German submarine U-709
German submarine U-709 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
Ordered 15 August 1940, she was laid down on 5 May 1941 and launched 14 April 1942. From 12 August 1942 until 2 December 1943, she was commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Karl-Otto Weber, then captained by Oberleutnant zur See Rudolf Ites from 3 December 1943 until 19 February 1944.
Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-709 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-709 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.
Service history
U-709 had five patrols, from 12 August 1942 until 19 February 1944, during which she sank no ships.Wolfpacks
U-709 took part in 15 wolfpacks, namely:- Westmark
- Amsel
- Amsel 3
- Rhein
- Elbe 1
- Without name
- Siegfried
- Siegfried 3
- Jahn
- Tirpitz 4
- Eisenhart 6
- Schill 2
- Igel 2
- Hai 1
- Preussen