U-1206
Type | VIIC | |||||
| Ordered | 2 Apr 1942 | |||||
| Laid down | 12 Jun 1943 | F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (werk 1576) | ||||
| Launched | 30 Dec 1943 | |||||
| Commissioned | 16 Mar 1944 | Oblt. Günther Fritze | ||||
| Commanders |
| |||||
| Career | 1 patrol | 16 Mar 1944 - 31 Jan 1945 8. Flottille (training) 1 Feb 1945 - 14 Apr 1945 11. Flottille (front boat) | ||||
| Successes | No ships sunk or damaged | |||||
| Fate | Sank on 14 April, 1945 in the North Sea near Peterhead, Scotland, in position 57.21N, 01.39W, in a diving accident. 4 dead and 46 survivors. | |||||
General notes on this boat
Update
In the mid 70's, while survey work was being undertaken for the BP Forties Field oil pipeline to Cruden Bay, the remains of U-1206 were found in approx. 70m depth at 57.24N, 01.36W. This location was later confirmed with GPS as N57d24.160' W001d36.930.
14 Apr 1945.
Sunk by a toilet?
In many sources it is stated the U-120 was "sunk by a toilet" (probably a very bad way to go! :). However this story should be attributed, with changes, to the U-1206 which was one of the late war boats fitted with the new deep water high-pressure toilets (enabling the boat to use its toilet at greater depth than before).
On 14 April 1945, only 8-10 miles off the British coast line, the boat was safely cruising at 200 feet when the commander, Schlitt, decided to use the toilet without the help of a trained specialist (the system was complicated). Something went wrong and when the specialist arrived he misunderstood something and opened the wrong valve with the end results that large amount of seawater got into the boat. The seawater reached the batteries directly under the toilet causing chlorine gas to form and the boat had to be surfaced immediately right under the enemy. When the boat reached the surface they managed to blow clean air into the boat but at the same time an aircraft bombed the boat causing extensive damages leaving the boat unable to dive. Seeing the hopeless situation Schlitt had no choice but to destroy his secret material and abandon ship to safe his crew. (Brennecke, J. (2001). Jager and Gejagte)
Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in April 1945 but it was of course installed prior to that date. Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.
Men lost from U-boats
Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-1206 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
 | We have emblem entries for this boat! You can view the emblems here. (The emblem on the left is not the emblem for this boat). |
Buy this title at amazon.com See more sellers |
Books dealing with this subject include:
|
