U-1 file photo [33076]

U-1

CountryGermany
Ship ClassType II-class Submarine
BuilderDeutsche Werke Kiel
Yard Number236
Slip/Drydock Number117a r
Ordered8 Feb 1935
Laid Down11 Feb 1935
Launched15 Jun 1935
Commissioned29 Jun 1935
Sunk6 Apr 1940
Displacement254 tons standard; 303 tons submerged
Length134 feet
Beam13 feet
Draft13 feet
MachineryTwo MWM RS 127 S 6cyl diesel engines (690shp), two double-acting Siemens-Schuckert PG VV 322/36 electric motors (360shp), two shafts, two propellers
Speed13 knots
Range1,050nm at 12 knots surfaced, 35nm at 4 knots submerged
Crew25
Armament3x53.3cm bow torpedo tubes, 5 torpedoes or 12 TMA mines, 1x2cm C/30 anti-aircraft gun
Submerged Speed6.9 knots

Contributor:

ww2dbaseType IIA coastal submarine U-1 was Nazi Germany's first commissioned submarine, a craft built against the mandates of the Treaty of Versailles which banned Germany from having military submarines. She was built in Kiel, Germany, and her crew was trained by a German-owned firm located in the Netherlands. Though already rather unsuitable for war by the outbreak of the European War, she nevertheless embarked on her first war patrol in Mar 1940, patrolling against British shipping near the Norwegian coast. In Apr 1940, she set out for her second war patrol in a similar capacity. While in the North Sea, she struck a mine in British minefield Field No. 7 in the North Sea, breaking off her aft section. All hands were lost in the resulting sinking. Her wreck was found in Jun 2007.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Jul 2024

Submarine U-1 Interactive Map

Photographs

U-1 running trials, Kiel, Germany, Jun 1935

U-1 Operational Timeline

8 Feb 1935 The order for the construction of U-1 was issued.
11 Feb 1935 The keel of U-1 was laid down at the Deutsche Werke shipyard in Kiel, Germany.
15 Jun 1935 U-1 was launched at the Deutsche Werke shipyard in Kiel, Germany.
29 Jun 1935 U-1 was commissioned into service under the command of Klaus Ewerth.
1 Jul 1935 U-1 was assigned to the German Navy Submarine School Flotilla.
1 Oct 1936 Alexander Gelhaar was named the commanding officer of U-1, relieving Klaus Ewerth.
2 Feb 1938 Alexander Gelhaar stepped down as the commanding officer of U-1.
29 Oct 1938 Jürgen Deecke was named the commanding officer of U-1.
1 Feb 1940 U-1 was transferred out of the German Navy Submarine School Flotilla.
1 Mar 1940 U-1 was assigned to the German Navy Submarine School Flotilla.
15 Mar 1940 U-1 began her first war patrol.
29 Mar 1940 U-1 completed her first war patrol.
4 Apr 1940 U-1 began her second and final war patrol.
6 Apr 1940 U-1 struck a British naval mine and sank in the North Sea.
21 Apr 1940 U-1 was listed as missing.




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U-1 running trials, Kiel, Germany, Jun 1935


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