German submarine U-708

	U-708 was the only known U-boat with such emblem: white seahorse on a red shield
History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-708
Ordered	6 August 1940
Builder	H. C. Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg
Yard number	772
Laid down	31 March 1941
Launched	24 March 1942
Commissioned	24 July 1942
Fate	Scuttled on 5 May 1945 in Wilhelmshaven
General characteristics
Class and type	Type VIIC submarine
Displacement	769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced; 871 t (857 long tons) submerged;
Length	67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) o/a ; 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) pressure hull ;
Beam	6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a; 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull;
Height	9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught	4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power	2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels); 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric);
Propulsion	2 shafts; 2 × diesel engines ; 2 × electric motors ;
Speed	17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced; 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged;
Range	8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Test depth	230 m (750 ft); Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft);
Complement	44–60 officers & ratings
Armament	5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern); 14 × torpedoes ; 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun (220 rounds); 2 × twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns ;
Service record
Part of:	8th U-boat Flotilla ; 24 July 1942 – 30 September 1943; 7th U-boat Flotilla ; 1 October 1943 – 1 February 1944; 5th U-boat Flotilla ; 1 February – 1 April 1944; 21st U-boat Flotilla ; 1 April 1944 – 15 March 1945; 31st U-boat Flotilla ; 16 March – 5 May 1945;
Identification codes:	M 28 568
Commanders:	Oblt.z.S. Werner Heintze; 24 July 1942 – June 1943; Oblt.z.S. Klaus Andersen; June 1943 – 29 February 1944; Oblt.z.S. Ewald Pick; 1 March – 14 April 1944; Oblt.z.S. Herbert Kühn; 15 April 1944 – 5 May 1945;
Operations:	None
Victories:	None

Last updated March 18, 2024

German submarine U-708 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. Ordered 6 August 1940, she was laid down 31 March 1941 and launched 24 March 1942. She was used only for training, and was captained by four different commanders during her 3-year life. She was scuttled on 5 May 1945 at Wilhelmshaven and her wreck was broken up in 1947.

Design

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-708 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-708 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]

Related Research Articles

German submarine U-554 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 1 December 1939 at the Blohm & Voss yard in Hamburg as yard number 530, launched on 7 November 1940, and commissioned on 15 January 1941 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Dietrich Lohmann.

German submarine U-768 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-92 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-267 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 9 August 1941 at the Bremer Vulkan yard at Bremen-Vegesack as yard number 32, launched on 23 May 1942 and commissioned on 11 July 1942. She took part in seven patrols between 11 July 1942 and when she was scuttled at the war's end. She neither sank nor damaged any ships. U-267 was scuttled in Geltinger Bucht on 5 May 1945, later raised and broken up.

German submarine U-304 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She saw service in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Built in 1941 and 1942 at Flender-Werke, Lübeck, U-304 was a Type VIIC U-boat, capable of lengthy ocean patrols and of operating in distant environments.

German submarine U-237 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-367 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She carried out no patrols. She did not sink or damage any ships. She was sunk by a Soviet mine northeast of Danzig on 15 March 1945.

German submarine U-560 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She carried out no patrols, sank no ships, and was scuttled on 3 May 1945 in Kiel. The wreck was broken up in 1946. The submarine was laid down on 1 February 1940 at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg as yard number 536, launched on 10 January 1941 and commissioned on 6 March under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Jürgen Zetzsche. She served with the 24th U-boat Flotilla from 6 March 1941 for training and was reassigned to the 22nd flotilla on 1 December 1943, then the 31st flotilla on 1 March 1945.

German submarine U-583 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

German submarine U-668 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 11 October 1941 at the Howaldtswerke yard at Hamburg, launched on 5 October 1942, and commissioned on 16 November 1942 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Wolfgang von Eickstedt.

German submarine U-680 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 12 October 1942 at the Howaldtswerke yard at Hamburg, launched on 20 November 1943, and commissioned on 23 December 1943 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Max Ulber.

German submarine U-719 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 3 July 1942 at the H. C. Stülcken Sohn yard at Hamburg, launched on 28 April 1943, and commissioned on 27 July 1943 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Klaus-Dietrich Steffens. Attached to 5th U-boat Flotilla based at Kiel, U-719 completed her training period on 30 April 1944 and was assigned to front-line service.

German submarine U-720 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 17 August 1942 at the H. C. Stülcken Sohn yard at Hamburg, launched on 5 June 1943, and commissioned on 17 September 1943 under the command of Leutnant zur See Wolf-Harald Schüer.

German submarine U-742 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 12 May 1942 by Schichau-Werke of Danzig. She was commissioned on 1 May 1943 with Kapitänleutnant Heinz Schwassmann in command.

German submarine U-746 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 15 July 1942 by Schichau-Werke of Danzig. She was commissioned on 4 July 1943 with Tenente di vascello Augusto Biagini in command.

German submarine U-740 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 26 April 1942 by Schichau-Werke of Danzig. She was commissioned on 27 March 1943 with Oberleutnant zur See Günther Stark in command.

German submarine U-738 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 25 February 1942 by Schichau-Werke of Danzig. She was commissioned on 20 February 1943 with Oberleutnant zur See Erich-Michael Hoffmann in command.

German submarine U-747 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 19 August 1942 by Schichau-Werke of Danzig. She was commissioned on 17 July 1943 with Tenente di vascello Roberto Rigoli in command.

German submarine U-748 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 20 August 1942 by Schichau-Werke of Danzig. She was commissioned on 31 July 1943 with Capitano di Corvetta Mario Arillo in command.

German submarine U-749 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 28 September 1942 by Schichau-Werke of Danzig. She was commissioned on 14 August 1943 with Tenente di vascello Alberto Longhi in command.

References

1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.

Bibliography

Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.
Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945[German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.

External links

Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-708". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 December 2014.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[FOOTNOTEGröner199143–46-1] 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.

[1]

v t e German Type VII submarines
Type VIIA	U-27 U-28 U-29 U-30 U-31 U-32 U-33 U-34 U-35 U-36
Type VIIB	U-45 U-46 U-47 U-48 U-49 U-50 U-51 U-52 U-53 U-54 U-55 U-73 U-74 U-75 U-76 U-83 U-84 U-85 U-86 U-87 U-99 U-100 U-101 U-102
Type VIIC	U-69 U-70 U-71 U-72 U-77 U-78 U-79 U-80 U-81 U-82 U-88 U-89 U-90 U-91 U-92 U-93 U-94 U-95 U-96 U-97 U-98 U-132 U-133 U-134 U-135 U-136 U-201 U-202 U-203 U-204 U-205 U-206 U-207 U-208 U-209 U-210 U-211 U-212 U-221 U-222 U-223 U-224 U-225 U-226 U-227 U-228 U-229 U-230 U-231 U-232 U-235 U-236 U-237 U-238 U-239 U-240 U-241 U-242 U-243 U-244 U-245 U-246 U-247 U-248 U-249 U-250 U-251 U-252 U-253 U-254 U-255 U-256 U-257 U-258 U-259 U-260 U-261 U-262 U-263 U-264 U-265 U-266 U-267 U-268 U-269 U-270 U-271 U-272 U-273 U-274 U-275 U-276 U-277 U-278 U-279 U-280 U-281 U-282 U-283 U-284 U-285 U-286 U-287 U-288 U-289 U-290 U-291 U-301 U-302 U-303 U-304 U-305 U-306 U-307 U-308 U-309 U-310 U-311 U-312 U-313 U-314 U-315 U-316 U-331 U-332 U-333 U-334 U-335 U-336 U-337 U-338 U-339 U-340 U-341 U-342 U-343 U-344 U-345 U-346 U-347 U-348 U-349 U-350 U-351 U-352 U-353 U-354 U-355 U-356 U-357 U-358 U-359 U-360 U-361 U-362 U-363 U-364 U-365 U-366 U-367 U-368 U-369 U-370 U-371 U-372 U-373 U-374 U-375 U-376 U-377 U-378 U-379 U-380 U-381 U-382 U-383 U-384 U-385 U-386 U-387 U-388 U-389 U-390 U-391 U-392 U-393 U-394 U-396 U-397 U-398 U-399 U-400 U-401 U-402 U-403 U-404 U-405 U-406 U-407 U-408 U-409 U-410 U-411 U-412 U-413 U-414 U-415 U-416 U-417 U-418 U-419 U-420 U-421 U-422 U-423 U-424 U-425 U-426 U-427 U-428 U-429 U-430 U-431 U-432 U-433 U-434 U-435 U-436 U-437 U-438 U-439 U-440 U-441 U-442 U-443 U-444 U-445 U-446 U-447 U-448 U-449 U-450 U-451 U-452 U-453 U-454 U-455 U-456 U-457 U-458 U-465 U-466 U-467 U-468 U-469 U-470 U-471 U-472 U-473 U-475 U-476 U-477 U-478 U-479 U-480 U-481 U-482 U-483 U-484 U-485 U-486 U-551 U-552 U-553 U-554 U-555 U-556 U-557 U-558 U-559 U-560 U-561 U-562 U-563 U-564 U-565 U-566 U-567 U-568 U-569 U-570 U-571 U-572 U-573 U-574 U-575 U-576 U-577 U-578 U-579 U-580 U-581 U-582 U-583 U-584 U-585 U-586 U-587 U-588 U-589 U-590 U-591 U-592 U-593 U-594 U-595 U-596 U-597 U-598 U-599 U-600 U-601 U-602 U-603 U-604 U-605 U-606 U-607 U-608 U-609 U-610 U-611 U-612 U-613 U-614 U-615 U-616 U-617 U-618 U-619 U-620 U-621 U-622 U-623 U-624 U-625 U-626 U-627 U-628 U-629 U-630 U-631 U-632 U-633 U-634 U-635 U-636 U-637 U-638 U-639 U-640 U-641 U-642 U-643 U-644 U-645 U-646 U-647 U-648 U-649 U-650 U-651 U-652 U-653 U-654 U-655 U-656 U-657 U-658 U-659 U-660 U-661 U-662 U-663 U-664 U-665 U-666 U-667 U-668 U-669 U-670 U-671 U-672 U-673 U-674 U-675 U-676 U-677 U-678 U-679 U-680 U-681 U-682 U-683 U-701 U-702 U-703 U-704 U-705 U-706 U-707 U-708 U-709 U-710 U-711 U-712 U-713 U-714 U-715 U-716 U-717 U-718 U-719 U-720 U-721 U-722 U-731 U-732 U-733 U-734 U-735 U-736 U-737 U-738 U-739 U-740 U-741 U-742 U-743 U-744 U-745 U-746 U-747 U-748 U-749 U-750 U-751 U-752 U-753 U-754 U-755 U-756 U-757 U-758 U-759 U-760 U-761 U-762 U-763 U-764 U-765 U-766 U-767 U-768 U-771 U-772 U-773 U-774 U-775 U-776 U-777 U-778 U-779 U-821 U-822 U-825 U-826 U-901 U-903 U-904 U-905 U-907 U-921 U-922 U-923 U-924 U-925 U-926 U-927 U-928 U-951 U-952 U-953 U-954 U-955 U-956 U-957 U-958 U-959 U-960 U-961 U-962 U-963 U-964 U-965 U-966 U-967 U-968 U-969 U-970 U-971 U-972 U-973 U-974 U-975 U-976 U-977 U-978 U-979 U-980 U-981 U-982 U-983 U-984 U-985 U-986 U-987 U-988 U-989 U-990 U-991 U-992 U-993 U-994 U-1051 U-1052 U-1053 U-1054 U-1055 U-1056 U-1057 U-1058 U-1101 U-1102 U-1131 U-1132 U-1161 U-1162 U-1191 U-1192 U-1193 U-1194 U-1195 U-1196 U-1197 U-1198 U-1199 U-1200 U-1201 U-1202 U-1203 U-1204 U-1205 U-1206 U-1207 U-1208 U-1209 U-1210
Type VIIC/41	U-292 U-293 U-294 U-295 U-296 U-297 U-298 U-299 U-300 U-317 U-318 U-319 U-320 U-321 U-322 U-323 U-324 U-325 U-326 U-327 U-328 U-691 U-827 U-828 U-929 U-930 U-995 U-997 U-998 U-999 U-1000 U-1001 U-1002 U-1003 U-1004 U-1005 U-1006 U-1007 U-1008 U-1009 U-1010 U-1011 U-1013 U-1014 U-1015 U-1016 U-1017 U-1018 U-1019 U-1020 U-1021 U-1022 U-1023 U-1024 U-1025 U-1063 U-1064 U-1065 U-1103 U-1104 U-1105 U-1106 U-1107 U-1108 U-1109 U-1110 U-1163 U-1164 U-1165 U-1166 U-1167 U-1168 U-1169 U-1170 U-1171 U-1172 U-1271 U-1272 U-1273 U-1274 U-1275 U-1276 U-1277 U-1278 U-1279 U-1301 U-1302 U-1303 U-1304 U-1305 U-1306 U-1307 U-1308
Type VIID	U-213 U-214 U-215 U-216 U-217 U-218
Type VIIF	U-1059 U-1060 U-1061 U-1062
Preceded by: Type II Followed by: Type IX List of U-boats of Germany

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in May 1945
Shipwrecks	1 May: Argo , TA 43 , U-3006 , U-3009 2 May: Admiral Hipper , USS Thornton, U-8 , U-14 , U-60 , U-61 , U-62 , U-71 , U-72 , U-120 , U-121 , U-137 , U-139 , U-140 , U-141 , U-142 , U-146 , U-148 , U-151 , U-152 , U-316 , U-552 , U-554 , U-612 , U-717 , U-929 , U-1007 , U-1308 , U-2327 , U-2359 , U-2510 , U-2526 , U-2527 , U-2528 , U-2531 , U-3002 , U-3016 , U-3018 , U-3019 , U-3020 , U-3021 , U-3504 , U-3516 , U-3517 , U-3521 , U-3522 3 May: Arcona, Cap Arcona, Deutschland, Emden , USS Lagarto, USS Little, USS LSM(R)-195, Medusa, Nordland , Schlesien , Thielbek, UA , UB , UD-1 , UD-2 , UD-3 , UD-4 , U-48 , U-52 , U-57 , U-58 , U-59 , U-101 , U-328 , U-339 , U-428 , U-446 , U-475 , U-560 , U-704 , U-708 , U-747 , U-748 , U-795 , U-822 , U-828 , U-876 , U-903 , U-922 , U-924 , U-958 , U-1166, U-1170 , U-1192 , U-1196 , U-1201 , U-1205 , U-1210 , U-1227 , U-1275 , U-2330 , U-2332 , U-2355 , U-2371 , U-2501 , U-2503 , U-2504 , U-2508 , U-2512 , U-2519 , U-2520 , U-2521 , U-2524 , U-2533 , U-2534 , U-2535 , U-2536 , U-2539 , U-2543 , U-2545 , U-2546 , U-2548 , U-2552 , U-3001 , U-3005 , U-3010 , U-3011 , U-3012 , U-3013 , U-3014 , U-3023 , U-3024 , U-3025 , U-3026 , U-3027 , U-3028 , U-3029 , U-3031 , U-3032 , U-3037 , U-3038 , U-3039 , U-3040 , U-3507 , U-3509 , U-3511 , U-3513 , U-3518 , U-3525 , U-3530 , U-4705 , U-4712 , Z43 4 May: USS LSM(R)-190, USS LSM(R)-194, USS Luce, USS Morrison, Orion , USS PGM-17, U-30 , U-46 , U-267 , U-393 , U-711 , U-721 , U-792 , U-793 , U-904 , U-1132 , U-1161 , U-1168 , U-1303 , U-1304 , U-2338 , U-2540 , U-3033 , U-3034 , U-4709 , U-4711 5 May: T36 , U-17 , U-38 , U-236 , U-290 , U-349 , U-351 , U-370 , U-397 , U-534 , U-579 , U-733 , U-746 , U-750 , U-794 , U-827 , U-999 , U-1008 , U-1016 , U-1025 , U-1056 , U-1162 , U-1193 , U-1204 , U-1207 , U-1223 , U-1234 , U-1306 , U-1405 , U-2333 , U-2339 , U-2343 , U-2346 , U-2347 , U-2349 , U-2352 , U-2357 , U-2358 , U-2360 , U-2362 , U-2364 , U-2366 , U-2367 , U-2368 , U-2369 , U-2507 , U-2517 , U-2522 , U-2525 , U-2541 , U-2544 , U-2551 , U-3015 , U-3022 , U-3044 , U-3501 , U-3510 , U-3524 , U-3526 , U-3527 , U-3528 , U-3529 , U-4701 , U-4702 , U-4703 , U-4704 , U-4707 , U-4710 6 May: U-853 , U-881 , U-3523 7 May: Avondale Park, Sneland I, U-1407 8 May: U-37 , U-320 , U-382 , U-2365 , U-2538 , U-3030 , U-3503 16 May: Haguro , Hatsutaka , U-287 18 May: USS Longshaw 20 May: U-963 24 May: HM Motor Gun Boat 2007, U-979 25 May: USS Bates, USS LSM-135 28 May: USS Drexler 29 May: Tenryo Maru 31 May: I-361, Uzbekistan
Other incidents	3 May: USS Aaron Ward 4 May: HMS Formidable, USS Sangamon 9 May: USS England, USS Oberrender 11 May: USS Bunker Hill, USS Evans, USS Hugh W. Hadley 19 May: Kashima, HMS Terrapin 20 May: USS Chase, USS Thatcher 25 May: USS Barry, USS Spectacle, William B. Allison 26 May: USS PC-1603 29 May: USS Shubrick 31 May: Hebrides Unknown date: Nymphe, U-1197
1944 1945 1946 April 1945 June 1945