"U-195" was one of two IX-D1 transport U-boats that had their forward torpedo tubes removed and the compartment converted into a cargo hold. The other IX-D1 was , which was lost in the Bay of Biscay in 1944 whilst setting out for a voyage to Japan. ("U-180" had been trialled originally with six diesel engines driving two propeller shafts, but overheating proved such a problem that these engines were removed and replaced with a pair of 2,200 hp MAN diesel engines). It is unclear if "U-195" underwent the same engine history as "U-180", but it seems likely.