German submarine U-1271

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German submarine U-1271 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine in World War II. It was ordered on 23 March 1942 and built at Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft in Bremen-Vegesack (yard number 66). Laid down on 17 April 1943, it was launched on 8 December 1943 and commissioned on 12 January 1944 under Oberleutnant zur See Erwin Knipping.

U-1271 was a lighter version of the Type VIIC, displacing about 769 tonnes surfaced and 871 tonnes submerged. It was 67.10 m long (pressure hull 50.50 m), with a beam of 6.20 m, height of 9.60 m and a draught of 4.74 m. Propulsion came from two diesel engines for surface use and two electric motors for submerged travel, driving two shafts and two propellers. Maximum speeds were 17.7 knots surfaced and 7.6 knots submerged. It could travel 8,500 nautical miles at 10 knots on the surface, or 80 nautical miles at 4 knots when submerged. Test depth was up to 250 m (crush depth 250–295 m).

Armament included five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four bows, one stern) with 14 torpedoes, one 8.8 cm deck gun, one 3.7 cm AA gun and two 2 cm AA guns. Crew complemented 44–52 men.

U-1271 served with the 8th U-boat Flotilla (Jan–Sept 1944) and the 33rd U-boat Flotilla (Oct 1944–May 1945). It sank no ships.

Fate: The submarine surrendered on 9 May 1945 at Bergen, Norway, and was moved to Loch Ryan, Scotland, on 2 June 1945. It was selected for Operation Deadlight and was sunk on 8 December 1945. The wreck lies at 55.47°N, 7.33°W.