German submarine U-1306

German submarine U-1306 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 1 August 1942, and was laid down on 23 September 1943, at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg, as yard number 499. She was launched on 25 October 1944, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Ulrich Kiessling on 20 December 1944.

Design
German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-1306 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-1306 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.

FLAK weaponry
U-1306 was mounted with two 2cm Flak C38 in a M 43U Zwilling mount with short folding shield on the upper Wintergarten. The M 43U mount was used on a number of U-boats (GS U-190, GS U-250, GS U-278, GS U-337, GS U-475, GS U-853, GS U-1023, GS U-1058, GS U-1109 and GS U-1165).

Passive sonar
U-1306 was one of only ten Type VIICs to be fitted with a Balkongerät (literally 'Balcony apparatus or equipment'). The Balkongerät was used on U-boats (GS U-682, GS U-788, GS U-799, GS U-977, GS U-997, GS U-1021, GS U-1105, GS U-1307 and GS U-1308). The Balkongerät was standard on the Type XXI and the Type XXIII. Nonetheless, it was also fitted to several Type IXs and one Type X. The Balkongerät was an improved version of Gruppenhorchgerät (GHG) (group listening device). The GHG had 24 hydrophones, the Balkongerät had 48 hydrophones and improved electronics, which enabled more accurate readings to be taken.

Service history
U-1306 was scuttled in Gelting Bay near Gelting on 5 May 1945 as part of Operation Regenbogen. Her wreck was raised and broken up later.