Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War
Kriegsmarine — Submarine

German submarine U-242

Type VIIC submarine

Displacement
757 long tons (769 t)
Length
67.1 m (220.1 ft)
Beam
6.2 m (20.3 ft)
Speed
17.7 knots (32.8 km/h, 20.4 mph)
Main gun
88 mm (3.5 in)

Service

  1. Kriegsmarine as U-24214 August 1943 — 5 April 1945600 days of the war
Type VIIC submarine Particulars
Name
U-242
Builder
Germaniawerft, Kiel
Ordered
10 April 1941
Laid down
30 September 1942
Launched
20 July 1943
Commissioned
14 August 1943
Fate
Sunk by a mine on 5 April 1945
By mine (1945)
Status
Wreck

Specifications

Displacement, surfaced
757 long tons (769 t)
Displacement, submerged
857 long tons (871 t)
Length
67.1 m (220.1 ft) OA
Beam
6.2 m (20.3 ft)
Draught
4.74 m (15.6 ft)
Speed
17.7 knots (32.8 km/h, 20.4 mph)
Range
8,500 nmi (15,742 km)
Main gun
88 mm (3.5 in)

U-242 was a Type VIIC submarine in service with the Kriegsmarine. Her keel was laid at Germaniawerft, Kiel on 30 September 1942. Launched on 20 July 1943, she entered service on 14 August 1943.

Her class ran to 612 ships. The class followed the Type UB III, Vetehinen class and was succeeded by the Type XXI (Late-war replacement).

The boat displaced 757 long tons surfaced and 857 long tons submerged. She measured 67.1 m (220 ft) long with a beam of 6.2 m (20 ft). Her designed speed was 17.7 knots.

Her main battery was one 88 mm (3.5 in) guns.

She was in commission for 600 days of the Second World War.

She was sunk on 5 April 1945 by mine, at 52°02′N 5°46′W. The wreck survives.

Written from the harvested record. Every figure above is sourced; the wording is this site's own.

Armament and machinery

Armament and machinery
Propulsion
  • 2 shafts
  • 2 × diesel engines
  • 2 × electric motors
Power
  • 2800 - 3200 PS (diesels)
  • 750 PS (electric)
Armament
  • 5 × 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern)
  • 14 × G7e torpedoes or 26 TMA mines
  • 1 × 8.8 cm deck gun(220 rounds)
  • 1 × 3.7 cm Flak M42 AA gun
  • 2 × twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns

Sister ships

587 more in the class

Sources