Molch
Contruction Data
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Technical Data
| Size: |
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| Length: |
10,73 m |
| Beam: |
Diameter 1,16 m |
| Diving Depth: |
40 m |
| Armament: |
2 x 53,3 cm torpedoes (G7e) |
| Performance: |
13 hp (SSW GL231/7.5 electrical engine)
Speed: 4,3 kn (5,0 submerged)
Range: 50 miles at 2,9 kn + 50 miles at 4,3 kn
(50 miles at 3,3 kn plus 50 miles at 5kn submerged) |
History
The Molch
was the first mini-submarine of the Kriegsmarine. Based on torpedo technology, it was basically build as a big manned
torpedo for a crew of one, carrying two standard torpedoes. The first of the 363 build Molche
was delivered on 12.06.1944 and it soon got clear that its complicated system of trim and diving tanks made it very difficult to control during combat operations. A first Molch
flotilla (60 vehicles) was used in autumn 1944 in Italy, a second was send to Holland in December 1944, a third and fourth planed to used in Holland and Norway were not realized anymore. Since the Molch
was not successful in combat operations, it was then used as a training vessel for the more advanced mini-submarines.
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