U-440

Type

VIIC

Ordered

5 Jan, 1940

Laid down

1 Oct, 1940

F. Schichau, 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 (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Sunk 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 (Sqdn. 201/R). 46 dead (all hands lost).

View the 5 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-440 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Spitz (24 Dec, 1942 - 31 Dec, 1942)
   Neuland (6 Mar, 1943 - 16 Mar, 1943)
   Neuland (6 Mar, 1943 - 12 Mar, 1943)
   Dranger (14 Mar, 1943 - 20 Mar, 1943)
   Seewolf (25 Mar, 1943 - 30 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.