German submarine U-706

German submarine U-706, a type VIIC U-boat, was laid down on 22 November 1940. She was launched on 24 November 1941 and commissioned on 16 March 1942.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-706
Ordered9 October 1939
BuilderH. C. Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg
Yard number766
Laid down22 November 1940
Launched24 November 1941
Commissioned16 March 1942
FateSunk on 2 August 1943
General characteristics
Class and typeType VIIC submarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Speed
  • 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
  • 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Test depth
  • 230 m (750 ft)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 43 347
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. / K.Kapt. Alexander von Zitzewitz
  • 16 March 1942 – 2 August 1943
Operations:
  • 5 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 22 September – 7 November 1942
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 8 December 1942 – 13 February 1943
  • 3rd patrol:
  • 15 March – 11 May 1943
  • 4th patrol:
  • 4 – 8 July 1943
  • 5th patrol:
  • a. 26 – 27 July 1943
  • b. 29 July – 2 August 1943
Victories: 3 merchant ships sunk
(18,650 GRT)

Design

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German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-706 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-706 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 a 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[1]

Service history

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U-706 was commanded by Korvettenkapitän Alexander von Zitzewitz. She was attached to the 5th Flotilla from 16 March until 30 September 1942. On 1 October 1942, she was transferred to the 3rd Flotilla and made five patrols during the war, sinking three ships with a total tonnage of 18,650 GRT. On 2 August 1943, while in Bay of Biscay, she was disabled by depth charges from a Canadian Hampden aircraft, then finished off by a US Liberator aircraft from A/S Sqdn. 4. She sank at position 46°15′N 10°25′W / 46.250°N 10.417°W / 46.250; -10.417.

Wolfpacks

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U-706 took part in ten wolfpacks, namely:

  • Luchs (1 – 6 October 1942)
  • Panther (6 – 20 October 1942)
  • Südwärts (24 – 26 October 1942)
  • Falke (28 December 1942 – 4 January 1943)
  • Jaguar (18 – 31 January 1943)
  • Seeteufel (23 – 30 March 1943)
  • Löwenherz (1 – 10 April 1943)
  • Lerche (10 – 16 April 1943)
  • Meise (16 – 22 April 1943)
  • Specht (22 April – 4 May 1943)

Summary of raiding history

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Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage (GRT) Fate[2]
12 October 1942 Stornest   United Kingdom 4,265 Sunk
5 April 1943 British Ardour   United Kingdom 7,124 Sunk
12 April 1943 Fresno City   United Kingdom 7,261 Sunk

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-706". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 9 February 2014.

Bibliography

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