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	Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-2341.
History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-2341
Ordered	20 September 1943
Builder	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg
Yard number	495
Laid down	23 August 1944
Launched	3 October 1944
Commissioned	21 October 1944
Fate	Surrendered on 5 May 1945; Sunk on 31 December 1945 during Operation Deadlight;
General characteristics
Class and type	Type XXIII submarine
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	1 × MWM RS134S 6-cylinder diesel engine; 1 × AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor; 1 × BBC CCR188 electric creeping motor;
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	2 × bow torpedo tubes; 2 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes;
Service record
Part of:	32nd U-boat Flotilla; 21 October 1944 – 5 May 1945;
Identification codes:	M 45 089
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. Hermann Böhm; 21 October 1944 – 5 May 1945;
Operations:	None
Victories:	None

German submarine U-2341 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 20 September 1943, and laid down on 23 August 1944 at Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg, as yard number 495. She was launched on 3 October 1944 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hermann Böhm on 21 October 1944.^[2]

Design

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-2341 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-2341 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-2341 surrendered at Cuxhaven, Germany. She was later transferred to Lisahally, Northern Ireland on 21 June 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-2341 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-2341 was towed out and sank on 31 December 1945, by gunfire from the British destroyer HMS Onslaught and the Polish destroyer ORP Błyskawica.^[2]

The wreck now lies at 55°44′N 08°19′W / 55.733°N 8.317°W / 55.733; -8.317.^[2]

References

^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hermann Böhm". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2341". Uboat.net. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
^ ^a ^b 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. Vol. 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.