German submarine U-2 (1935)

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German submarine U-2 was a Type IIA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. Her keel was laid down 11 February 1935 by Deutsche Werke of Kiel as yard number 237; she was launched on 1 July and commissioned on 25 July 1935 with Oberleutnant zur See (Oblt.z.S.) Hermann Michahelles in command.Template:Sfn

Design

German Type II submarines were based on the Template:Ship. U-2 had a displacement of Template:Convert when at the surface and Template:Convert while submerged. Officially, the standard tonnage was Template:Convert, however.Template:Sfn The U-boat had a total length of Template:Convert, a pressure hull length of Template:Convert, a beam of Template:Convert, a height of Template:Convert, and a draught of Template:Convert. The submarine was powered by two MWM RS 127 S four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines of Template:Convert for cruising, and two Siemens-Schuckert PG VV 322/36 double-acting electric motors producing a total of Template:Convert for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two Template:Convert propellers. The U-boat was capable of operating at depths of up to Template:Convert.Template:Sfn

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of Template:Convert and a maximum submerged speed of Template:Convert.Template:Sfn When submerged, the boat could operate for Template:Convert at Template:Convert; when surfaced, she could travel Template:Convert at Template:Convert. U-2 was fitted with three Template:Convert torpedo tubes at the bow, five torpedoes or up to twelve Type A torpedo mines, and a [[2 cm Flak 30|Template:Convert anti-aircraft gun]]. The boat had a complement of 25.Template:Sfn

Service history

She had several commanders over her long career. Michahelles was relieved on 30 September 1936, by Kapitänleutnant (Kptlt.) Heinrich Liebe. Liebe turned command over on 31 January 1938 to Oblt.z.S. Herbert Schultze. On 16 March 1939, Kptlt. Helmut Rosenbaum assumed command and on 7 July 1940, Oblt.z.S. Hans Heidtmann joined Rosenbaum as deputy commander. On 6 August 1940, Georg von Wilamowitz-Moellendorf relieved Rosenbaum and Heidtmann and commanded until October 1941 when Karl Kölzer took over. On 16 May 1942, Oblt.z.S. Werner Schwaff relieved Kölzer, and on 20 November 1942, was relieved by Oblt.z.S. Helmut Herglotz. On 12 December 1943, Oblt.z.S. Wolfgang Schwarzkopf took over and commanded the boat until she was lost.<ref name =uboatnet/>

She was used as a school boat and trainer for her entire career except for two completely uneventful combat patrols in early 1940.<ref name =uboatnet>Template:Cite web</ref>

Fate

U-2 suffered no casualties to any of her numerous crews until 8 April 1944 when she collided with the German steam trawler Helmi Söhle<ref group="Note">Gröner names the vessel involved in the collision as Hinrich Freese, which according to other sources had already sunk on 16 November 1940 [1].</ref> west of Pillau (today's Baltiysk, Russia) and sank. 17 of her crew were killed; 18 survived. The wreck was raised the next day and stricken.

Bibliography

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External links

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