German submarine U-3523

German submarine U-3523 was a Type XXI U-boat (one of the "Elektroboote") of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine, built for service in World War II. She was ordered on 6 November 1943, and was laid down on 7 October 1944 at F Schichau GmbH, Danzig, as yard number 1668. She was launched on 14 December 1944, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Willi Müller, on 23 January 1945.[2]

History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-3523
Ordered: 6 November 1943
Builder: F Schichau GmbH, Danzig
Yard number: 1668
Laid down: 7 October 1944
Launched: 14 December 1944
Commissioned: 23 January 1945
Fate: Sunk 6 May 1945
General characteristics
Class and type: Type XXI submarine
Displacement:
  • 1,621 t (1,595 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,819 t (1,790 long tons) submerged
Length:
  • 76.70 m (251 ft 8 in) (o/a)
  • 60.50 m (198 ft 6 in) (p/h)
Beam:
  • 8 m (26 ft 3 in) (o/a)
  • 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in) (p/h)
Height: 11.30 m (37 ft 1 in)
Draught: 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in)
Installed power:
  • 4,000 PS (2,900 kW; 3,900 shp) (diesel drive)
  • 5,000 PS (3,700 kW; 4,900 shp) (standard electric drive)
  • 226 PS (166 kW; 223 shp) (silent electric drive)
Propulsion:
Speed:
  • Surfaced:
  • 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph) (diesel)
  • 17.9 knots (33.2 km/h; 20.6 mph) (electric)
  • Submerged:
  • 17.2 knots (31.9 km/h; 19.8 mph) (electric)
  • 6.1 knots (11.3 km/h; 7.0 mph) (silent running motors)
Range:
  • 15,500 nmi (28,700 km; 17,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 340 nmi (630 km; 390 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) submerged
Test depth: 280 m (920 ft)
Complement: 57–60 crewmen
Sensors and
processing systems:
Armament:
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
Operations: No patrols
Victories: None

Design

Like all Type XXI U-boats, U-3523 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 length of 8 m (26 ft 3 in), and a draught length of 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in).[3] 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).[3]

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).[3] U-3523 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 twenty-three torpedoes, or seventeen torpedoes and twelve mines. The complement was five officers and fifty-two men.[3]

Sinking

U-3523 was sunk by depth charges from a British B-24 Liberator of 86 Squadron/G RAF about 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) north of Skagen Horn, in the Skagerrak on 6 May 1945. All 58 crewmen were lost.[2]

The wreck was thought to be located at 57°52′N 10°49′E,[2] however, in April 2018, it was found by Sea War Museum Jutland, Thyborøn, 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) further west. The wreck lies at a depth of 123 metres (404 ft). The entire fore part of the boat is buried in the seabed while its stern rises 20 metres (66 ft) above the bottom.[4]

References
  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Willi Müller". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-3523". Uboat.net. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  3. Gröner 1991, p. 85.
  4. "Sea War Museum Jutland". www.seawarmuseum.dk. Retrieved 14 April 2018.

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.
  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German). IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
  • 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.
  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-35121". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
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