Type VII U-Boat

History of the Type VII Submarine

Type VII submarines form a large part of the Atlantic submarine force. Such ships helped the German navy dominate the high seas between the United States and Britain for years, and became the face of the entire U-boat scourge, so much so that their legendary legacy in Hollywood was interrupted by the film Das Boot. The Type VII includes six major variants, each improving on the limitations of the previous design.

In total, about 700 Type VIIs entered service from 1936 to 1945.

The early origins of the Type VII originated with the UB III designed in 1918, and then followed the Finnish-style Vetehinen class in the early 1930s. As with other restrictions imposed by the post-World War I World Naval Treaty, Germany's attempt to manufacture weapons of war with optimized firepower and performance as much as possible, while still (to some extent) conforming to global conditions, culminated in the creation of the Type VIIA, in which the production 10 were built, weighing between 626 and 745 tons.

The foundations were laid for a series of submarines that would eventually give Germany control of the seas for a long time.

Other Type VII systems considered, but never in full production, were the "U-Flak", four VIIC boats modified for surface escort missions and equipped with improved anti-aircraft weapons. U-Flaks were initially successful until the RAF adjusted to use this type of tactics, eventually forcing these AA variants back to their original underwater roles.

Operational service of the converted U-Flaks was extended from June 1943 to November 1943, after which the project was abandoned entirely, with limited success. The extra firepower proved to be sufficient against Allied aircraft (about 6 of which could have been shot down in the meantime), although the submarine's design still retained its vulnerability to enemy fire, meaning the entire crew could die.

The

VIIC/42 contract totaled 164, but was eventually abandoned in favor of a new and improved XXI design. These will see a stronger hull and an increase in torpedo carrying capacity.

Type VIID was produced in six examples (all lost at the end of the war) and had vertical launch tubes for mine dispersion (a precursor to modern ballistic submarines). This group includes U-213 through U-218.

The Type VIIF became the heaviest of the entire Type VII, built as a torpedo carrier, and was notable for having no deck weapons. A total of 39 torpedoes can be carried, covering designations from U-1059 to U-1062.

In any case, Type VIIs are indeed the cream of the submarine class - sheer numbers dictate that fact, but so is performance and the fear they cause for sailors and captains. Without the Type VII dominating the waters between Britain and the United States, the U-boat disaster would not have been so, giving Germany an advantage, at least for a while - until tactics and technology turned in favor of the Allies. The Type VII would engage in fierce battles with Allied ships and warships until the end of the war, cementing its place in naval history.

Along with its legacy, submarine design ushered in a new era of submarines that would dominate the world's oceans during the Cold War and beyond.

Specification

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Performance

ARMAMENT

AIR WING