Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War
Kriegsmarine — Submarine

German submarine U-281

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-28127 February 1943 — 9 May 1945802 days of the war
Type VIIC submarine Particulars
Name
U-281
Builder
Bremer Vulkan, Bremen-Vegesack
Ordered
5 June 1941
Laid down
7 May 1942
Launched
16 January 1943
Commissioned
27 February 1943
Fate
Surrendered at Kristiansand-Sud on 9 May 1945
Sunk on 30 November 1945 in Operation Deadlight (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-281 was a Type VIIC submarine built for the Kriegsmarine. Bremer Vulkan, Bremen-Vegesack laid her keel on 7 May 1942. She entered service on 27 February 1943, having been launched on 16 January 1943.

612 ships of the class were built. 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 802 days of the Second World War.

She was sunk on 9 May 1945, at 55°50′N 10°05′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 × torpedoes or 26 TMA mines
  • 1 × 8.8 cm deck gun (220 rounds)
  • 2 × twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns

Sister ships

587 more in the class

Sources