German submarine U-761

German submarine U-761 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 9 October 1939, and was laid down on 16 December 1940, at Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven, as yard number 144. She was launched on 26 September 1942, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Horst Geider on 3 December 1942.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-761 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-761 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes or 26 TMA mines, 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 44 — 52 men.

Service history
U-761 participated in two war patrols that yielded no ships sunk or damaged.

On 24 February 1944, U-761 was badly damaged by depth charges and scuttled after being attacked by British destroyers HMS Anthony (H40) and HMS Wishart (D67), an RAF Catalina of 202 Sqn RAF/G, a USN Ventura of VB-127 USN/B-46 and two USN Catalina's of VP-63 USN/P-14 & 15. Oblt.z.S. Horst Geider and 47 other crewmen, of a crew of 57, survived the attack.

The wreck now lies at 35.91667°N, -5.75°W.

Wolfpacks
U-761 took part in three wolfpacks, namely:
 * Coronel (4 – 8 December 1943)
 * Coronel 1 (8 – 14 December 1943)
 * Coronel 2 (14 – 16 December 1943)