German submarine U-734

German submarine U-734 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 20 October 1941 by Schichau-Werke, Danzig as yard number 1525, launched on 19 September 1942 and commissioned on 5 December 1942 under Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Jörg Blauert.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-734 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 AEG GU 460/8–27 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-734 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.

Service history
The boat's career began with training at 8th U-boat Flotilla on 5 December 1942, followed by active service on 1 August 1943 as part of the 3rd Flotilla for the remainder of her service.

In two patrols she sank no ships.

Wolfpacks
U-734 took part in three wolfpacks, namely:
 * Coronel (4 – 8 December 1943)
 * Coronel 2 (8 – 14 December 1943)
 * Igel 2 (9 February 1944)

Fate
U-734 was sunk on 9 February 1944 in the North Atlantic, SW of Ireland, in position 49.71667°N, -16.38333°W, by depth charges from Royal Navy sloops HMS Wild Goose (U45) & HMS Starling (U66). All hands were lost.