List of specifications of submarines of World War II

Submarines of World War II represented a wide range of capabilities with many types of varying specifications produced by dozens of countries. The principle countries engaged in submarine warfare during the war were Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. The Italian and Soviet fleets were the largest. While the German and US fleets fought anti-shipping campaigns (in the Atlantic and Pacific respectively), the British and Japanese submarines were mostly engaged against enemy warships.Miller, D., The Illustrated Directory of Submarines of the World pp. 124-127, MBI Publishing, 2002,

Specifications

+Specifications of the principle submarines of World War IICountryClassTypeVariantsFirst commissionedProductionClass lostEnemy ships sunkDisplacement (tons)surfacedsubmergedLength (feet)Beam (feet)Draft (feet)PropulsionSpeed (knots)surfacedsubmergedRange (nautical miles)surfacedsubmergedDiving depth (feet)ComplementArmament(non-torpedo)Torpedo tubesTorpedoesNotableCommentsFrance600 seriesCoastal patrolSirène, , Circé, Orion, Diane, classes19272818TBD599–641745–809205–21616–1814–20Diesel (1,200–1,420 hp) Electric (1,000 hp), 2 shafts147.5–93,500–4,00075–8280411×75–100 mm6–7×22"(2–3 forward, 2 midships, 2 aftFranceOceangoing patrolTypes I, IIJul 1931312831,5722,0823032716Diesel (4,300 hp) Electric (1,200 hp), 2 shafts171014,00090120851×100mm9×22"2×16"11Served with Allies and AxisGermanyType VIIMiller, D., Submarines of the World pp. 144-150, MBI Publishing, 2002, Oceangoing attackTypes A, B, C, C/41Jun 19386954372777538572182014Diesel (3,200 hp) Electric (750 hp), 2 shafts1888,70090720441×88mm5×21" (4 bow, 1 stern)14 U-47, U-99, U-100Very successful Atlantic commerce raiderGermanyType IXMiller, D., Submarines of the World pp. 150-153, MBI Publishing, 2002, Long-range oceangoing attackTypes A, B, C, D, D/42Dec 193819213?TBD1,0321,0532512215Diesel (2,800 hp) Electric (1,000 hp), 2 shafts18712,00065755541×105mm6×21" (4 bow, 2 stern)24TBDVery successful Atlantic commerce raiderGermanyType XXIMiller, D., Submarines of the World pp. 156-158, MBI Publishing, 2002, Long-range oceangoing attack electro-boatType AJun 194498TBD01,6211,8192522220Diesel (4,000 hp) Electric (4,800 hp), Silent electric (226 hp), 2 shafts161715,500385850572×twin 20mm6×21" (all bow)23TBDSignificant post-war impactJapanI-15Bishop, C., The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II p. 435, Metro Books, 1998, Long-range oceangoing attackTypes B1, B2, B3Sep 194020TBDTBD2,5903,6553563017Diesel (12,400 hp) Electric (2,000 hp), 2 shafts24814,0001003301001×140mm, 2×25, airplane,6×21" (all bow)18TBDCarried an airplaneJapanKaitenCroix, P., The Encyclopedia of the World’s Warships p. 184, Chartwell Books, 1985, Midget suicideTypes 1, 2, 3,41944-19452000+TBD0?181848-543-4.53-4Torpedo engine (550 hp) or Hydro-hydrazine (1,800 hp)30-4030-4023–38 kmTBD1-21,500 kg warhead00TBDCommonly intended as a suicide craftJapanKohyotekiRekishi Gunzō, History of the Pacific War Vol. 35, Kō-hyōteki and Kōryū, Gakken (Tokyo, Japan), 2002, pp. 39-46Midget attackTypes A, B, C1941?101TBD0?TBD4779610Electric (600 hp)2319100TBD982140 kg scuttling charge22TBDAttacked Pearl Harbor and elsewhereNetherlandsO21 Class Oceangoing attackNone193773?TBD990120577.7m6.8m3.95.Diesel (2×2,500 hp) Electric (2×500 hp), 2 shafts19.5910,00028115m391×88mm8×21" (4 bow, 2 stern, 2 traversed)22TBDVery successful Pacific commerce raiderUnited KingdomT-classMiller, D., Submarines of the World pp. 168-171, MBI Publishing, 2002, McCartney, I., British Submarines 1939–1945 (2006) Osprey Publishing, , p8-13Oceangoing patrol1st, 2nd and 3rd groupDec 193853about 25%TBD1,0951,5852762514Diesel (2,500 hp) Electric (1,450 hp), 2 shafts 169 7,00080 300-350 up to 631×4" gun10-11×21"(mostly bow)16 Turbulent, Thrasher, Torbay Served into the 1960sUnited KingdomU-classMcCartney, I., British Submarines 1939–1945 (2006) Osprey Publishing, Coastal patrolGroup I, II, III ("V")193870TBDTBD5627402051616 Diesel-electricThe diesel engines were used for charging the batteries only (825 shp), 2 shafts12.759 5,000 mi120 mi 300371×3" gun4×21"(bow)8 Venturer, Upholder chiefly Mediterranean operations, used outside RNUnited StatesGatoFriedman, N., U.S. Submarines Through 1945, p. 295-296, Naval Institute Press, 1995, Long-range oceangoing attackGato, Balao, Tench Nov 1941228Lenton, H. T. American Submarines (Doubleday, 1973), p.531TBD1,5262,4243122715Diesel (5,400 hp) Electric (2,750 hp), 2 shafts20912,00095300-400802×50 cal, 2 × 30 cal MG, 1×3" 10×21" (6 bow, 4 stern)24Flasher, Tang, Wahoo, Archerfish, BowfinVery successful type, main U.S. submarine

Notes Notes

Citations

References Bishop, C., The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Metro Books, 1998, Croix, P., The Encyclopedia of the World’s Warships p. 184, Chartwell Books, 1985, Bagnasco, E. Submarines of World War Two, Naval Institute Press, 1978, Friedman, N., U.S. Submarines Through 1945, Naval Institute Press, 1995, Miller, D., Submarines of the World MBI Publishing, 2002,