German submarine U-414 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II.She was laid down on 14 June 1941 by Danziger Werft, Danzig as yard number 115, launched on 25 March 1942 and commissioned on 1 July 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Walther Huth.
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-414 had a displacement of 769t when at the surface and 871t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.1m (220.1feet), a pressure hull length of 50.5m (165.7feet), a beam of 6.2m (20.3feet), a height of 9.6m (31.5feet), and a draught of 4.74m (15.55feet). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of NaNPS for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38–8 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 at ; when surfaced, she could travel at . U-414 was fitted with five 53.30NaN0 torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.82NaN2 SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and two twin 2sp=usNaNsp=us C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
The boat's career began with training at 8th U-boat Flotilla on 1 July 1942, followed by active service on 1 January 1943 as part of the 6th Flotilla. Four months later, on 1 May 1943, she transferred to 29th Flotilla for operations in the Mediterranean for the short remainder of her service.
In three patrols she sank one merchant ship, for a total of, and damaged one other.
U-414 took part in two wolfpacks, namely:
U-414 was sunk on 25 May 1943 in the Mediterranean in position 36.5167°N 40°W, by depth charges from . All hands were lost.
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) | Fate[1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 May 1943 | Fort Anne |  United Kingdom | 7,134 | Damaged | |
| 18 May 1943 | Empire Eve | United Kingdom | 5,979 | Sunk |