German submarine U-440

German submarine U-440 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 1 October 1940 by Schichau-Werke, Danzig as yard number 1491, launched on 8 November 1941 and commissioned on 24 January 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Hans Geissler. On 20 May 1943, Geissler was replaced as commander by Oberleutnant zur See Werner Schwaff.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-440 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 460/8-276 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-440 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
The boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 24 January 1942, followed by active service on 1 September 1942 as part of the 1st Flotilla for the remainder of her service. On five patrols she sank no ships.

Wolfpacks
U-440 took part in seven wolfpacks, namely:
 * Pfeil (12 – 14 September 1942)
 * Streitaxt (29 October – 2 November 1942)
 * Delphin (4 – 5 November 1942)
 * Spitz (22 – 31 December 1942)
 * Neuland (6 – 13 March 1943)
 * Dränger (14 – 20 March 1943)
 * Seewolf (21 – 29 March 1943)

Fate
U-440 was sunk on 31 May 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 45.63333°N, -13.06667°W, by depth charges from RAF Sunderland from 201 Squadron. All crew members died.