german submarine german submarine type boat nazi_germany kriegsmarine operated world war built bremen yard number launched november commissioned february conducted war patrols career 6th boat flotilla short time war sank ships sunk october english channel construction ordered kriegsmarine july violation treaty versailles laid july launched november commissioned february command design original german type submarines later designated displacement tonnes long tons surface tonnes long tons submerged boat total length pressure hull length beam height draught submarine powered man stroke cylinder diesel engines producing total metric horsepower shp use surfaced double acting electric motors producing total metric horsepower shp use submerged shafts propellers boat capable operating depths metres submarine maximum surface speed knots mph maximum submerged speed knots mph submerged boat operate nautical miles knots mph surfaced travel nautical miles knots mph fitted torpedo tubes fitted bow stern torpedoes naval gun rounds anti aircraft gun boat complement service history commissioned deployed stationed german port city wilhelmshaven home rest fairly short career patrols left wilhelmshaven august world war began patrol nearly weeks operated coast gibraltar returning home september year leave wilhelmshaven time command october patrol conduct joint operations coasts portugal spain fate october sunk british operate pack boats world war left port late decided boat designated meeting point southwest ireland british naval mines choosing voyage nearly half hours high tide mines lowest point boat struck devices sank immediately sea floor crew members able exit aft escape hatch escape equipment able reach surface died journey died exposure harsh elements nearly hours sinking remaining men rescued taken prisoner
German submarine U-40 (1938)