German submarine U-471

German submarine U-471 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 25 October 1941 by Deutsche Werke, Kiel as yard number 302, launched on 6 March 1943 and commissioned on 5 May 1943 under Oberleutnant zur See Friedrich Kloevekorn.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-471 had a displacement of 769 t when at the surface and 871 t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 50.50 m, a beam of 6.20 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.74 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2800 to 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38–8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 8500 nmi at 10 kn. U-471 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and one twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft gun. 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 5 May 1943, followed by active service on 1 November 1943 as part of the 1st Flotilla. On 1 May 1944, she transferred to 29th Flotilla for Mediterranean operations for the remainder of her service. In 3 patrols she sank no ships. In 1945, she was raised and returned to service with the French Navy as Millé from 1946. She was stricken on 9 July 1963 as Q339.

Wolfpacks
U-471 took part in six wolfpacks, namely:
 * Coronel 1 (14 – 17 December 1943)
 * Sylt (18 – 23 December 1943)
 * Rügen 3 (26 – 28 December 1943)
 * Rügen 4 (28 December 1943 – 2 January 1944)
 * Rügen 3 (2 – 7 January 1944)
 * Rügen (7 – 22 January 1944)

Fate
U-471 was sunk on 6 August 1944 in the Military port of Toulon dry-dock in position 43.11667°N, 5.91667°W, in an air raid by US Liberator bombers.