Kriegsmarine U- Boat Type IXC   Type IX was designed in 1935-1936 as large ocean-going U-boats, they were derived from Type IA. Fitted with 6 torpedo tubes below the waterline (4 at the bow and 2 at the stern) they carried 22 torpedoes. Type IX had 5 external torpedo containers (3 at the stern and 2 at the bow) which stored 10 additional torpedoes.   Type IXB was an improved version of Type IX with increased range of 1,500 n/miles and slightly heavier.   Type IXC was a further development of Type IXB with storage for additional 43 tons of fuel which gave them increased range up to 13,450 n/miles at 10 knots. These series omitted the control room periscope leaving the boats with two tower scopes. The IXC was very successful, their 22 torpedoes stored gave a determined U-boat commander a serious striking power which could be used night after night against the same convoy, as was often the case. Specifications, Type IXC: Displacement (srf/sub tons): 1,120/1,232             Dimensions (L*B*D meter): 76.76*6.76*4.70 Propulsion: diesel-electric 2*2,200hp supercharged MAN,9 cylinder, M9V 40/46 diesels , 2*500hp Siemens-Schukert 2GU 345/34 electric motors, 2*62 AFA type 36 MAK 740 or 740W or type 44 MAL 740W battery cells, 2 shaft Speed (srf/sub knots): 18.3/7.3 Range (srf/sub n/miles@knots): 13,450@10/63@4 Diving depth (meter): 120 (crush depth 230) Complement: 4 officers and up to 53 enlisted Torpedo: 4*21"(533 mm) bow torpedo tubes, 2*21" stern torpedo tubes, total of 22 torpedoes Mines: 44*TMA or 66*TMB in lieu of torpedoes Armament: Utof 105/L45mm main deck gun, 1*37mm AA gun, 1*20mm AA gun Construction A total of 54 boats were built in this class; U-66-68, 3 hulls by AG Weser, Bremen 1939 to 1941 U-125-131, 7 hulls by AG Weser, Bremen 1939 to 1941 U-153-158, 6 hulls by AG Weser, Bremen 1939 to 1941 U-159-160, 2 hulls by AG Weser, Bremen 1939 to 1941 U-161-166, 6 hulls by Seebeck, Bremen 1939 to 1942 U-171-176, 6 hulls by AG Weser, Bremen 1939 to 1941 U-501-524, 24 hulls by Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg 1939 t0 1942 Back to History Index