U-50

Type

VIIB

 
Ordered21 Nov 1936
Laid down 3 Nov 1938 F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 585)
Launched1 Nov 1939
Commissioned12 Dec 1939Kptlt. Max-Hermann Bauer
Commanders
12 Dec 1939 - 6 Apr 1940  Kptlt. Max-Hermann Bauer
Career2 patrols 12 Dec 1939 - 31 Dec 1939  7. Flottille (training)
1 Jan 1940 - 6 Apr 1940  7. Flottille (front boat)
Successes4 ships sunk for a total of 16,089 GRT
Fate

Mined on 6 April, 1940 in the North Sea north of the Terschelling, exact position not known but probably near 51.14N, 05.07E. 44 dead (all hands lost).

See the 4 ships hit by U-50 - View the 2 war patrols

Mine barrage Field No 7, was laid by the destroyers HMS Express, HMS Esk, HMS Icarus and HMS Impulsive in the North Sea on 3 March, 1940. It probably accounted for several U-boats on their inbound or return journey.

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by FDS/NHB during December 1993. More on revised fates.

The attack by the British destroyer HMS Hero on 10 April, 1940 in position 62.54N, 01.56W was most probably against a nonsub target.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-50 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.



U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2

Wynn, Kenneth


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Books dealing with this subject include:

German U-Boat Losses During World War II. Niestle, Axel, 1998.
Hitler's U-boat War. Blair, Clay, 1996.
Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II. Blair, Clay, 1998.
U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1. Wynn, Kenneth, 1998.
U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2. Wynn, Kenneth, 1998.


There was another U-50 in World War One
That boat was launched from its shipyard on 31 Dec 1915 and commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 4 Jul 1916. The Naval war in WWI was brought to an end with the Armistice signed on 11 Nov, 1918. Read about the U 50 during WWI.