Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War
Kriegsmarine — Submarine

German submarine U-731

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-7313 October 1942 — 15 May 1944590 days of the war
Type VIIC submarine Particulars
Name
U-731
Builder
Schichau-Werke, Danzig
Ordered
21 November 1940
Laid down
1 October 1941
Launched
25 July 1942
Commissioned
3 October 1942
Fate
Sunk on 15 May 1944 (1944)
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-731 was a Type VIIC submarine of the Kriegsmarine. Schichau-Werke, Danzig laid her keel on 1 October 1941. She entered service on 3 October 1942, having been launched on 25 July 1942.

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 590 days of the Second World War.

She was sunk on 15 May 1944, at 35°54′N 5°45′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 × torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern)
  • 14 × 53.3 cm 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