German submarine U-4704

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 Oberleutnant zur See Gerhard Franceschi on 14 March 1945.[2]

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 (XXIII)
Type: Type XXIII
Displacement:
  • 234 t (230 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 258 t (254 long tons) (submerged)
Length:
  • 34.68 m (113 ft 9 in) (o/a)
  • 26.00 m (85 ft 4 in) (p/h)
Beam:
  • 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a)
  • 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in) (p/h)
Draught: 3.66 m (12 ft)
Installed power:
  • 575–630 PS (423–463 kW; 567–621 shp) (diesel drive)
  • 580 PS (430 kW; 570 shp) (standard electric drive)
  • 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp) (silent electric drive)
Propulsion:
Speed:
  • 9.7 knots (18 km/h; 11 mph) (surfaced)
  • 12.5 knots (23 km/h; 14 mph) (submerged)
Range:
  • 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced
  • 194 nmi (359 km; 223 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth: 180 m (590 ft)
Complement: 14–18
Armament:
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Gerhard Franceschi[1]
  • 14 March 1945 - 5 May 1945
Operations: No patrols
Victories: None

Design

Like 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

On 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

References
  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Gerhard Franceschi". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-4704". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. Gröner 1991, p. 89.

Bibliography
  • 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, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
  • Williamson, Gordon (2005). Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-boat in World War II. Osprey. ISBN 1841768723.
  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-4704". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
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