U-440

Type

VIIC

Ordered

5 Jan 1940

Laid down

1 Oct 1940

F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (werk 1491)

Launched

8 Nov 1941

Commissioned

24 Jan 1942

Ltnt. Hans Geissler

Commanders

24 Jan 1942	-	19 May 1943		Kptlt. Hans Geissler
20 May 1943	-	31 May 1943		Oblt. Werner Schwaff

Career
5 patrols

24 Jan 1942	-	31 Aug 1942	5. Flottille (training)
1 Sep 1942	-	31 May 1943	1. Flottille (active service)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk on 31 May 1943 in the North Atlantic north-west of Cape Ortegal, Spain, in position 45.38N, 13.04W, by depth charges from a British Sunderland aircraft (201 Sqn RAF/R). 46 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

View the 5 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-440 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Pfeil (12 Sep 1942 - 14 Sep 1942)
   Streitaxt (29 Oct 1942 - 2 Nov 1942)
   Delphin (4 Nov 1942 - 5 Nov 1942)
   Spitz (22 Dec 1942 - 31 Dec 1942)
   Neuland (6 Mar 1943 - 13 Mar 1943)
   Dränger (14 Mar 1943 - 20 Mar 1943)
   Seewolf (21 Mar 1943 - 29 Mar 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-440 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.