The G7es (TXI) "Zaunkönig II" was a
torpedo
A modern torpedo is an underwater ranged weapon launched above or below the water surface, self-propelled towards a target, and with an explosive warhead designed to detonate either on contact with or in proximity to the target. Historically, su ...
developed for
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
U-boats
U-boats were naval submarines operated by Germany, particularly in the First and Second World Wars. Although at times they were efficient fleet weapons against enemy naval warships, they were most effectively used in an economic warfare rol ...
during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
. The torpedo was electric and had an effective range of at a speed of . This torpedo employed acoustic, passive homing to find its target after a straight run of . This evolution of the
G7es torpedo
The G7es (T5) ''"Zaunkönig"'' ("wren") was a passive acoustic torpedo employed by German U-boats during World War II. It was called the GNAT (German Navy Acoustic Torpedo) by the British.
Description
The forerunner of the ''Zaunkönig'' was th ...
was created to counter the Allies' ''
Foxer
Foxer was the code name for a British built acoustic decoy used to confuse German acoustic homing torpedoes like the G7 torpedo during the Second World War. A US version codenamed FXR was deployed at the end of September 1943 on all transatlant ...
'' noise-maker countermeasure. This weapon was never actually employed in wartime as Germany had surrendered by the time testing was fully completed.
The only known deployment of G7es (TXI) was on the final mission for which was
depth-charged and sunk by
RAF
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
aircraft on 5 May 1945. Of the 16 torpedoes salvaged from the wreck in 1993 at least three
were TXI's. One torpedo was restored and is currently on display alongside the U-boat in the United Kingdom, while the rest were picked for parts and blown up.
See also
*
G7e torpedo
The G7e torpedo was the standard electric torpedo used by the German ''Kriegsmarine'' submarines in World War II. It came in 20 different versions, with the initial model G7e(TII) in service at the outbreak of the war. Due to several problems, le ...
*
List of World War II torpedoes of Germany List of World War II ''Kriegsmarine'' torpedoes
''Kriegsmarine'' torpedo designation system
The first letter indicates the diameter:
* G = 53 cm (21 in)
* F = 45 cm (17.7 in)
* H = 60 cm (23.7 in)
* M = 75 cm (30 ...
References
External links
A brief synopsis of German torpedo evolution during World War II at uboat.net
World War II torpedoes of Germany
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