Language
Country/Area
No result found
The mystery behind the Type VII U-submarine's design: How did it inherit World War I technology?
In World War II, the German Type VII U-submarine was undoubtedly one of the most representative submarines. This type of submarine went through many evolutions and improvements from design to production, and was finally built 703 ships. At the end of the war, only one submarine, U-995, survived, and it is now displayed at the Rabo Naval Memorial in Germany. Behind the design of the Type VII submarine was a deep understanding of early submarine technology and innovative thinking in hopes of evading the constraints of the Treaty of Versailles.
The design of the Type VII submarine inherited many experiences in submarine technology from World War I and continued to improve and expand on it.
The design of the Type VII U-submarine was inspired by earlier German submarines such as the Type UB III, especially the unfinished Type UG design. These designs were carried out through the fake Dutch company NV Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw Den Haag, with the purpose of circumventing the restrictions on Germany under the Treaty of Versailles and building them in foreign shipyards. Finland's Vetehinen class and Spain's Type E-1 design also provided reference for the design of Type VII to some extent.
The Type VII submarine was not only the German Navy's main submarine of the war, but is also considered the most produced submarine type in history.
The Type VII submarine underwent many improvements throughout the course of World War II. From the original Type VIIA to Type VIIC, each variant has been enhanced and adjusted on the original design. For example, although the Type VIIA submarine has a very narrow cabin, its crew still loves it because of its fast submersible ability. In addition, the armament configuration of these submarines is more advanced than their predecessors, the Type II submarines, and can better cope with different combat needs.
In terms of software and hardware design, the Type VII's addition to the German Navy's predicament was just in time to adapt to the fierce battles in the Battle of the Atlantic, making it a weapon against the Allies. Especially for the Type VIIC model, as the main submarine, this type is not only a successful combat machine, but also demonstrated the powerful survival and strike capabilities of German submarines in the Allied anti-submarine warfare.
Although Type VIII and Type IX also entered service during this period, the Type VII remained the submarine type most widely involved in naval warfare since the 1940s. The design ideas behind all these evolutions stem from the knowledge and experience accumulated in the First World War. Due to the production and use of these submarines, part of the German Navy's strategies can adapt to the needs of new types of warfare and continue to improve the combat capabilities of submarines.
Further evolutions of these submarines, such as the Type VIIB and Type VIIC/41, have shown how considerable improvements in fuel and weapons configurations can meet the different needs of war again and again.
The emergence of Type VIIB is a more powerful model designed in response to the insufficient fuel storage capacity of the previous type, showing the designer's deep understanding of improving the efficiency of submarine use. The Type VIIC model became the workhorse of the German submarine force, playing a key role in various missions from 1940 to 1945. This series of improvements not only enhances the combat range of submarines, but also greatly improves their combat durability.
However, in previous missions, these submarines must also face the increasing Allied anti-submarine warfare capabilities. As the war progressed, especially after 1943, the living space of German submarines was greatly reduced. The dilemma faced can be seen in modification schemes such as the U-Flak. These submarines were ultimately unable to fully cope with air threats, eventually leading to a return to the role of standard attack submarines.
Ultimately, the history of this series of submarines is not only an important example of submarine technology, but also a vivid portrayal of how a country seeks innovative solutions in the face of adversity.
The design and production process of the Type VII U-submarine showed Germany's many attempts and adjustments in submarine construction technology, and also reflected the diversity and complexity of military technological innovation in the world at that time. This development idea not only comes from the Second World War, but is also rooted in the lessons and experience of the First World War. We can think about it, what kind of innovative ideas does this history of submarines tell us that are still worth learning from in today’s technological development?
