U-Boat Type IIB

The U-boat Type IIB was a coastal submarine used by the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. It was a variant of the Type II, which was small, cheap, and easy to build. They could be produced in a remarkable short period of time. Although they had a tendency to roll heavily when on the surface, they performed well in combat operations. Their production would be stopped at the end of 1941 as more than half of them would be used for training purpose.

The U-boat Type IIB submarines were basically a lengthened version of the Type IIA. This additional hull capacity allowed greater fuel load to be carried, thus enhancing the submarine range. They also had greater bunkerage and radius. They carried three bow torpedo tubes in an inverted triangle fashion, with one in the port side of hull, the other in the starboard side, and the third one below them on the boat center line.

Specifications

Type: coastal submarine

Length: 42.7 m

Beam: 4.1 m

Draft: 3.9 m

Displacement: 329 tons (submerged)

Propulsion: two MWM diesel engines, each delivering 350 bhp, coupled to two 360 bhp electric motors (180 bhp each).

Endurance (range): 6,500 km (4,040 miles) submerged; 105 km (65 miles) on the surface.

Compliment: 25

Armament: three 533-mm torpedo tubes, with six torpedoes; one 20-mm flak gun.

Below, the Type IIB U-20 in sailing in the North Sea in 1940.

U-8 in 1941

U- 10, a school submarine in 1942.