NAVYPEDIA

Photo

U30  

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
U27		908	Deschimag, Bremen	11.1935	24.6.1936	8.1936	sunk 20.9.1939
U28		909	Deschimag, Bremen	12.1935	14.7.1936	9.1936	foundered 17.3.1944
U29		910	Deschimag, Bremen	1.1936	29.8.1936	11.1936	scuttled 4.5.1945
U30		911	Deschimag, Bremen	1.1936	4.8.1936	10.1936	scuttled 4.5.1945
U31		912	Deschimag, Bremen	3.1936	25.9.1936	12.1936	sunk 2.11.1940
U32		913	Deschimag, Bremen	3.1936	25.9.1936	12.1936	sunk 30.10.1940
U33		556	Germaniawerft, Kiel	9.1935	11.6.1936	7.1936	sunk 12.2.1940
U34		557	Germaniawerft, Kiel	9.1935	17.7.1936	9.1936	collision 5.8.1943
U35		558	Germaniawerft, Kiel	3.1936	29.9.1936	11.1936	sunk 29.11.1939
U36		559	Germaniawerft, Kiel	3.1936	4.11.1936	12.1936	sunk 4.12.1939

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	626 / 915
Length, m	64.5
Breadth, m	5.85
Draught, m	4.37
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 MAN diesels  / 2 BBC electric motors
Power, h. p.	2100 - 2310 / 750
Max speed, kts	16 - 17 / 8
Fuel, t	diesel oil 67
Endurance, nm(kts)	6200(10) / 73 - 94(4)
Armament	1 x 1 - 88/42 SK C/35, 1 x 1 - 20/65 C/30, 5 - 533 TT (4 bow, 1 stern, 11 or 33 mines)
Electronic equipment	GHG hydrophone
Complement	44
Diving depth operational, m	100

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Submarines of VII series became the most known submarines of the Second World War and the most numerous submarines in history. They were presented Kriegsmarine chiefs as practically ideal submarine type, combining strong armament for her displacement, excellent manoeuvring capabilities, very small diving time (25-20sec), considerable endurance and relative cheapness of building.

Design was projected on the basis of coastal submarine of UB-III type of of the First World War, but with usage of lines plan of of II series submarine, which dimensions have been increased by linear conversion. Single-hulled, with adding of saddle tanks for improvement of a surfaced buoyancy and internal arrangement of fuel tanks. Pressure hull thickness reached 18.5mm, that ensured a working diving depth 100m and maximal 200m.

Boats of VIIA series were distinguished by placing of stern TT in an outer hull above waterline. Their underwater manoeuvrability and surfaced endurance were considered as the insufficient.

Instead of torpedoes submarines could carry 24 TMA or 36 TMB mines.

In the end 1942 decision to remove 88mm gun from all boats of VII series was accepted, but part from them, especially training and operating on minor theatres, have stored it till the end of war. Since summer of 1942 strengthening of AA armament was begun. Aft from a fin structure the low-level platform (so-called "Wintergarten") with 1 twin, then 1 quadruple 20mm MG mount was mounted; behind the bridge there were 2 single or twin 20mm MGs. Submarines, served on Mediterranean, received often Italian twin 13.2mm MGs. From early 1944 boats began to be equipped by a snorkel (the first was U264).

Order for the first 6 submarines of VIIA series has been given out 1.4.1935; on last boats of VIIC/42 series 17.4.1943, but because of the exclusion of Kriegsmarine staff for a laying of new submarines of VII series their building did not begin.

Modernizations

from summer 1942, most survived: - 1 x 1 - 88/42, 1 x 1 - 20/65; + 1 x 2 - 20/65 C/38, 2 x 1 - 20/65 C/38, FuMO 30 radar, FuMB 1 Metox ECM suite

1943-1944, most survived: - FuMB 1 Metox ECM suite; + FuMB 3 Bali, FuMB 6 Palau ECM suites

1944 - 1945, most survived: - 2 x 1 - 20/65; + 1 x 1 - 37/69 FlaK M/42, 1 x 2 - 20/65 C/38.

Naval service

In operations 437 submarines of VII series were lost.

U27 was sunk 20.9.1939 by British destroyers Fortune and Forester W off Gebrides. U28 was sunk 17.3.1944 at a pier in Neustadt as a result of accident; subsequently she was raised but stricken 4.8.1944. U31 was sunk 11.3.1940 by Blenheim of 82nd RAF sqn in a mouth of Jade, subsequently she was salvaged, repaired and commissioned again 30.7.1940, she was again sunk 2.11.1940 by British destroyer Antelope NW off Ireland. U32 was sunk 30.10.1940 by British destroyers Harvester and Highlander NW off Ireland. U33 was sunk 12.2.1940 by British minesweeper Gleaner in a mouth of Clyde. U34 was sunk 5.8.1943 as a result of collision with depot ship Lech at Memel, subsequently salvaged but 2.2.1944 foundered under tow N off Warnemünde. U35 was sunk 29.11.1939 by British destroyers Icarus, Kingston and Kashmir NW off Bergen. U36 was torpedoed 4.12.1939 by British submarine Salmon SW off Faresunn SW off Kristiansand.

Following submarines were scuttled by crews: U29 and U30 5.5.1945 in Flensburg Fjord.