Type IXB U-boats: History and Fate of the AG Weser Fleet
The Type IXB was a specialized class of German submarines designed for long-range operations during World War II. Unlike smaller coastal vessels, these boats were engineered for endurance and versatility in deep-sea environments. Every single vessel in this specific class was constructed by the AG Weser shipyard located in Bremen, Germany.
The production of the Type IXB fleet spanned the late 1930s and early 1940s, with orders placed between 1937 and 1939. These vessels played a significant role in naval engagements across the North Atlantic, the coast of Norway, and as far as the waters near Africa.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Total Vessels: 14 U-boats were built in the Type IXB class.
- Sole Manufacturer: All boats were constructed by AG Weser in Bremen.
- Operational Range: Designed for long-distance missions compared to smaller U-boat types.
- Diverse Fates: The fleet was lost through a combination of combat sinking, mining, aerial depth charges, and scuttling (the intentional sinking of a ship by its own crew to prevent capture).
Detailed Fleet Overview
The Type IXB boats were commissioned between December 1939 and July 1940. Their operational histories vary wildly, from boats that vanished without a trace to those that were captured by Allied forces.
Combat Losses and Sinking
Many Type IXB boats met their end through direct enemy action. For example, U-64 was sunk in the Herjangsfjord near Narvik, Norway, in April 1940, while U-105 and U-124 both suffered total loss of crew when they were sunk in 1943.
Aerial warfare also played a critical role in the attrition of the fleet. Both U-107 and U-109 were destroyed by depth charges—explosive devices dropped from aircraft or fired from ships—launched by British aircraft.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Captures and Scuttling
Not all boats were destroyed in active combat. U-110 represents a rare case of capture; it was seized in the North Atlantic by the destroyers HMS Bulldog and Broadway, and the corvette HMS Aubrietia. To protect the secrets of the captured documents, the Royal Navy sank the vessel the following day.
Toward the end of the war, several boats were scuttled. U-103 was scuttled at Kiel in May 1945, and U-123 was scuttled at Lorient in August 1944. Interestingly, U-123 was later raised and integrated into the French Navy as the submarine Blaison.
Type IXB Fleet Summary Table
| Boat Name | Commissioned | Fate | Casualties/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-64 | 16 Dec 1939 | Sunk 13 Apr 1940 | 8 dead, 38 survivors |
| U-65 | 15 Feb 1940 | Sunk 28 Apr 1941 | All hands lost |
| U-103 | 5 Jul 1940 | Scuttled 3 May 1945 | At Kiel |
| U-104 | 19 Aug 1940 | Sunk 28 Nov 1940 | Hit mine off Tory Island |
| U-105 | 10 Sep 1940 | Sunk 2 Jun 1943 | All hands lost |
| U-106 | 24 Sep 1940 | Sunk 2 Aug 1943 | 22 dead, 36 survivors |
| U-107 | 8 Oct 1940 | Sunk 18 Aug 1944 | British aircraft depth charges |
| U-108 | 22 Oct 1940 | Sunk 11 Apr 1944 | Bombing raid at Stettin |
| U-109 | 5 Dec 1940 | Sunk 4 May 1943 | All hands lost |
| U-110 | 21 Nov 1940 | Captured 9 May 1941 | Sunk by Royal Navy next day |
| U-111 | 19 Dec 1940 | Sunk 4 Oct 1941 | 8 dead, 44 survivors |
| U-122 | 30 Mar 1940 | Missing 22 Jun 1940 | All hands presumed lost |
| U-123 | 30 May 1940 | Scuttled 19 Aug 1944 | Became French submarine Blaison |
| U-124 | 11 Jun 1940 | Sunk 2 Apr 1943 | All hands lost |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the Type IXB U-boats?
All 14 U-boats of the Type IXB class were built by AG Weser in Bremen.
Which Type IXB boat was captured by the British?
U-110 was captured on May 9, 1941, by the destroyers HMS Bulldog and Broadway, and the corvette HMS Aubrietia, before being sunk by the Royal Navy to keep captured documents secret.
Did any Type IXB boats survive to serve in another navy?
Yes, U-123 was scuttled at Lorient in 1944, later raised, and became the French submarine Blaison.
What were the primary causes of loss for this class?
The vessels were lost to a variety of causes, including depth charges from aircraft and warships, naval mines, bombing raids, and intentional scuttling.
Which boats suffered a total loss of crew?
U-65, U-105, U-109, U-122, and U-124 all suffered the loss of all hands on board.