German submarine U-762

German submarine U-762 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 2 January 1941, at Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven, as yard number 145. She was launched on 21 November 1942, and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Wolfgang Hille on 30 January 1943.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-762 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-762 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-762 participated in two war patrols that yielded no ships sunk or damaged.

On 8 October 1943, eleven days into U-762's first war patrol, was spotted and attacked by a British B-24 Liberator of 120 Squadron, pilotted by Bryan W. Turnbull. U-762 dove to avoid the attack, which was joined by a destroyer, and managed to escape with only two men wounded and one of her diesel engines damaged.

On 8 February 1944, U-762 was sunk by depth charges after being attacked by British sloops HMS Woodpecker (U08) and HMS Wild Goose (U45). Oblt.z.S. Walter Pietschmann and all 50 crewmen were lost.

The wreck now lies at 49.03333°N, -16.96667°W.

Wolfpacks
U-762 took part in six wolfpacks, namely:
 * Rossbach (6 – 9 October 1943)
 * Schlieffen (14 – 22 October 1943)
 * Siegfried (22 – 27 October 1943)
 * Rügen 1 (6 – 7 January 1944)
 * Rügen (7 – 26 January 1944)
 * Stürmer (26 January – 3 February 1944)