U-439

Type

VIIC

Ordered

5 Jan 1940

Laid down

1 Oct 1940

F Schichau GmbH, 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 (active service)

Successes

No 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.