U-739

Type

VIIC

Ordered

10 Apr 1941

Laid down

17 Apr 1942

F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (werk 1536)

Launched

23 Dec 1942

Commissioned

6 Mar 1943

Ltnt. Ernst Mangold

Commanders

6 Mar 1943	-	25 Feb 1945	Oblt. Ernst Mangold (German Cross in Gold)
26 Feb 1945	-	13 May 1945	Oblt. (R) Fritz Kosnick
26 Feb 1945	-	Mar, 1945	Oblt. Johannes Ney (in deputize) -- acting

Career
8 patrols

6 Mar 1943	-	31 Oct 1943	8. Flottille (training)
1 Nov 1943	-	31 Dec 1943	9. Flottille (active service)
1 Jan 1944	-	8 May 1945	13. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 warship sunk, total tonnage 625 tons

Fate

Surrendered at Emden, Germany on 13 May 1945.

Transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland on 30 June 1945 from Wilhelmshaven.

Operation Deadlight (post-war Allied operation, info)
Sunk on 16 December 1945 at 56.10N x 10.05W as an aerial target.

Final location

See the 1 ships hit by U-739 - View the 8 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-739 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Isegrim (16 Jan 1944 - 27 Jan 1944)
   Werwolf (27 Jan 1944 - 2 Feb 1944)
   Boreas (28 Feb 1944 - 5 Mar 1944)
   Keil (16 Apr 1944 - 20 Apr 1944)
   Donner & Keil (20 Apr 1944 - 3 May 1944)
   Trutz (7 Jul 1944 - 10 Jul 1944)
   Greif (5 Aug 1944 - 26 Sep 1944)
   Rasmus (6 Feb 1945 - 13 Feb 1945)

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat

This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in October 1944.

Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-739 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.