SM U-39
History
German Empire
NameU-39
Ordered12 June 1912
BuilderGermaniawerft, Kiel
Yard number199
Laid down27 March 1913
Launched26 September 1914
Commissioned13 January 1915
FateSurrendered 22 March 1919, broken up 1923.
General characteristics
Class and typeGerman 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.

Its longest-serving captain was Kptlt. 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 poem "First they came" which is inscribed at the New England Holocaust Museum. As an enemy of the Third Reich, he was imprisoned from 1938 to 1945 in Sachsenhausen and Dachau. 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, the 4th President of Germany.

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′N 00°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

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

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

  • 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.
  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 39". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net.

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