Six Type XXIII boats became operational, with patrols beginning only in early 1945. Their limited successes came against a handful of ships before Germany's defeat closed the campaign. Other boats were lost through mines, air attack, collision, training accidents, or scuttling, while a small number survived for Allied use. The class entered combat too late and in too little strength to alter the wider naval war.
Notable Point · 1:21:47-1:24:03
Type XXIII U-boats reached combat too late to shape the war
A live correction traces the Type XXIII class from its very late combat debut through limited successes, varied losses, mass scuttling, and a few Allied survivors.