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.
As one of the first ten German Type VII submarines later designated as Type VIIA submarines, U-32 had a displacement of 626t when at the surface and 745t while submerged. She had a total length of 64.51m (211.65feet), a pressure hull length of 45.5m (149.3feet), a beam of 5.85m (19.19feet), a height of 9.5m (31.2feet), and a draught of 4.37m (14.34feet). The submarine was powered by two MAN M 6 V 40/46 four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of NaNPS for use while surfaced, two BBC GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23abbr=onNaNabbr=on propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to .
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of . When submerged, the boat could operate for 73- at ; when surfaced, she could travel at . U-32 was fitted with five 53.30NaN0 torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), eleven torpedoes, one 8.82NaN2 SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and an anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
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, which had been previously damaged by German bombs. Empress was the largest ship sunk by a U-boat.
U-32 was sunk northwest of Ireland, in position 55.6167°N -31°W, by depth charges from the British destroyers and 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.
U-32 took part in one wolfpack, namely:
| Date | Name of ship | Nationality | Tonnage[1] | Fate[2] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 September 1939 | Kensington Court |  United Kingdom | 4,863 | Sunk | |
| 28 September 1939 | Jern |  Norway | 875 | Sunk | |
| 5 October 1939 | Marwarri | United Kingdom | 8,063 | Damaged (mine) | |
| 6 October 1939 | Lochgoil | United Kingdom | 9,462 | Damaged (mine) | |
| 31 December 1939 | Luna | Norway | 959 | Sunk | |
| 2 March 1940 | Lagaholm |  Sweden | 2,818 | Sunk | |
| 18 June 1940 | Altair | Norway | 1,522 | Sunk | |
| 18 June 1940 | Nuevo Ons |  Spain | 108 | Sunk | |
| 18 June 1940 | Sálvora | Spain | 108 | Sunk | |
| 19 June 1940 | Labud | 5,334 | Sunk | ||
| 22 June 1940 | Eli Knudsen | Norway | 9,026 | Sunk | |
| 30 August 1940 | Chelsea | United Kingdom | 4,804 | Sunk | |
| 30 August 1940 | Mill Hill | United Kingdom | 4,318 | Sunk | |
| 30 August 1940 | Norne | Norway | 3,971 | Sunk | |
| 1 September 1940 | 8,000 | Damaged | |||
| 22 September 1940 | Collegian | United Kingdom | 7,886 | Damaged | |
| 25 September 1940 | Mabriton | United Kingdom | 6,694 | Sunk | |
| 26 September 1940 | Corrientes | United Kingdom | 6,863 | Damaged | |
| 26 September 1940 | Darcoila | United Kingdom | 4,084 | Sunk | |
| 26 September 1940 | Tancred | Norway | 6,094 | Sunk | |
| 28 September 1940 | Empire Ocelot | United Kingdom | 5,759 | Sunk | |
| 29 September 1940 | Bassa | United Kingdom | 5,267 | Sunk | |
| 30 September 1940 | Haulerwijk |  Netherlands | 3,278 | Sunk | |
| 2 October 1940 | Kayeson | United Kingdom | 4,606 | Sunk | |
| 28 October 1940 | United Kingdom | 42,348 | Sunk |