Molch (German language: "newt" or "salamander") was an unsuccessful series of one-man midget submarines created during World War II. Built in 1944, it was the first mini-submarine of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine, but was not successful in combat operations and suffered heavy losses.
The Molch was based on torpedo technology, and carried two G7e torpedoes attached externally on either side of the craft. It was fully electrical and was created for coastal operations, with a range of 64 km (35 nmi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph). The front section of the boat held a large battery. Behind the battery was the operator's position, which sat between two small trimming tanks. Behind the operator sat the electric motor. The complicated system of tanks made it difficult to control during combat operations.
The first of 393 boats were delivered on June 12, 1944, and were built by AG Weser in Bremen.
Operational historyedit
Side view of the Molch
The Molch were first used in the Mediterranean against the Allied "Operation Dragoon" in 1944. The submarines were a part of the K-Verband 411 flotilla. On the night of September 25 they attacked Allied battleships,[clarification needed] with the loss of ten out of the twelve Molch submarines in the flotilla. Shortly after, the remaining two were sunk by Allied warship bombardment off the Sanremo coast.
Other Molch flotillas were sent to the Netherlands in December 1944, but were also unsuccessful. From January to April 1945, Molch and Biber submarines went out on 102 sorties, losing seventy of their own and sank only seven small ships. Due to the ineffectiveness of the Molch in combat operations, it was later used as a training vessel for more advanced midget submarines.
Survivorsedit
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (October 2023)
Notesedit
Referencesedit
Helgason, Guðmundur. "Molch (Salamander)". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 16 July 2006.
molch, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, august, 2021, learn, when, remove, th. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations August 2021 Learn how and when to remove this message Molch German language newt or salamander was an unsuccessful series of one man midget submarines created during World War II Built in 1944 it was the first mini submarine of Nazi Germany s Kriegsmarine but was not successful in combat operations and suffered heavy losses Molch M391Class overview NameMolch BuildersAG Weser Bremen Operators Kriegsmarine Succeeded byBiber Built1944 Completed393 General characteristics Class and typeMidget submarine PropulsionElectric motor Range64 km 40 mi at 5 knots 9 3 km h 5 8 mph Crew1 ArmamentTwo G7e torpedoes Contents 1 Description 2 Operational history 3 Survivors 4 Notes 5 References 6 Further readingDescription editThe Molch was based on torpedo technology and carried two G7e torpedoes attached externally on either side of the craft It was fully electrical and was created for coastal operations with a range of 64 km 35 nmi at 5 knots 9 3 km h 5 8 mph The front section of the boat held a large battery Behind the battery was the operator s position which sat between two small trimming tanks Behind the operator sat the electric motor The complicated system of tanks made it difficult to control during combat operations The first of 393 boats were delivered on June 12 1944 and were built by AG Weser in Bremen Operational history edit nbsp Side view of the Molch The Molch were first used in the Mediterranean against the Allied Operation Dragoon in 1944 The submarines were a part of the K Verband 411 flotilla On the night of September 25 they attacked Allied battleships clarification needed with the loss of ten out of the twelve Molch submarines in the flotilla Shortly after the remaining two were sunk by Allied warship bombardment off the Sanremo coast Other Molch flotillas were sent to the Netherlands in December 1944 but were also unsuccessful From January to April 1945 Molch and Biber submarines went out on 102 sorties losing seventy of their own and sank only seven small ships Due to the ineffectiveness of the Molch in combat operations it was later used as a training vessel for more advanced midget submarines Survivors editThis section is empty You can help by adding to it October 2023 Notes editReferences editHelgason Gudmundur Molch Salamander German U boats of WWII uboat net Retrieved 16 July 2006 Prenatt Jamie amp Stille Mark 2014 Axis Midget Submarines 1939 45 Oxford UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 4728 0122 7 Further reading editTarrant V E 1994 The Last Year of the Kriegsmarine Arms and Armour Press ISBN 1 85409 176 X Molch at Wikipedia s sister projects nbsp Media from Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Molch amp oldid 1222512190, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
