German submarine U-1272

German submarine U-1272 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 23 March 1942, and was laid down on 31 May 1943, at Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack, as yard number 67. She was launched on 23 December 1943, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Bernhard Meentzen on 28 January 1944.

Design
German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-1272 had a displacement of 769 t when at the surface and 871 t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 50.50 m, an overall beam of 6.20 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.74 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2800 to 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8-276 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 8500 nmi at 10 kn. U-1272 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one 3.7 cm Flak M42 and two 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and fifty-two.

Service history
On 10 May 1945, U-1272 surrendered at Bergen, Norway, after only one war patrol, which resulted in no ship damaged or sunk. She was later transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland on 30 May 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-1272 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-1272 was towed out and sank on 8 December 1945.

The wreck now lies at 55.83333°N, -10.08333°W.