The Type I boat was one of the least successful of the German submarine constructions, and only two were built: U25 and U26. Both were difficult, almost dangerous to handle, and further construction was stopped.
The Type II boats, Einbäume or ‘dugout canoes’ as they were nicknamed, were small, 250-ton coastal boats; robust, cheap and fast to build. They were uncomplicated, easy to handle and generally well liked by their crews but had a limited range and only three torpedo tubes in the bow, making them unsuitable for operations in the Atlantic.40 As the number of larger boats slowly grew, the Einbäume were largely deployed with the training units. Due to the shortage of boats in September 1939, most Type IIs had one or more active patrols during the first months of the war. By mid-1940, most of them were back at the training flotillas, though, except a few of the modified Type IIDs, which were retained in operational service.
U-boats U4, U2, U1, U8 and U9. The former three are Type IIA and slightly smaller than U8 and U9, which are Type IIBs. (Author’s collection)
Submarine tender Saar with the Salzwedel Flotilla in Bremerhaven 1937. The innermost boat, U25, is Type IA, the others are all Type VIIA. Note that U33 to the right is painted in a camouflage pattern, which was tested in Spain but found to be ineffective. (Author’s collection)
Despite their moderate size and relatively simple construction, the 500-ton Type VIIA boats, designed in 1933–34, proved to be a robust design, capable of operations in the Atlantic – just.41 Fast on the surface and with a potent striking power, they were well-liked by their crews in spite of the cramped interior. In particular, their ability to dive fast and go deep was cherished. There were five torpedo tubes, four in the bow and one aft. The VIIAs could carry eleven torpedoes or twenty to thirty mines at the cost of four to six torpedoes. On deck, there was a fast-firing 88-mm gun with some 200 rounds of ammunition.42
The modified Type VIIB, first launched in June 1936, had a substantially increased range through an additional 33 tons of fuel in external saddle tanks. Capable of some 8,700 miles at 10 knots, this was as near an ideal Atlantic submarine as practicably possible at the time. The VIIBs were slightly faster than the As, and with twin rudders had improved agility as well. Additional torpedo capacity gave a total of fourteen.43 Many of the most famous U-boats of WWII were Type VIIB, including U47, U48 and U99. The further improved Type VIIC would become the mainstay of the U-boat force from 1941 onwards.
The largest of the initial German U-boats was Type IX. The large hull made room for six torpedo tubes, four in the bow and two aft, and a total of twenty-two torpedoes were carried, of which ten were external and had to be taken inboard while at sea. Operational diving depth was given as 100 metres (330 feet), but several boats would later go well below 200 metres, and survive.44
First Blood
The Spanish Civil War offered an opportunity for the Kriegsmarine to test its new ships and U-boats under proper operational conditions. On 24 July 1936, Deutschland and Admiral Scheer set off for Spanish waters under command of Konteradmiral Rolf Carls to participate in the international operation, bringing expatriates and refugees to safety. Within a few days, the light cruiser Köln followed, accompanied by the torpedo boats Albatros, Leopard and Kondor. For recognition purposes the main turrets of the ships were marked with black, white and red stripes. By October, some 15,300 refugees had been brought to safety, of which 5,539 were German nationals.45 Deutschland and Scheer operated individually most of the time, responding to the needs reported from German or international counsellors ashore. The torpedo boats followed whichever ship was considered most in need of escort or if there was likely to be an evacuation requiring smaller ships.
In August, Britain, France, Germany and Italy signed an agreement to establish an international Non-Intervention Committee, preventing personnel, weapons and other contraband materiel reaching the warring parties by a naval force. Germany was given responsibility for the waters off a sector between Almeria and Oropesa in the Mediterranean and, unlike on land – where the Legion Condor openly sided with the rebels – the Kriegsmarine participated in joint naval operations, led by the Royal Navy. In reality, the German warships were also used to ensure the safe arrival of their own merchant ships, delivering supplies to the nationalists.46 Deutschland, Scheer and Graf Spee would do several tours in Spanish waters on a rotational basis; each tour usually lasting from two to three months, supported by torpedo boats. Command of the German ships in Spain alternated between Konteradmirals Carls, Boehm and von Fischel. During late 1937 and 1938, Konteradmiral Wilhelm Marschall and Kapitän Otto Ciliax, to be key officers in the Kriegsmarine, were also tested out as commanders of the German naval forces in Spain.47
U-boats served in Spanish waters during the civil war, giving their captains and crews invaluable experience, testing equipment as well as tactics, particularly in avoiding detection by surface vessels. At least two U-boats served clandestinely on the Nationalist side. U34 sank the Republican submarine C3 off Malaga in December 1936 – a flagrant breach of German neutrality hushed up to avoid political complications.48
In May 1937, Deutschland was at Palma on the island of Mallorca, accompanied by the torpedo boat Albatros and two U-boats. On the 24th, Republican aircraft attacked the town and harbour installations. British and Italian ships opened fire on the aircraft, while Deutschland cast off, heading for the neighbouring island of Ibiza. During further attacks later in the evening, several bombs fell close to Albatros, and Kapitänleutnant Hans Erdmenger decided to take to sea. On 29 May, Deutschland came under attack again, this time while at anchor off Ibiza. There were guests on board and most of the crew had been allowed to relax on deck. In the afternoon, two light cruisers, the Republican Libertad and Mendez-Nunez, were seen approaching, accompanied by eight destroyers. They appeared to be just passing, but Kapitän Paul Fanger asked the guests to go ashore and ordered ten minutes’ notice for engine and anchor-handling crews on duty. No general state of alert was sounded, though, and the A/A guns were not manned. Suddenly, two aircraft appeared, coming out of the evening sun over land.49 Within seconds, the Panzerschiff was hit by two 50-kg (110-lb) bombs. The first struck the roof of No. III starboard 15-cm gun, splinters puncturing the fuel tank of the floatplane on the catapult. The leaking aviation spirit caught fire and a serious blaze ensued. The second bomb struck forward of the bridge, penetrating to the mess deck before exploding, also starting a major fire. The forward 15-cm magazine was flooded as a precaution, while the forward main turret was evacuated for over twenty minutes.
Spain, 29 May 1937. The Panzerschiff Deutschland was hit by two 50-kg bombs from Republican Tupolev SB-2 bombers, most likely flown by Soviet crews. The first bomb hit No. III starboard 15-cm gun. The second struck forward of the bridge, exploding on the mess deck and starting the major fire seen here. (Author’s collection)
Seeing Deutschland under attack, four of the Republican destroyers turned towards the Panzerschiff, opening fire. Some of the shells landed very close and some panic ensued while ‘Action Stations’ was sounded.50 Before the guns were ready, though, the destroyers turned away, checking their fire. Twenty-three sailors were dead on board Deutschland. A further eight died from their wounds within two weeks; 110 were wounded, seventy-four seriously with horrific burns. Kapitän Fanger headed for open sea, and after meeting with Admiral Scheer to take on additional medical personnel, sailed for Gibraltar. There, fifty-four of the most seriously wounded were hospitalised and the dead buried with military honours. Hitler ordered the bodies to be exhumed and brought home for a reburial at Wilhelmshaven under a full German ceremony, which he himself attended. Meanwhile, Admiral Scheer