German submarine U-152 (1940)

German submarine U-152 was a Type IID U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 6 July 1940 by Deutsche Werke in Kiel as yard number 281. She was launched on 14 December 1940 and commissioned on 29 January 1941 with Kapitänleutnant Peter-Erich Cremer in command.

For other ships with the same name, see German submarine U-152.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-152
Ordered25 September 1939
BuilderDeutsche Werke, Kiel
Yard number281
Laid down6 July 1940
Launched14 December 1940
Commissioned29 January 1941
FateScuttled on 5 May 1945 at Wilhelmshaven
General characteristics
Class and typeType IID coastal submarine
Displacement
  • 314 t (309 long tons) surfaced
  • 364 t (358 long tons) submerged
Length
Beam
  • 4.92 m (16 ft 2 in) o/a
  • 4.00 m (13 ft 1 in) pressure hull
Height8.40 m (27 ft 7 in)
Draught3.93 m (12 ft 11 in)
Installed power
  • 700 PS (510 kW; 690 bhp) (diesels)
  • 410 PS (300 kW; 400 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 12.7 knots (23.5 km/h; 14.6 mph) surfaced
  • 7.4 knots (13.7 km/h; 8.5 mph) submerged
Range
  • 3,450 nmi (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced
  • 56 nmi (104 km; 64 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth80 m (260 ft)
Complement3 officers, 22 men
Armament
Service record[1]
Part of:
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Peter-Erich Cremer
  • 29 January – 21 July 1941
  • Oblt.z.S. Werner Bender
  • 22 July – 30 September 1941
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans Hildebrandt
  • 1 October 1941 – 31 July 1942
  • Lt.z.S. Hans-Ferdinand Geisler
  • 1 August – 20 September 1942
  • Oblt.z.S. Victor-Whilhelm Nonn
  • 21 September 1942 – 24 July 1943
  • Oblt.z.S. Wilhelm Bergemann
  • 25 July 1943 – 15 October 1944
  • Oblt.z.S. Gernot Thiel
  • 16 October 1944 – 5 May 1945
Operations: None
Victories: None

U-152 began her service life with the 24th U-boat Flotilla. She was then assigned to the 22nd flotilla and subsequently to the 31st flotilla. She spent the war as a training vessel.

She was scuttled on 5 May 1945.

Design

German Type IID submarines were enlarged versions of the original Type IIs. U-152 had a displacement of 314 tonnes (309 long tons) when at the surface and 364 tonnes (358 long tons) while submerged. Officially, the standard tonnage was 250 long tons (250 t), however.[2] The U-boat had a total length of 43.97 m (144 ft 3 in), a pressure hull length of 29.80 m (97 ft 9 in), a beam of 4.92 m (16 ft 2 in), a height of 8.40 m (27 ft 7 in), and a draught of 3.93 m (12 ft 11 in). The submarine was powered by two MWM RS 127 S four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines of 700 metric horsepower (510 kW; 690 shp) for cruising, two Siemens-Schuckert PG VV 322/36 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 410 metric horsepower (300 kW; 400 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 0.85 m (3 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 80–150 metres (260–490 ft).[2]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 12.7 knots (23.5 km/h; 14.6 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.4 knots (13.7 km/h; 8.5 mph).[2] When submerged, the boat could operate for 35–42 nautical miles (65–78 km; 40–48 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 3,800 nautical miles (7,000 km; 4,400 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-152 was fitted with three 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes at the bow, five torpedoes or up to twelve Type A torpedo mines, and a 2 cm (0.79 in) anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of 25.[2]

Fate

The boat surrendered at the German island of Heligoland and was scuttled in the Raederschleuse (lock) at Wilhelmshaven on 5 May 1945. The wreck was broken up on an unknown date.

References
  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type IID boat U-152". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  2. Gröner 1991, pp. 39–40.

Bibliography
  • 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. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
  • 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.
  • 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. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type IID boat U-152". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  • Hofmann, Markus. "U 152". Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de (in German). Retrieved 30 January 2015.
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