German submarine U-538

German submarine U-538 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was laid down at the Deutsche Werft (yard) in Hamburg as yard number 356 on 18 April 1942, launched on 20 November and commissioned on 10 February 1943 with Kapitänleutnant Johann-Egbert Gosseler in command.

U-538 began her service career with training as part of the 4th U-boat Flotilla from 10 February 1943. She was reassigned to the 2nd flotilla for operations on 1 November.

She carried out one patrol and did not sink any ships. She was a member of one wolfpack.

She was sunk on 21 November 1943, southwest of Ireland by British warships.

Design
German Type IXC/40 submarines were slightly larger than the original Type IXCs. U-538 had a displacement of 1144 t when at the surface and 1257 t while submerged. The U-boat had a total length of 76.76 m, a pressure hull length of 58.75 m, a beam of 6.86 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.67 m. The submarine was powered by two MAN M 9 V 40/46 supercharged four-stroke, nine-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of 4400 PS for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 1000 shp for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.92 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 18.3 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.3 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 63 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 13850 nmi at 10 kn. U-538 was fitted with six 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 22 torpedoes, one 10.5 cm SK C/32 naval gun, 180 rounds, and a 3.7 cm SK C/30 as well as a 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of forty-eight.

Patrol and loss
The boat departed Kiel on 19 October 1943, moved through the North Sea, negotiated the gap between Iceland and the Faroe Islands and entered the Atlantic Ocean. She was heading for the French Atlantic ports.

She was sunk on 21 November 1943, southwest of Ireland by depth charges dropped from the British frigate HMS Foley (K474) and the sloop HMS Crane (U23).

Fifty-five men died; there were no survivors.

Wolfpacks
U-538 took part in one wolfpack, namely:
 * Eisenhart 1 (9 – 15 November 1943)