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What was the home base of the German submarine?

Author

Christopher Anderson

Published Feb 11, 2026

What was the home base of the German submarine?

Lorient Submarine Base
Lorient Submarine Base was a submarine naval base located in Lorient, France. It was built during World War II by the German Navy, and after the German surrender was used by the French Navy. It was decommissioned in 1995 and converted to civilian use.

Where were the German U-boat pens in France?

Bordeaux
The German occupying forces built many U-boat pens in the Atlantic ports of France in Bordeaux, Brest, La Rochelle/La Pallice, Lorient, and St. Nazaire. Almost 4.4 million cubic metres of concrete were used.

Are there any surviving German U-boats?

The German Unterseeboot, or U-boat, was a submarine that appeared seemingly out of nowhere to destroy both military and commercial ships. Despite their prevalence during WWI and WWII, only four U-boats exist today.

How many ww2 U-boats are still missing?

According to the definitive website Uboat.org, a total of 50 German U-boats remained unaccounted for after the end of World War II.

Where did Germany build its U boats?

In 1903 the Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft dockyard in Kiel completed the first fully functional German-built submarine, Forelle, which Krupp sold to Russia during the Russo-Japanese War in April 1904.

Where are the U-boat pens in La Rochelle?

La Rochelle U-boat base. La Rochelle was the home base of the 3e U-Flotilla, which officially moved in from Kiel in October 1941. The base is located a few kilometers west of La Rochelle, inside the commercial port of La Pallice.

Where are the u-boat pens in La Rochelle?

Where are the u-boat pens?

Nazi U-Boat Pens – La Rochelle, France – Atlas Obscura.

How deep can a German U-boat dive?

What is the maximum depth to which submarines can dive? All modern German submarines are tested for a depth of 197 feet, but for short periods they can go deeper. Cases are known of boats having dived to 250 to 300 feet without injury.

What happened to U-boats after WW2?

Of the 156 U-boats that surrendered to the allies at the end of the war, 116 were scuttled as part of Operation Deadlight. The Royal Navy carried out the operation, and planned to tow the submarines to three areas about 100 miles (160 km) north-west of Ireland and sink them.

Who has the most submarines in WW2?

The Imperial Japanese Navy operated the most varied fleet of submarines of any navy, including Kaiten crewed torpedoes, midget submarines (Type A Ko-hyoteki and Kairyu classes), medium-range submarines, purpose-built supply submarines and long-range fleet submarines.

Where can I find the Elbe II bunker?

The Elbe II bunker is located on the southern bank of the Elbe river at the Vulkanhafen. This area is within the Freeport of Hamburg and to access it you should have to present your passport. The bow of U-3004 inside the Elbe II bunker. Hatch 5 of U-3506 inside the Elbe II bunker.

How were the Elbe U-boats found?

These boats were virtually missing until 1985 when the boats were discovered through research by Jak P Mallmann-Showell, Wolfgang Hirschfeld and Walter Cloots in the mostly demolished Elbe II U-boat bunker in Hamburg. The Elbe II bunker is located on the southern bank of the Elbe river at the Vulkanhafen.

Where was the U-boat base in Hamburg?

Hamburg, Germany The U-Boat bunker “Elbe II” Plans for the “Elbe II” base in Hamburg were drawn up in 1940. In December 1940 groundwork began at the “Vulkanhöft” area in Tollerort.

When was the Elbe II base built?

Plans for the “Elbe II” base in Hamburg were drawn up in 1940. In December 1940 groundwork began at the “Vulkanhöft” area in Tollerort. In March 1941 the foundations were completed: 2,500 38 x 35cm piles, each bearing a load of 60 tons. With 50.000 m 3 of concrete walls and ceilings were completed in December 1941.