Unterseeboot 32 (1937)
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The second Unterseeboot 32 (U-32) was a Type VIIA U-boat (submarine) of the Kriegsmarine.
Her keel was laid down 15 March 1936 by AG Weser of Bremen. She was launched on 25 February 1937 and commissioned on 15 April 1937 with Kapitänleutnant Werner Lott in command. On 15 August 1937 Lott was relieved by Paul Büchel, and on 12 February 1940 Oberleutnant zur See Hans Jenisch took over and commanded the boat until her loss.
U-32 conducted nine patrols, sinking 20 ships totalling of 116,836 tons, and damaging five more totalling 40,274 tons. On 28 October 1940 U-32 sank the 42,350-ton liner Empress of Britain, which had been previously damaged by German bombs. Empress was the largest ship sunk by a U-boat.
Two days later, 30 October, U-32 was sunk northwest of Ireland by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS Harvester and Highlander. Nine of her crew died, 33 survived and were taken prisoner, including Jenisch, who spent six and a half years in British captivity before returning to Germany in June 1947.