U-995 Type VIIC/41 at theLaboe Naval Memorial. This U-boat is almost identical toU-1279. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | U-1279 |
| Ordered | 13 June 1942 |
| Builder | Bremer Vulkan AG,Bremen |
| Yard number | 74 |
| Laid down | 26 August 1943 |
| Commissioned | 5 July 1944 |
| Fate | Sunk on 27 February 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Type VIIC/41submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 44-52 officers & ratings |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 30 807 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: |
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| Victories: | None |
German submarineU-1279 was aType VIIC/41U-boat ofNazi Germany'sKriegsmarine duringWorld War II.
She was ordered on 13 June 1942, and waslaid down on 26 August 1943, atBremer Vulkan AG,Bremen, as yard number 74. She wascommissioned under the command ofOberleutnant zur See Hans Falke on 5 July 1944.[2]
German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavierType VIIC submarines.U-1279 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged. She had atotal length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), apressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), an overallbeam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and adraught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by twoGermaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylindersuperchargeddiesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, twoAEG GU 460/8–276double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft)propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).U-1279 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteentorpedoes, one8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had acomplement of between forty-four and fifty-two.[3]
U-1279 left on her first and only war patrol on 29 January 1945. At this time she was, and probably had been prior to, fitted with aSchnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus. Thirty days into her patrol she was spotted and attacked by theBritishfrigatesHMS Labuan,HMS Loch Fada, the BritishsloopHMS Wild Goose and aUSLiberator aircraft fromVPB-112 in theEnglish Channel east of theScilly Isles. She was sunk on 27 February 1945 by depth charges, killing all 48 of her crew.[2]
The wreck now lies at49°46′N05°47′W / 49.767°N 5.783°W /49.767; -5.783.[2]