U-Boot U-2540 Type XXI, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Germany, Europe

The Wilhelm Bauer, or Unterseeboot 2540 (originally designated U-2540), is a German Type XXI submarine, or E-boot or Elektroboot, used by the Kriegsmarine during World War II. Its use ended in 1982 under the flag of the Bundesmarine. It is the only type XXI that can be visited in the world, in Bremerhaven. The Wilhelm Bauer was ordered on November 6, 1943. Construction began on October 28, 1944 at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg. It was launched on January 13, 1945, then commissioned on February 24, 1945 and attached to the 31. Unterseebootsflotilla. In April 1945, he was sent to Norway. Shortages in fuel supplies sent him back to Swinnemunde. On 3 and 4 May 1945, while assembled with other units on the island of Fehmarn, an RAF attack killed eight men. It reached Flensburg where it was scuttled (Operation Regenbogen) not far from the port lightship.