commissioned officer, who received a field promotion in 1943.[1] She was his first submarine experience.
Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-2342.
Like all Type XXIIIU-boats, U-2342 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 BBCsilent running CCR188 electric motor providing 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp).[2]
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-2342 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.[2] This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.
Service historyedit
The fate of U-2342 was not unusual, as the seas around the German coastline were subject to very heavy allied air attack during the final two years of the war, with the Royal Air Force seeking to restrict German movement by sowing thousands of air-dropped naval mines. This tactic delayed the production and training of new boats and disrupted coastal shipping. It also wrecked a number of new boats, including U-2342, before they had a chance to enter the Battle of the Atlantic.
U-2342 was travelling in a convoy of ten boats taking essential supplies and personnel to Norway on Boxing Day 1944. The operation was highly secret, and submarines were used to disguise it from any prying reconnaissance aircraft. Whilst just north of Swinemünde, U-2342 activated an air-dropped mine and fell out of the convoy, slowly sinking as the other boats carried on their passage northwards. Rescue vessels found some of the crew, but seven sailors, including the boat's captain were not found, lost in the explosion.
Demolition experts blew up the wreck in 1954 to clear the seaway, and parts were taken to shore, where they were broken up for scrap.
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). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (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.
Sharpe, Peter (1998). U-Boat Fact File. Great Britain: Midland Publishing. ISBN1-85780-072-9.
External linksedit
Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XXIII boat U-2342". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
Hoffmann, Markus. "U 2342". Deutsche U-Boote 1935 - 1945 - www.ubootarchiv.de. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
german, submarine, 2342, short, lived, type, xxiii, boat, nazi, germany, kriegsmarine, during, second, world, built, hamburg, during, 1944, modern, type, xxiii, elektroboote, small, coastal, class, designed, strike, ships, along, coastlines, britain, liberated. German submarine U 2342 was a short lived Type XXIII U boat of Nazi Germany s Kriegsmarine during the Second World War She was built at Hamburg during 1944 as a modern Type XXIII Elektroboote a small coastal class designed to strike ships along the coastlines of Britain and liberated Europe particularly the English Channel although none ever served there U 2342 was placed under the command of Oberleutnant zur See der Reserve Berthold Schad von Mittelbiberach a former senior non commissioned officer who received a field promotion in 1943 1 She was his first submarine experience Postwar photo of Hecht S 171 former Type XXIII submarine U 2367 An identical sister ship of U 2342 History Nazi Germany NameU 2342 Ordered20 September 1943 BuilderDeutsche Werft Hamburg Yard number496 Laid down29 August 1944 Launched13 October 1944 Commissioned1 November 1944 FateSunk by mine on 26 December 1944 General characteristics Class and typeType XXIII submarine Displacement234 t 230 long tons surfaced 258 t 254 long tons submerged Length34 68 m 113 ft 9 in Beam3 02 m 9 ft 11 in Draft3 66 m 12 ft Propulsion1 MWM RS134S 6 cylinder diesel engine 575 630 metric horsepower 423 463 kW 567 621 shp 1 AEG GU4463 8 double acting electric motor 580 metric horsepower 427 kW 572 shp 1 BBC CCR188 electric creeping motor 35 metric horsepower 26 kW 35 shp Speed9 7 knots 18 km h 11 mph surfaced 12 5 knots 23 km h 14 mph submerged Range2 600 nmi 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 Armament2 bow torpedo tubes 2 torpedoes Service record Part of 32nd U boat Flotilla 1 November 26 December 1944Identification codes M 45 175Commanders Oblt z S d R Berthold Schad von Mittelbiberach 1 November 26 December 1944Operations NoneVictories None Contents 1 Design 2 Service history 3 References 4 Bibliography 5 External linksDesign editLike all Type XXIII U boats U 2342 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 2 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 2342 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 2 This class of U boat did not carry a deck gun Service history editThe fate of U 2342 was not unusual as the seas around the German coastline were subject to very heavy allied air attack during the final two years of the war with the Royal Air Force seeking to restrict German movement by sowing thousands of air dropped naval mines This tactic delayed the production and training of new boats and disrupted coastal shipping It also wrecked a number of new boats including U 2342 before they had a chance to enter the Battle of the Atlantic U 2342 was travelling in a convoy of ten boats taking essential supplies and personnel to Norway on Boxing Day 1944 The operation was highly secret and submarines were used to disguise it from any prying reconnaissance aircraft Whilst just north of Swinemunde U 2342 activated an air dropped mine and fell out of the convoy slowly sinking as the other boats carried on their passage northwards Rescue vessels found some of the crew but seven sailors including the boat s captain were not found lost in the explosion Demolition experts blew up the wreck in 1954 to clear the seaway and parts were taken to shore where they were broken up for scrap References edit Busch amp Roll 1999 p 220 a b Groner 1991 p 89 Bibliography editBusch Rainer Roll 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 Busch Rainer Roll Hans Joachim 1999 Deutsche U Boot Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 German U boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945 Der U Boot Krieg in German Vol IV Hamburg Berlin Bonn Mittler ISBN 3 8132 0514 2 Groner 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 ISBN 0 85177 593 4 Sharpe Peter 1998 U Boat Fact File Great Britain Midland Publishing ISBN 1 85780 072 9 External links editHelgason Gudmundur The Type XXIII boat U 2342 German U boats of WWII uboat net Retrieved 6 December 2014 Hoffmann Markus U 2342 Deutsche U Boote 1935 1945 www ubootarchiv de Retrieved 18 January 2015 54 01 N 14 20 E 54 017 N 14 333 E 54 017 14 333 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title German submarine U 2342 amp oldid 1220025420, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
