German submarine U-954

German submarine U-954 was a Type VIIC submarine of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine in World War II.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-954 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 Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 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-954 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 one twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Wolfpacks
U-954 took part in five wolfpacks, namely:
 * Meise (25 – 27 April 1943)
 * Star (27 April – 4 May 1943)
 * Fink (4 – 6 May 1943)
 * Inn (11 – 15 May 1943)
 * Donau 2 (15 – 19 May 1943)

Fate
On 19 May 1943, U-954 was sunk with all hands by hedgehog attacks from the Banff-class sloop HMS Sennen (Y21) and the River-class frigate HMS Jed, both escorting Convoy SC 130. One of those killed in the sinking was Admiral Karl Dönitz's son Peter Dönitz.