K class submarine (Soviet)

The K class were the largest submarines built for the Soviet Navy in the World War II era. A total of twelve boats were built in the Baltic for the Soviet Northern Fleet. K1 to K23 were transferred prior to the German Invasion. K51 to K56 were trapped in Leningrad during the Blockade and were completed after the war and transferred to the Arctic

They were a significantly improved version of the Pravda class and overcame most of their shortcomings (Conway's Fighting Ships). The double hull was divided into seven compartments. It was originally planned to carry a small floatplane for scouting but this concept was abandoned.

Yakubov and Worth state that these were the most successful Soviet subamrines of the World War II era, with high speed and good seakeeping. The hull provided spacious accomodation and diving time was 60 seconds. American naval constructors inspected K-21 in 1944 and thought the design to be workmanlike but technically inferior to contemporary American boats such as the Gato class submarines

An improved design the KU class which was to be of welded construction was in planning in 1941. a total of 24 KU boats were planned but none were started.

Ships

All ships were built by Marti Yard / Ordzhinikidze Yard, Leningrad

* K 1 - Launched 4 May 1938, Lost October 1943 , Mined in the Kara Sea
* K 2 - Launched 4 May 1938, Lost August/September 1942
* K 3 - Launched 1938, Sunk 21 March 1943 by German anti-submarine vessels near Batsfjord, Norway
* K 21 - Launched 1 August 1938, made an unsuccessful attack on the Tirpitz, during the PQ-17 convoy, stationary training ship 1959
* K 22 - Launched 1939, sunk 7 February 1943 by mines
* K 23 - Launched 1938 , sunk 12 May 1942 by German anti-submarine vessels near Olesa Fjord, Norway
* K 51 - Launched 1940, Scrapped 1950s
* K 52 - Launched 1939, Scrapped 1950s
* K 53 - Launched 1940, Scrapped 1950s
* K 54 - Launched 1941, Scrapped 1950s
* K 55 - Launched 1941, Scrapped 1950s
* K 56 - Launched 1940, Scrapped 1950s

References

* "Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946"
* Vladimir Yakubov and Richard Worth, Raising the Red Banner -2008 Spellmount ISBN 978 1 86227 450 1