The Biber, or Beaver, is a German midget submarine used by the Kriegsmarine during World War Two. Armed with two externally mounted torpedoes or mines, they were intended to attack coastal shipping. This specific Biber is from 1944.
Biber – Midget Submarine, Kriegsmarine
The Biber was a German midget submarine used during World War II, designed for reconnaissance and small-scale attacks on Allied shipping. Introduced in 1944, it was part of the German effort to disrupt Allied supply lines, particularly in the English Channel and Mediterranean. The Biber was small, stealthy, and capable of carrying out hit-and-run attacks against larger enemy vessels.
The submarine had a length of 14 meters (46 feet) and was powered by a single 130-horsepower engine, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 8 knots (15 km/h) on the surface. When submerged, it could reach a maximum depth of 100 meters (328 feet). Its small size and limited range, approximately 100 nautical miles (185 km), made it ideal for short, high-risk missions.
The Biber was armed with a torpedo or mine, which it could launch at enemy ships, and it was typically manned by a single operator, though a crew of two could be accommodated. The submarine was highly vulnerable to detection and attack, given its slow speed and limited armament, but it was used effectively in several operations.
Despite its potential for stealthy attacks, the Biber was not produced in large numbers and did not significantly impact the outcome of the war, though it remained a symbol of Germany’s desperate attempts to counter Allied naval superiority.
