Type
XIVThe Type XIV German U-boat was a sea-going submarine tanker, shorter and stockier than other U-Boat Types. In addition to ample fuel for the Frontboots (combat submarines), the Type XIV also carried four externally stowed torpedoes for Frontboots. Some carried a doctor aboard and depending on the mission, sometimes extra food and medical supplies for Frontboots. Basically, the Type XIV was an ocean going gas station for the Frontboots.
There were no variants made to the Type XIV, therefore there was no "A" or "B" added to the design. There was simply the Type XIV.
Displacement................ 1,688 tons surface; 1,932 tons submerged
Dimensions..................... 220' 3" x 30'9" x 21' 3"
Engines............................ twin shaft diesel and electric
Power (diesel)........... 2,800 hp
(electric)....... 750 hp
Speed (diesel).......... 14.5 knots
(electric)...... 6.25 knots
Bunkers........................ 203 tons of fuel oil
(plus 432 tons of fuel for resupply to other boats)
Radius (diesel)..... 9,300 miles @ 12 knots
(electric).. 53 miles @ 4 knots
Tubes (fwd)........... None
(aft)............ None
(carried four torpedoes for resupply)
Guns.......................... None
AA Guns.................. Single 20mm and
twin mount 37mm
Crew........................ 53 men
The Type XIV did not live long in the war for two basic reasons - First, they were a top priority of the Allied ASW because sinking one Type XIV before she could give her fuel to the Frontboots would drastically shorten the time the combat submarines could remain in their patrol area and secondly, the security aboard the Type XIV boats was appalling lax. There are so many accounts of Frontboots taking on fuel from a Type XIV and noting that the men aboard the tanker were standing at the rail, having a smoke - and nobody manning the AA guns. After completing the refueling, the Type XIV many times would get into long radio messages with HQ which of course, brought the long-range ASW aircraft over them quickly. A Type XIV usually did not live more than six months from being put into action. The above reasons usually brought her quick destruction.
It was obvious why the Allied ASW would consider the Type XIV such a top priority, but the lack of security on the boats could have been caused by the attitude of the crew, from the Skipper on down, that they weren't really a combat submarine, so they probably were not worth much as a target. Obviously, that was incorrect.
Type XIV German U-Boats built were: U-459 thru U-464 & U-487 thru U-490 by Deutsches Werft in Kiel;
U-491 thru U-500 and U-2201 thru U-2204 were contracted at Deutsches Werft (Kiel) but cancelled.
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