| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | U-1203 |
| Ordered | 14 October 1941 |
| Builder | Schichau-Werke,Danzig |
| Yard number | 1573 |
| Laid down | 15 May 1943 |
| Launched | 9 December 1943 |
| Commissioned | 10 February 1944 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Type VIICsubmarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
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| Beam |
|
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 50 595 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: |
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| Victories: | 1 auxiliary warship sunk (580 GRT) |
German submarineU-1203 was aType VIICU-boat built forNazi Germany'sKriegsmarine for service duringWorld War II.She waslaid down on 15 May 1943 bySchichau-Werke,Danzig as yard number 1573,launched on 9 December 1943 andcommissioned on 10 February 1944 underOberleutnant zur See Erich Steinbrink.
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorterType VIIB submarines.U-1203 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[3] She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), apressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), abeam 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 460/8–27double-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).[3] 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-1203 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 two twin2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had acomplement of between forty-four and sixty.[3]
The boat's career began with training at8th Flotilla on 10 February 1944, followed by active service on 1 December 1944 as part of the11th Flotilla.
U-1203 took part in nowolfpacks.
U-1203 surrendered on 9 May 1945 inTrondheim. She was initially transferred toLoch Ryan, Scotland on 29 May 1945, and sunk on 8 December 1945 at55°50′N10°05′W / 55.833°N 10.083°W /55.833; -10.083 as part ofOperation Deadlight.
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) | Fate[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 February 1945 | HMYEllesmere | 580 | Sunk |