German submarine U-32 (1937)

German submarine U-32 was a Type VIIA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

Her keel was laid down on 15 March 1936 by DeSchiMAG AG Weser of Bremen as yard number 913. She was launched on 25 February 1937 and commissioned on 15 April with Kapitänleutnant Werner Lott in command. On 15 August 1937, Lott was relieved by Korvettenkapitän Paul Büchel, and on 12 February 1940, Oberleutnant zur See Hans Jenisch took over. He was in charge of the boat until her loss.

Design
As one of the first ten German Type VII submarines later designated as Type VIIA submarines, U-32 had a displacement of 626 t when at the surface and 745 t while submerged. She had a total length of 64.51 m, a pressure hull length of 45.50 m, a beam of 5.85 m, a height of 9.50 m, and a draught of 4.37 m. The submarine was powered by two MAN M 6 V 40/46 four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of 2100 to 2310 PS for use while surfaced, two BBC GG UB 720/8 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 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 8 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 73 - 94 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 6200 nmi at 10 kn. U-32 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), eleven torpedoes, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and an anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history
U-32 conducted nine patrols, sinking 20 ships, for a total of and damaging five more, totalling  and 8,000 tons. On 28 October 1940 U-32, under the command of Hans Jenisch, sank the 42,348 GRT liner RMS Empress of Britain (1931), which had been previously damaged by German bombs. Empress was the largest ship sunk by a U-boat.

Fate
U-32 was sunk northwest of Ireland, in position 55.61667°N, -12.31667°W, by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS Harvester (H19) and HMS Highlander (H44) on 30 October 1940. Nine crew members were killed; 33 survived and became prisoners of war, including Jenisch. Jenisch then spent six and a half years in British captivity before returning to Germany in June 1947.

Wolfpacks
U-32 took part in one wolfpack, namely:
 * Prien (12 – 17 June 1940)