German submarine U-4704 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 7 July 1944, and was laid down on 9 November 1944 at Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel, as yard number 946. She was launched on 13 February 1945 and commissioned under the command of Leutnant zur See Gerhard Franceschi on 14 March 1945.[2]
.jpg) Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367), an identical sister ship of U-4704.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-4704 |
| Ordered | 7 July 1944 |
| Builder | Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel |
| Yard number | 946 |
| Laid down | 9 November 1944 |
| Launched | 13 February 1945 |
| Commissioned | 14 March 1945 |
| Fate | Scuttled on 5 May 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type XXIII submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length | |
| Beam |
|
| Draught | 3.66 m (12 ft) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 180 m (590 ft) |
| Complement | 14–18 |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Identification codes: | M 50 593 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
Design
editLike all Type XXIII U-boats, U-4704 had a displacement of 234 tonnes (230 long tons) when at the surface and 258 tonnes (254 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 34.68 m (113 ft 9 in) (o/a), a beam width of 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a), and a draught depth of 3.66 m (12 ft). The submarine was powered by one MWM six-cylinder RS134S diesel engine providing 575–630 metric horsepower (423–463 kilowatts; 567–621 shaft horsepower), one AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor electric motor providing 580 PS (430 kW; 570 shp), and one BBC silent running CCR188 electric motor providing 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) and a submerged speed of 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) for 194 nautical miles (359 km; 223 mi); when surfaced, she could travel 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-4704 was fitted with two 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes in the bow. She could carry two preloaded torpedoes. The complement was 14–18 men.[3] This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.[2]
Service history
editOn 5 May 1945, U-4704 was scuttled in the Hørup Hav, southeast of Sønderborg, as part of Operation Regenbogen. The wreck was later raised and broken up.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Gerhard Franceschi". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ a b c Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-4704". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ a b Gröner 1991, p. 89.
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.
- Gröner, Eric; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815-1945: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
- Williamson, Gordon (2005). Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-boat in World War II. Osprey. ISBN 1841768723.
External links
edit- Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-4704". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.