German submarine U-295

German submarine U-295 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was laid down on 31 December 1942 by the Bremer Vulkan Werft (yard) at Bremen-Vegesack as yard number 60, launched on 13 September 1943 and commissioned on 20 October with Kapitänleutnant Günther Wieboldt in command.

In six patrols, she damaged one warship.

She surrendered at Loch Eriboll in Scotland on 9 May 1945 and was sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on 17 December 1945.

Design
German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-295 had a displacement of 759 t when at the surface and 860 t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 50.50 m, a 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 460/8–27 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-295 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 sixty.

Service history
The boat's service life began with training with the 8th U-boat Flotilla in October 1943. She was then transferred to the 9th flotilla for operations on 1 August 1944. She was reassigned to the 13th flotilla on 1 October and moved again to the 14th flotilla on 1 April 1945.

First and second patrols
U-295's first patrol was uneventful.

She then embarked on a series of short journeys between Bergen, Kristiansand, Stavanger and Trondheim.

Her second foray, between Trondheim and Harstad was the most successful. She damaged the British frigate HMS Mounsey east northeast of Murmansk on 2 November 1944.

Third and fourth patrols
The submarine's third sortie took her into the Barents and Norwegian Seas. She returned to Harstad on 18 December 1944.

Her fourth patrol started in Harstad and finished in Narvik. She had spent three days off Murmansk, to no avail.

Fifth patrol
Her fifth effort was just as barren, even though it was longer.

Sixth patrol and fate
The boat departed Narvik on 15 April 1945. Her route took her once again to the Barents Sea. She returned to the Nordic port on 7 May.

She was then moved to Skjomenfjord on 12 May 1945 and in accordance with the surrender terms, she was transferred to Loch Eriboll in northern Scotland for Operation Deadlight on the 19th. She was sunk on 17 December by the guns of ORP Błyskawica (H34).