German submarine U-3012

German submarine U-3012 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 26 August 1944 at AG Weser, Bremen, as yard number 1171. She was launched on 18 October 1944, and commissioned under the command of Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Kloevekorn on 4 December 1944.[1]

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-3012
Ordered6 November 1943
BuilderAG Weser, Bremen
Yard number1171
Laid down26 August 1944
Launched18 October 1944
Commissioned4 December 1944
FateSunk in air attack, 3 May 1945
General characteristics
Class and typeType XXI submarine
Displacement
  • 1,621 t (1,595 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,819 t (1,790 long tons) submerged
Length
  • 76.70 m (251 ft 8 in) (o/a)
  • 60.50 m (198 ft 6 in) (p/h)
Beam
  • 8 m (26 ft 3 in) (o/a)
  • 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in) (p/h)
Height11.30 m (37 ft 1 in)
Draught6.32 m (20 ft 9 in)
Installed power
  • 4,000 PS (2,900 kW; 3,900 shp) (diesel drive)
  • 5,000 PS (3,700 kW; 4,900 shp) (standard electric drive)
  • 226 PS (166 kW; 223 shp) (silent electric drive)
Propulsion
Speed
  • Surfaced:
  • 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph) (diesel)
  • 17.9 knots (33.2 km/h; 20.6 mph) (electric)
  • Submerged:
  • 17.2 knots (31.9 km/h; 19.8 mph) (electric)
  • 6.1 knots (11.3 km/h; 7.0 mph) (silent running motors)
Range
  • 15,500 nmi (28,700 km; 17,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 340 nmi (630 km; 390 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) submerged
Test depth280 m (920 ft)
Complement57–60 crewmen
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Friedrich Kloevekorn[1]
  • 4 December 1944 – 24 April 1945
  • Kptlt. Hans Bungards[1]
  • 27 – 28 April 1945
  • Oblt.z.S. Alfred Meier[1]
  • 1 – 3 May 1945
Operations: None
Victories: None

Design

Like all Type XXI U-boats, U-3012 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 of 8 m (26 ft 3 in), and a draught of 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in).[2] 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).[2]

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).[2] U-3012 was fitted with six 53.3 cm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes in the bow and four 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. She could carry twenty-three torpedoes or seventeen torpedoes and twelve mines. The complement was five officers and fifty-two men.[2]

Service history and fate

U-3012 was commissioned on 4 December 1944 and was assigned to the 4th U-boat Flotilla at Stettin for working up and training.[1] She had not completed this and had carried out no war patrols before being forced to flee the advancing Red Army. U-3012 was caught on 3 May 1945 east of Fehmarn by aircraft of the 9th USAAF's XXIX TAC. and sunk by rocket fire.[3] [Note 1]

Notes
  1. U-boat.net states U-3012 was scuttled on 3 May 1945, at Travemünde, as part of Operation Regenbogen. The wreck was later raised and broken up.

References
  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-3012". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  2. Gröner 1991, p. 85.
  3. Niestle p.164

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.
  • 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]. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  • 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.
  • Axel Niestle (1998) German U-Boat Losses during World War II. Greenhill Books ISBN 1 85367 352 8
  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-3012". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
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