.jpg) Postwar photo ofHecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarineU-2367). An identical sister ship ofU-2342. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-2342 |
| Ordered | 20 September 1943 |
| Builder | Deutsche Werft,Hamburg |
| Yard number | 496 |
| Laid down | 29 August 1944 |
| Launched | 13 October 1944 |
| Commissioned | 1 November 1944 |
| Fate | Sunk by mine on 26 December 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Type XXIIIsubmarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 34.68 m (113 ft 9 in) |
| Beam | 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) |
| Draft | 3.66 m (12 ft) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range |
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| Test depth | 180 m (590 ft) |
| Complement | 14–18 |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 45 175 |
| Commanders: |
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| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
German submarineU-2342 was a short-livedType XXIIIU-boat ofNazi Germany'sKriegsmarine during theSecond World War. She was built atHamburg during 1944 as a modern Type XXIII "Elektroboote", a small coastal class designed to strike ships along the coastlines of Britain and liberated Europe, particularly theEnglish Channel, although none ever served there.U-2342 was placed under the command ofOberleutnant zur See der Reserve Berthold Schad von Mittelbiberach, a former senior non-commissioned officer, who received a field promotion in 1943.[1] She was his first submarine experience.
Like allType XXIIIU-boats,U-2342 had a displacement of 234 tonnes (230 long tons) when at the surface and 258 tonnes (254 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 34.68 m (113 ft 9 in) (o/a), a beam width of 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a), and a draught depth of3.66 m (12 ft). The submarine was powered by oneMWM six-cylinder RS134S diesel engine providing 575–630metric horsepower (423–463kilowatts; 567–621shaft horsepower), oneAEG GU4463-8double-acting electric motor electric motor providing 580 PS (430 kW; 570 shp), and oneBBCsilent running CCR188 electric motor providing 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp).[2]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) and a submerged speed of 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) for 194 nautical miles (359 km; 223 mi); when surfaced, she could travel 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph).U-2342 was fitted with two 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes in the bow. She could carry two preloadedtorpedoes. Thecomplement was 14–18 men.[2] This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.
The fate ofU-2342 was not unusual, as the seas around the German coastline were subject to very heavy allied air attack during the final two years of the war, with theRoyal Air Force seeking to restrict German movement by sowing thousands of air-droppednaval mines. This tactic delayed the production and training of new boats and disrupted coastal shipping. It also wrecked a number of new boats, includingU-2342, before they had a chance to enter theBattle of the Atlantic.
U-2342 was travelling in a convoy of ten boats taking essential supplies and personnel to Norway onBoxing Day 1944. The operation was highly secret, and submarines were used to disguise it from any prying reconnaissance aircraft. Whilst just north ofSwinemünde,U-2342 activated an air-dropped mine and fell out of the convoy, slowly sinking as the other boats carried on their passage northwards. Rescue vessels found some of the crew, but seven sailors, including the boat's captain were not found, lost in the explosion.
Demolition experts blew up the wreck in 1954 to clear the seaway, and parts were taken to shore, where they werebroken up for scrap.
54°01′N14°20′E / 54.017°N 14.333°E /54.017; 14.333
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in December 1944 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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