German World War II submarine
German submarine "U-271" was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's "Kriegsmarine" during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 21 October 1941 at the Bremer Vulkan yard at Bremen-Vegesack as yard number 36, launched on 29 July 1942 and commissioned on 23 September under the command of "Kapitänleutnant" Curt Barleben. After training with the 8th U-boat Flotilla, "U-271" was transferred to the 1st U-boat Flotilla, for front-line service from 1 June 1943.
"U-271" sank no ships in her short career. She was a member of two wolfpacks.
Design.
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. "U-271" had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. She had a total length of , a pressure hull length of , a beam of , a height of , and a draught of . The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-acting electric motors producing a total of for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to .
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of . When submerged, the boat could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at . "U-271" was fitted with five torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and two twin C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
Service history.
First patrol.
The boat's initial foray started and finished in Lorient in occupied France. It was relatively uneventful.
Second patrol.
It was a different story on her second patrol. While serving as a 'Flak' boat, "U-271" was attacked by two TBM Avengers from the on 21 October 1943. One man died.
She was also attacked by a B-24 Liberator on 24 June south southeast of Cape Finisterre. The aircraft was shot down. The submarine sustained some damage.
Third patrol and loss.
"U-271" set off from Brest for the last time on 12 January 1944. On the 28th she was attacked and sunk west of Limerick in Ireland by a US Navy PB4Y-1 Liberator of VB-103.
Fifty-one men died; there were no survivors.
Wolfpacks.
"U-271" took part in two wolfpacks, namely:
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