German submarine U-225 – Wikipedia

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German World War II submarine

“U-225” redirects here. For the isotope of uranium (U-225 or 225U), see Uranium-225.
History
Nazi Germany
Name U-225
Ordered 15 August 1940
Builder Germaniawerft, Kiel
Cost 4,439,000 Reichsmark
Yard number 655
Laid down 3 September 1941
Launched 28 May 1942
Commissioned 11 July 1942
Fate Sunk 22 February 1943
General characteristics
Class and type Type VIIC submarine
Displacement
  • 769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced
  • 871 t (857 long tons) submerged
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Range
  • 8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth
  • 230 m (750 ft)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record[1][2]
Part of:
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Wolfgang Leimkühler
  • 11 July 1942 – 22 February 1943
Operations:
  • 2 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 5 December 1942 – 8 January 1943
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 2 – 22 February 1943
Victories:
  • 1 merchant ship sunk
    (5,273 GRT)
  • 4 merchant ships damaged
    (24,672 GRT)

German submarine U-225 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine during World War II.

Ordered on 15 August 1940 from the Germaniawerft shipyard in Kiel, she was laid down on 3 September 1941 as yard number 655, launched on 28 May 1942 and commissioned on 11 July.

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-225 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel 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, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-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).

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-225 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and an anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

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Service history[edit]

First patrol[edit]

She departed from Kiel on her first patrol on 5 December 1942. It was during this patrol that she successfully attacked five vessels in convoy ONS 154. She returned to Brest on 8 January 1943.

Final Patrol[edit]

Less than one month later, she departed from Brest on her second and final patrol on 2 February 1943. After just 21 days, she was sunk.

Fate[edit]

U-225 was attacked and sunk with depth charges by HMS Dianthus with the loss of all 46 crew on 22 February 1943 at position 48°37′N 30°35′W / 48.617°N 30.583°W / 48.617; -30.583Coordinates: 48°37′N 30°35′W / 48.617°N 30.583°W / 48.617; -30.583.

Summary of raiding history[edit]

References[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.
  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
  • Edwards, Bernard (1996). Dönitz and the Wolf Packs – The U-boats at War. Cassell Military Classics. pp. 136, 138, 155. ISBN 0-304-35203-9.
  • Gröner, Erich (1985). Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815–1945 / 3, U-Boote, Hilfskreuzer, Minenschiffe, Netzleger, Sperrbrecher (in German). Koblenz: Bernard & Graefe. ISBN 3-7637-4802-4. OCLC 310610321.
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.

External links[edit]

  • Helgason, Guðmundur. “The Type VIIC boat U-225”. German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  • Hofmann, Markus. “U 225“. Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 – u-boot-archiv.de (in German). Retrieved 26 December 2014.


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