Type IX

Besides the Type VII, the much larger Type IX was the second important submarine class of the Kriegsmarine. Built for long range operations, those boats operated around the world - the South Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and even the Pacific was their operational area, but they were also used in the North Atlantic, especially during Operation Drumbeat (Paukenschlag) - the U-Boat offensive at the American coast. Caused by their bigger size, those class of ships was not so maneuverable than the Type VII, making them more vulnerable. There were several subtypes of the Type IX (A,B,C,D) the last one slightly bigger than the rest and also used as transport submarines to Japan. Of the over 300 boats built, only one ( U505 ) still exists today as a museum ship in Chicago.