German submarine U-707

German submarine U-707 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

Ordered 6 August 1940, she was laid down 2 January 1941 and launched 18 December 1941. She had a relatively brief career from 1 July 1942 until 9 November 1943, and during this time she was commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Günther Gretschel.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-707 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 Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c 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-707 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 two twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

Patrol History
During her career, U-707 sunk two ships, for a total tonnage of 11,811 GRT, namely the US freighter Jonathan Sturges, a straggler of convoy ON 166, and the British freighter North Britain also a straggler of convoy ONS 5.

Wolfpacks
U-707 participated in nine wolfpacks, namely:
 * Haudegen (26 January – 2 February 1943)
 * Nordsturm (2 – 9 February 1943)
 * Haudegen (9 – 15 February 1943)
 * Taifun (15 – 20 February 1943)
 * Specht (19 April – 4 May 1943)
 * Fink (4 – 6 May 1943)
 * Naab (12 – 15 May 1943)
 * Donau 2 (15 – 26 May 1943)
 * Schill (25 October – 9 November 1943)

Fate
While on patrol east of the Azores, she was depth charged and sunk on 9 November 1943 from a RAF Fortress aircraft, from Sqdn. 220/J R.A.F, at position 40.51667°N, -20.28333°W. She was lost with all hands; 51 dead.