German submarine U-1051


German submarine U-1051 was a [German German Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC submarine|Type VIIC] U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II.
She was laid down on 8 February 1943 by Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft, Kiel as yard number 685, launched on 3 February 1944 and commissioned on 4 March 1944 under Oberleutnant zur See Heinrich von Holleben.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-1051 had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. She had a total length of, a pressure hull length of, a beam of, a height of, and a draught of. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-acting electric motors producing a total of for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to.
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of. When submerged, the boat could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at. U-1051 was fitted with five torpedo tubes, fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun,, one Flak M42 and two twin C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history

The boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 4 March 1944, followed by active service on 1 January 1945 as part of the 11th Flotilla and was sunk just three weeks later on her first patrol.
In one patrol she sank one merchant ship, for a total of and one warship total loss for 1,300 tons.

Wolfpacks

U-1051 took part in no wolfpacks.

Fate

U-1051 was sunk on 26 January 1945 in the Irish Sea in position, by ramming and depth charges from Royal Navy frigates,,, and. All hands were lost.