SM U-39 was a German Type U 31U-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 KapitänleutnantWalther 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.
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/30deck 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]
Fateedit
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.
^Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U 39". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
Bibliographyedit
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. ISBN0-85177-593-4.
External linksedit
Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 39". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net.
April 09, 2024
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For other ships with the same name see German submarine U 39 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 HistoryGerman EmpireNameU 39Ordered12 June 1912BuilderGermaniawerft KielYard number199Laid down27 March 1913Launched26 September 1914Commissioned13 January 1915FateSurrendered 22 March 1919 broken up 1923 General characteristicsClass and typeGerman Type U 31 submarineDisplacement685 t 674 long tons surfaced 878 t 864 long tons submerged Length64 40 m 211 ft 3 in o a 52 36 m 171 ft 9 in pressure hull Beam6 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 power2 1 850 PS 1 361 kW 1 825 shp diesel engines 2 1 200 PS 883 kW 1 184 shp DoppelmodynPropulsion2 shafts 2 1 60 m 5 ft 3 in propellersSpeed16 7 knots 30 9 km h 19 2 mph surfaced 9 7 knots 18 0 km h 11 2 mph submerged Range8 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 amp landing craft carried1 dinghyComplement4 officers 31 enlistedArmamentfour 50 cm 20 in torpedo tubes 2 each bow and stern 6 torpedoes one 8 8 cm 3 5 in SK L 30 deck gun 10 5 cm 4 1 in SK L 45 from 1916 17 Service recordPart of II Flotilla Unknown start 15 September 1915 Pola Mittelmeer Mittelmeer I Flotilla 15 September 1915 18 May 1918Commanders 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 1918Operations 19 patrolsVictories 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 Its longest serving captain was Kapitanleutnant Walther Forstmann who was awarded the Pour le Merite during command on U 39 From January to mid 1917 Martin Niemoller 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 Donitz 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 Contents 1 Design 2 Fate 3 Summary of raiding history 4 References 4 1 Notes 4 2 Citations 5 Bibliography 6 External linksDesign editGerman 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 editOn 27 April 1918 U 39 sailed from Pola under command of Kapitanleutnant 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 editDate Name Nationality Tonnage Note 1 Fate 2 1 May 1915 Balduin nbsp Norway 1 059 Sunk1 May 1915 Elsa nbsp Sweden 120 Sunk2 May 1915 St Louis No 1 nbsp United Kingdom 211 Sunk2 May 1915 Sunray nbsp United Kingdom 165 Sunk3 May 1915 Scottish Queen nbsp United Kingdom 125 Sunk4 May 1915 Elsa nbsp Sweden 329 Sunk5 May 1915 Sceptre nbsp United Kingdom 166 Sunk6 May 1915 Truro nbsp United Kingdom 836 Sunk7 May 1915 Benington nbsp United Kingdom 131 Sunk10 May 1915 Olga nbsp Denmark 798 Captured as prize26 June 1915 Campania nbsp United Kingdom 167 Sunk29 June 1915 Cambuskenneth nbsp Norway 1 924 Sunk29 June 1915 Kotka nbsp Norway 952 Damaged30 June 1915 Lomas nbsp United Kingdom 3 048 Sunk1 July 1915 Caucasian nbsp United Kingdom 4 656 Sunk1 July 1915 Craigard nbsp United Kingdom 3 286 Sunk1 July 1915 Gadsby nbsp United Kingdom 3 497 Sunk1 July 1915 Inglemoor nbsp United Kingdom 4 331 Sunk1 July 1915 Richmond nbsp United Kingdom 3 214 Sunk2 July 1915 Hirondelle nbsp France 183 Sunk2 July 1915 Boduognat nbsp Belgium 1 411 Sunk2 July 1915 City of Edinburgh nbsp United Kingdom 6 255 Damaged3 July 1915 Fiery Cross nbsp Norway 1 448 Sunk3 July 1915 Larchmore nbsp United Kingdom 4 355 Sunk3 July 1915 Renfrew nbsp United Kingdom 3 488 Sunk4 July 1915 Anglo Californian nbsp United Kingdom 7 333 Damaged2 September 1915 William T Lewis nbsp United Kingdom 2 166 Damaged9 September 1915 Cornubia nbsp United Kingdom 1 736 Sunk9 September 1915 L Aude nbsp France 2 232 Sunk9 September 1915 Ville De Mostaganem nbsp France 2 648 Sunk28 September 1915 H C Henry nbsp Canada 4 219 Sunk29 September 1915 Haydn nbsp United Kingdom 3 923 Sunk30 September 1915 Cirene nbsp Kingdom of Italy 3 236 Sunk2 October 1915 Sailor Prince nbsp United Kingdom 3 144 Sunk7 October 1915 Halizones nbsp United Kingdom 5 093 Sunk8 October 1915 Thorpwood nbsp United Kingdom 3 184 Sunk9 October 1915 Apollo nbsp United Kingdom 3 774 Sunk12 October 1915 HMD Restore nbsp Royal Navy 93 Sunk30 November 1915 Middleton nbsp United Kingdom 2 506 Sunk3 December 1915 Dante nbsp Kingdom of Italy 889 Sunk3 December 1915 Helmsmuir nbsp United Kingdom 4 111 Sunk5 December 1915 Petrolite nbsp United States 3 710 Damaged5 December 1915 Pietro Lofaro nbsp Kingdom of Italy 517 Sunk6 December 1915 L G Goulandris nbsp Greece 2 123 Sunk7 December 1915 Veria nbsp United Kingdom 3 229 Sunk9 December 1915 Busiris nbsp United Kingdom 2 705 Sunk9 December 1915 Orteric nbsp United Kingdom 6 535 Sunk10 December 1915 Porto Said nbsp Kingdom of Italy 5 301 Sunk18 December 1915 HMD Lottie Leask nbsp Royal Navy 94 Sunk22 January 1916 Norseman nbsp United Kingdom 9 542 Sunk31 March 1916 Egeo nbsp Kingdom of Italy 1 787 Sunk31 March 1916 Riposto nbsp Kingdom of Italy 1 003 Sunk2 April 1916 Simla nbsp United Kingdom 5 884 Sunk3 April 1916 Clan Campbell nbsp United Kingdom 5 897 Sunk4 April 1916 Giuseppe Padre nbsp Kingdom of Italy 184 Sunk4 April 1916 Maria Carmella Findari nbsp Kingdom of Italy 42 Sunk6 April 1916 Stjerneborg nbsp Denmark 1 592 Sunk6 April 1916 Colbert nbsp France 5 394 Damaged9 April 1916 Caledonia nbsp Denmark 1 815 Sunk13 April 1916 Lipari nbsp Kingdom of Italy 1 539 Sunk20 May 1916 Redentore nbsp Kingdom of Italy 228 Sunk20 May 1916 Valsesia nbsp Kingdom of Italy 248 Sunk21 May 1916 Birmania nbsp Kingdom of Italy 2 384 Sunk21 May 1916 Rosalia Madre nbsp Kingdom of Italy 251 Sunk23 May 1916 Hercules nbsp Kingdom of Italy 2 704 Sunk23 May 1916 Maria Porto Di Salvezza nbsp Kingdom of Italy 39 Sunk23 May 1916 Teresa Accame nbsp Kingdom of Italy 4 742 Damaged23 May 1916 Washington nbsp Kingdom of Italy 2 819 Sunk24 May 1916 Aurrera nbsp Spain 2 845 Sunk25 May 1916 Fratelli Bandiera nbsp Kingdom of Italy 3 506 Sunk25 May 1916 Rita nbsp Kingdom of Italy 200 Sunk27 May 1916 Mar Terso nbsp Kingdom of Italy 3 778 Sunk27 May 1916 Trunkby nbsp United Kingdom 2 635 Sunk28 May 1916 Lady Ninian nbsp United Kingdom 4 297 Sunk29 May 1916 Baron Vernon nbsp United Kingdom 1 779 Sunk29 May 1916 Elmgrove nbsp United Kingdom 3 018 Sunk29 May 1916 Southgarth nbsp United Kingdom 2 414 Sunk30 May 1916 Baron Tweedmouth nbsp United Kingdom 5 007 Sunk30 May 1916 Dalegarth nbsp United Kingdom 2 265 Sunk30 May 1916 Hermesberg nbsp Kingdom of Italy 2 884 Sunk30 May 1916 Rauma nbsp Norway 3 047 Sunk1 June 1916 Dewsland nbsp United Kingdom 1 993 Sunk1 June 1916 Salmonpool nbsp United Kingdom 4 905 Sunk13 July 1916 Silverton nbsp United Kingdom 2 682 Sunk14 July 1916 Antigua nbsp United Kingdom 2 876 Sunk14 July 1916 Ecclesia nbsp United Kingdom 3 714 Sunk15 July 1916 Sylvie nbsp United Kingdom 1 354 Sunk16 July 1916 Euphorbia nbsp United Kingdom 3 837 Sunk16 July 1916 Sirra nbsp Kingdom of Italy 3 203 Sunk16 July 1916 Wiltonhall nbsp United Kingdom 3 387 Sunk17 July 1916 Angelo nbsp Kingdom of Italy 3 609 Sunk17 July 1916 Rosemoor nbsp United Kingdom 4 303 Sunk18 July 1916 Llongwen nbsp United Kingdom 4 683 Sunk20 July 1916 Cettois nbsp France 974 Sunk20 July 1916 Grangemoor nbsp United Kingdom 3 198 Sunk20 July 1916 Karma nbsp United Kingdom 3 710 Sunk20 July 1916 Yzer nbsp United Kingdom 3 538 Sunk21 July 1916 Wolf nbsp United Kingdom 2 443 Sunk22 July 1916 Knutsford nbsp United Kingdom 3 842 Sunk22 July 1916 Olive nbsp United Kingdom 3 678 Sunk23 July 1916 Badminton nbsp United Kingdom 3 847 Sunk24 July 1916 Maria nbsp Kingdom of Italy 198 Sunk29 July 1916 Letimbro nbsp Kingdom of Italy 2 210 Sunk29 July 1916 Rosarina G V nbsp Kingdom of Italy 131 Sunk19 October 1916 Penylan nbsp United Kingdom 3 875 Sunk20 October 1916 Mombassa nbsp United Kingdom 4 689 Sunk22 October 1916 Cluden nbsp United Kingdom 3 166 Sunk22 October 1916 Nina nbsp Kingdom of Italy 3 383 Sunk22 October 1916 Ravn nbsp Norway 998 Sunk22 October 1916 W Harkess nbsp United Kingdom 1 185 Sunk27 November 1916 Margarita nbsp Greece 1 112 Sunk27 November 1916 Reapwell nbsp United Kingdom 3 417 Sunk28 November 1916 King Malcolm nbsp United Kingdom 4 351 Sunk28 November 1916 Moresby nbsp United Kingdom 1 763 Sunk2 December 1916 Istrar nbsp United Kingdom 4 582 Sunk3 December 1916 Plata nbsp Kingdom of Italy 1 861 Sunk9 January 1917 Baynesk nbsp United Kingdom 3 286 Sunk15 January 1917 Garfield nbsp United Kingdom 3 838 Sunk28 January 1917 Amiral Magon nbsp France 5 566 Sunk 203 people killed14 February 1917 Torino nbsp Kingdom of Italy 4 159 Sunk15 February 1917 Minas nbsp Kingdom of Italy 2 854 Sunk 870 people killed17 February 1917 Ala nbsp Kingdom of Italy 359 Sunk20 February 1917 Rosalie nbsp United Kingdom 4 237 Sunk21 February 1917 Wathfield nbsp United Kingdom 3 012 Sunk22 February 1917 Ville De Bougie nbsp France 508 Sunk23 February 1917 Trojan Prince nbsp United Kingdom 3 196 Sunk26 February 1917 Burnby nbsp United Kingdom 3 665 Sunk3 March 1917 S Anna S nbsp Kingdom of Italy 41 Sunk3 June 1917 Petronilla Madre nbsp Kingdom of Italy 43 Sunk6 June 1917 Diane nbsp France 590 Sunk8 June 1917 Huntstrick nbsp United Kingdom 8 151 Sunk8 June 1917 Isle Of Jura nbsp United Kingdom 3 809 Sunk8 June 1917 HMML 540 nbsp Royal Navy 37 Sunk8 June 1917 HMML 541 nbsp Royal Navy 37 Sunk8 June 1917 Valdieri nbsp Kingdom of Italy 4 637 Sunk10 June 1917 Petrolite nbsp United States 3 710 Sunk11 June 1917 Wera nbsp Russian Empire 476 Sunk12 June 1917 Gaita nbsp Russian Empire 396 Sunk15 June 1917 Espinho nbsp Portugal 740 Sunk19 June 1917 Kyma nbsp Greece 3 420 Sunk20 June 1917 Eli Lindoe nbsp Norway 1 116 Sunk22 June 1917 Toro nbsp Uruguay 1 141 Sunk23 June 1917 Isere nbsp France 2 159 Sunk29 July 1917 Manchester Commerce nbsp United Kingdom 4 144 Sunk30 July 1917 Carlo nbsp Kingdom of Italy 5 572 Sunk30 July 1917 Ganges nbsp United Kingdom 4 177 Sunk31 July 1917 Carolvore nbsp Norway 1 659 Sunk31 July 1917 Ypres nbsp United Kingdom 305 Sunk3 August 1917 Halldor nbsp Norway 2 919 Sunk5 August 1917 Ryton nbsp United Kingdom 3 991 Sunk27 September 1917 Swan River nbsp United Kingdom 4 724 Sunk1 October 1917 Mersario nbsp United Kingdom 3 847 Sunk1 October 1917 Normanton nbsp United Kingdom 3 862 Sunk2 October 1917 Almora nbsp United Kingdom 4 385 Sunk2 October 1917 Hikosan Maru nbsp Japan 3 555 Sunk2 October 1917 Nuceria nbsp United Kingdom 4 702 Sunk14 November 1917 Buenaventura nbsp Spain 257 Sunk18 November 1917 HMS Candytuft nbsp Royal Navy 1 290 Sunk21 November 1917 Schuylkill nbsp United States 2 720 Sunk23 November 1917 Markella nbsp Greece 1 124 Sunk25 November 1917 Karema nbsp United Kingdom 5 263 Sunk17 May 1918 Sculptor nbsp United Kingdom 4 874 SunkReferences editNotes edit Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons Military vessels are listed by tons displacement Citations edit a b c d Groner 1991 p 6 Helgason Gudmundur Ships hit by U 39 German and Austrian U boats of World War I Kaiserliche Marine Uboat net Retrieved 7 December 2014 Bibliography editGroner 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 editHelgason Gudmundur WWI U boats U 39 German and Austrian U boats of World War I Kaiserliche Marine Uboat net Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title SM U 39 amp oldid 1216112579, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
