German submarine U-41 (1939)

U-37, (an identical U-boat to U-41) at Lorient in 1940
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-41
Ordered21 November 1936
BuilderDeSchiMAG AG Weser, Bremen
Yard number946
Laid down27 November 1937
Launched28 January 1939
Commissioned22 April 1939
FateSunk on 5 February 1940 south of Ireland. All 49 of her crew went down with the submarine
General characteristics
Class & typeType IXA submarine
Displacement
  • 1,032 t (1,016 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,153 t (1,135 long tons) submerged
Length
Beam
  • 6.51 m (21 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.40 m (14 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.40 m (30 ft 10 in)
Draught4.70 m (15 ft 5 in)
Installed power
  • 4,400 PS (3,200 kW; 4,300 bhp) (diesels)
  • 1,000 PS (740 kW; 990 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 18.2 knots (33.7 km/h; 20.9 mph) surfaced
  • 7.7 knots (14.3 km/h; 8.9 mph) submerged
Range
  • 10,500 nmi (19,400 km; 12,100 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 65–78 nmi (120–144 km; 75–90 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth230 m (750 ft)
Complement4 officers, 44 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 11 423
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Gustav-Adolf Mugler
  • 22 April 1939 – 5 February 1940
Operations:
  • 3 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 19 August – 17 September 1939
  • 2nd patrol:
  • a. 7 November – 7 December 1939
  • b. 23 – 24 Jan 1940
  • 3rd patrol:
  • 27 January – 5 February 1940
Victories:
  • 5 merchant ships sunk
    (22,815 GRT)
  • 1 merchant ship damaged
    (8,096 GRT)
  • 2 merchant ships taken as prize
    (2,073 GRT)

The German submarine U-41 was a Type IXA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine that operated during World War II. She conducted three war patrols during her short career, two as part of the 6th U-boat Flotilla and one as part of the 2nd flotilla. U-41 also sank five enemy vessels for a total of 22,815 gross register tons (GRT); captured two more for a total of 2,073 GRT and damaged one other of 8,096 GRT.

On 5 February 1940, U-41 was hit by depth charges from the British A class destroyer HMS Antelope after sinking two enemy merchant vessels and was sunk off the south coast of Ireland. All 49 of her crew members were lost with the boat.