German submarine U-707


German submarine U-707 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
Ordered 6 August 1940, she was laid down 2 January 1941 and launched 18 December 1941. She had a relatively brief career from 1 July 1942 until 9 November 1943, and during this time she was commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Günther Gretschel.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-707 had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. She had a total length of, a pressure hull length of, a beam of, a height of, and a draught of. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of for use while surfaced, two Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c double-acting electric motors producing a total of for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 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-707 was fitted with five torpedo tubes, fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and two twin C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Patrol History

During her career, U-707 sunk two ships, for a total tonnage of 11,811 GRT, namely the US freighter Jonathan Sturges, a straggler of convoy ON 166, and the British freighter North Britain also a straggler of convoy ONS 5.

Wolfpacks

U-707 participated in nine wolfpacks, namely:
  • Haudegen
  • Nordsturm
  • Haudegen
  • Taifun
  • Specht
  • Fink
  • Naab
  • Donau 2
  • Schill

Fate

While on patrol east of the Azores, she was depth charged and sunk on 9 November 1943 from a RAF Fortress aircraft, from Sqdn. 220/J R.A.F, at position. She was lost with all hands; 51 dead.