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.svg){kind=small} Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-1206 |
| Ordered | April 2 1942 |
| Builder | F. Schichau GmbH, Danzig |
| Yard number | 1576 |
| Laid down | June 12 1943 |
| Launched | December 30 1943 |
| Commissioned | March 16 1944 |
| Fate | Sank due to accident on April 14, 1945 in the North Sea near Peterhead, Scotland, at position 57.21N, 01.39W. 4 dead and 46 survivors. |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | VIIC |
| Crew | 50 |
| Service record | |
| Part of: | Kriegsmarine 11. Unterseebootsflottille |
| Commanders: | Karl-Adolf Schlitt |
| Operations: | 1 patrol |
| Victories: | 0 ships sunk |
U-1206 or Unterseeboot 1206 was a German Type VIIC submarine of the Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was laid down on June 12 1943 at F. Schichau GmbH in Danzig and went into service on March 16 1944. The boats emblem was a white Stork on a black shield with green beak and legs.
Service history
After being commissioned, the submarine, under the command of Oblt. Günther Fritze, took part in training exercises with 8. Unterseebootsflottille until July 1944 when it was assigned to 11. Unterseebootsflottille and command handed over to Kptlt. Karl-Adolf Schlitt. The boat was then fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus before being released for patrol duties.
Patrols
On March 28 1945 the submarine departed from Kiel for its first patrol in the North Sea, returning on March 30.
On April 2 the submarine departed from Horten returning the following day.
On April 6 the submarine departed from Kristiansand and on April 14 the boat sank after the toilet was operated improperly.
Sinking
U-1206 was one of the late war boats fitted with the new deepwater high-pressure toilets which allowed them to be used while running at depth. Flushing these toilets was extremely complicated and special technicians were trained to operate them.
On April 14 1945, 8 miles off Peterhead, Scotland, while cruising at a depth of 200 feet, misuse of the new head caused large amounts of water to flood the boat. The Commander was in the engine room at the time, helping repair one of the diesel engines. The submarine's batteries were almost drained, and the flooding of the forward section left Schlitt with no alternative than to surface. Once surfaced, he met with strong opposition, and was forced to scuttle the submarine. Four men died, while 46 were captured. A large number of sources incorrectly attribute this incident to U-120.
During survey work for the BP Forties Field oil pipeline to Cruden Bay in the mid 1970s, the remains of U-1206 were found at 57°21′N 01°39′W / 57.350°N 1.650°W / 57.350; -1.650 in approximately 70 m (230 ft) of water.
References
- U-1206 emblem uboat.net
- Showell, Jak P. Mallman (2006). Chatham Publishing. p. 81. ISBN 9781861762412.
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External links
- German U-Boat Losses During World War II - Axel Niestle 1998, United States Naval Inst. ISBN 1557506418
- U-1206 uboat.net
- Kriegsmarine and U-Boat history List of U-1206 crew members -ubootwaffe.net