In 1944 when the Type XXI was built in Germany, it was the most advanced submarine in the world. It was not until 1957 that the last submarine of the XXI series still in existence was raised in order to use its advanced technology for the development of new submarines. In 1958 the Federal German navy took command of the restored vessel. In 1960 it received the name "Wilhelm Bauer" andnow lies at anchor in the Museum of Technology at Bremerhaven.