U boat type XIV (Germany)

The full index of our ship stamp archive
Post Reply
D. v. Nieuwenhuijzen
Posts: 871
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:46 pm

U boat type XIV (Germany)

Post by D. v. Nieuwenhuijzen » Sun Jun 14, 2015 2:50 pm

The Type XIV U-boat was a modification of the Type IXD, designed to resupply other U-boats. They were nicknamed "Milchkuhs" (Milk Cows). They had no offensive weaponry, only antiaircraft guns. Early in World War II, the Milk Cows successfully allowed the smaller Type VIIC boats to raid the American coast. The Milk Cows were of course a priority target for all allied forces, and improved radar and air coverage eliminated them during 1943. Milk Cow duty was especially hazardous; 289 sailors were killed out of an estimated complement of 530-576 men.
Ten boats of this type were commissioned: U-459, U-460, U-461, U-462, U-463,U-464, U-487, U-488, U-489, and U-490.
Fourteen planned Type XIVs were cancelled. Three of them (U-491), U-492,U-493) were about 75% done when all work was stopped and they were scrapped in July and August 1943. The other 11 had not been laid down when they were cancelled on May 27, 1944. On that same day Dönitz dropped development plans for the XX class[?], large transport boats that would not have been ready until the summer of 1945.
General Characteristics
Displacement: 1668 tons surfaced, 1932 tons submerged, 2300 tons total
Length: 67.1 meters overall, 47.5 meters pressure hull
Beam: 9.35 meters overall, 4.9 meters pressure hull
Draft: 6.5 meters
Height: 11.7 meters
Power: 3200 horsepower diesel, 750 horsepower battery
Speed: 14.9 surfaced, 6.2 knots submerged
Range: 20,000 kilometers (12,350 miles) at 10 knots surfaced, 90 kilometers (55 miles) at 4 knots submerged
Armament: none
Crew: 53-60 men
Max depth: 240 meters (787')

These vessels were a development from the IXD with the length reduced to that of the VIIC boat. The size of these boats and their intended purpose resulted in the nickname 'Milk Cow'. They were built to resupply the fighting U-boats in the Atlantic and thus had no offensive power, only anti-aircraft weapons for defence.
All type XIV U-boats
Below you can see the 10 commissioned U-boats of this type.
U-459, U-460, U-461, U-462, U-463, U-464, built in 1940-'42 by Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel; U-487, U-488, U-489, and U-490, built in 1941-'43 by F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel.
(Ghana 1998, 800 c. StG.2694)
internet.
Attachments
type XIV z.jpg
type XIV f.jpg
type XIV 2.jpg

Post Reply