Type XIV was designed as Ocean going supply U-boats and had
ten watertight compartments. Armament consisted of two 3.7
cm Flak 42, and one
2
cm Flak 30, no deck gun was fitted. Type XIV U-boats were
nicknamed milk cows as their task was to resupply operational
U-boats out at sea with with torpedoes, food, fuel, and other
supplies. They also carried a doctor on board and could take
off any crew members, who needed to be taken to shore for
more treatment. Type XIV U-boats were extremely vulnerable
from enemy air attacks, because of its slow dive time, which
ended with all of this class of U-boat been sunk.
Type XIV ten of this class were built between 1940
and 1943. Six were constructed by
Deutsche
Werke AG, of Kiel, U-459, U-460, U-461, U-462, U-463,
and U-464.
Four were constructed by
F.
Krupp Germaniawerft AG, of Kiel, U-487, U-488, U-489,
and U-490.
German Warships, 1815-1945: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels.
ISBN-10: 155750301X
German U-boat Commanders of World War II.
ISBN-10: 1853673668
German U-boat Losses during World War II.
ISBN-10: 1557506418
For a complete list of
sources