Type IX submarine

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U-505, a type IXC U-boat
Class overview
Operators	Kriegsmarine  Imperial Japanese Navy (U-511 as Ro-500, U-1224 as Ro-501, U-181 as I-501, U-862 as I-502, and U-195 as I-506)  Soviet Navy (post war; U-1231 as B-26)  French Navy (post war; U-123 as Blaison and U-510 as Bouan)  Royal Canadian Navy (surrendered and seized; U-889 and U-190)
Preceded by	Type I
Succeeded by	Type XXI
Subclasses	Type IXA Type IXB Type IXC Type IXC/40 Type IXD1 Type IXD2 Type IXD/42
Built	1937-1945
In service	1938-1945
Planned	290
Building	195
Completed	194
Cancelled	95
Preserved	2 (U-505 in US and U-534 in UK)
General characteristics
Propulsion	2 × MAN M 9 V 40/46 supercharged 9-cylinder diesel engines, 4,400 PS (4,300 shp; 3,200 kW) 2 × SSW 1 GU 345/34 double-acting electric motors, 1,000 PS (990 shp; 740 kW) 6 × Daimler-Benz MB501 20 cylinder Diesel marine engines with total power of 9,000 horsepower (9,100 PS; 6,700 kW) (IX-D/42 Variant)[1]
Speed	33.7 km/h (18.2 kn) (surfaced) 14.3 km/h (7.7 kn) (submerged)
Range	13,450 nmi (24,910 km; 15,480 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced 63 nmi (117 km; 72 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth	230 m (750 ft)
Complement	48 to 56 (55 to 63 in Type IXD)
Armament	6 × torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 stern) 22 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedoes (24 in Type IXD) 1 × 10.5 cm SK C/32 naval gun various AA guns

The Type IX U-boat was designed by Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine in 1935 and 1936 as a large ocean-going submarine for sustained operations far from the home support facilities. Type IX boats were briefly used for patrols off the eastern United States in an attempt to disrupt the stream of troops and supplies bound for Europe. It was derived from the Type IA and appeared in various sub-types.^[2][3][a]

Type IXs had six torpedo tubes; four at the bow and two at the stern. They carried six reloads internally and ten spare torpedoes externally in pressure-tight containers. Type IX boats could also be fitted for mine operations; as mine-layers they could carry 44 TMA or 60 TMB mines.^[4]

Secondary armament was provided by one 10.5 cm (4.1 in) deck gun with 180 rounds. Anti-aircraft armament differed throughout the war. They had two periscopes in the tower. Types IXA and IXB had an additional periscope in the control room, which was removed in Type IXC and afterwards. These long range boats were frequently equipped with Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 rotor kite towed rotary-wing aircraft.

The Anglo-German Naval Agreement of 1935 allowed Germany to build a U-Boat fleet of 22,050 t (21,700 long tons). Parts for two Type I, twenty-four Type II and ten Type VII U-boats had already been produced before the conclusion of the agreement and these thirty-six U-boats comprising 12,500 t (12,300 long tons) were built within the year. The German Navy wanted to spend the remaining 9,950 t (9,790 long tons) on a large 750 t (740 long tons) U-boat, capable of operating in the Mediterranean Sea. In order to speed up construction, the existing Type I design was modified to fulfill the extra requirements. To improve speed, a more powerful diesel engine was installed. The upper deck was widened so that ten spare torpedoes could be stored below in water-tight containers.^[5]

The first four Type IX U-boats were ordered on 29 July 1936 from DeSchiMAG AG Weser of Bremen,^[6] and on 21 November a further four were ordered from the same yard.^[7] The eight U-boats were commissioned in 1938-39. Six were lost in action and two were scuttled at the end of the war.^[8]

On 17 July 1937 the British amended the Anglo-German Naval Agreement for an expansion of their submarine fleet. As a consequence Germany was also allowed more tonnage for their U-boats and part of this tonnage was used to order two Type IXB on 21 July. The Type IXB was a identical to the Type IXA, except for a wider outer hull,^[7] which increased fuel storage to 165 t (162 long tons).^[9] In 1938 the Germans invoked an clausule of the Anglo-German Naval- Agreement which allowed them to build submarines in parity with the British. A further eight Type IXB were ordered on 24 May 1938 and a ninth was ordered on 9 Augustus.^[10]

DeSchiMAG AG Weser of Bremen built 14 Type IXB U-boats. Thirteen were sunk in the course of the war.

The Type IXC had again a wider outer hull, with storage for an additional 43 tonnes of fuel, increasing the boat's range. This series omitted the control room periscope leaving the boats with two tower scopes.^[11] As mine-layers they could carry 44 TMA or 66 TMB mines, though the 35 boats of U-162 through U-170 and U-505 through U-550 were not fitted for mine operations.^[12] The only U-boat sunk in the Gulf of Mexico, U-166, was a Type IXC. U-505 survives at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, and was completely renovated after being moved in 2004 to a purpose-built indoor berth.^[13]

DeSchiMAG AG Weser and Seebeckwerft of Bremen, and Deutsche Werft of Hamburg built 54 Type IXC submarines. Only four survived the war, one of which is preserved in the US.

Type IXC/40 was an improved Type IXC with slightly increased range^[14] and surfaced speed. U-534 is on display at Woodside Ferry Terminal, Birkenhead.^[15]

DeSchiMAG AG Weser and Seebeckwerft of Bremen, and Deutsche Werft of Hamburg, built 87 of this type.

Type IXD was significantly longer and heavier than the IXC/40. It was faster than the IXC but at the cost of slightly reduced maneuverability. It had three pairs of Daimler Benz diesels: two pairs for cruise and one for high speed or battery recharge. There were three variants: the IXD1, IXD2 and IXD/42. The IXD1 had unreliable engines and they were later converted for use in surface transport vessels. The IXD2 comprised most of the class and had a range of 23,700 nautical miles (43,900 km; 27,300 mi). The IXD/42, was almost identical but with more engine power (5,400 hp (4,000 kW; 5,500 PS) instead of 4,400 hp (3,300 kW; 4,500 PS)).

In 1943 and 1944 the torpedo tubes were removed from some IXD boats converted for transport use. In their new role they could transport 252 tonnes of cargo. The range was extended to 31,500 nautical miles (58,300 km; 36,200 mi).^[1]

DeSchiMAG AG Weser of Bremen built 30 Type IXD U-boats.

Several Type IXD/42 U-boats were contracted to be built by DeSchiMAG AG Weser of Bremen, but only two were commissioned. They were:

• U-883 was launched on 28 April 1944 and commissioned 27 March 1945. Her career ended in Operation Deadlight.
• U-884 was launched on 17 May 1944 but was badly damaged on 30 March 1945 by US bombs while still in the dockyard.
• U-885, U-886, U-887 and U-888 were laid down but construction halted on 30 September 1943 when all IXD/42 contracts were cancelled.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Type IX submarines.

• Bagnasco, Erminio (1977). Submarines of World War Two. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0870219626.
• Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter & Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Translated by Thomas, Keith & Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
• Möller, Eberhard; Brack, Werner (2004). The Encyclopedia of U-Boats. London: Chatham. ISBN 1-85367-623-3.
• Showell, Jak P. Mallmann (2006). The U-boat Century: German Submarine Warfare 1906–2006. London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 9781861762412.
• Rössler, Eberhard (2001). The U-boat: The evolution and technical history of German submarines. London: Cassell & Co. ISBN 0-304-36120-8.
• Williamson, Gordon (2005). Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-boat in World War II. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-872-3.

• Sharpe, Peter (1998). U-Boat Fact File: Detailed Service Histories of the Submarines Operated by the Kriegsmarine 1935–1945. Leicester: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-072-9.
• Thew, Robert W. (1991). "The Type IX U-Boat". Warship International. XXVIII (1). International Naval Research Organization: 14–29. ISSN 0043-0374.