WWI U-boats

UB 39

 

Type

UB II

Shipyard Blohm & Voss, Hamburg  (Werk 263)
Ordered 22 Jul 1915 Laid down  
Launched 29 Dec 1915 Commissioned 28 Apr 1916 
Commanders
29 Apr 1916 - 7 Nov 1916   Werner Fürbringer
8 Nov 1916 - 23 Apr 1917   Heinrich Küstner
Career 14 patrols
21 Jun 1916 - 23 Apr 1917 Flandern Flotilla
Successes93 ships sunk for a total of 90,028 tons.
3 ships damaged for a total of 6,047 tons. 
Fate 7 May 1917 - Lost east of the Sandettie Bank at position 51.20N, 02.09E on about May 7, 1917.. 24 dead (all hands lost). 

The wreck has been located and identified by local divers. The exact cause of loss is uncertain though loss to a mine is likely. Additional research in 2007 has established that UB 39 was mined while homebound, not outbound as thought after the wreck was identified.

Previously recorded fate
Claims that UB 39 was mined on May 15, 1917 are incorrect.

See the 96 ships hit by UB 39


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