What does the U stand for in German submarines?

What does the U stand for in German submarines?

Unterseeboot
U-boat, German U-boot, abbreviation of Unterseeboot, (“undersea boat”), a German submarine. The destruction of enemy shipping by German U-boats was a spectacular feature of both World Wars I and II.

Why did the Germans call their subs U-boats?

U-boat is an abbreviation of the German word ”Unterseeboot” (meaning ”submarine” or ”under the sea boat”). The German navy launched large-scale submarine offensives in both World Wars. The letter ”U” inU-boats is from the German ”unter”, meaning ”under”.

Did U boats pick up survivors?

They jumped into the shark-infested waters and swam for the remaining lifeboats as U-156 headed away from the danger zone. Fortunately, just hours later the Vichy French ships arrived and picked up most of the survivors and took them to Dakar, West Africa, from where they were sent to internment camps.

What happened to U-boats after WW2?

Of the 156 U-boats that surrendered to the allies at the end of the war, 116 were scuttled as part of Operation Deadlight. The Royal Navy carried out the operation, and planned to tow the submarines to three areas about 100 miles (160 km) north-west of Ireland and sink them.

When was the German submarine U-1200 built?

U-1200 keel was laid down 17 April 1943, by F. Schichau, of Danzig. She was commissioned 5 January 1944 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hinrich Mangels. She was assigned to 8th U-boat Flotilla for training, before joining 11th U-boat Flotilla in Norway for operational service.

What was the name of the German submarine?

German submarine U-1210 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 2 April 1943, and was laid down on 14 July 1943 at F Schichau GmbH, Danzig, as yard number 1580. She was launched on 9 February 1944 and commissioned under the command of Kapitänleutnant Paul Gabert on 22 April 1944.

When did the German submarine U-1202 surrender?

U-1202 surrendered on 9 May 1945 in Norway and, after being repaired, became Norwegian submarine HNoMS Kinn. She was not transferred to UK at the end of the war, as part of Operation Deadlight, since she was considered unseaworthy. She served in the Royal Norwegian Navy until 1961; eventually being broken up in 1963.

How many you boats did Germany have in World War 1?

There were some 380 U-boats commissioned into the Kaiserliche Marine in the years before and during World War I. Although the first four German U-boats— U-1, U-2, U-3, and U-4 —were commissioned before 1910, all four served in a training capacity during the war. German U-boats used during World War I were divided into three series.