U-732

Type

VIIC

Ordered

21 Nov, 1940

Laid down

6 Oct, 1941

F. Schichau, Danzig (werk 1523)

Launched

18 Aug, 1942

Commissioned

24 Oct, 1942

Oblt. Claus-Peter Carlsen

Commanders

24 Oct, 1942 - 31 Oct, 1943

Oblt. Claus-Peter Carlsen

Career

3 patrols

24 Oct, 1942 - 30 Apr, 1943 8. Flottille (training)
1 May, 1943 - 31 Oct, 1943 1. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk 31 Oct, 1943, in the mid-Atlantic near Tangier, in position 35.54N, 05.52W, by depth charges from the British anti-submarine trawler HMS Imperialist and the British destroyer HMS Douglas. 31 dead and 18 survivors.

View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-732 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Specht (27 Apr, 1943 - 4 May, 1943)
Fink (4 May, 1943 - 6 May, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

22 Apr, 1943
The boat was depth charged by escorts from convoy ON(S) 4 causing damages to its periscope and forcing it to abort to France. Date is approximate. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 291)

12 Jul, 1943
Two American OS2U Kingfisher scouting aircraft attacked the boat causing slight damage. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 364)

28 Jul, 1943
Off the eastern tip of Cuba, Cape Maisi the boat lined up to attack a small naval convoy (3 repair ships and 3 destroyers). The destroyers managed to keep the boat down and depth charged her but the boat escaped. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 364)

3 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

The former commander of U-732 Oblt. Claus-Peter Carlsen paid his last respects to the dead crew members of his boat onboard of HMS Hart near the sinking position (Straits of Gibraltar). He put a bouquet of flowers in the water with the words: "In memoriam of U-732 and her dead members of the crew. The commander and his crew members, who survived." After return to Gibraltar the commander of the British Naval Base HMS Rooke said to Kptlt. Carlsen: "It was the least I could do for you!"

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-732 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.