Type XXI

4000 hp (diesel), 4426 hp (battery) Speed: 15,6kn (16,8 kn submerged) Range: 15500 miles at 10 kn (365 miles at 5 kn submerged)

The Typ XXI was the answer to the increasing danger to German U-Boats by allied anti submarine forces in the second half of the war. Due to their powerful electrical engines and hydrodynamical shaped hull, those very advanced submarines were faster submerged than on the surface. The boats were built in sections to increase the production numbers, but although more than 134 were built only 7 of the new "Elektroboote" ( Typ XXI and XXIII ) operated against allied forces. The design of the Typ XXI influenced the submarine construction in many countries after the war, e.g. the Russian W-Class was based on them. After the war, the former U2540 was raised and entered service in the Bundesmarine as Wilhelm Bauer, it is now on display in Bremerhaven, Germany.