U-50

Type

VIIB

 
Ordered21 Nov 1936
Laid down3 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
Career
2 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.


We have an emblem for this boat!

You can view it here. (The emblem on the left is not the emblem for this boat).



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.