German submarine U-327

German submarine U-327 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She carried out three patrols, but did not sink any ships.

The boat was sunk on 3 February 1945 by British warships in the Norwegian Sea north-west of Bergen.

Design
German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-327 had a displacement of 759 t when at the surface and 860 t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 50.50 m, a beam of 6.20 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.74 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2800 to 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 8500 nmi at 10 kn. U-327 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one 3.7 cm Flak M42 and two 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history
The submarine was laid down on 15 April 1943 by the Flender Werke yard at Lübeck as yard number 327, launched on 27 May 1944 and commissioned on 18 July under the command of Kapitänleutnant Hans Lemcke.

She served with the 4th U-boat Flotilla for training, from 18 July 1944 to 31 January 1945 and the 11th flotilla for operations until her sinking on 3 February.

First patrol
U-327 departed Kiel on 20 January 1945 and arrived in Horten Naval Base in Norway (south of Oslo), on the 24th.

Second patrol
The boat left Horten on 28 January 1945. She arrived at Kristiansand the next day.

Third patrol and loss
U-327 commenced her third patrol on 30 January 1945. On 3 February she was sunk by depth charges dropped by the British frigates HMS Bayntun (K310), HMS Braithwaite (K468) and HMS Loch Eck (K422).

Forty-six men died; there were no survivors.

Previously recorded fate
The boat was reported missing after 31 January 1945 southwest of the British coast.