German submarine U-2518 was a Type XXI U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine at the end of World War II, which later served in the French Navy, where she was commissioned as Roland Morillot, in honour of Roland Morillot, a French submarine officer killed in 1915.
 Roland Morillot (ex U-2518) at sea circa 1950
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-2518 |
| Ordered | 6 November 1943 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 2518 |
| Laid down | 16 August 1944 |
| Launched | 4 October 1944 |
| Commissioned | 4 November 1944 |
| Fate |
|
 France | |
| Name | Roland Morillot |
| Namesake | Roland Morillot |
| Acquired | August 1945 |
| In service | 14 February 1946 |
| Out of service | 17 October 1967 |
| Fate | Sold for scrapping on 21 May 1969 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type XXI submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 76.70 m (251 ft 8 in) (o/a) |
| Beam | 8 m (26 ft 3 in) |
| Height | 11.30 m (37 ft 1 in) |
| Draught | 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 240 m (790 ft) |
| Complement | 5 officers, 52 enlisted |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Armament |
|
| Service record (Kriegsmarine) | |
| Part of: |
|
| Identification codes: | M 49 105 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
Service history
editKriegsmarine
editThe submarine was laid down on 16 August 1944 at the Blohm & Voss yard at Hamburg, launched on 4 October 1944, and commissioned on 4 November 1944 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Friedrich Weidner. After training with 31st U-boat Flotilla, U-2518 was transferred to 11th U-boat Flotilla for front-line service on 1 April 1945, though this was too late for the U-boat to sail on any combat patrols or sink any ships.[2] On 9 May 1945, she surrendered to British forces at Horten Naval Base, Norway. She was taken to Lisahally, Londonderry. U-2518 was handed over by the British to the French Marine Nationale. On her journey from Lisahally to France, she stopped in Dún Laoghaire in February 1946.
Marine Nationale
editThe U-boat arrived at Cherbourg on 26 February 1946, and after repairs made her first voyage on 20 August. In January 1948 she sailed from Toulon to Casabianca completely submerged, and in April 1948 was permanently assigned to the Navy. On 14 February 1951 she was renamed Roland Morillot.[3] In August 1956 she took part in Operation Musketeer during the Suez Crisis. In 1967 the submarine was placed in reserve, and on 21 May 1969 was sold to Lotti S.p.A. at La Spezia for scrapping.[4]
See also
edit- Laubie (S610), a Type VIIC U-boat, that served in the French Navy, 1945–1961
References
edit- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Friedrich Weidner". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XXI boat U-2518 – German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net". German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
- ^ "Roland Morillot". u-boote.fr (in French). Retrieved 23 March 2010.
- ^ "Roland Morillot (suite)". u-boote.fr (in French). Retrieved 23 March 2010.
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.
- Gröner, Erich; 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 Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
External links
edit- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XXI boat U-2518". German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- Roland Morillot at u-boote.fr (in French)