Address: Strandstrasse 92, Laboe (See map)
Telephone: +49 (0)4343-8755
Website: http://www.deutscher-marinebund.de

Shop: no shop present
Restaurant/refreshments: not available
Size of the museum/site: small
Year of visit: 2002

Overall rating:

Description: The U 995 has found its final destination at the Ostsee beach just a few kilometres from Kiel. The Kriegsmarine put 603 submarines of this type (VIIC/41) into service between 1939 and 1944. It was one of the most important submarine types of the Second World War. From 1943 till 1945 the U 995 fulfilled several missions against allied convoys heading for Murmansk.

In 1945 the submarine was captured by the allies and from then it served in the Norwegian navy. The submarine was stricken from Norwegian service in 1965 and the Norwegians offered the German government the boat in 1965 for a token price of 1DM, but they refused. Thankfully the German Navy League (DMB) stepped in, paid the price and took over the boat, provided the space and turned her into a memorial in October 1971.

The U 995 is in a very good condition, looking like it has just returned from a mission. You can walk around the submarine but unfortunately you can't get on the bridge. This museum is worth a trip to the north of Germany. You can also visit the Marine Memorial in Laboe, on top of which you'll have a great view over the area.

Bird's view of the U boat. The photo is taken from the Marine Ehrenmal.	The side and bridge of the U 995.
Bow of the ship with the anchor.	Ship's defense. On the left a 3.7 cm Flak M 42 and on the right two 2 cm Zwillings Flak.
Bunks where the crew slept in turns. The small cramped rooms had to provide livingspace for 42 men.	The ship's speed indicator. Höchstgeschwindigkeit (maximum speed) of the U boat is 17 knots when on the surface, 7.6 knots when below surface.
Two giant MAN 6 cylinder Diesel engines.	The countless wheels and tubes almost make up a work of art...
Two of the four torpedo tubes.	Torpedo, ready to be loaded in the upper tube.