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	Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-2354.
History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-2354
Ordered	20 September 1944
Builder	Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg
Yard number	508
Laid down	14 October 1944
Launched	10 December 1944
Commissioned	11 January 1945
Fate	Surrendered on 9 May 1945; Sunk on 22 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 × 53.3 cm (21 in) bow torpedo tubes; 2 × torpedoes;
Service record
Part of:	32nd U-boat Flotilla; 11 January – 15 February 1945; 4th U-boat Flotilla; 16 February – 8 May 1945;
Identification codes:	M 50 312
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. Hans-Dieter Wex; 11 January – 9 May 1945;
Operations:	None
Victories:	None

German submarine U-2354 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 20 September 1944, and was laid down on 14 October 1944 at Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg, as yard number 508. She was launched on 10 December 1944 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Dieter Wex on 11 January 1945.^[2]

Design

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-2354 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-2354 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 9 May 1945, U-2354 surrendered at Kristiansand–Süd, Norway. She was later transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland, Northern Ireland on 29 May 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-2354 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-2354 was towed out and sank on 22 December 1945, by gunfire from the British destroyer HMS Onslow.^[2]

The wreck now lies at 56°00′N 10°05′W / 56.000°N 10.083°W / 56.000; -10.083.^[2]

References

^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans-Dieter Wex". Uboat.net. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2354". Uboat.net. Retrieved 29 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.

External links

Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2354". Uboat.net. Retrieved 29 April 2016.

[1] Helgason, Guðmundur. "Hans-Dieter Wex". Uboat.net. Retrieved 29 April 2016.

[uboat-2] Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2354". Uboat.net. Retrieved 29 April 2016.

[FOOTNOTEGröner199189-3] Gröner 1991, p. 89.

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