U-995 Type VIIC/41 and U-861 Type IXD2 at the German Submarine Base Dora I in Trondheim After the Surrender

At the end of World War II, as Nazi Germany’s grip on Europe began to collapse, the German U-boat fleet—once a dominant force in the Atlantic—found itself at a pivotal moment in history. After the surrender of Germany in May 1945, many of the submarines that had carried out some of the most daring and devastating operations of the war were left stranded at naval bases across Europe. One such location was Dora I, a massive underground submarine base located in Trondheim, Norway. Among the U-boats that found themselves there were the U-995, a Type VIIC/41 submarine, and the U-861, a Type IXD2 submarine. Both of these submarines had seen significant action during the war, and their presence at Dora I after the German surrender marked the end of an era for the Kriegsmarine and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of naval warfare.

The German Submarine Base Dora I in Trondheim

The Dora I submarine base, located in the city of Trondheim in central Norway, was one of the most advanced and strategic U-boat bases developed by Nazi Germany during the war. The Germans established a series of underground submarine bases along the Norwegian coast to protect their submarines from Allied air and naval attacks. These bases, built deep into the mountainsides, were designed to provide safe harbor for the U-boats, allowing them to repair and refuel between patrols in the Atlantic.

Dora I was one of the largest and most significant of these bases. It featured reinforced concrete bunkers capable of housing multiple U-boats at a time. The base was equipped with extensive facilities, including repair shops, storage rooms, and a network of tunnels to keep submarines hidden from enemy reconnaissance. It was strategically located in Trondheim, a key position on Norway’s western coast, which provided easy access to the North Sea and the Atlantic.

By the time the war neared its conclusion, the Dora I base had become a symbol of both German ingenuity and desperation. Despite the Allies’ increasing dominance in the skies and seas, the German Navy continued to operate from bases like Dora I, hoping to maintain their strategic advantage with the U-boat fleet. However, with the collapse of Nazi Germany in May 1945, these bases were no longer of strategic importance, and the submarines stationed there became obsolete.

The U-995: A Type VIIC/41 Submarine

The U-995 was a Type VIIC/41 submarine, a variant of the famous Type VIIC class that had been the backbone of the German U-boat fleet during World War II. The Type VIIC/41 was an upgraded version of the standard VIIC submarine, featuring improvements in both speed and range. The U-995 was commissioned in 1943, and like many of the submarines in the Kriegsmarine fleet, it was designed for long-range patrols, typically across the Atlantic.

The U-995’s missions primarily focused on disrupting Allied shipping, which was essential to the German strategy of cutting off supplies to the United Kingdom and other Allied nations. The submarine was equipped with a 5.5 cm deck gun for surface combat and torpedo tubes for attacking enemy vessels, primarily merchant ships and warships. U-boats like the U-995 carried out some of the most dangerous and successful attacks on the Allies, often sinking entire convoys.

However, as the war progressed, the U-boats’ effectiveness was diminished by improved Allied anti-submarine tactics, including better sonar technology, depth charges, and air cover. The U-995, like many other submarines, was forced into defensive positions as the Allies gained the upper hand. By the time of Germany’s surrender, the U-995 had only limited success in its final missions.

After Germany’s capitulation, the U-995 was surrendered to the Allies and was later transferred to the Royal Norwegian Navy. It remained in service until the 1950s, before being retired and eventually becoming a museum ship in Kiel, Germany, where it stands today as a memorial to the history of the U-boat fleet.

The U-861: A Type IXD2 Submarine

The U-861 was a Type IXD2 U-boat, a long-range version of the Type IX class submarines. These larger submarines were designed for extended patrols, capable of traveling vast distances to engage targets in the southern hemisphere and other distant locations. The U-861 was commissioned in 1942 and was one of the most advanced U-boats of its time, equipped with six torpedo tubes and two 10.5 cm deck guns. The Type IXD2 U-boats had a longer range and were equipped with more powerful engines than their Type VI counterparts, making them formidable adversaries.

U-861’s missions primarily focused on attacking Allied shipping in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It operated far from its home base, engaging in battles with Allied convoys, merchant vessels, and warships across vast stretches of ocean. The U-861 participated in several key operations, and its long-range capabilities allowed it to strike at Allied supply lines in regions far removed from the heart of the war.

Despite its strength, the U-861 also faced the growing dominance of Allied air and naval forces, which increasingly targeted U-boats with depth charges, air patrols, and advanced radar technology. The submarine’s final patrol in the Far East was marked by its near destruction during an attack by an Allied warship, but the U-861 managed to evade destruction and return to base.

After Germany’s surrender, the U-861 was one of the submarines that was left at Dora I. It was eventually captured by the Royal Norwegian Navy, like the U-995, and was later scrapped. Despite its relatively short service, the U-861 represented the peak of German U-boat technology and was a significant asset in the Navy’s effort to disrupt Allied supply chains across the globe.

The Surrender of the U-Boats at Dora I

After Germany’s surrender in May 1945, the German U-boat fleet was left stranded at bases like Dora I in Trondheim. The remaining submarines, including the U-995 and U-861, were no longer part of an active war effort. Instead, they became symbols of Germany’s defeat. With the Allies’ victory imminent, the German submarines were either scuttled, captured, or surrendered.

At Dora I, the final surrender of the U-boat fleet marked the end of the German Navy’s dominance in the Atlantic. The submarines, which had once instilled fear in Allied sailors, were now abandoned in the cold, damp bunkers of Trondheim. The U-995 and U-861 represented two different classes of submarines that had fought in the war, each playing a significant role in the conflict but ultimately unable to change the course of the war.

The Legacy of U-995 and U-861

Both the U-995 and U-861 are remembered today as symbols of the German U-boat fleet’s ingenuity, as well as its ultimate failure. These submarines were technological marvels of their time, capable of sinking countless Allied vessels and striking terror into the hearts of merchant sailors and military personnel. However, they also represented the limitations of the German strategy, which ultimately failed to win the war.

The U-995 now serves as a museum ship in Kiel, Germany, offering visitors a chance to step aboard and experience what life was like for the crew of one of these formidable vessels. The U-861, though scrapped after the war, remains a part of the legacy of the Type IXD2 submarines, which set new standards for long-range warfare.

For those who study military history, the presence of these submarines at Dora I in Trondheim is a poignant reminder of the close of World War II, and the fate of the technology that had once been a key component of Germany’s naval strategy. The U-boats at Dora I were relics of an earlier time, standing as silent witnesses to the end of the war and the rise of the post-war naval order.