U 995 Submarine

The Last of Its Kind

The submarine U 995 is the world's only preserved boat of the Type VII C, the most frequently built submarine type of the Second World War. It was built in 1943 and saw service towards the end of the war. After the war the boat went to Norway, which initially continued to use it and returned it to Germany in 1965. In 1971 U 995 was opened as a museum ship on the beach at Laboe. As a technical monument and the last example of its design, it holds a unique place in naval history and attracts numerous visitors each year.

A Walk Through the Cramped Boat

Inside, visitors can walk through the cramped boat room by room: from the engine room via the torpedo rooms and command centre to the crew quarters. The low passages, densely packed instruments and narrow bunks make the extreme living conditions of a submarine crew immediately tangible. Anyone walking through quickly understands how little privacy and freedom of movement the men had. Sturdy footwear and some agility are helpful, as you have to climb through narrow hatches. For people with claustrophobia, the tour can be challenging.

Right by the Naval Memorial

U 995 lies on the beach at Laboe directly below the naval memorial, so both destinations combine into one maritime outing. After the oppressive tour through the boat, the wide view from the memorial's platform offers a welcome contrast. Laboe can be reached by car, by bus, or — most appealingly — by the fjord ferry from Kiel. The adjacent beach and promenade invite lingering. As a cautionary and at the same time fascinating testimony to the history of technology, U 995 is one of the most impressive destinations around the Kiel Fjord.