German submarine U-44 (1939)

IX A

M 13 206

AG Weser, Bremen

November 21, 1936

949

September 15, 1938

August 5, 1939

November 4, 1939

November 4, 1939 - March 13, 1940 Lieutenant Ludwig Mathes

2 patrols

8 vessels ( 30 885 GRT)

U 44 was a German U- boat of the type IX A, which was used in World War II by the Kriegsmarine.

History

The construction contract for the boat was awarded on November 21, 1936 at the AG Weser in Bremen. The keel was laid on 15 September 1938 the launching on August 5, 1939 to the putting under Lieutenant Ludwig Mathes on November 4, 1939.

The boat belonged to 31 December 1939 as a training boat for U- Flotilla " Hundius " in Kiel. After the reorganization of the U- Flotilla it was from 1 January 1940 until its sinking on 13 March, 1940 second U- Flotilla in Wilhelmshaven.

U 44 made ​​two patrols on which it plunge eight vessels with a total tonnage of 30 885 GRT.

Service history

First patrol

The boat was launched on January 6, 1940 at 12.15 clock of Wilhelmshaven and on February 9, 1940 at 17.00 clock back there one. On this lasting 35 days and approximately 5,700 nautical miles long company in the North Atlantic eight ships were sunk with 30 855 GRT.

• January 20, 1940: sinking of the Greek steamer Ekatontarchos Dracoulis. ( 5,329 GRT) ( Lage40.333333 - 10.116667 ) by a torpedo. He had loaded 7,511 tons of wheat and was on the way from Rosario ( Argentina) to the Tyne. There were six deaths.

• January 24, 1940: sinking the French steamer Alsatian ( 3,819 GRT) ( Lage39.016667 - 9.9) by a torpedo. He had an unknown charge and was on the way from Tunis to Rouen. The ship belonged to the convoy KS 56 There were four deaths.

• January 25, 1940: sinking the French steamer Tourny. ( 2,769 GRT) ( Lage38 - 9.916667 ) by a torpedo. He had a deck cargo and was on his way from Dakar to Bordeaux. The ship belonged to the convoy KS 56 There were eight deaths.

• January 28, 1940: sinking of the Greek steamer Flora NOMICOS. ( 2,980 GRT) by a torpedo. He had loaded coal and was on the way from Sunderland to Santa Fe. There were no deaths, 26 survivors.

Second patrol and whereabouts

The boat ran out at 13.00 clock from Wilhelmshaven on 13 March 1940. The boat no longer reported at the expiry. It was probably the same day in the North Sea off Terschelling on a mine that had been transferred from one of the British destroyers HMS Express, HMS Esk, HMS Icarus HMS Impulsive or on 3 March 1940 and sank with all 47 men on board. The probable position was 54 ° 14 ' N, 5 ° 7' O54.2333335.116667 in the marine grid square AN 6941st

U 44 had to complain no casualties among its crew until his demise.