SM U-39

Last updated
History
War Ensign of Germany 1903-1918.svg German Empire
NameU-39
Ordered12 June 1912
Builder Germaniawerft, Kiel
Yard number199
Laid down27 March 1913
Launched26 September 1914
Commissioned13 January 1915
FateSurrendered 22 March 1919, broken up 1923.
General characteristics
Class and type German Type U 31 submarine
Displacement
  • 685  t (674 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 878 t (864 long tons) (submerged)
Length
Beam
  • 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in) (o/a)
  • 4.05 m (13 ft 3 in) (pressure hull)
Draught3.56 m (11 ft 8 in)
Installed power
Propulsion
  • 2 × shafts
  • 2 × 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) propellers
Speed
  • 16.7 knots (30.9 km/h; 19.2 mph) (surfaced)
  • 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) (submerged)
Range
  • 8,790  nmi (16,280 km; 10,120 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) (surfaced)
  • 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) (submerged)
Test depth50 m (164 ft 1 in)
Boats & landing
craft carried
1 dinghy
Complement4 officers, 31 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
  • II Flotilla
  • Unknown start – 15 September 1915
  • Pola / Mittelmeer / Mittelmeer I Flotilla
  • 15 September 1915 – 18 May 1918
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Hans Kratzsch
  • 13 January – 9 February 1915
  • Kptlt. Walther Forstmann
  • 11 February 1915 – 14 October 1917
  • Kptlt. Heinrich Metzger
  • 15 October 1917 – 18 May 1918
Operations: 19 patrols
Victories:
  • 149 merchant ships sunk
    (404,774  GRT)
  • 3 warships sunk
    (1,364 tons)
  • 2 auxiliary warships sunk
    (187  GRT)
  • 7 merchant ships damaged
    (30,552  GRT)
  • 1 merchant ship taken as prize
    (798  GRT)

SM U-39 was a German Type U 31 U-boat which operated in the Mediterranean Sea during World War I. It ended up being the second most successful U-boat participating in the war, sinking 149 merchant ships for a total of 404,774 GRT.

Contents

Its longest-serving captain was Kapitänleutnant Walther Forstmann, who was awarded the Pour le Mérite during command on U-39.

From January to mid-1917, Martin Niemöller served as U-39's coxswain. He is known as the author of the 1946 poem "First they came..."; as an enemy of the Third Reich, he was imprisoned from 1938 to 1945. In 1917 and 1918, Karl Dönitz served as watch officer on this boat. He later became Grand Admiral and Commander in Chief of the German Navy, and, for three weeks following Hitler's death, the head of the remnants of the Nazi government.

Design

German Type U 31 submarines were double-hulled ocean-going submarines similar to Type 23 and Type 27 subs in dimensions and differed only slightly in propulsion and speed. They were considered very good high sea boats with average manoeuvrability and good surface steering. [1]

U-39 had an overall length of 64.70 m (212 ft 3 in), her pressure hull was 52.36 m (171 ft 9 in) long. The boat's beam was 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in) (o/a), while the pressure hull measured 4.05 m (13 ft 3 in). Type 31s had a draught of 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in) with a total height of 7.68–8.04 m (25 ft 2 in – 26 ft 5 in). The boats displaced a total of 971 tonnes (956 long tons); 685 t (674 long tons) when surfaced and 878 t (864 long tons) when submerged. [1]

U-39 was fitted with two Germania 6-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines with a total of 1,850 metric horsepower (1,361  kW ; 1,825  bhp ) for use on the surface and two Siemens-Schuckert double-acting electric motors with a total of 1,200 PS (883 kW; 1,184 shp) for underwater use. These engines powered two shafts each with a 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) propeller, which gave the boat a top surface speed of 16.4 knots (30.4 km/h; 18.9 mph), and 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) when submerged. Cruising range was 8,790 nautical miles (16,280 km; 10,120 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) on the surface, and 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) under water. Diving depth was 50 m (164 ft 1 in). [1]

The U-boat was armed with four 50 cm (20 in) torpedo tubes, two fitted in the bow and two in the stern, and carried 6 torpedoes. Additionally U-39 was equipped in 1915 with one 8.8 cm (3.5 in) Uk L/30 deck gun, which was replaced with a 10.5 cm (4.1 in) in 1916/17. The boat's complement was 4 officers and 31 enlisted. [1]

Fate

On 27 April 1918, U-39 sailed from Pola under command of Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Metzger, for operations in the Western Mediterranean. On 17 May, together with SM UB-50, U-39 operated against a convoy North of Oran, from which it sank the British steamer Sculptor (4,874 GRT) in a submerged attack.

At 13:50 on 18 May, when in a position 36°36′N00°02′W / 36.600°N 0.033°W / 36.600; -0.033 , U-39 was attacked by two French seaplanes. It crash-dived, but when reaching a depth of 12 meters two bombs exploded very close; the after torpedo room flooded, the diving planes were destroyed, and the boat began sinking by the stern. Kptlt. Metzger ordered the tanks blown and U-39 surfaced, but the heavy damage suffered prevented diving again. Metzger was forced to lay a course for the nearest Spanish harbour, Cartagena.

At about 17:00, U-39 was attacked again by two seaplanes; it fought back with gun and machine-guns, and the enemy bombs caused no damage, but during the action two crewmen (sailor Schulz and stoker Hausottl) fell overboard and were lost.

In the evening U-39 reached Cartagena and was interned for the remainder of the war.

It was surrendered to France on 22 March 1919 and was broken up at Toulon in 1923.

Summary of raiding history

DateNameNationalityTonnage [Note 1] Fate [2]
1 May 1915 Balduin Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,059Sunk
1 May 1915 Elsa Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 120Sunk
2 May 1915 St. Louis No. 1 Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 211Sunk
2 May 1915 Sunray Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 165Sunk
3 May 1915 Scottish Queen Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 125Sunk
4 May 1915 Elsa Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 329Sunk
5 May 1915 Sceptre Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 166Sunk
6 May 1915 Truro Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 836Sunk
7 May 1915 Benington Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 131Sunk
10 May 1915 Olga Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 798Captured as prize
26 June 1915 Campania Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 167Sunk
29 June 1915 Cambuskenneth Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,924Sunk
29 June 1915 Kotka Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 952Damaged
30 June 1915 Lomas Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,048Sunk
1 July 1915 Caucasian Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,656Sunk
1 July 1915 Craigard Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,286Sunk
1 July 1915 Gadsby Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,497Sunk
1 July 1915 Inglemoor Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,331Sunk
1 July 1915 Richmond Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,214Sunk
2 July 1915 Hirondelle Flag of France.svg  France 183Sunk
2 July 1915 Boduognat Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1,411Sunk
2 July 1915 City of Edinburgh Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 6,255Damaged
3 July 1915 Fiery Cross Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,448Sunk
3 July 1915 Larchmore Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,355Sunk
3 July 1915 Renfrew Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,488Sunk
4 July 1915 Anglo-Californian Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 7,333Damaged
2 September 1915 William T. Lewis Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,166Damaged
9 September 1915 Cornubia Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,736Sunk
9 September 1915 L’Aude Flag of France.svg  France 2,232Sunk
9 September 1915 Ville De Mostaganem Flag of France.svg  France 2,648Sunk
28 September 1915 H. C. Henry Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg  Canada 4,219Sunk
29 September 1915 Haydn Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,923Sunk
30 September 1915 Cirene Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 3,236Sunk
2 October 1915 Sailor Prince Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,144Sunk
7 October 1915 Halizones Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,093Sunk
8 October 1915 Thorpwood Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,184Sunk
9 October 1915 Apollo Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,774Sunk
12 October 1915 HMD Restore Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 93Sunk
30 November 1915 Middleton Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,506Sunk
3 December 1915 Dante Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 889Sunk
3 December 1915 Helmsmuir Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,111Sunk
5 December 1915 Petrolite Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 3,710Damaged
5 December 1915 Pietro Lofaro Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 517Sunk
6 December 1915 L. G. Goulandris Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 2,123Sunk
7 December 1915 Veria Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,229Sunk
9 December 1915 Busiris Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,705Sunk
9 December 1915 Orteric Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 6,535Sunk
10 December 1915 Porto Said Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 5,301Sunk
18 December 1915 HMD Lottie Leask Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 94Sunk
22 January 1916 Norseman Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 9,542Sunk
31 March 1916 Egeo Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 1,787Sunk
31 March 1916 Riposto Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 1,003Sunk
2 April 1916 Simla Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,884Sunk
3 April 1916 Clan Campbell Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,897Sunk
4 April 1916 Giuseppe Padre Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 184Sunk
4 April 1916 Maria Carmella Findari Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 42Sunk
6 April 1916 Stjerneborg Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1,592Sunk
6 April 1916 Colbert Flag of France.svg  France 5,394Damaged
9 April 1916 Caledonia Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1,815Sunk
13 April 1916 Lipari Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 1,539Sunk
20 May 1916 Redentore Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 228Sunk
20 May 1916 Valsesia Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 248Sunk
21 May 1916 Birmania Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 2,384Sunk
21 May 1916 Rosalia Madre Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 251Sunk
23 May 1916 Hercules Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 2,704Sunk
23 May 1916 Maria Porto Di Salvezza Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 39Sunk
23 May 1916 Teresa Accame Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 4,742Damaged
23 May 1916 Washington Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 2,819Sunk
24 May 1916 Aurrera Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2,845Sunk
25 May 1916 Fratelli Bandiera Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 3,506Sunk
25 May 1916 Rita Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 200Sunk
27 May 1916 Mar Terso Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 3,778Sunk
27 May 1916 Trunkby Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,635Sunk
28 May 1916 Lady Ninian Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,297Sunk
29 May 1916 Baron Vernon Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,779Sunk
29 May 1916 Elmgrove Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,018Sunk
29 May 1916 Southgarth Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,414Sunk
30 May 1916 Baron Tweedmouth Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,007Sunk
30 May 1916 Dalegarth Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,265Sunk
30 May 1916 Hermesberg Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 2,884Sunk
30 May 1916 Rauma Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 3,047Sunk
1 June 1916 Dewsland Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,993Sunk
1 June 1916 Salmonpool Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,905Sunk
13 July 1916 Silverton Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,682Sunk
14 July 1916 Antigua Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,876Sunk
14 July 1916 Ecclesia Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,714Sunk
15 July 1916 Sylvie Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,354Sunk
16 July 1916 Euphorbia Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,837Sunk
16 July 1916 Sirra Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 3,203Sunk
16 July 1916 Wiltonhall Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,387Sunk
17 July 1916 Angelo Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 3,609Sunk
17 July 1916 Rosemoor Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,303Sunk
18 July 1916 Llongwen Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,683Sunk
20 July 1916 Cettois Flag of France.svg  France 974Sunk
20 July 1916 Grangemoor Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,198Sunk
20 July 1916 Karma Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,710Sunk
20 July 1916 Yzer Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,538Sunk
21 July 1916 Wolf Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,443Sunk
22 July 1916 Knutsford Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,842Sunk
22 July 1916 Olive Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,678Sunk
23 July 1916 Badminton Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,847Sunk
24 July 1916 Maria Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 198Sunk
29 July 1916 Letimbro Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 2,210Sunk
29 July 1916 Rosarina G.V. Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 131Sunk
19 October 1916 Penylan Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,875Sunk
20 October 1916 Mombassa Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,689Sunk
22 October 1916 Cluden Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,166Sunk
22 October 1916 Nina Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 3,383Sunk
22 October 1916 Ravn Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 998Sunk
22 October 1916 W. Harkess Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,185Sunk
27 November 1916 Margarita Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 1,112Sunk
27 November 1916 Reapwell Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,417Sunk
28 November 1916 King Malcolm Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,351Sunk
28 November 1916 Moresby Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,763Sunk
2 December 1916 Istrar Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,582Sunk
3 December 1916 Plata Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 1,861Sunk
9 January 1917 Baynesk Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,286Sunk
15 January 1917 Garfield Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,838Sunk
28 January 1917 Amiral Magon Flag of France.svg  France 5,566Sunk, 203 people killed
14 February 1917 Torino Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 4,159Sunk
15 February 1917 Minas Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 2,854Sunk, 870 people killed
17 February 1917 Ala Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 359Sunk
20 February 1917 Rosalie Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,237Sunk
21 February 1917 Wathfield Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,012Sunk
22 February 1917 Ville De Bougie Flag of France.svg  France 508Sunk
23 February 1917 Trojan Prince Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,196Sunk
26 February 1917 Burnby Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,665Sunk
3 March 1917 S. Anna S. Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 41Sunk
3 June 1917 Petronilla Madre Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 43Sunk
6 June 1917 Diane Flag of France.svg  France 590Sunk
8 June 1917 Huntstrick Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 8,151Sunk
8 June 1917 Isle Of Jura Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,809Sunk
8 June 1917 HMML 540 Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 37Sunk
8 June 1917 HMML 541 Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 37Sunk
8 June 1917 Valdieri Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 4,637Sunk
10 June 1917 Petrolite Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 3,710Sunk
11 June 1917 Wera Flag of Russia.svg  Russian Empire 476Sunk
12 June 1917 Gaita Flag of Russia.svg  Russian Empire 396Sunk
15 June 1917 Espinho Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 740Sunk
19 June 1917 Kyma Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 3,420Sunk
20 June 1917 Eli Lindoe Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,116Sunk
22 June 1917 Toro Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 1,141Sunk
23 June 1917 Isere Flag of France.svg  France 2,159Sunk
29 July 1917 Manchester Commerce Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,144Sunk
30 July 1917 Carlo Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 5,572Sunk
30 July 1917 Ganges Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,177Sunk
31 July 1917 Carolvore Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,659Sunk
31 July 1917 Ypres Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 305Sunk
3 August 1917 Halldor Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 2,919Sunk
5 August 1917 Ryton Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,991Sunk
27 September 1917 Swan River Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,724Sunk
1 October 1917 Mersario Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,847Sunk
1 October 1917 Normanton Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,862Sunk
2 October 1917 Almora Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,385Sunk
2 October 1917 Hikosan Maru Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 3,555Sunk
2 October 1917 Nuceria Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,702Sunk
14 November 1917 Buenaventura Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 257Sunk
18 November 1917 HMS Candytuft Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 1,290Sunk
21 November 1917 Schuylkill Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 2,720Sunk
23 November 1917 Markella Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 1,124Sunk
25 November 1917 Karema Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,263Sunk
17 May 1918 Sculptor Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,874Sunk

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References

Notes

  1. Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, p. 6.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U 39". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 7 December 2014.

Bibliography