U-439

Type

VIIC

Ordered

5 Jan, 1940

Laid down

1 Oct, 1940

F. Schichau, Danzig (werk 1490)

Launched

11 Oct, 1941

Commissioned

20 Dec, 1941

Oblt. 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 (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

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

View the 4 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-439 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Panzer (29 Nov, 1942 - 11 Dec, 1942)
   Raufbold (15 Dec, 1942 - 22 Dec, 1942)
   Neuland (6 Mar, 1943 - 8 Mar, 1943)
   Ostmark (8 Mar, 1943 - 11 Mar, 1943)
   Sturmer (14 Mar, 1943 - 20 Mar, 1943)
   Drossel (30 Apr, 1943 - 3 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.