The coastal Type II U-Boats were became the first vessels of this class, that were built in Germany after the end of WWI. The improved IIВ series submarines were built in Deutsche Werke (U13-U16) and Germania Werft in Kiel (U7-U12, U17-U24). They all were included to the Kriegsmarine in 1935-1936. Two flotillas were formed with those vessels – the 1st Weddigen and 3d Lohs.

            With the beginning of WWII the Type II U-Boats were in active use as mine-layers in ports and river estuaries of England and Scotland Eastern Coast, and also for anti-shipping struggle in the English Channel area.

In the end of 1942 six Type IIB U-Boats (U 9, U 18, U 19, U 20, U 23, U 24) were transferred to the Black Sea. They were used there up to September 1944.