List of all U-boats

U-439

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered5 Jan 1940
Laid down1 Oct 1940 F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (werk 1490)
Launched11 Oct 1941
Commissioned20 Dec 1941Oblt. Wolfgang Sporn
Commanders
20 Dec 1941 - 17 Feb 1943  Kptlt. Wolfgang Sporn
18 Feb 1943 - 4 May 1943  Oblt. Helmut von Tippelskirch
Career
4 patrols
20 Dec 1941-31 Oct 1942  5. Flottille (training)
1 Nov 1942-4 May 1943  1. Flottille (active service)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk at 0030hrs on 4 May 1943 in the North Atlantic west of Cape Finisterre, Spain, in position 43.32N, 13.20W, in a collision with U-659. 40 dead and 9 survivors.

Loss position

View the 4 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-439 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Panzer (23 Nov 1942 - 11 Dec 1942)
   Raufbold (11 Dec 1942 - 15 Dec 1942)
   Neuland (4 Mar 1943 - 6 Mar 1943)
   Ostmark (6 Mar 1943 - 11 Mar 1943)
   Stürmer (11 Mar 1943 - 19 Mar 1943)
   Drossel (29 Apr 1943 - 4 May 1943)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-439 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-boat Emblems

We have 2 emblem entries for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


Church and Boots

Black Boot and Man

Media links


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War

Blair, Clay




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