German submarine U-332

German submarine U-332 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She saw service in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Built in 1941 and 1942 at Nordsee-Werke, Emden, U-332 was a Type VIIC U-boat, capable of lengthy ocean patrols and of operating in distant environments.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-332 had a displacement of 769 t when at the surface and 871 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 AEG GU 460/8–27 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-332 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, and a 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history
U-332 was launched on 22 March 1941 and commissioned 7 June 1941.

Fate
On 29 April 1943 the boat was bombed and sunk by a RAF Liberator bomber of 224 Squadron off Cape Finisterre at 44.8°N, -8.96667°W. All 45 crew members died in the event.

Wolfpacks
U-332 took part in eight wolfpacks, namely:
 * Störtebecker (17 – 19 November 1941)
 * Benecke (19 November – 2 December 1941)
 * Hartherz (3 – 7 February 1943)
 * Ritter (11 – 23 February 1943)
 * Sturmbock (23 – 26 February 1943)
 * Burggraf (2 – 5 March 1943)
 * Westmark (6 – 11 March 1943)
 * Drossel (29 April 1943)