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U-Boot-Klasse XIV "Milchkuh"
Milchkuh
General information
Place of origin Germany
Category Submarine
Class Type XIV
Sister ships U-459
U-460
U-461
U-462
U-463
U-464
U-487
U-488
U-489
U-490
Used by Germany
Speed 14.9 knots (27.6 km/h) surfaced
6.2 knots (11.5 km/h) submerged
Crew in‑game 6
Seat 2
Primary weapon 1x 3,7 cm Flak
Seat 3
Primary weapon 1 × 2 cm Flak
Seat 4
Primary weapon 1 × 2 cm Flak
Seat 5
Primary weapon Passenger Seat
Seat 6
Primary weapon Passenger Seat
U460-1-

The concept of supplying U-boats while at sea was foreseen as early as 1934, for it extended the time a U-boat could spend on patrol in its operational area. It was for this purpose that the Type XIV U-tanker was designed.
The first proposal for a submarine tanker was made in 1934, and resurrected in 1938 when fear of a British blockade caused the proposal to be re-examined. But it was not until September 1939 that a design was finalised and approved by Admiral Raeder in January 1940, with the order for the first six tankers being placed on 14 May 1940, to be followed by another four. It was the Type XIV U-tankers that became known as Milchkuh, or Milk Cow.
By September 1942 the Type had been well proven, and a further six were ordered, followed by a further eight on 17 April 1943, making 24 boats in total, but only the first ten were completed, the remaining fourteen were cancelled by mid 1944.
In the early days of WW2, until the Type XIV entered service, replenishment was done by surface supply ships, but following the sinking of the Bismarck in May 1941, all such vessels were sunk within a few of months. Until the Type XIVs were available, suitable U-boats, particularly minelayers, were pressed into service to fill the gap. But there were never enough U-tankers available, so these makeshift supply boats continued to be used until the end of the European war.

U-460[]

She had carried out five successful re-supply missions. During her sixth re-supply mission North of the Azores (Oct 4 1943 ), the U-460 was surprised by aircraft from the USS Card along with three other boats; the U-264 which had just taken on fuel, the U-422 and U-455 awaiting its turn.

The first attack damaged U-460 hampering her ability to dive. Anticipating more aircraft attack, the U-264 and U-422 stayed on the surface to defend the tanker. The ensuing duel saw twelve aircraft pitted against three boats. The U-460 and U-422 was sunk while the U-264 got away. 62 dead and 2 survivors.

U-462[]

U462-at sea-1-

The U-462 was part of the Gruppe Monsun Pack. She had carried out two successful re-supply missions and on her outbound journey on Jul 30 1943 to refuel the Gruppe Monsun boats, she was surprised and attacked by aircraft along with U-461 , U-504 and U-550.

The aircraft attack had left her unable to dive, while the warships of the 2nd Escort Group closed in for the kill. The captain ordered for the boat to be scuttled. 1 dead and 64 survivors.

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