U995

U-995 was a German Type VIIC/41 submarine of the Kriegsmarine operated during World War II. It was built by Howaldtswerke in Kiel and launched in 1943, being commissioned into service later that year. The Type VIIC/41 was an improved variant of the Type VIIC, with a stronger hull and greater range, designed to operate in the North Atlantic and adjacent waters. U-995 had diesel-electric propulsion, allowing it to travel on the surface and submerge for attack and evasion, a typical armament of torpedoes, a deck gun, and anti-aircraft weapons, and a crew complement of roughly 45 to 60 men. Its operational life took place during 1944–1945, when it conducted several war patrols in the Atlantic and surrounding seas. While it deployed against Allied shipping, U-995 is not credited with sinking major ships in recorded Allied war logs.

In May 1945, U-995 surrendered to Allied forces at Loch Eriboll, Scotland, following Germany’s capitulation. After the war, attention from the Allies led to the submarine’s examination for technical insights. It was ultimately allocated to Germany and preserved as a historical memorial. Today U-995 is on display as a museum ship at Laboe, near Kiel, adjacent to the Laboe Naval Memorial. The preserved submarine serves as a historical artifact, reflecting the evolution of submarine design in the Kriegsmarine and the broader history of submarine warfare.