U-boats
explained
How did these advanced German
submarines wreak so much havoc
during both the World Wars?
VII-C U-boat
Crew: 44
Length: 67.3m (221ft)
Diameter: 6m (20ft)
Weight: 761 tons (surfaced)
Surface range:
15,739km (9,780mi)
Submerged range:
141.9km (88.2mi)
Max surface speed:
30.5km/h (19mph)
Max submerged speed:
13.5km/h (8.4mph)
Armament: 14 torpedoes; 60
mines; 8.8cm (3.5in) main gunThe statistics...
Discover what made this class of U-boat
such a formidable opponent out at seaAnatomy of a VII-C
Navigation
Navigation and detection were
handled by a suite of systems
including a periscope, radar
antenna and magnetic
compass. These allowed the
U-boat to pick up both surface
and undersea targets.Signal station
Even when submerged up
to 9m (30ft) the U-boat
could still send and receive
long-wave radio signals.
Codes were encrypted
prior to transmission.Dive tank
A series of ballast dive
tanks were located at
the lower front of the
vessel. When on the
surface these tanks were
empty and fi lled with air;
to submerge, they were
fl ooded with water.Hydroplane
Movement underwater
was controlled with a
series of hydroplanes –
short, wing-like
appendages that could
be angled as desired.
Facing them up caused
the vessel to dive.Air tank
Almost everything on
the U-boat required air to
operate, ranging from
torpedo launchers to
dive tanks. As such, large
air tanks were located all
over the vessel.To rp e do e s
Five 533mm (21in) torpedo
tubes – four in the bow
and one in the stern – were
installed and left armed for
quick attack. A total of 14
torpedoes could be carried
at any one time.Main gun
The VII-C was equipped
with an 8.8cm (3.5in) SK
C/35 naval cannon for use
on the surface. It could
fi re armour-piercing,
high-explosive and
illumination rounds.Control room
When submerged, the
centre of operations
was the control room.
Steering, navigation and
fi re commands were all
issued from here.HISTORIC