German submarine U-709
German World War II submarine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
German submarine U-709 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-709 |
| Ordered | 15 August 1940 |
| Builder | H. C. Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 773 |
| Laid down | 5 May 1941 |
| Launched | 14 April 1942 |
| Commissioned | 12 August 1942 |
| Fate | Missing since 19 February 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Test depth |
|
| Complement | 44–60 officers & ratings |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Identification codes: | M 49 765 |
| Commanders: |
|
| Operations: |
|
| Victories: | None |
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.
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-709 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[1] She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[1]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).[1] When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-709 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[1]
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 (6 – 11 March 1943)
- Amsel (22 April – 3 May 1943)
- Amsel 3 (3 – 6 May 1943)
- Rhein (7 – 10 May 1943)
- Elbe 1 (10 – 14 May 1943)
- Without name (11 – 29 July 1943)
- Siegfried (22 – 27 October 1943)
- Siegfried 3 (27 – 30 October 1943)
- Jahn (30 October – 2 November 1943)
- Tirpitz 4 (2 – 8 November 1943)
- Eisenhart 6 (9 – 13 November 1943)
- Schill 2 (17 – 22 November 1943)
- Igel 2 (3 – 17 February 1944)
- Hai 1 (17 – 22 February 1944)
- Preussen (22 February – 1 March 1944)
She has been missing since 19 February 1944 in the North Atlantic. No explanation for its loss. All hands lost.[2]
She was sunk by depth charges from the US destroyer escorts USS Thomas, USS Bostwick, and USS Bronstein while on patrol north of the Azores; all 52 crew members aboard died. Niestlé disagreed with the official account, and conclude that there was no known explanation for its loss. [3]
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