Biber Midget Submarine

Biber Midget Submarine

The "Biber" was the most notorious submarine "pocket" used during the Second World War by the Kriegsmarine, the German navy of the Third Reich. The development of the Biber was extremely fast. The planning began in February 1944 and the first units sailed only six months later. Was only 9 meters long with a range of 240 miles.

Could reach a maximum speed of 6.5 knots surfaced and 5.3 knots submerged. The Biber could be armed with two torpedoes at 530 mm. Mounted external to the submarine, or with two mines. Its crew consisted of one person.

The use of Biber in the Strategy of the Kriegsmarine, was very simple: to provide a concrete defense along the coast to protect a possible and increasingly likely, Allied invasion. The Biber does not constitute a serious threat to the Allies, either due to technical defects and design, both because of the crews trained for war needs, too quickly and without proper training.

Despite this, from 1944 until the end of World War II, the Kriegsmarine has received and delivered over 300 operational Biber.

Length : 186 mm