German submarine U-2344

Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-2344.
History
Nazi Germany
Name:	U-2344
Ordered:	20 September 1943
Builder:	Deutsche Werft, Hamburg
Yard number:	498
Laid down:	4 September 1944
Launched:	24 October 1944
Commissioned:	10 November 1944
Fate:	Sank accidentally, 18 February 1945
General characteristics (XXIII)[1]
Type:	Type XXIII
Displacement:	234 t (230 long tons) surfaced 258 t (254 long tons) submerged
Length:	34.7 m (113 ft 10 in)
Beam:	3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Draught:	3.67 m (12 ft 0 in)
Propulsion:	1 × MWM RS134S 6-cylinder diesel engine, 575 hp 1 × AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor, 572 hp 1 × BBC CCR188 electric creeping motor, 35 hp
Speed:	9.7 knots (18 km/h; 11 mph) surfaced 12.5 knots (23 km/h; 14 mph) submerged
Range:	2,600 nautical miles (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 depth:	180 m (590 ft)
Complement:	14–18
Armament:	2 bow torpedo tubes 2 torpedoes
Service record[2]
Part of:	32nd U-boat Flotilla 10 November 1944 - 18 February 1945 - Training
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. Hermann Ellerlage 10 November 1944 - 18 February 1945
Operations:	None
Victories:	None

German submarine U-2344 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

Construction

U-2344 was ordered on 20 September 1943, and was laid down on 4 September 1944 at Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, as yard number 498. She was launched on 24 October 1944 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hermann Ellerlage on 10 November of that year.^[1]

Due to the small size of this class, U-2344 was equipped with only two bow torpedo tubes and was manned by a crew of 14–18 men. She had a range of 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) on the surface and 194 nmi (359 km; 223 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) while submerged. U-2344's maximum speed was 9.7 knots (18 km/h; 11 mph) while surfaced and 12.5 knots (23 km/h; 14 mph) when she was submerged.^[1] This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.

History

Like many other late war U-boats she arrived too late to turn the tide in favor of the Axis powers, despite her advanced design. U-2344 never undertook an operational patrol, and was lost on 18 February 1945 after a collision with one of her sister ships, U-2336. She sank quickly in position 54°16′00″N 11°48′30″E / 54.26667°N 11.80833°ECoordinates: 54°16′00″N 11°48′30″E / 54.26667°N 11.80833°E, taking 11 of the 14 crew members aboard to the bottom with her. The wreck was subsequently raised for study in 1956, although she was not restored. Ultimately, the hull was broken up at Rostock in 1958.

See also

• Battle of the Atlantic

References

1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Type XXIII". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XXIII boat U-2344". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 16 October 2014.

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.
• 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.
• Williamson, Gordon (2005). Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-boat in World War II. Osprey. ISBN 1841768723.

External links

• Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XXIII boat U-2344". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 16 October 2014.