U-2511 (center) in
Bergen, Norway
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History | |
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Nazi Germany | |
Name | U-2511 |
Ordered | 6 November 1943 |
Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
Yard number | 2511 |
Laid down | 7 July 1944 |
Launched | 2 September 1944 |
Commissioned | 29 September 1944 |
Fate |
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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 |
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Speed |
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Range |
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Test depth | 240 m (790 ft) |
Complement | 5 officers, 52 enlisted |
Sensors and processing systems |
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Armament |
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Service record [1] [2] | |
Part of: |
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Identification codes: | M 45 912 |
Commanders: |
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Operations: |
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Victories: | None |
German submarine U-2511 was a Type XXI submarine of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The Elektroboot submarine was laid down on 7 July 1944 at the Blohm & Voss yard at Hamburg, launched on 2 September 1944, and commissioned on 29 September 1944 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Adalbert Schnee. [1]
Like all Type XXI submarines, U-2511 had a displacement of 1,621 tonnes (1,595 long tons) when at the surface and 1,819 tonnes (1,790 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 76.70 m (251 ft 8 in) ( o/a), a beam of 8 m (26 ft 3 in), and a draught of 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in). [4] The submarine was powered by two MAN SE supercharged six-cylinder M6V40/46KBB diesel engines each providing 4,000 metric horsepower (2,900 kilowatts; 3,900 shaft horsepower), two Siemens-Schuckert GU365/30 double-acting electric motors each providing 5,000 PS (3,700 kW; 4,900 shp), and two Siemens-Schuckert silent running GV232/28 electric motors each providing 226 PS (166 kW; 223 shp). [4]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph) and a submerged speed of 17.2 knots (31.9 km/h; 19.8 mph). When running on silent motors the boat could operate at a speed of 6.1 knots (11.3 km/h; 7.0 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) for 340 nautical miles (630 km; 390 mi); when surfaced, she could travel 15,500 nautical miles (28,700 km; 17,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). [4] U-2511 was fitted with six 53.3 cm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes in the bow and four 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. She could carry 23 torpedoes or 17 torpedoes and 12 naval mine. The complement was five officers and 52 men. [4]
After training with 31st U-boat Flotilla, U-2511 was transferred to 11th U-boat Flotilla at Bergen, Norway, for front-line service on 15 March 1945. [1]
U-2511 conducted one patrol. On the evening of 30 April 1945 (coincidentally the date of Hitler's death), U-2511 set out from Bergen, Norway for the Caribbean, but on 4 May Schnee received the end-of-the-war cease-fire order. [1] The commander of U-2511 claimed the U-boat had a British cruiser in her sights on 4 May when news of the German cease-fire was received. He further claimed she made a practice attack before leaving the scene undetected. [5]
On 17 June 1945, U-2511 was transferred from Bergen, and arrived at Londonderry Port on 21 June for Operation Deadlight. The U-boat was sunk on 7 January 1946 at 7:40 pm in position 55°33′N 07°38′W / 55.550°N 7.633°W. [1] She was sunk by gunfire after her towing cable parted.
The wreck lies at a depth 69 metres (226 ft). She had been visited by divers at least three times, in 1999 and 2001, and circa 2012 for 'Dig WW2 with Dan Snow', [6] revealing she is largely intact except for a large blast hole caused by the shellfire that sank her. [7]
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