German submarine U-1306


German submarine U-1306 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
She was ordered on 1 August 1942, and was laid down on 23 September 1943, at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg, as yard number 499. She was launched on 25 October 1944, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Ulrich Kiessling on 20 December 1944.

Design

German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-1306 had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. She had a total length of, a pressure hull length of, an overall 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 460/8-276 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-1306 was fitted with five torpedo tubes, fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun,, one Flak M42 and two C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and fifty-two.

Armament

FLAK weaponry

U-1306 was mounted with two 2cm Flak C38 in a M 43U Zwilling mount with short folding shield on the upper Wintergarten. The M 43U mount was used on a number of U-boats.

Sensors

Passive sonar

U-1306 was one of only ten Type VIICs 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

U-1306 was scuttled in Gelting Bay near Gelting on 5 May 1945 as part of Operation Regenbogen. Her wreck was raised and broken up later.