German submarine U-1172

German submarine U-1172 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II.
She was laid down on 7 June 1943 by Danziger Werft, Danzig as yard number 144, launched on 3 December 1943 and commissioned on 20 April 1944 under Oberleutnant zur See Jürgen Kuhlmann.

Design

Like all Type VIIC/41 U-boats, U-1172 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, and a draught of. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 supercharged six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines producing a total of and two SSW GU 343/38-8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of for use while submerged. The boat was capable of operating at a depth of.
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a submerged speed of. When submerged, the boat could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at. U-1172 was fitted with five torpedo tubes, fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun,, one Flak M42 and two C/30 anti-aircraft guns. Its complement was between forty-four and sixty.

Sensors

Passive sonar

U-1172 was one of only ten Type VIIC's to be fitted with a Balkongerät. The Balkongerät was used on U-boats. The Balkongerät was standard on the Type XXI and the Type XXIII. Nonetheless, it was also fitted to several Type IXs and one Type X. The Balkongerät was an improved version of Gruppenhorchgerät . The GHG had 24 hydrophones, the Balkongerät had 48 hydrophones and improved electronics, which enabled more accurate readings to be taken.

Service history

The boat's service career began on 20 April 1944 with the 8th Training Flotilla, followed by active service with 11th Flotilla on 1 December 1944. U-1172 took part in no wolfpacks. U-1172 was sunk on 27 January 1945 in St Georges Channel by depth charges from British frigates, and at.