German U-boat U-20

German U-boat U-20 was a U-19 class U-boat built for the Kaiserliche Marine during the early 1910s. The U-boat was constructed at the Kaiserliche Werft Danzig and was commissioned into the Kaiserliche Marine in August 1913. U-20 was one of the most infamous U-boats of World War I, known for its involvement in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. The U-boat was commanded by notable Kaiserliche Marine officers, including Walther Schwieger and Otto Dröscher, who played significant roles in the Battle of the Atlantic (1914-1918).

● German U-boat U-20

The German U-boat U-20 was a U-19 class U-boat designed by the Kaiserliche Marine to conduct torpedo attacks against enemy ships. The U-boat was equipped with torpedo tubes and was capable of diving to depths of over 50 meters. U-20 was also equipped with a diesel engine and an electric motor, allowing it to operate for extended periods of time. The U-boat was crewed by experienced Kaiserliche Marine sailors, including Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger, who would later become one of the most successful U-boat commanders of World War I. U-20 operated in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, conducting patrols and attacks against Royal Navy and French Navy ships, including the HMS Pathfinder and the SMS Blücher.

● Career

The career of U-20 began in August 1913, when the U-boat was commissioned into the Kaiserliche Marine. U-20 was initially used for training and testing, but with the outbreak of World War I, the U-boat was deployed to the North Sea to conduct patrols and attacks against enemy ships. U-20 was involved in several notable engagements, including the sinking of the HMS Pathfinder and the SS Falaba. The U-boat was also involved in the Battle of Dogger Bank, where it engaged Royal Navy ships, including the HMS Lion and the HMS Tiger. U-20 operated under the command of several notable Kaiserliche Marine officers, including Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger and Kapitänleutnant Otto Dröscher, who played significant roles in the Battle of the Atlantic (1914-1918).

● Sinking of

the Lusitania The sinking of the RMS Lusitania was one of the most infamous incidents involving U-20. On 7 May 1915, U-20, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger, torpedoed and sank the RMS Lusitania off the coast of Ireland. The sinking of the RMS Lusitania resulted in the loss of over 1,000 lives, including many United States citizens. The incident sparked widespread outrage and contributed to the United States' decision to enter World War I. The sinking of the RMS Lusitania was widely condemned by the International Community, including the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire. The incident was also criticized by notable figures, including Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt.

● Commanders

U-20 was commanded by several notable Kaiserliche Marine officers during its career. Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger was one of the most successful U-boat commanders of World War I, and he played a significant role in the Battle of the Atlantic (1914-1918). Kapitänleutnant Otto Dröscher also commanded U-20, and he was involved in several notable engagements, including the sinking of the SS Falaba. Other notable commanders of U-20 included Kapitänleutnant Hans Rose and Kapitänleutnant Karl Neumann, who operated the U-boat in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. U-20's commanders were trained at the Kaiserliche Marine's U-boat school, where they learned the skills necessary to operate a U-boat effectively.

● Operational History

The operational history of U-20 began in August 1913, when the U-boat was commissioned into the Kaiserliche Marine. U-20 was initially used for training and testing, but with the outbreak of World War I, the U-boat was deployed to the North Sea to conduct patrols and attacks against enemy ships. U-20 was involved in several notable engagements, including the sinking of the HMS Pathfinder and the SS Falaba. The U-boat was also involved in the Battle of Dogger Bank, where it engaged Royal Navy ships, including the HMS Lion and the HMS Tiger. U-20 operated in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, conducting patrols and attacks against Royal Navy and French Navy ships. The U-boat was supported by Kaiserliche Marine bases, including the Heligoland base and the Wilhelmshaven base.

● Technical Specifications

The technical specifications of U-20 were typical of a U-19 class U-boat. The U-boat was 64.15 meters long and 6.1 meters wide, with a draft of 3.58 meters. U-20 was equipped with two torpedo tubes and carried a crew of 35 sailors. The U-boat was powered by a diesel engine and an electric motor, allowing it to operate for extended periods of time. U-20 was also equipped with a periscope and a hydrophone, which allowed the crew to detect and track enemy ships. The U-boat's technical specifications made it a formidable opponent in the Battle of the Atlantic (1914-1918), and it played a significant role in the Kaiserliche Marine's U-boat campaign. U-20's design was influenced by the work of notable engineers, including Hermann Bauer and Hans Techel, who designed the U-19 class U-boat.

Category:Ships of the Kaiserliche Marine