German submarine U-2506

History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-2506
Ordered: 6 November 1943
Builder: Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
Yard number: 2506
Laid down: 29 May 1944
Launched: 5 August 1944
Commissioned: 31 August 1944
Fate: Surrendered 9 May 1945 at Bergen, Norway
General characteristics
Class & type: Type XXI submarine
Displacement:
  • 1,621 t (1,595 long tons) surfaced
  • 2,100 t (2,067 long tons) submerged
Length: 76.70 m (251 ft 8 in) (o/a)
Beam: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
Height: 11.30 m (37 ft 1 in)
Draught: 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in)
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 depth: 240 m (790 ft)
Complement: 5 officers, 52 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems:
Armament:
  • 6 × bow torpedo tubes
  • 23 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes (or 17 × torpedoes and 12 × mines)
  • 4 × 2 cm (0.8 in) AA guns
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
Operations: None
Victories: None

German submarine U-2506 was a Type XXI U-boat (one of the "Elektroboote") of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine, built for service in World War II. The submarine was laid down on 29 May 1944 at the Blohm & Voss yard at Hamburg, launched on 5 August 1944, and commissioned on 31 August 1944 under the command of Kptlt. Horst von Schroeter, who commanded her until 9 May 1945.[1] U-2506 conducted no patrols, and surrendered on 9 May 1945 in Bergen, Norway. She was then transferred to Lerwick on 18 June 1945, then Lisahally on 21 June 1945. She was sunk on 5 January 1946 at 55°37′N 07°30′W / 55.617°N 7.500°W / 55.617; -7.500Coordinates: 55°37′N 07°30′W / 55.617°N 7.500°W / 55.617; -7.500.[2]

Design

Like all Type XXI U-boats, U-2506 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-2506 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]

References

  1. 1 2 Helgason, Guðmundur. "Horst von Schroeter (Knight’s Cross)". German U-boats of World War II - Uboat.net. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XXI boat U-2506". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, p. 85.

Bibliography

  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German) IV (Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler). ISBN 3-8132-0514-2. 
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel (London: Conway Maritime Press). ISBN 0-85177-593-4. 

External links

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