U-2502

Type

XXI

Ordered

6 Nov 1943

Laid down

25 Apr 1944

Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 2502)

Launched

15 Jun 1944

Commissioned

19 Jul 1944

Kptlt. Gert Mannesmann

Commanders

19 Jul 1944	-	8 Apr 1945	Gert Mannesmann (German Cross in Gold)
9 Apr 1945	-	12 Apr 1945	Kptlt. Hans Hornkohl
12 Apr 1945	-	9 May 1945	Kptlt. Rudolf Heinz Franke (Knights Cross)

Career
No patrols

19 Jul 1944	-	1 Mar 1945	31. Flottille (training)
1 Mar 1945	-	8 May 1945	11. Flottille (active service)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Surrendered on 9 May 1945 at Horten, Norway (Waller & Niestlé, 2010).

Transferred to Oslo, Norway 18 May
Departed Oslo 3 June
Arrived Scapa Flow, Scotland 6 June
Departed Scapa Flow 8 June
Arrived Lisahally, Northern Ireland 9 June

Selected for RN testing, but broke down en route to SW Scotland for trials. Arrived Birkenhead 22 July. Starboard main and auxiliary motors overheated and damaged by fire 23 July prior to entering dry dock. When docked, repairs were estimated at 4 to 6 weeks and required cutting out a section of the hull. Trials were cancelled, and U-252 returned to Lisahally on 2 August 1945 for storage pending disposal.

On 1 Jan 1946 removed for Operation Deadlight.

Operation Deadlight (post-war Allied operation, info)
On 1 Jan, 1946 she was taken to Moville, some 15 miles north of Lisahally. From there she was sunk on 2 Jan, 1946 at 1030 hours in position 56.06N, 09.00W.

Final location

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4792279?descriptiontype=Full&ref=ADM+1/18328