German submarine U-349

German submarine U-349 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She carried out no patrols. She did not sink or damage any ships.

She was scuttled on 5 May 1945 in northern Germany.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-349 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, 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 Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38-8 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-349 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, and two twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history
The submarine was laid down on 29 December 1942 at the Nordseewerke yard at Emden as yard number 221, launched on 22 July 1943 and commissioned on 8 September under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Ernst Lotter. She served with the 22nd U-boat Flotilla from 8 September 1943, the 23rd flotilla from 1 October and the 31st flotilla from 1 March 1945. U-349 was scuttled on 5 May 1945 in Gelting Bay, (east of Flensburg). One man died when he refused to leave the boat. The wreck was broken up in 1948.