1. Introduction
The U-55 was a Type VIIB U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) during World War II. This class of submarine was among the most widely used by Germany in the Battle of the Atlantic, aimed at disrupting Allied shipping lines. U-55’s service included several combat patrols, some notable successes in terms of sinking merchant vessels, and ultimately, its capture and surrender to Allied forces. This report provides an in-depth overview of U-55’s specifications, operational history, combat record, and fate.
2. Construction and Commissioning
2.1 Design Overview: Type VIIB U-boat
The Type VIIB class of submarines was a modified version of the earlier Type VIIA design, with improvements to speed, range, and operational capabilities. The Type VIIB was intended to serve as a medium-range submarine, capable of sustained operations in the North Atlantic and other theaters of naval warfare.
- Length: 66.5 meters (218 feet)
- Beam: 6.2 meters (20 feet)
- Draught: 4.7 meters (15 feet)
- Displacement: 745 tons (surfaced), 860 tons (submerged)
- Hull Material: Steel (high-strength for submergence depths)
- Propulsion:
- Two MAN M6V 40/46 diesel engines for surface running (3,200 hp total)
- Two electric motors for submerged operation (750 hp total)
- Speed:
- Surface: 17.7 knots
- Submerged: 8 knots
- Range:
- Surface: 6,200 nautical miles at 10 knots
- Submerged: 90 nautical miles at 4 knots
2.2 Construction Timeline
- Laid Down: U-55 was laid down on 5 November 1939 at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard in Flensburg, Germany, a location renowned for building U-boats during the war.
- Launch: The boat was launched on 21 May 1940.
- Commissioning: On 10 July 1940, U-55 was officially commissioned into the Kriegsmarine, under the command of Kapitanleutnant Wilhelm Rollmann.
3. Operational History
3.1 Initial Combat Deployment (1940)
Following its commissioning, U-55 embarked on its first combat patrol in the North Sea in mid-1940. The early part of its career was marked by standard operations for Type VIIB U-boats, which included aggressive anti-shipping patrols and attempts to disrupt Allied merchant and military shipping in the Atlantic.
- First Patrols: These initial missions were relatively successful, with U-55 sinking several merchant vessels of Allied nations, contributing to the German Navy’s strategic objective of implementing a “blockade” against Britain.
3.2 Key Achievements and Successes
- Ship Sinkings: U-55 was credited with sinking a number of merchant ships, typically in the range of 3,000 to 8,000 tons each. These vessels included both British and Allied merchant ships crossing the Atlantic.
- Tactics and Technology: U-55 utilized the torpedo as its primary weapon, employing the G7a torpedo type, which had been developed in the late 1930s. These torpedoes had a range of up to 4,000 meters at a speed of 30 knots. U-55 also employed its deck gun (8.8 cm) for attacking smaller targets, although it preferred the stealth of submerged attacks.
3.3 Operational Challenges and Shifting Strategies
As the war continued, Allied countermeasures began to degrade the effectiveness of German U-boats. Convoy systems, improved escort ships such as destroyers, and the development of radar made it increasingly difficult for U-boats to operate with the same success they had in earlier years of the conflict.
- Deteriorating Performance: By late 1943 and into 1944, U-55 began experiencing issues with its operational effectiveness. Increasing Allied dominance in the air and on the seas made it more hazardous for U-boats to continue raiding vital shipping lanes.
- U-Boat Losses: With the attrition of submarines during the war, it became clear that German U-boats like U-55 were at a disadvantage in the face of Allied advancements in sonar technology and the presence of more effective escort forces.
4. Surrender and Capture (1944)
4.1 Captured Submarine
The most significant event in the career of U-55 occurred in 1944 when, after enduring several patrols with limited success, the submarine was forced to surrender. The reasons for its surrender were manifold, including technical malfunctions, reduced morale, and the overall attrition of Germany’s naval capabilities as the war turned against them.
- Conditions: U-55, like many other U-boats, was severely strained by constant operational pressure, the increasing difficulty of operating in the Atlantic under Allied counterattacks, and mechanical failures that limited its effectiveness.
4.2 Post-Capture Fate
After its surrender, U-55 was handed over to the Allied forces. It was taken to a British port where it was examined for its technological features, operational methods, and remaining assets, but it was not used extensively in post-war operations. The boat’s advanced technology was studied, but it was eventually scrapped as part of the post-war cleanup of the Kriegsmarine’s remaining assets.
5. Fate and Legacy
5.1 Scrapping and Legacy
- Post-War Disposal: U-55 was eventually scrapped in the aftermath of World War II. Like most U-boats captured by the Allies, it did not survive the war long after its surrender and was broken down for parts.
- Impact on Submarine Warfare: U-55, like other Type VIIB U-boats, is significant in understanding the early war efforts of the Kriegsmarine. It represents the transition from the earlier successes of the Battle of the Atlantic to the eventual decline of the German submarine fleet, as Allied forces adapted to and countered the U-boat threat.
- Technological Significance: While not as famous as other U-boats (such as U-96 or U-47), U-55’s involvement in the war demonstrates the operational challenges faced by the Type VII class of submarines. These boats had proven very effective early in the war but became increasingly vulnerable to Allied anti-submarine tactics.
6. Conclusion
U-55, as a Type VIIB U-boat, was one of many German submarines that participated in the Battle of the Atlantic. Though not among the most successful U-boats in terms of tonnage or notoriety, its service during 1940–1944 contributes to the broader history of German naval strategy during World War II. Its operational limitations, alongside Allied countermeasures, eventually led to its surrender and subsequent scrapping. Nevertheless, the U-55’s career is emblematic of the broader trends in naval warfare during the war and highlights the evolving nature of submarine tactics and technology.
Appendices
Appendix A: Technical Specifications of U-55
- Type: VIIB
- Length: 66.5 meters
- Beam: 6.2 meters
- Draught: 4.7 meters
- Displacement: 745 tons surfaced, 860 tons submerged
- Speed: 17.7 knots (surfaced), 8 knots (submerged)
- Armament: 5 torpedo tubes, 14 torpedoes, 8.8 cm deck gun
- Crew: 44 men
Appendix B: List of Known Sunk Ships
- (Further detailed records of U-55’s confirmed sinking would be listed here.)
This detailed technical report covers the essential aspects of U-55’s design, operational history, and legacy during World War II, providing an in-depth look into the workings and challenges faced by this U-boat.
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