German submarine U-44 (1939)

German submarine U-44 was a Type IXA U-boat of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine that operated during World War II. She was ordered in November 1936 and laid down in September 1938 in Bremen. She was launched in August 1939 and commissioned in November.

During her service in the Kriegsmarine, U-44 conducted only two war patrols and sank a total of eight enemy vessels for a loss of 30,885 GRT. On 13 March 1940, she struck a mine that was located in field Number 7 off the north coast of the Netherlands. All 47 of her 's crew members went down with the submarine.

Construction
U-44 was ordered by the Kriegsmarine on 21 November 1936 (as part of Plan Z and in violation of the Treaty of Versailles). She was laid down on 15 September 1938 by AG Weser, in Bremen as Werk 949. U-44 was launched on 5 August 1939 and commissioned on 4 November of that same year under the command of Korvettenkapitän Ludwig Mathes.

U-44 had two MAN M9V40/46 supercharged 9-cylinder diesel engines, that put out 4400 hp as well as two SSW GU345/34 double-acting electric motors that produced 1000 hp and allowed her to travel at 18.2 kn while surfaced and 7.7 kn submerged. She had a range of 19425 nmi at 10 kn while on the surface and 144 nmi at 4 kn while submerged. U-44 had six torpedo tubes (four in the bow, two in the stern). She also carried a total of 22 533 mm torpedoes and had a 105 mm/45 deck gun with 110 rounds. She was equipped with the standard 2 cm FlaK 30 anti-aircraft gun. U-44 had a crew of forty seven men, however she could hold up to fifty six. After being commissioned and deployed, U-44 was stationed in the German port of Wilhelmshaven. This city was to be her home for the rest of her short career.

History
U-44 had a very short operational life. During her service with the Kriegsmarine, she took part in only two combat patrols. After training exercises with the 6th U-boat Flotilla from 4 November to 31 December 1939, U-44 was assigned as the front boat for the 2nd U-boat Flotilla on 1 January 1940. She was to remain a part of this flotilla until her loss.

First patrol
The first of U-44's two patrols began on 6 January 1940 when she left Wilhelmshaven for the North Sea, eventually circumnavigating the British Isles, travelling as far south as the Bay of Biscay and Portugal. It was in these two locations that U-44 sank her first (and last) merchant ships. Following these victories, she headed north again, travelling just north of the coast of Scotland and back into the North Sea. She then returned to Wilhelmshaven, arriving there on 9 February 1940. Over a period of thirty-five days, U-44 sank eight merchant ships, for a total loss of 30,885 tons.

Second patrol
Unlike her first outing, U-44's second patrol was a disaster, not even lasting through the first day. After spending more than a month in Wilhelmshaven, she began her second patrol on 13 March 1940. A few hours after leaving port, U-44 entered minefield Number 7, just off of the northern coast of the Netherlands. This particular minefield was laid by the British destroyers HMS Esk, Express, Icarus, Faulknor and Impulsive. Upon entering the minefield, U-44 struck one of the devices and sank at 54.23333°N, 5.11667°W. All forty-seven of her crew were lost.

Previously recorded fate
Sunk by HMS Fortune on 20 March 1940.

Summary of raiding career
During her service, U-44 sank eight commercial ships for a loss of. All of these ships were sunk during her first patrol.