German submarine U-407


German submarine U-407 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
She was laid down on 12 September 1940 by Danziger Werft, Danzig as yard number 108, launched on 16 August 1941 and commissioned on 18 December 1941 under Oberleutnant zur See Ernst-Ulrich Brüller.

Design

were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-407 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 Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38–8 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-407 was fitted with five torpedo tubes, fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun,, one Flak M42 and two C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Service history

The boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 18 December 1941, followed by active service on 1 September 1942 as part of the 9th Flotilla. However, within 3 months, she transferred for operations in the Mediterranean with 29th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.
In twelve patrols she sank three merchant ships – including the 19,648-ton on 11 November 1942 – for a total of, one merchant ship damaged of, two warships damaged and one more ship a total loss ; however, some sources claim that the damaging of is to be attributed to the Italian submarine Ascianghi.

Wolfpacks

U-407 took part in four wolfpacks, namely
U-407 was sunk on 19 September 1944 in the Mediterranean in position, south of Milos,, by depth charges from, and. There were five crew members killed.

Summary of raiding history

Citations