History | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Name | U-39 |
Ordered | 12 June 1912 |
Builder | Germaniawerft, Kiel |
Yard number | 199 |
Laid down | 27 March 1913 |
Launched | 26 September 1914 |
Commissioned | 13 January 1915 |
Fate | Surrendered 22 March 1919, broken up 1923. |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Type U 31 submarine |
Displacement | |
Length |
|
Beam |
|
Draught | 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in) |
Installed power |
|
Propulsion |
|
Speed |
|
Range |
|
Test depth | 50 m (164 ft 1 in) |
Boats & landing craft carried | 1 dinghy |
Complement | 4 officers, 31 enlisted |
Armament |
|
Service record | |
Part of: |
|
Commanders: |
|
Operations: | 19 patrols |
Victories: |
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.
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
[edit]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
[edit]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′N 00°02′W / 36.600°N 0.033°W, 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
[edit]Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage[Note 1] | Fate[2] |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 May 1915 | Balduin | ![]() |
1,059 | Sunk |
1 May 1915 | Elsa | ![]() |
120 | Sunk |
2 May 1915 | St. Louis No. 1 | ![]() |
211 | Sunk |
2 May 1915 | Sunray | ![]() |
165 | Sunk |
3 May 1915 | Scottish Queen | ![]() |
125 | Sunk |
4 May 1915 | Elsa | ![]() |
329 | Sunk |
5 May 1915 | Sceptre | ![]() |
166 | Sunk |
6 May 1915 | Truro | ![]() |
836 | Sunk |
7 May 1915 | Benington | ![]() |
131 | Sunk |
10 May 1915 | Olga | ![]() |
798 | Captured as prize |
26 June 1915 | Campania | ![]() |
167 | Sunk |
29 June 1915 | Cambuskenneth | ![]() |
1,924 | Sunk |
29 June 1915 | Kotka | ![]() |
952 | Damaged |
30 June 1915 | Lomas | ![]() |
3,048 | Sunk |
1 July 1915 | Caucasian | ![]() |
4,656 | Sunk |
1 July 1915 | Craigard | ![]() |
3,286 | Sunk |
1 July 1915 | Gadsby | ![]() |
3,497 | Sunk |
1 July 1915 | Inglemoor | ![]() |
4,331 | Sunk |
1 July 1915 | Richmond | ![]() |
3,214 | Sunk |
2 July 1915 | Hirondelle | ![]() |
183 | Sunk |
2 July 1915 | Boduognat | ![]() |
1,411 | Sunk |
2 July 1915 | City of Edinburgh | ![]() |
6,255 | Damaged |
3 July 1915 | Fiery Cross | ![]() |
1,448 | Sunk |
3 July 1915 | Larchmore | ![]() |
4,355 | Sunk |
3 July 1915 | Renfrew | ![]() |
3,488 | Sunk |
4 July 1915 | Anglo-Californian | ![]() |
7,333 | Damaged |
2 September 1915 | William T. Lewis | ![]() |
2,166 | Damaged |
9 September 1915 | Cornubia | ![]() |
1,736 | Sunk |
9 September 1915 | L’Aude | ![]() |
2,232 | Sunk |
9 September 1915 | Ville De Mostaganem | ![]() |
2,648 | Sunk |
28 September 1915 | H. C. Henry | ![]() |
4,219 | Sunk |
29 September 1915 | Haydn | ![]() |
3,923 | Sunk |
30 September 1915 | Cirene | ![]() |
3,236 | Sunk |
2 October 1915 | Sailor Prince | ![]() |
3,144 | Sunk |
7 October 1915 | Halizones | ![]() |
5,093 | Sunk |
8 October 1915 | Thorpwood | ![]() |
3,184 | Sunk |
9 October 1915 | Apollo | ![]() |
3,774 | Sunk |
12 October 1915 | HMD Restore | ![]() |
93 | Sunk |
30 November 1915 | Middleton | ![]() |
2,506 | Sunk |
3 December 1915 | Dante | ![]() |
889 | Sunk |
3 December 1915 | Helmsmuir | ![]() |
4,111 | Sunk |
5 December 1915 | Petrolite | ![]() |
3,710 | Damaged |
5 December 1915 | Pietro Lofaro | ![]() |
517 | Sunk |
6 December 1915 | L. G. Goulandris | ![]() |
2,123 | Sunk |
7 December 1915 | Veria | ![]() |
3,229 | Sunk |
9 December 1915 | Busiris | ![]() |
2,705 | Sunk |
9 December 1915 | Orteric | ![]() |
6,535 | Sunk |
10 December 1915 | Porto Said | ![]() |
5,301 | Sunk |
18 December 1915 | HMD Lottie Leask | ![]() |
94 | Sunk |
22 January 1916 | Norseman | ![]() |
9,542 | Sunk |
31 March 1916 | Egeo | ![]() |
1,787 | Sunk |
31 March 1916 | Riposto | ![]() |
1,003 | Sunk |
2 April 1916 | Simla | ![]() |
5,884 | Sunk |
3 April 1916 | Clan Campbell | ![]() |
5,897 | Sunk |
4 April 1916 | Giuseppe Padre | ![]() |
184 | Sunk |
4 April 1916 | Maria Carmella Findari | ![]() |
42 | Sunk |
6 April 1916 | Stjerneborg | ![]() |
1,592 | Sunk |
6 April 1916 | Colbert | ![]() |
5,394 | Damaged |
9 April 1916 | Caledonia | ![]() |
1,815 | Sunk |
13 April 1916 | Lipari | ![]() |
1,539 | Sunk |
20 May 1916 | Redentore | ![]() |
228 | Sunk |
20 May 1916 | Valsesia | ![]() |
248 | Sunk |
21 May 1916 | Birmania | ![]() |
2,384 | Sunk |
21 May 1916 | Rosalia Madre | ![]() |
251 | Sunk |
23 May 1916 | Hercules | ![]() |
2,704 | Sunk |
23 May 1916 | Maria Porto Di Salvezza | ![]() |
39 | Sunk |
23 May 1916 | Teresa Accame | ![]() |
4,742 | Damaged |
23 May 1916 | Washington | ![]() |
2,819 | Sunk |
24 May 1916 | Aurrera | ![]() |
2,845 | Sunk |
25 May 1916 | Fratelli Bandiera | ![]() |
3,506 | Sunk |
25 May 1916 | Rita | ![]() |
200 | Sunk |
27 May 1916 | Mar Terso | ![]() |
3,778 | Sunk |
27 May 1916 | Trunkby | ![]() |
2,635 | Sunk |
28 May 1916 | Lady Ninian | ![]() |
4,297 | Sunk |
29 May 1916 | Baron Vernon | ![]() |
1,779 | Sunk |
29 May 1916 | Elmgrove | ![]() |
3,018 | Sunk |
29 May 1916 | Southgarth | ![]() |
2,414 | Sunk |
30 May 1916 | Baron Tweedmouth | ![]() |
5,007 | Sunk |
30 May 1916 | Dalegarth | ![]() |
2,265 | Sunk |
30 May 1916 | Hermesberg | ![]() |
2,884 | Sunk |
30 May 1916 | Rauma | ![]() |
3,047 | Sunk |
1 June 1916 | Dewsland | ![]() |
1,993 | Sunk |
1 June 1916 | Salmonpool | ![]() |
4,905 | Sunk |
13 July 1916 | Silverton | ![]() |
2,682 | Sunk |
14 July 1916 | Antigua | ![]() |
2,876 | Sunk |
14 July 1916 | Ecclesia | ![]() |
3,714 | Sunk |
15 July 1916 | Sylvie | ![]() |
1,354 | Sunk |
16 July 1916 | Euphorbia | ![]() |
3,837 | Sunk |
16 July 1916 | Sirra | ![]() |
3,203 | Sunk |
16 July 1916 | Wiltonhall | ![]() |
3,387 | Sunk |
17 July 1916 | Angelo | ![]() |
3,609 | Sunk |
17 July 1916 | Rosemoor | ![]() |
4,303 | Sunk |
18 July 1916 | Llongwen | ![]() |
4,683 | Sunk |
20 July 1916 | Cettois | ![]() |
974 | Sunk |
20 July 1916 | Grangemoor | ![]() |
3,198 | Sunk |
20 July 1916 | Karma | ![]() |
3,710 | Sunk |
20 July 1916 | Yzer | ![]() |
3,538 | Sunk |
21 July 1916 | Wolf | ![]() |
2,443 | Sunk |
22 July 1916 | Knutsford | ![]() |
3,842 | Sunk |
22 July 1916 | Olive | ![]() |
3,678 | Sunk |
23 July 1916 | Badminton | ![]() |
3,847 | Sunk |
24 July 1916 | Maria | ![]() |
198 | Sunk |
29 July 1916 | Letimbro | ![]() |
2,210 | Sunk |
29 July 1916 | Rosarina G.V. | ![]() |
131 | Sunk |
19 October 1916 | Penylan | ![]() |
3,875 | Sunk |
20 October 1916 | Mombassa | ![]() |
4,689 | Sunk |
22 October 1916 | Cluden | ![]() |
3,166 | Sunk |
22 October 1916 | Nina | ![]() |
3,383 | Sunk |
22 October 1916 | Ravn | ![]() |
998 | Sunk |
22 October 1916 | W. Harkess | ![]() |
1,185 | Sunk |
27 November 1916 | Margarita | ![]() |
1,112 | Sunk |
27 November 1916 | Reapwell | ![]() |
3,417 | Sunk |
28 November 1916 | King Malcolm | ![]() |
4,351 | Sunk |
28 November 1916 | Moresby | ![]() |
1,763 | Sunk |
2 December 1916 | Istrar | ![]() |
4,582 | Sunk |
3 December 1916 | Plata | ![]() |
1,861 | Sunk |
9 January 1917 | Baynesk | ![]() |
3,286 | Sunk |
15 January 1917 | Garfield | ![]() |
3,838 | Sunk |
28 January 1917 | Amiral Magon | ![]() |
5,566 | Sunk, 203 people killed |
14 February 1917 | Torino | ![]() |
4,159 | Sunk |
15 February 1917 | Minas | ![]() |
2,854 | Sunk, 870 people killed |
17 February 1917 | Ala | ![]() |
359 | Sunk |
20 February 1917 | Rosalie | ![]() |
4,237 | Sunk |
21 February 1917 | Wathfield | ![]() |
3,012 | Sunk |
22 February 1917 | Ville De Bougie | ![]() |
508 | Sunk |
23 February 1917 | Trojan Prince | ![]() |
3,196 | Sunk |
26 February 1917 | Burnby | ![]() |
3,665 | Sunk |
3 March 1917 | S. Anna S. | ![]() |
41 | Sunk |
3 June 1917 | Petronilla Madre | ![]() |
43 | Sunk |
6 June 1917 | Diane | ![]() |
590 | Sunk |
8 June 1917 | Huntstrick | ![]() |
8,151 | Sunk |
8 June 1917 | Isle Of Jura | ![]() |
3,809 | Sunk |
8 June 1917 | HMML 540 | ![]() |
37 | Sunk |
8 June 1917 | HMML 541 | ![]() |
37 | Sunk |
8 June 1917 | Valdieri | ![]() |
4,637 | Sunk |
10 June 1917 | Petrolite | ![]() |
3,710 | Sunk |
11 June 1917 | Wera | ![]() |
476 | Sunk |
12 June 1917 | Gaita | ![]() |
396 | Sunk |
15 June 1917 | Espinho | ![]() |
740 | Sunk |
19 June 1917 | Kyma | ![]() |
3,420 | Sunk |
20 June 1917 | Eli Lindoe | ![]() |
1,116 | Sunk |
22 June 1917 | Toro | ![]() |
1,141 | Sunk |
23 June 1917 | Isere | ![]() |
2,159 | Sunk |
29 July 1917 | Manchester Commerce | ![]() |
4,144 | Sunk |
30 July 1917 | Carlo | ![]() |
5,572 | Sunk |
30 July 1917 | Ganges | ![]() |
4,177 | Sunk |
31 July 1917 | Carolvore | ![]() |
1,659 | Sunk |
31 July 1917 | Ypres | ![]() |
305 | Sunk |
3 August 1917 | Halldor | ![]() |
2,919 | Sunk |
5 August 1917 | Ryton | ![]() |
3,991 | Sunk |
27 September 1917 | Swan River | ![]() |
4,724 | Sunk |
1 October 1917 | Mersario | ![]() |
3,847 | Sunk |
1 October 1917 | Normanton | ![]() |
3,862 | Sunk |
2 October 1917 | Almora | ![]() |
4,385 | Sunk |
2 October 1917 | Hikosan Maru | ![]() |
3,555 | Sunk |
2 October 1917 | Nuceria | ![]() |
4,702 | Sunk |
14 November 1917 | Buenaventura | ![]() |
257 | Sunk |
18 November 1917 | HMS Candytuft | ![]() |
1,290 | Sunk |
21 November 1917 | Schuylkill | ![]() |
2,720 | Sunk |
23 November 1917 | Markella | ![]() |
1,124 | Sunk |
25 November 1917 | Karema | ![]() |
5,263 | Sunk |
17 May 1918 | Sculptor | ![]() |
4,874 | Sunk |
References
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.
Citations
[edit]- ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, p. 6.
- ^ 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
[edit]- Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
External links
[edit]- Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 39". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net.