2007-10-12 10:15:40 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
German submarines used during WW2
2007-10-12 10:18:10 · answer #1 · answered by golfinguy79 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people would answer that they were submarines. Not so--while the first true submarines were U-boats, the 'classic' fleet U-boat [type VII] was a submersible. That is, they were designed to operate on the surface primarily, and only dive for concealment to attack or escape the enemy.
Early U-boats could only dive for only a few hours and not deep enough to always avoid depth charges. Their range was also limited, so they required bases and tankers for refuelling. Bigger, oceangoing U-boats [type IX] could stay at sea, and even attack the east coast of North America.
The first true submarines were the type VIID-2 U-boats built with reinforced hulls of high-tensile steel and equipped with the schnorkel--a breathing apparatus which allowed the U-boat to operate submerged [at periscope depth] using diesel engines.
These were followed by '-2' versions of the type IX, and finally by the type XXI, which was to become the prototype for nearly all post-war non-nuclear submarines [on BOTH sides of the "Iron Curtain"]
There was much promise in the Walther hydrogen-peroxide engine, which reportedly powered a small experimental U-boat at speeds higher than 25 knots submerged. Much of the technology fell into the hands of the Russians after WW II, and although the British obtained a hydrogen peroxide powered U-boat, the development of the technology was overshadowed by the building of the first nuclear submarines by the United States.
2007-10-12 10:50:00 · answer #2 · answered by Gryphon Noir 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Submarines - Unterseeboot
translated = Undersea Boat
2007-10-12 10:19:20 · answer #3 · answered by i_am_bocephus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unterseeboot which literally means "undersea boat" (submarine). The correct title of the movie is "Das Boot" (The Boat). Good luck!
2007-10-12 10:29:06 · answer #4 · answered by Kiffin # 1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They were submarines. U as in Untervaterbotten (find someone who speaks German to get better. U as part of their number, like U-505 which was captured by Americans to get code books and is now in Chicago at Science Museum.
2007-10-12 10:20:08 · answer #5 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Watch the movie "Das Boat" it is great and will show you life on the U boat.
2007-10-12 10:19:23 · answer #6 · answered by Steiner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are German submarines most commonly referred to as U-boats back in WWII.
2007-10-12 10:19:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Submarines.
2007-10-12 10:18:16 · answer #8 · answered by regerugged 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
german submarines that were used very effectively in WW2 in the atlantic
2007-10-12 10:19:24 · answer #9 · answered by greg b 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
submarines....they were identified by their numerical markings on the towers. ex:U-32
2007-10-12 10:20:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋